Tag: Index
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Joule (unit)
Introduction The joule is the standard unit of energy in the International System of Units (SI). It is named after the British physicist James Prescott Joule. The joule is used across many fields of physics, including mechanics, electricity, and thermodynamics. Definition One joule is defined as the amount of energy transferred when a force of…
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Jeans Instability
Introduction Jeans Instability is a fundamental concept in astrophysics that describes the condition under which a self-gravitating gas cloud will collapse under its own gravity to form a star. This process is named after the British physicist Sir James Jeans, who first derived the relevant equations in 1902. Basic Principle The basic idea behind Jeans…
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Interferometry
Introduction Interferometry is a family of techniques in physics which use the phenomenon of interference to make precise measurements of various quantities. It involves superposing (or “mixing”) waves to extract information about the waves or the media they have interacted with. Basic Principle The basic principle of interferometry involves splitting a wave into two or…
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Interference
Introduction Interference is a fundamental concept in wave theory, describing the phenomenon where two or more waves combine to form a resultant wave. The principle of interference is central to many areas of physics, including optics, acoustics, and quantum mechanics. Constructive and Destructive Interference When two waves meet, they interfere with each other. The superposition…
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Inertial Frame
Introduction An inertial frame of reference, in physics, is a frame of reference in which Newton’s first law of motion — the law of inertia — holds true. That is, in an inertial frame, an object not acted upon by a net external force moves with a constant velocity. Defining Inertial Frame By definition, an…
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Inertia
Introduction Inertia is a fundamental concept in physics that describes the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. This inherent property of matter is central to Newton’s First Law of Motion and forms the basis of classical mechanics. Newton’s First Law and Inertia Newton’s First Law of Motion, also known…
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Inelastic Collisions
Introduction Inelastic collisions are a central concept in the study of physics, particularly in the field of mechanics. These types of collisions, where kinetic energy is not conserved, are crucial to understanding how objects interact with each other when they collide. Definition of Inelastic Collisions In an inelastic collision, the total kinetic energy of the…
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Ideal Gas Law
Introduction The Ideal Gas Law is a fundamental principle in the study of physical chemistry and thermodynamics, providing a mathematical relationship between pressure, volume, temperature, and the number of moles of gas in a given system. The Ideal Gas Law Equation The Ideal Gas Law can be stated mathematically as: where: The ideal gas constant…
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Hydrodynamics
Introduction Hydrodynamics is a branch of physics that deals with the motion of fluids and the forces acting upon them. It is a sub-discipline of fluid dynamics, specifically focusing on liquids rather than gases. Fundamental Concepts The fundamental concept of hydrodynamics is the idea that the motion of a fluid can be described mathematically, allowing…
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Huygens’ Principle
Introduction Huygens’ Principle, named after the Dutch physicist Christiaan Huygens, is a fundamental concept in wave theory. It provides a comprehensive way to predict and understand how waves propagate in different media. Basic Concept Huygens’ Principle states that every point on a wavefront is itself the source of spherical wavelets, and the new wavefront is…