Physical and Mathematical Definitions.
Idle Theory employs a little simple physics. Most of this is concerned
with the physical concepts of Work and Energy.
Work is done when a force is moved through a distance.
When a mass of 0.5
kilograms is raised 2 metres against the gravitational acceleration
of the earth (9.81 m/s2), 0.5 x 9.81 x 2.0, or 9.81 Joules
of energy is used. (Work and Energy are interchangable terms.)
The potential energy of this mass is 9.81 Joules.
If it is released and allowed to fall back,
its velocity, v, after falling 2 metres will will be 4 x 9.81 m/s,
and its kinetic energy will be 1/2.m.v2 = 9.81 Joules.
Thus its potential energy will have been converted into kinetic energy
- energy is conserved.
Quantity |
Equivalent |
Dimensions |
S.I. units |
Mass |
  |
M |
Kilogram (kg) |
Length |
  |
L |
Metre (m) |
Time |
  |
T |
Second (s) |
Frequency |
cycles/unit time |
T-1 |
Hertz (Hz) |
Area |
length x width |
L2 |
m2 |
Volume |
length x height x width |
L3 |
m3 |
Density |
Mass/unit volume |
ML-3 |
kg/m3 |
Velocity |
Distance/unit time |
LT-1 |
m/s |
Acceleration |
Velocity/unit time |
LT-2 |
m/s2 |
Force |
mass x acceleration |
MLT-2 |
Newton |
Weight |
mass x gravitational acceleration (terrestrial surface acceleration = 9.81 m/s2 = g) |
MLT-2 |
Kilogram (?) |
Pressure or Stress |
force/unit area |
ML-1T-2 |
Pascal (Pa) |
Moment of Inertia |
mass x length2 |
ML2 |
kg m2 |
Work |
force x distance |
ML2T-2 |
Joule (J) |
Energy |
Work capacity |
ML2T-2 |
Joule (J) |
Potential Energy |
mass x gravitational acceleration x height raised |
ML2T-2 |
Joule (J) |
Kinetic Energy |
1/2 mass x velocity2 |
ML2T-2 |
Joule (J) |
Power |
Work/unit time |
ML2T-3 |
Watt (W) |
Momentum |
Mass x velocity |
MLT-1 |
  |
The S.I. (or M.K.S.) system has the kilogram as its unit of mass, not weight.
At the surface of the earth, a kilogram weighs 9.81 Newtons.
Theorem of Pythagoras |
A small square is drawn inside a larger square such that its vertices touch the sides of the larger square. The area of the larger square can be expressed in two ways.
1) Area = (a + b)2 = a2 + 2.a.b + b2
2) Area = c2 + 2.a.b
When areas 1) and 2) are equated
3) a2 + b2 = c2
|
Equations of Rectilinear Motion |
1) v = u + a.t |
where
u = initial velocity
v = final velocity
a = acceleration
t = time
s = distance
|
2) s = u.t + 1/2.a.t2
(s is area under graph) |
3) v2 = u2 + 2.a.s
(combining 1) and 2)) |
Newton's Laws of Motion |
First Law of Motion: Every object continues in its state of rest or uniform
motion in a straight line unless a net external force acts on it
to change that state.
|
Second Law of Motion: The rate of change of momentum of an object is
directly proportional to the force applied and takes place in
the direction of the force.
This becomes force = mass x acceleration, p= m.a
|
Third Law of Motion: To every action there is always an equal and opposite
reaction.
|
The Laws of Thermodynamics |
Zeroth Law: Suppose that of three bodies A, B, and C, bodies
A and B are separately in thermal equilibrium with body C, then
bodies A and B are in thermal equilibrium with each other.
This permits temperature measurement.
|
First Law: The change in internal energy of a system is
equal to the the heat absorbed by the system plus the external work
done on the system.
This is a statement the conservation of energy. Energy is neither
created nor destroyed.
|
Second Law: For an isolated system, only those processes
can take place for which the entropy of the sytem increases or
remains constant.
Clausius' statement of the Second Law: It is impossible to
construct a device that operating in a cycle will produce no
effect other than the transfer of heat from a cooler to a hotter
body. The spontaneous flow of heat from a colder body to a hotter
body is impossible.
Lord Kelvin and Max Planck's statement of the Second Law:
It is impossible to construct a device operating in a cycle
for the sole purpose of extracting heat from a reservoir and
changing it into an equal amount of work without rejecting a part
of the heat. i.e. it is impossible to devise a machine that
converts 100% of heat into work.
The universe is cooling down.
|
Third Law: It is impossible to reach the absolute zero
of temperature in any physical process.
|
Newton's law of gravity:
F = G . M1 . M2 / R2
where F is the gravitational force, G is the gravitational constant, M1 and M2 are two masses, and R is the distance between them.
Centrifugal or centripetal force:
F = M . R . W2
where M is a mass revolving at radius R from an axis with angular velocity W.
References:
Introductory College Physics. Atam P. Arya. Collier Macmillan.
Science Data Book. R.M.Tennent. Oliver & Boyd.