All Questions

1k views

Given a potential energy function, find expression of the force of a particle?

This comes from an AP review packet. I'm given a potential energy functon, $$U(r)=br^{-3/2} + c,$$ where $b$ and $c$ are constants, and need to find the expression for the force on the particle. ...
132 views

Sign issue on electrostatic potential energy

I have been working on a problem about finding the electrostatic potential energy stored on a capacitor of concentric spheres with inner radius $a$ and outer radius $b$ and with charge $Q$. I've got ...
3k views

Finding equation of state from thermal expansion coefficient and isothermal compressibility

I'm stuck on a problem that I found in a book (Modern Thermodynamic with Statistical Mechanics, Helrich S., problem 5.2). The text of the problem is that: Consider a solid material for which: ...
874 views

Hydrostatic pressure on a teapot spout

The phenomenon where water flows on the outside side of a teapot spout is named "The teapot effect", and occurs due to a difference in pressure between water and the atmosphere. Consider the image of ...
189 views

Where to take $\theta$ (theta) in a triangle?

This is an inclined surface having and unit vector A. The perpendicular and horizontal surfaces are the components of the inclined surface. We want to find out that how much flux will pass through ...
884 views

Can we measure an electromagnetic field?

As far as I can check, the Aharonov-Bohm effect is not -- contrary to what is claimed in the historical paper -- a demonstration that the vector potential $A$ has an intrinsic existence in quantum ...
285 views

Smallest force to move a brick

Having a brick lying on a table, I can exert horizontal force equal to $\mu m g$ to a middle of it's side, and it will start moving (assume $\mu$ is the friction coefficient). However, can I make the ...
576 views

UV-VIS spectrometer on Solids

I ran an experiment using translucent single crystal solids. I modified the solids along the way using different chemical/temperature environments. After every stage, I ran the samples through a ...
718 views

Electrostatic Potential Definition

In the book, Introduction to electrodynamics by David J. Griffiths, he introduces potential separately as a function and potential energy through that function. How can potential be defined before ...
288 views

Firing machine question

Suppose we have a firing machine on a frictionless surface at point $x=0$. It fires a bullet of mass $m$ every $T$ seconds. Each bullet has the same constant velocity $v_0$. There's a body of mass ...
3k views

How is it possible to equate the internal energy at constant volume with the internal energy of an adiabatic process?

I hope my question makes sense. My problem is that, I have read through numerous textbooks that $$nCdT = -PdV$$ (where $NC$ is constant volume) when deriving the relationship between $T$ and $V$ for ...
204 views

Is the result of (every) research on acceleration equivalent to gravity?

Is the result of an experiment on acceleration equivalent to another experiment in a gravitational field? If I have an experimental conclusion from research under uniform acceleration, can the ...
4k views

When does Thevenin's theorem not apply (modelling a power source with a ohmic internal resistance)

Most physics text books say that a power source can be modelled as an EMF with a internal resistance. This is also know as Thevenin's theorem or Norton's theorem. However I have read in some sources ...
158 views

Confused on Calculating Resistance Distance Matrix

I am trying to create a computer program to compute the equivalent resistance over any points on any rectangular set of resistors (all with a resistance of 1 ohm). It seems that the resistance ...
161 views

Field content and symmetry groups of Minimal Composite Higgs Models

I'm trying to teach myself the Composite Higgs Model, both its theory and its LHC phenomenology (particularly the 4DCHM). Unfortunately, I'm struggling; the literature is contradictory and/or omits ...
314 views

How to create frame of reference?

Is this possible to create a inertial frame of reference in the earth? How it is possible?
2k views

Wind effect on driving a ground-based vehicle

A friend of mine seems to think that wind affects the ground-speed of a ground-based vehicle in the same way airspeed affects an airborne aircraft. i.e. If faced with a 10mph headwind, your car isn't ...
6k views

Light bulbs, Wattage meaning? [closed]

Light bulbs, Wattage meaning? Two incandescent bulbs (120 V, 25 Watt) and (120 V, 500 Watt) connected to the same batteries. Which one shines brighter? And why?
215 views

How important is it, really, to clean vacuum parts?

In every lab I've seen, people are quite meticulous about cleaning parts that are to be used in ultrahigh vacuum, as well as the components of the chamber itself. The parts may be put in an ultrasonic ...
3k views

Transfer of electron energy to atoms (heating up of matter by absorption of photons)

If an electron absorbs a photon to get exited to a higher energy level, it should either come back to same state or any other lower state by emitting the required photon. How then can there be a net ...
227 views

Why does the metastable form of Technetium-95 have a longer half-life than its most stable state?

I was looking at the isotopes of technetium page on Wikipedia recently, and it seems that the metastable ${^{95m}Tc}$ has a substantially longer half-life (61d) than its most stable state of ...
113 views

Number of particles in a microcanonical ensemble

Is it always assumed that, in a microcanonical ensemble, the number of particles is $N \gg 1$ ? If no, are all the theorems related to the microcanonical description true even if the number of ...
243 views

Understanding drift velocities in currents

I have a doubt about the understanding of drift velocities in a current. My problem is that the textbook speaks very loosely about this. It's like: "well, if we apply a field $E$ then the charges will ...
383 views

Cancelling special & general relativistic effects

We know that for a GPS we need to make a correction for both general and special relativity: general relativity predicts that clocks go slower in a higher gravitational field (the clock aboard a GPS ...
777 views

How scalar curvature of following spacetime can be equal to zero?

For an interval of this spacetime, $$ds^{2} = c^{2}dt^{2} - c^{2}t^{2}(d \psi^{2} + sh^{2}(\psi )(d \theta^{2} + sin^{2}(\theta )d \varphi^{2})),$$ scalar curvature is equal to zero. Also, Ricci ...
225 views

Period of oscilation [duplicate]

Two masses $m_1$ and $m_2$ are connected by a spring of spring constant $k$ and slide freely without friction along horizontal track. What is period of oscillation? No force influence.
470 views

How much Bicarbonate of Soda and Vinegar would I need to reach space?

So here is my problem - as part of my job I present some science demonstrations to children and one of the tricks I regularly use is the bicarb/acetic acid rocket. I thought the other day that a ...
A rigid sphere of radius $R_S$ made from a material with specific gravity $SG_s$ is completely submerged in a tank of water with radius $R_t$ and initial depth $L$ as shown in the figure The ...