Primary Navigation
Want to create or adapt books like this? Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices.
Book Contents Navigation
Preface to College Physics
1. 1.0 Introduction
2. 1.1 Physics: An Introduction
3. 1.2 Physical Quantities and Units
4. 1.3 Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures
5. 1.4 Approximation
6. 2.0 Introduction
7. 2.1 Displacement
8. 2.2 Vectors, Scalars, and Coordinate Systems
9. 2.3 Time, Velocity, and Speed
10. 2.4 Acceleration
11. 2.5 Motion Equations for Constant Acceleration in One Dimension
12. 2.6 Problem-Solving Basics for One-Dimensional Kinematics
13. 2.7 Falling Objects
14. 2.8 Graphical Analysis of One-Dimensional Motion
15. 3.0 Introduction
16. 3.1 Kinematics in Two Dimensions: An Introduction
17. 3.2 Vector Addition and Subtraction: Graphical Methods
18. 3.3 Vector Addition and Subtraction: Analytical Methods
19. 3.4 Projectile Motion
20. 3.5 Addition of Velocities
21. 4.0 Introduction
22. 4.1 Development of Force Concept
23. 4.2 Newton’s First Law of Motion: Inertia
24. 4.3 Newton’s Second Law of Motion: Concept of a System
25. 4.4 Newton’s Third Law of Motion: Symmetry in Forces
26. 4.5 Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces
27. 4.6 Problem-Solving Strategies
28. 4.7 Further Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion
29. 4.8 Extended Topic: The Four Basic Forces—An Introduction
30. 5.0 Introduction
31. 5.1 Friction
32. 5.2 Drag Forces
33. 5.3 Elasticity: Stress and Strain
34. 6.0 Introduction
35. 6.1 Rotation Angle and Angular Velocity
36. 6.2 Centripetal Acceleration
37. 6.3 Centripetal Force
38. 6.4 Fictitious Forces and Non-inertial Frames: The Coriolis Force
39. 6.5 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation
40. 6.6 Satellites and Kepler’s Laws: An Argument for Simplicity
41. 7.0 Introduction
42. 7.1 Work: The Scientific Definition
43. 7.2 Kinetic Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem
44. 7.3 Gravitational Potential Energy
45. 7.4 Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
46. 7.5 Nonconservative Forces
47. 7.6 Conservation of Energy
48. 7.7 Power
49. 7.8 Work, Energy, and Power in Humans
50. 7.9 World Energy Use
51. 8.0 Introduction
52. 8.1 Linear Momentum and Force
53. 8.2 Impulse
54. 8.3 Conservation of Momentum
55. 8.4 Elastic Collisions in One Dimension
56. 8.5 Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension
57. 8.6 Collisions of Point Masses in Two Dimensions
58. 8.7 Introduction to Rocket Propulsion
59. 9.0 Introduction
60. 9.1 The First Condition for Equilibrium
61. 9.2 The Second Condition for Equilibrium
62. 9.3 Stability
63. 9.4 Applications of Statics, Including Problem-Solving Strategies
64. 9.5 Simple Machines
65. 9.6 Forces and Torques in Muscles and Joints
66. 10.0 Introduction
67. 10.1 Angular Acceleration
68. 10.2 Kinematics of Rotational Motion
69. 10.3 Dynamics of Rotational Motion: Rotational Inertia
70. 10.4 Rotational Kinetic Energy: Work and Energy Revisited
71. 10.5 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation
72. 10.6 Collisions of Extended Bodies in Two Dimensions
73. 10.7 Gyroscopic Effects: Vector Aspects of Angular Momentum
74. 11.0 Introduction
75. 11.1 What Is a Fluid?
76. 11.2 Density
77. 11.3 Pressure
78. 11.4 Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid
79. 11.5 Pascal’s Principle
80. 11.6 Gauge Pressure, Absolute Pressure, and Pressure Measurement
81. 11.7 Archimedes’ Principle
82. 11.8 Cohesion and Adhesion in Liquids: Surface Tension and Capillary Action
83. 11.9 Pressures in the Body
84. 12.0 Introduction
85. 12.1 Flow Rate and Its Relation to Velocity
86. 12.2 Bernoulli’s Equation
87. 12.3 The Most General Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation
88. 12.4 Viscosity and Laminar Flow; Poiseuille’s Law
89. 12.5 The Onset of Turbulence
90. 12.6 Motion of an Object in a Viscous Fluid
91. 12.7 Molecular Transport Phenomena: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Related Processes
92. 13.0 Introduction
93. 13.1 Temperature
94. 13.2 Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids
95. 13.3 The Ideal Gas Law
96. 13.4 Kinetic Theory: Atomic and Molecular Explanation of Pressure and Temperature
97. 13.5 Phase Changes
98. 13.6 Humidity, Evaporation, and Boiling
99. 14.0 Introduction
100. 14.1 Heat
101. 14.2 Temperature Change and Heat Capacity
102. 14.3 Phase Change and Latent Heat
103. 14.4 Heat Transfer Methods
104. 14.5 Conduction
105. 14.6 Convection
106. 14.7 Radiation
107. 15.0 Introduction
108. 15.1 The First Law of Thermodynamics
109. 15.2 The First Law of Thermodynamics and Some Simple Processes
110. 15.3 Introduction to the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines and Their Efficiency
111. 15.4 Carnot’s Perfect Heat Engine: The Second Law of Thermodynamics Restated
112. 15.5 Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Pumps and Refrigerators
113. 15.6 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Disorder and the Unavailability of Energy
114. 15.7 Statistical Interpretation of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Underlying Explanation
115. 16.0 Introduction
116. 16.1 Hooke’s Law: Stress and Strain Revisited
117. 16.2 Period and Frequency in Oscillations
118. 16.3 Simple Harmonic Motion: A Special Periodic Motion
119. 16.4 The Simple Pendulum
120. 16.5 Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
121. 16.6 Uniform Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion
122. 16.7 Damped Harmonic Motion
123. 16.8 Forced Oscillations and Resonance
124. 16.9 Waves
125. 16.10 Superposition and Interference
126. 16.11 Energy in Waves: Intensity
127. 17.0 Introduction
128. 17.1 Sound
129. 17.2 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength
130. 17.3 Sound Intensity and Sound Level
131. 17.4 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms
132. 17.5 Sound Interference and Resonance: Standing Waves in Air Columns
133. 17.6 Hearing
134. 17.7 Ultrasound
135. 18.0 Introduction
136. 18.1 Static Electricity and Charge: Conservation of Charge
137. 18.2 Conductors and Insulators
138. 18.3 Coulomb’s Law
139. 18.4 Electric Field: Concept of a Field Revisited
140. 18.5 Electric Field Lines: Multiple Charges
141. 18.6 Electric Forces in Biology
142. 18.7 Conductors and Electric Fields in Static Equilibrium
143. 18.8 Applications of Electrostatics
144. 19.0 Introduction
145. 19.1 Electric Potential Energy: Potential Difference
146. 19.2 Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field
147. 19.3 Electrical Potential Due to a Point Charge
148. 19.4 Equipotential Lines
149. 19.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics
150. 19.6 Capacitors in Series and Parallel
151. 19.7 Energy Stored in Capacitors
152. 20.0 Introduction
153. 20.1 Current
154. 20.2 Ohm’s Law: Resistance and Simple Circuits
155. 20.3 Resistance and Resistivity
156. 20.4 Electric Power and Energy
157. 20.5 Alternating Current versus Direct Current
158. 20.6 Electric Hazards and the Human Body
159. 20.7 Nerve Conduction–Electrocardiograms
160. 21.0 Introduction
161. 21.1 Resistors in Series and Parallel
162. 21.2 Electromotive Force: Terminal Voltage
163. 21.3 Kirchhoff’s Rules
164. 21.4 DC Voltmeters and Ammeters
165. 21.5 Null Measurements
166. 21.6 DC Circuits Containing Resistors and Capacitors
167. 22.0 Introduction
168. 22.1 Magnets
169. 22.2 Ferromagnets and Electromagnets
170. 22.3 Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Field Lines
171. 22.4 Magnetic Field Strength: Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field
172. 22.5 Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field: Examples and Applications
173. 22.6 The Hall Effect
174. 22.7 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor
175. 22.8 Torque on a Current Loop: Motors and Meters
176. 22.9 Magnetic Fields Produced by Currents: Ampere’s Law
177. 22.10 Magnetic Force between Two Parallel Conductors
178. 22.11 More Applications of Magnetism
179. 23.0 Introduction
180. 23.1 Induced Emf and Magnetic Flux
181. 23.2 Faraday’s Law of Induction: Lenz’s Law
182. 23.3 Motional Emf
183. 23.4 Eddy Currents and Magnetic Damping
184. 23.5 Electric Generators
185. 23.6 Back Emf
186. 23.7 Transformers
187. 23.8 Electrical Safety: Systems and Devices
188. 23.9 Inductance
189. 23.10 RL Circuits
190. 23.11 Reactance, Inductive and Capacitive
191. 23.12 RLC Series AC Circuits
192. 24.0 Introduction
193. 24.1 Maxwell’s Equations: Electromagnetic Waves Predicted and Observed
194. 24.2 Production of Electromagnetic Waves
195. 24.3 The Electromagnetic Spectrum
196. 24.4 Energy in Electromagnetic Waves
197. 25.0 Introduction
198. 25.1 The Ray Aspect of Light
199. 25.2 The Law of Reflection
200. 25.3 The Law of Refraction
201. 25.4 Total Internal Reflection
202. 25.5 Dispersion: The Rainbow and Prisms
203. 25.6 Image Formation by Lenses
204. 25.7 Image Formation by Mirrors
205. 26.0 Introduction
206. 26.1 Physics of the Eye
207. 26.2 Vision Correction
208. 26.3 Color and Color Vision
209. 26.4 Microscopes
210. 26.5 Telescopes
211. 26.6 Aberrations
212. 27.0 Introduction
213. 27.1 The Wave Aspect of Light: Interference
214. 27.2 Huygens’s Principle: Diffraction
215. 27.3 Young’s Double Slit Experiment
216. 27.4 Multiple Slit Diffraction
217. 27.5 Single Slit Diffraction
218. 27.6 Limits of Resolution: The Rayleigh Criterion
219. 27.7 Thin Film Interference
220. 27.8 Polarization
221. 27.9 *Extended Topic* Microscopy Enhanced by the Wave Characteristics of Light
222. 28.0 Introduction
223. 28.1 Einstein’s Postulates
224. 28.2 Simultaneity And Time Dilation
225. 28.3 Length Contraction
226. 28.4 Relativistic Addition of Velocities
227. 28.5 Relativistic Momentum
228. 28.6 Relativistic Energy
229. 29.0 Introduction
230. 29.1 Quantization of Energy
231. 29.2 The Photoelectric Effect
232. 29.3 Photon Energies and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
233. 29.4 Photon Momentum
234. 29.5 The Particle-Wave Duality
235. 29.6 The Wave Nature of Matter
236. 29.7 Probability: The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
237. 29.8 The Particle-Wave Duality Reviewed
238. 30.0 Introduction
239. 30.1 Discovery of the Atom
240. 30.2 Discovery of the Parts of the Atom: Electrons and Nuclei
241. 30.3 Bohr’s Theory of the Hydrogen Atom
242. 30.4 X Rays: Atomic Origins and Applications
243. 30.5 Applications of Atomic Excitations and De-Excitations
244. 30.6 The Wave Nature of Matter Causes Quantization
245. 30.7 Patterns in Spectra Reveal More Quantization
246. 30.8 Quantum Numbers and Rules
247. 30.9 The Pauli Exclusion Principle
248. 31.0 Introduction
249. 31.1 Nuclear Radioactivity
250. 31.2 Radiation Detection and Detectors
251. 31.3 Substructure of the Nucleus
252. 31.4 Nuclear Decay and Conservation Laws
253. 31.5 Half-Life and Activity
254. 31.6 Binding Energy
255. 31.7 Tunneling
256. 32.0 Introduction
257. 32.1 Medical Imaging and Diagnostics
258. 32.2 Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation
259. 32.3 Therapeutic Uses of Ionizing Radiation
260. 32.4 Food Irradiation
261. 32.5 Fusion
262. 32.6 Fission
263. 32.7 Nuclear Weapons
264. 33.0 Introduction
265. 33.1 The Yukawa Particle and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle Revisited
266. 33.2 The Four Basic Forces
267. 33.3 Accelerators Create Matter from Energy
268. 33.4 Particles, Patterns, and Conservation Laws
269. 33.5 Quarks: Is That All There Is?
270. 33.6 GUTs: The Unification of Forces
271. 34.0 Introduction
272. 34.1 Cosmology and Particle Physics
273. 34.2 General Relativity and Quantum Gravity
274. 34.3 Superstrings
275. 34.4 Dark Matter and Closure
276. 34.5 Complexity and Chaos
277. 34.6 High-temperature Superconductors
278. 34.7 Some Questions We Know to Ask
Appendix A Atomic Masses
Appendix B Selected Radioactive Isotopes
Appendix C Useful Information
Appendix D Glossary of Key Symbols and Notation
Previous/next navigation
College Physics Copyright © August 22, 2016 by OpenStax is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License, except where otherwise noted.