Chapter Six
Physics
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Physics
Physics is the scientific study of matter and energy and
how they interact with each other.
There are many fields of physics:
• Mechanics
• Electricity
• Heat
• Sound
• Light
• Atomic physics and nuclear physics.
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Main theories of Physics
1- Classical Physics:
The laws of classical physics describe systems whose important length scales are greater than the atomic scale and whose
motions are much slower than the speed of light.
Classical mechanics is used for describing the motion of macroscopic objects, from projectiles to parts of machinery, as
well as astronomical objects, such as spacecraft, planets, stars, and galaxies.
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Main theories of Physics
2- Quantum Mechanics:
Quantum mechanics is a set of principles describing the physical reality at the
atomic level of matter (molecules and atoms) and the subatomic (electrons, protons,
and even smaller particles)
3- Thermodynamics:
Thermodynamics is the study of the conversion of energy into work and heat and
its relation to macroscopic variables such as:
-Temperature
-Volume
-Pressure.
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Main theories of Physics
4- Electromagnetism:
Electromagnetism is the physics of the electromagnetic field, the force
observed as static electricity and causes the flow of electric charge (electric
current) in electrical conductors.
A changing magnetic field produces an electric field. Similarly, a changing
electric field generates a magnetic field.
Electricity generally refers to the flow of
charges.
In most cases, electrons are the charges which
are actually moving
Charges are made to flow by applying a voltage
Batteries
Power Supplies
Electrical generators
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Electrical Current
Electrical Current
Electrical
Electricalcurrent
currentisisthe
therate
rateof
offlow
flowof
ofcharges,
charges,that
thatisis[C/sec]
[C/sec]
The
Theunits
unitsof
ofcurrent
currentare
areAmperes,
Amperes,ororjust
justAmps
Amps(A)(A)
The
Theunits
unitsof
ofcharge
chargeisisaaCoulomb
Coulombororsimply
simply[C].
[C].
11[C]
[C]==6.25x10
6.25x101818charges
charges(such
(suchas
aselectrons
electronsororprotons)
protons)
11[A]
[A]==11[C/sec]
[C/sec]
11[A]
[A]==6.25x10
6.25x101818charges/sec
charges/sec
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
The law of conservation of energy states that the total amount of energy remains
constant over time (conserved over time). A consequence of this law is that energy
cannot be created nor destroyed. The only thing that can happen to energy is that
it can change form.
Examples:
1. Green plants convert the sun’s energy (electromagnetic) into starches
and sugars (chemical energy).
2. The mechanical energy of a waterfall is converted to electrical energy in a
generator.
3. In an automobile engine, fuel is burned to convert chemical energy into heat
energy. The heat energy is then changed into mechanical energy.
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Basic Physics laws
Kineticenergy
Kinetic energy(KE)
(KE) refers
refersto
tothe
theenergy
energyassociated
associatedwith
withthe
themotion
motion
ofan
of anobject.
object. The
Thekinetic
kineticenergy
energyisissimply:
simply:
KE==(½)m
KE (½)mxxvv22
where: m
where: m==mass
massinin[kg],
[kg],
vv ==velocity
velocityof
ofobject
objectin
in[m/sec]
[m/sec]
Whatare
What arethe
theunits
unitsof
ofKE?
KE?
Jouleor
Joule orJJ
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Kinetic Energy Examples
Ex. 1: What is the kinetic energy of a 1 [kg] mass moving at 4 [m/sec] ?
1 kg 4 m/sec
A) 4 [J] B) 0.25 [J] C) 2 [J] D) 8 [J]
KE = ½ (1)(4)2 = 8 [J]
Ex.2: What if the mass was going in the opposite direction
(v = - 4 [m/sec])?
1 kg
-4 m/sec
A) 4 [J] B) 0.25 [J] C) 2 [J] D) 8 [J]
KE = ½ (1)(- 4)2= 8 [J]
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Basic Physics laws
• Potential Energy (PE): energy due to position or stored
energy. It is energy waiting to be used for motion.
Measure by:
PE= Mass (kg) x Gravity (9.8 m/s2) x Height (m) = m.g.h
• Kinetic energy (KE): involves motion
• Conservation of energy: means it can change forms
between kinetic and potential, but it never disappears.
The total amount of energy is always the same.
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
PE = m.g.h KE= ½ m.v2
As the 2.0 kg pendulum bob in the above diagram swings
What is the height and speed change. Use energy
equations and the above data to determine the blanks in
the above diagram.
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Basic Physics laws
• A: h = 0.306 m: (6 J = 2 kg *9.8 m/s2 * h)
• B: h = 0.153 m: (3 J = 2 kg *9.8 m/s2 * h)
• C: v = 1.73 m/s: (3 J = 0.5 * 2 kg * v2)
• D: h = 0 m: (0 J = 2 kg * 9.8 m/s/s*h)
• E: v = 2.45 m/s: (6 J = 0.5 * 2 kg * v2)
• F: h = 0.306 m: (6 J = 2 kg * 9.8 m/s2 * h)
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
How many different kinds of energy can you find
on a ship?
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
Potential energy is stored in fuel.
Chemical change produces heat energy.
Heat changes water to steam.
Steam provides mechanical energy.
Mechanical energy moves the ship.
A moving ship has kinetic energy.
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Basic Physics laws
Potential Energy Heat Energy
(fuel)
. (steam)
Mechanical Energy
(engine parts)
Kinetic Energy
(ship moves)
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Basic Physics laws
Conservation of energy
• “Energy is neither created nor destroyed”
• If you “gain” energy: it must have come from
somewhere, like a push or pull
• If you “lose” energy: it must have been
transformed to a different type of energy.
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Basic Physics laws
Newton's laws of motion
Three physical laws that form the basis for classical
mechanics.
1. Newton’s First Law of Motion:
Every object retains its sate of rest or its state of uniform
straight-line motion unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Example: While riding a skateboard you fly forward off the
board when hitting a curb or rock which abruptly halts the
motion of the skateboard.
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Basic Physics laws
• Unless acted
upon by an
unbalanced
force, this golf
ball would sit on
the tee forever.
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Basic Physics laws
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Basic Physics laws
Why then, do we observe every
day objects in motion slowing
down and becoming motionless
seemingly without an outside
force?
It’s a force we sometimes cannot see –
friction force.
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Basic Physics laws
Example:
Slide a book across a table and watch it slide to a rest
position. The book comes to a rest because of the
presence of a force that force being the force of
friction, which brings the book to a rest position.
In the absence of a riction force, the book would continue
in motion with the same speed and direction - forever!
(Or at least to the end of the table top.)
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Newtons’s 1 Law and You
st
Don’t let this be you. Wear seat belts.
Because of inertia, objects (including you) resist changes in
their motion. When the car going 80 km/hour is stopped by
the brick wall, your body keeps moving at 80 km/hour.
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Basic Physics laws
2. Newton’s Second Law of Motion:
• Is a relationship between a net force (F), acceleration (a),
and mass (m)that describes the cause of change of
F = ma
• Force and acceleration are directly proportional, while
mass and acceleration are inversely proportional.
• When mass is in kilograms and acceleration is in m/s 2,
the unit of force is in Newtons (N).
• One Newton is equal to the force required to accelerate
one kg of mass at one m/s2
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Basic Physics laws
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Basic Physics laws
• How much force is needed to accelerate a
1400 kg car 2m/s2
• Write the formula
• F=mxa
• Fill in given numbers and units
• F = 1400 kg x 2 meters per s2
• Solve for the unknown
• 2800 kg-meters/s2 or 2800 N
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Newton’s 2nd Law proves that different masses accelerate
to the earth at the same rate, but with different forces.
• We know that objects
with different masses
accelerate to the
ground at the same
rate.
• However, because of
the 2nd Law we know
that they don’t hit the
ground with the same
force.
F = ma F = ma
98 N = 10 kg x 9.8 m/s2 9.8 N = 1 kg x 9.8 m/s27
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Basic Physics laws
check Your Understanding
1. What acceleration will result when a 12 N net force applied to a 3 kg object?
12 N = 3 kg x ----- m/s2
2. A net force of 16 N causes a mass to accelerate at a rate of 5 m/s 2. Determine the
mass.
16 N = ------ kg x 5 m/s2
3. How much force is needed to accelerate a 66 kg skier 1 m/sec 2?
------N=66 kg x 1 m/s2
4. What is the force on a 1000 kg elevator that is falling freely at 9.8 m/sec2?
------N=9800 kg x 9.81 m/s2
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Basic Physics laws
3. Newton’s Third Law of Motion:
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
According to Newton, whenever objects A and B interact with each
other, they exert forces upon each other. When you sit in your chair,
your body exerts a downward force on the chair and the chair exerts
an upward force on your body.
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Example: (Newton’s 3rd law)
There are two forces resulting from this
interaction: a force on the chair; and a
force on your body.
These two forces are called action and
reaction forces.
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Newton’s 3rd Law in Nature
• Consider the propulsion of a fish
through the water. A fish uses its
fins to push water backwards. In
turn, the water reacts by pushing
the fish forwards, propelling the
fish through the water.
• The size of the force on the water
equals the size of the force on the
fish; the direction of the force on
the water (backwards) is opposite
the direction of the force on the fish
(forwards).
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• Consider the flying motion of birds. A bird flies by use of
its wings. The wings of a bird push air downwards. In
turn, the air reacts by pushing the bird upwards.
• The size of the force on the air equals the size of the
force on the bird; the direction of the force on the air
(downwards) is opposite the direction of the force on
the bird (upwards).
• Action-reaction force pairs make it possible for birds to
fly.
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Newton’s 3rd Law
The reaction of a rocket is an
application of the third law of
motion. Various fuels are burned
in the engine, producing hot
gases.
The hot gases push against the
inside tube of the rocket and
escape out the bottom of the tube.
As the gases move downward, the
rocket moves in the opposite
direction.
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