472 Pages 438 B/W Illustrations
    by CRC Press

    Fluency with physics fundamentals and problem-solving has a collateral effect on students by enhancing their analytical reasoning skills. In a sense, physics is to intellectual pursuits what strength training is to sports.

    Designed for a two-semester algebra-based course, Essential Physics provides a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of physics central to many fields. It omits material often found in much larger texts that cannot be covered in a year-long course and is not needed for non-physics majors. Instead, this text focuses on providing a solid understanding of basic physics and physical principles. While not delving into the more specialized areas of the field, the text thoroughly covers mechanics, electricity and magnetism, light, and modern physics.

    This book is appropriate for a course in which the goals are to give the students a grasp of introductory physics and enhance their analytical problem-solving skills. Each topic includes worked examples. Math is introduced as necessary, with some applications in biology, chemistry, and safety science also provided. If exposure to more applications, special topics, and concepts is desired, this book can be used as a problem-solving supplement to a more inclusive text.

    Systems of Units, Significant Figures, Coordinate Systems, and Vectors
    Systems of Units
    Conversion of Units
    Significant Figures
    Scientific Notation
    Trigonometry
    Coordinate Systems
    Vectors
    Addition and Subtraction of Vectors
    Guideline for Determining the Direction of the Resultant

    Motion in One Dimension
    Displacement
    Average Velocity
    Average Speed
    Instantaneous Velocity
    Acceleration
    Equations of Motion
    Free-Falling Object

    Two-Dimensional Motion and Circular Motion
    Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
    Equations of Motion in Two Dimensions
    Projectile Motion
    Uniform Circular Motion
    Linear Velocity, Angular Velocity, Period, and Frequency
    Nonuniform Circular Motion

    Newton’s Laws: Implications and Applications
    Statement of Newton’s Laws
    Discussion of Newton’s Laws of Motion
    Free Body Diagram
    Remarks on the Application of Newton’s Second and Third Laws
    Newton’s Gravitational Law
    Mass, Weight, and Newton’s Gravitational Law
    Newton’s Third Law and Apparent Weight
    Dynamics of a Uniform Circular Motion

    Newton’s Laws: Friction in Linear and Circular Motions
    Frictional Forces
    Banked Roads

    Work and Energy
    Work
    Work–Energy Theorem
    Conservative Forces
    Potential Energy
    Nonconservative Forces and the Total Mechanical Energy
    Power

    Linear Momentum and Collision
    Systems of Particles
    Motion of the Center of Mass
    Linear Momentum of a System of Particles
    Collisions and Change in Linear Momentum
    Impulse
    Collisions in Two Dimensions
    Types of Collision

    Rotational Motion
    Angular Kinematic Quantities
    Rotational Motion in a Plane
    Torque
    Rigid Body
    Moment of Inertia
    Parallel Axis Theorem
    Equilibrium of a Rigid Body
    Angular Momentum
    Rotational Kinetic Energy
    A Rigid Body in Translational and Rotational Motions
    Total Mechanical Energy of a Rigid Body

    Simple Harmonic Motion
    Hooke’s Law
    Potential Energy of a Spring
    Mass-Spring System in SHM
    Simple Pendulum in SHM

    Thermal Physics: Temperature, Heat, and Thermal Expansion
    Heat is a Form of Energy, Specific Heat, and Heat Capacity
    Heat and Internal Energy
    Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
    Thermometers and Temperature Scales
    Thermal Expansion
    Calorimetry
    Heat Transfer: Transfer by Conduction

    Waves and Wave Motion
    Wave Motion
    Types of Waves
    Mathematical Treatment of an Ideal Wave
    Intensity of Waves
    Superposition of Waves: Interference and Standing Waves

    Fluids
    Pressure: Definition and Units
    Pressure Within Fluids
    Density of Fluids
    Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Static Fluid
    Pascal’s Principle and Applications
    Archimedes’ Principle
    Dynamics of Fluids: Equation of Continuity
    Bernoulli’s Equation

    Electric Forces and Fields
    Introduction
    Conductors and Insulators: Charged Objects
    Coulomb’s Law
    The Electric Field
    Conductors in an Electric Field
    Gauss’ Law

    Electric Potential Energy and Potential
    Introduction
    Potential Energy
    Electric Potential
    Electric Potential of Point charges: Spatially Varying E

    Direct Current Circuits
    Introduction
    Ohm’s Law
    Resistivity
    Simple Circuits
    Electric Power
    Kirchhoff’s Rules
    Capacitors

    Magnetic Forces and Fields
    Introduction
    The Magnetic Field
    The Magnetic Force on an Electric Current
    Magnetic Fields Produced by Moving Charges
    Magnetic Materials and Permanent Magnets

    Electromagnetic Induction
    Introduction
    Faraday’s Law
    Electric Generators
    Self-Inductance
    Transformers

    Alternating Current Electric Circuits
    Introduction
    Alternating Signals
    Phase Relations in Simple AC Circuits
    RCL Series Circuit
    Root-Mean-Square Average Values, Power

    Electromagnetic Waves
    Introduction
    The Electromagnetic Spectrum

    Geometrical Optics
    Introduction
    Wavefronts and Rays
    Reflection
    Refraction
    Thin Lenses
    Optical Instruments

    Physical (Wave) Optics
    Introduction
    Double-Slit Experiment
    Thin-Film Interference
    Single-Slit Diffraction
    The Diffraction Grating
    Polarization

    Modern Physics
    Introduction
    Atoms
    Line Spectra
    The Bohr Model
    Beyond the Bohr Model
    The Periodic Table of Elements
    X-Rays
    Quantum Physics
    Thermal Radiation
    Wave–Particle Duality
    Quantum Mechanics
    The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
    The Atomic Nucleus, Radioactivity

    Biography

    John Matolyak, Ajawad Haija