Physics Commons^™

Physics, Chapter 11: Rotational Motion (The Dynamics Of A Rigid Body), Henry Semat, Robert Katz

Robert Katz Publications

The motion of the flywheel of an engine and of a pulley on its axle are examples of an important type of motion of a rigid body, that of the motion of rotation about a fixed axis. Consider the motion of a uniform disk rotating about a fixed axis passing through its center of gravity C perpendicular to the face of the disk, as shown in Figure 11-1. The motion of this disk may be described in terms of the motions of each of its individual particles, but a better way to describe the motion is in terms of …

Physics, Chapter 9: Hydrodynamics (Fluids In Motion), Henry Semat, Robert Katz

Robert Katz Publications

When a liquid flows through a pipe in such a way that it completely fills the pipe, and as much liquid enters one end of the pipe as leaves the other end of the pipe in the same time, then the liquid is said to flow at a steady rate. At any point of the pipe, the flow of the liquid does not change with time. The path of any particle of liquid as it moves through the pipe is called a streamline. We can map the flow of liquid through the pipe by drawing a series of …

University Physics I: Classical Mechanics, Julio Gea-Banacloche

Open Educational Resources

This is a textbook for the first semester of University Physics for scientists and engineers. It covers classical mechanics, and a brief introduction to thermodynamics. The presentation and approach are similar to Mazur’s “The Principles and Practice of Physics,” in that conservation laws are introduced before forces, and one-dimensional systems thoroughly covered before moving to two dimensions. Although the course is “calculus based,” the book has been written with the understanding that many students may be taking calculus simultaneously as a corequisite, so the use of calculus is relatively sparse.

This revised version (Fall 2019) takes into account a number …

Data Processing & Analysis For Atomic Force Microscopy (Afm), Molly Mcdonough, Polievkt Perov, Walter Johnson, Stevan Radojev

Undergraduate Theses and Capstone Projects

Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM) has become a critical tool for characterization of materials in fields such as physics, material science, chemistry, and biology. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is an increasingly useful technique because of its high resolution in three dimensions, the sample does not need to be conductive, and the technique does not need to take place in vacuum. AFM can image a wide variety of topographies and many different types of materials. AFM can deliver 3D topography information from the angstrom level to the micron scale with high resolution. One of the most important aspects of Atomic Force Microscopy …

Introduction To Classical Field Theory, Charles G. Torre

All Complete Monographs

This is an introduction to classical field theory. Topics treated include: Klein-Gordon field, electromagnetic field, scalar electrodynamics, Dirac field, Yang-Mills field, gravitational field, Noether theorems relating symmetries and conservation laws, spontaneous symmetry breaking, Lagrangian and Hamiltonian formalisms.

Effects Of Tension On Resonant Frequencies Of Strings, Blake Burnett

Senior Theses

This project tests and explores resonance of strings. Since all materials and mechanisms are affected by vibrations, it is important to know the frequencies at which resonance occurs. To explore this subject, strings were used as a model material to test the effect tension has on resonance. The fundamental frequencies and the corresponding modes of resonance were used to analyze the data. The results of this experiment show that increasing tension on a string increases its resonance frequency. Understanding the physics behind resonance frequency allows systems to be designed to take advantage of resonance properties, or to avoid resonance where …

Physics, Chapter 13: Properties Of Matter, Henry Semat, Robert Katz

Robert Katz Publications

When a system is subjected to external forces, it generally undergoes a change in size or shape or both. We have thus far touched very lightly on such changes; for example, we have considered the change in length of an elastic spring and the change in volume of a gas when such systems were subjected to varying pressures. The changes produced in a system by the action of external forces depend upon the physical properties of the material of which the system is composed. A study of the properties of matter leads to information which is of practical value to …

Commutation Relations For Functions Of Operators, Mark K. Transtrum, Jean-Francois S. Van Huele

Faculty Publications

We derive an expression for the commutator of functions of operators with constant commutations relations in terms of the partial derivatives of these functions. This result extends the well-known commutation relation between one operator and a function of another operator. We discuss the range of applicability of the formula with examples in quantum mechanics

The Drag Coefficient Of Varying Dimple Patterns, James M. Seeley, Michael S. Crosser

Senior Theses

There are many golf balls on the market today with varying dimple sizes, shapes, and distribution. These proprietary differences are all designed to reduce drag on the balls during flight, allowing golfers to hit the ball farther distances. There are limited published studies comparing how varying the dimples affects the reduction of drag. An experiment was developed in which golf balls were pulled through a water tank to measure the drag force acting on each ball. The water was chosen to allow for testing at slower velocities than the typical necessary speeds to cause turbulence for balls traveling in air. …

Physics, Chapter 8: Hydrostatics (Fluids At Rest), Henry Semat, Robert Katz

Robert Katz Publications

From our everyday experience, we have become familiar with the fact that matter occurs in three different forms-solid, liquid, and gas. Under ordinary conditions stone, iron, copper, and chalk, for example, are solids; water, oil, and mercury are liquids; air, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide are gases. Each one of these forms is called a phase. At times it is difficult to distinguish clearly between the solid and the liquid phases, as in a material such as tar which flows under the action of a force at ordinary temperatures. Metals at high temperatures flow or "creep" under the action of a …