Of all the various equation derivations one may encounter as an introductory physics student, the ones regarding ray diagrams are as counterintuitive as any. Whether a system at hand consists of thin lenses or mirrors, radiant energy is diagrammed as rays for the sake of simplicity. Never, ever forget that these diagrams are grossly oversimplifiedContinue reading “GEOMETRICAL OPTICS: Thin Lens Equation Derivation”
Author Archives: George Tafari
MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Lenz’ Law
Q: A loop that consists of 200 ( N ) turns and an area ( A ) of 0.25 m2 is located in a downward-directed magnetic field ( B ) of 0.40 T. Additionally, the loop’s coils have a resistance ( R ) of 5.0 Ω. If the coils are crushed to an area ofContinue reading “MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Lenz’ Law”
MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Electromagnetic Induction and the Electromotive Force ( emf )
Q: A metallic coil that consists of 200 ( N ) turns encloses an area ( A ) of 100 cm2. The coil is placed within a magnetic field ( B ) that is perpendicular to its area, and it has a magnetic flux density of 0.50 T. Next, the field is shut off, andContinue reading “MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Electromagnetic Induction and the Electromotive Force ( emf )”
MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Lenz’s Law, and the Right-Hand Rule
Early experiments with magnetism revealed that a current-carrying wire is surrounded by circular lines of magnetic flux ( ɸ ). The orientation of this field could be predicted via usage of the Right-Hand Rule. These observations are indeed interesting, and they were made when the current ( I ) passing through a conductor was constant;Continue reading “MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Magnetism, Electromagnetic Induction, Lenz’s Law, and the Right-Hand Rule”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Conventional Current, Kirchhoff’s Laws, Magnetic Fields, and the Right-Hand Rule
Conventional current refers to the convention in which electrical current ( I ) is considered to be a flow of positive charges. The usefulness of this convention is readily observable when dealing with Kirchoff’s Laws ( or Rules ) and the analysis of magnetic fields that encircle a conductor that carries a conventional current. OfContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Conventional Current, Kirchhoff’s Laws, Magnetic Fields, and the Right-Hand Rule”
AP PHYSICS: Force and Deceleration
Q: A vehicle weighing ( Fw ) 17.08 kN moves at a constant velocity ( v ) of 35.8 m/s. At some point, the driver decides to let the vehicle coast in neutral, during which air drag causes it to decelerate to 22.4 m/s in 24 s. ( a ) What is the magnitude ofContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Force and Deceleration”
KINEMATICS: Matching Equations to Appropriate Circumstances ( Part 1 )
Of all the topics that cause confusion among students new to physics, kinematics is no exception to the rule. Briefly speaking, kinematics can be described as the “ architecture of motion. “ Various types of forces ( F ) and energy ( E ) can give rise to motion observed within a system, whether thatContinue reading “KINEMATICS: Matching Equations to Appropriate Circumstances ( Part 1 )”
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Translational and Rotational Kinetic Energy
When determining the final kinetic energy ( KE ) of falling objects, we need not ( in theory ) concern ourselves with anything other than the linear pathway traveled to the earth’s surface. To the contrary, an object that rolls top to bottom down an incline will gain both linear ( KE ) and rotationalContinue reading “ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Translational and Rotational Kinetic Energy”
MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Elementary Particle Accelerator Design
The perpendicular force ( FB ) acting upon a positively charged particle moving with a constant velocity ( v ) gives rise to interesting and practical real-world applications: As the equation shows, the magnitude of this force is greatest when it travels through a magnetic field ( B ) at a 90o angle. As aContinue reading “MAGNETISM AND ELECTROMAGNETISM: Elementary Particle Accelerator Design”
FLUIDS: Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Momentum, and Torricelli’s Theorem
Q: A 0.2 m container is full of a fluid of unknown density ( ρ ). A spigot at the bottom of the container is opened to allow fluid to flow at an unknown velocity ( v ) onto the ground. With what velocity will the fluid flow through the spigot? A: In a separateContinue reading “FLUIDS: Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Momentum, and Torricelli’s Theorem”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 