Tag: Energy
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Simple Harmonic Motion
Introduction Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) is a type of periodic motion where the restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement and acts in the direction opposite to that of displacement. It is an important concept in physics due to its wide applicability in various phenomena such as pendulums, spring-mass systems, and oscillations in electrical…
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Mass-Energy Equivalence
Introduction Mass-energy equivalence is a fundamental principle of modern physics, stating that mass and energy are interchangeable. It’s the foundation of nuclear reactions and the idea behind nuclear power and weapons. Einstein’s Famous Equation Albert Einstein, in his Special Theory of Relativity, expressed the principle of mass-energy equivalence with the equation: where: Conceptual Understanding According…
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Nuclear Fusion
Introduction Nuclear fusion is a process where two light nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus. It’s the same process that powers the sun and other stars. This process releases a significant amount of energy due to the difference in binding energy between the initial and final products. Definition and Equation The general equation…
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Nuclear Fission
Introduction Nuclear fission is a nuclear reaction or a radioactive decay process in which the nucleus of an atom splits into two or more smaller, lighter nuclei. This process often releases a large amount of energy and usually one or more neutrons. Definition and Equation The nuclear fission reaction can be written generally as: where:…
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Chapter 19: Thermal Energy
19.1 Introduction to Thermal Energy In this chapter, we will explore yet another form of energy known as thermal energy. Thermal energy is the energy that arises due to the motion of particles within a substance. As the kinetic energy of the particles within a substance increases, the temperature of that substance also increases, thus…
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Chapter 18: Elastic Potential Energy
18.1 Introduction to Elastic (Spring) Potential Energy In this chapter, we will explore another form of potential energy, known as elastic potential energy. Elastic potential energy (also known as spring potential energy) is the energy stored in an object when it is deformed, such as when a spring is compressed or stretched. We will discuss…
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Chapter 17: Gravitational Potential Energy
The ball in this image has a location within the Earth’s gravitational field and thus has gravitational potential energy relative to other points in the field (like the ground below it).
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Chapter 16: Kinetic Energy
16.1 Introduction to Kinetic Energy In this chapter, we will focus on kinetic energy, one of the two main types of energy we introduced in the previous chapter. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion, and it is directly related to an object’s mass and velocity. Understanding kinetic energy is crucial for solving various problems…
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Chapter 15: Introduction to Energy
Energy is a fundamental concept in physics that plays a crucial role in understanding how the world around us works. Simply put, energy is the ability to do work, and it can be found in many different forms. 15.1 From Work to Energy In the previous section, we discussed how work is defined as the…
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Conservation of Energy
Conservation of energy is the principle which states that the total energy of an isolated system remains constant over time. This principle is based on the idea that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but can only be converted from one form to another. Basic Understanding of Conservation of Energy Energy exists in various forms,…