Physics Fundamentalized

Lecture 103: Derivatives Part II

Lecture 044: Capacitance

Capacitance is defined in the context of an arrangement of parallel plates. The electric field energy per unit volume is also derived.

Lecture 043: Equipotentials

The notion of lines of equipotential is introduced and explored.

Lecture 042: Parallel Conducting Plates

The electric potential between two parallel conducting plates of known surface charge density is discussed in detail. This example is of particular interest because it is used to illuminate the relationship between force, field, voltage and energy.

Lecture 040: Electric Potential

The Electrostatic Potential energy is derived from the work-energy theorem which leads, in turn to our definition of electric potential, the energy per unit charge.

Lecture 030: Harmonic Oscillation Part II

The principles of harmonic motion are reviewed and then applied to three examples: the simple pendulum, the physical pendulum and a can bobbing in water.

Lecture 029: Harmonic Oscillation

The problem of a mass connected to a spring is analyzed using Newton's 2nd law to reveal the harmonic oscillator differential equation which is then solved for the position, velocity and acceleration of the oscillator as a function of time....

Lecture 028: The Motion of the Planets

A modern demonstration of the discovery that a one over r squared force law results in planetary motions that are ellipses in agreement with Kepler’s observations.

Lecture 027: Gravitational Potential Energy

The gravitational potential energy between two mutually attracting bodies is derived. After, several essential applications of universal gravitation are presented.

Lecture 026: Universal Gravitation

The formulation of Newton’s Universal Gravitational Law is explored in its historical context. After advice is given on applying the law, one of its consequences is revealed.

Lecture 024: Rolling

Rolling is described as a linear superposition of translational and rotational motion. A revelation is made regarding using the point of contact between the rolling object and the surface as the axis of rotation for the motion. The principles are...

Problem Solving: Torque

The problem of a pulley with a single mass attached is solved two different ways; with Newton's 2nd Law and with Energy. The differences in these two approaches are discussed. Also, the problem of a rigid uniform rod rotating vertically...

Lecture 023: Torque

Torque is demonstrated in the context of the classroom door and defined such that a rotational analog on Newton’s second law results. With this new version of the law, the problem of an Atwood’s machine with a massive pulley is...

Lecture 022: Moments of Inertia Part II

The moment of inertia of a disk is derived and used to compare the dynamics of a hoop and a disk of equal mass and radius as they roll down identical inclines. The fraction of energy transferred to rotational motion...

Lecture 021: Moments of Inertia Part I

The moments of inertia are calculated for a few simple cases; a point particle, a hoop, a rod about its center of mass and a rod about its end. General observations are made about the properties of the moment of...

Lecture 020: Rotational Kinetic Energy

The rotational kinetic energy of an arbitrarily shaped mass is investigated, leading to the definition of the moment of inertia.

Lecture 019: Rotational Kinematics

The kinematic quantities, position, velocity and acceleration, are cast into their rotational analogs.

Lecture 018: Center of Mass Part II

A special presentation involving the solution of elastic collisions in the center of mass frame of reference.

Lecture 017: Center of Mass Part I

The center of mass is defined in both its discrete and continuous forms and the observation is made that a system of particles can be generalized as the center of mass motion. Two essentials derivations are performed while finding the...

Lecture 016: Elastic Collisions

The nature of elastic collisions is explored and it is pointed out that, by using mass ratios and coordinate systems in relative motion, all elastic collisions may be reduced to the collision of equal masses with one initially at rest.

Lecture 015: Conservation of Momentum Part I

An example of the application of the conservation of momentum to a classic situation is described in detail. Newton's cradle is explained.

Lecture 015: Conservation of Momentum

An example of the application of the conservation of momentum to a classic situation is described in detail. Newton's cradle is explained.

Lecture 014: Rocket Motion

After a brief discussion of the notion of systems as it relates to momentum and its conservation, the velocity of a rocket in deep space as a function of fuel consumption is derived.

Lecture 013: Linear Momentum

Momentum is introduces in the context of what Newton described as the quantity of motion. The second law is then cast into a momentum form, revealing the notion of impulse and the suggestion of momentum as a conserved quantity.

Lecture 012: Conservation of Energy

A customized form of the law of conservation of energy is derived and its features described in detail. The relationship between conservative forces and their associated potential energies is revealed and explained. Finally, power is defined and its practical applications...

Lecture 011: Spring Potential Energy

The spring potential energy is derived.

Lecture 010: Gravitational Potential Energy

The general definition of work is discussed as a practical matter, followed by a derivation of the gravitational potential energy.

Lecture 009: Relativistic Energy

In a special lecture of the series the kinetic energy is derived once again, but this time with respect for the variation of the mass with velocity resulting in the famous mass-energy relation. It goes on so long, a classroom...

Lecture 008: The Work Energy Theorem

In this, the introductory lecture on energy, the kinetic energy is derived using calculus by computing the effect of a force acting in the direction of motion. Energy is also described as a universal symmetry and some practical maters of...

Problem Solving: Newton's Laws

The first of the more informal problem solving sessions in preparation for the exam. A toaster is pulled by its cord and the angle of maximum acceleration is determined. A block slides on a slab which, in turn, rests on...

Lecture 007: Viscous Drag Part II

The velocity of an object subject to a drag force proportional to the square of the velocity is derived as well as the velocity of an object falling under the influence of gravity while subject to a drag force.

Lecture 006: Viscous Drag Part I

Newton’s second law is used to find the position, velocity and acceleration of an object subject to a viscous drag force that it proportional to the velocity.

Lecture 005: Circular Motion

The centripetal acceleration is revealed by computing the change in the velocity vector for an object moving around a circular arc at constant speed. To follow up, three essential examples of circular motion are demonstrated; the vertical loop, the graviton...

Introduction Part IV

The Chain Rule The Power Rule The Power Rule in Kinematics Exponential Functions

Introduction Part III

Introduction to Vectors Vector Addition Vector Subtraction Component Form Unit Vectors Linear Independence The Principle of Superposition The Scalar (Dot) Product The Vector (Cross) Product