Tag: Index
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Viscosity
Introduction Viscosity is a measure of a fluid’s resistance to flow. It describes the internal friction of a moving fluid. A fluid with large viscosity resists motion because its molecular makeup gives it a lot of internal friction. A fluid with low viscosity flows easily because its molecular makeup results in very little friction when…
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Visible Light
Introduction Visible light is the portion of the electromagnetic spectrum that is visible to the human eye. It occupies a very small portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, roughly between the wavelengths of 400 and 700 nanometers. Electromagnetic Spectrum and Visible Light The electromagnetic spectrum is the range of all possible frequencies of electromagnetic radiation. It…
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Work-Energy Theorem
Introduction The work-energy theorem is a fundamental principle in physics. It states that the work done on an object is equal to the change in its kinetic energy. This theorem is a direct consequence of Newton’s second law of motion. The Work-Energy Theorem Equation The work-energy theorem can be mathematically stated as: where: The kinetic…
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Xerography (Electrostatic Printing)
Xerography, also known as electrostatic printing, is a dry photocopying technique invented by Chester Carlson in 1938. It’s a process that uses electrostatic charges to create an image, then uses heat to permanently set the image onto paper or other material. Basic Principles of Xerography Xerography operates on the principle of photoconductivity, where certain materials…
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Zonal Harmonics
Zonal harmonics are a special class of spherical harmonics, which are functions that play a vital role in many areas of physics, including quantum mechanics, electrodynamics, and many areas of theoretical physics. Introduction to Spherical Harmonics Spherical harmonics are functions defined on the surface of a sphere that solve the angular part of Laplace’s equation.…
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Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
Introduction Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) is a powerful and theoretically complex analytical tool that exploits the magnetic properties of certain atomic nuclei. It determines the physical and chemical properties of atoms or the molecules in which they are contained. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) is a method that exploits the magnetic properties of certain types of…
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Neutron Stars
Introduction Neutron stars are incredibly dense and compact astronomical objects, resulting from the collapse of massive stars during supernova explosions. These stars are primarily composed of neutrons, hence the name. Formation of Neutron Stars When a star of significant mass exhausts its nuclear fuel, it undergoes a violent explosion known as a supernova. The star’s…
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Neutrinos
Introduction Neutrinos are one of the fundamental particles which make up the universe. They are also one of the least understood. Neutrinos are unique among the elementary particles because they interact only via the weak nuclear force, making them incredibly difficult to detect. Properties of Neutrinos Neutrinos are electrically neutral and have a very small,…
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Nanotechnology
Introduction Nanotechnology is the manipulation of matter on an atomic, molecular, and supramolecular scale. Generally, nanotechnology deals with structures sized between 1 to 100 nanometers in at least one dimension, and involves developing materials or devices within that size. Quantum Size Effect When particle sizes approach the nanoscale, quantum effects can begin to dominate the…
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Momentum
Introduction Momentum is a fundamental concept in physics. It is a vector quantity and is expressed classically as the product of an objects mass and velocity. Definition of Momentum The momentum of an object can be calculated using the formula: where is the mass of the object and is its velocity. Conservation of Momentum One…