Problems in Physics

This book offers the reader over 750 problems concerning the same subject matter as is treated in the two volumes of the “Fundamentals of Physics”. The order of presentation of the theoretical material is also the same. The availability of a great number of problem books based on the traditional school physics curriculum prompted us to enlarge those sections which are absent from traditional problem books, namely the dynamics of a rotating rigid body, the elements of the theory of relativity and of quantum and statistical physics, of solid-state physics, wave optics, atomic and nuclear physics, etc. Problems dealing with astrophysics illustrate the application of the laws of physics to celestial bodies. The book contains a few problems requiring elementary skill in differentiating and integrating, as well as some problems to be solved with the aid of numerical methods, which nowadays are being increasingly used. Front Cover 1 PREFACE 9 CONTENTS 11 SOME PRACTICAL HINTS 14 PROBLEMS 21 1. MOTION AND FORCES 21 1. Kinematics of a Particle 21 2. Force 22 3. Particle Dynamics 24 4. Gravitation. Electrical Forces 28 6. Theory of Relativity 32 2. CONSERVATION LAWS 34 7. The Law of Conservation of Momentum. Centre of Mass 34 8. Total and Kinetic Energy 36 9. Uncertainty Relation 37 10. Elementary Theory of Collisions 37 11. Potential Energy. Potential 39 12. The Law of Conservation of Energy in Newtonian Mechanics 40 13. The Law of Conservation of Energy 42 14. Rotational Dynamics of a Rigid Body 43 15. Non-inertial Frames of Reference and Gravitation 46 3. MOLECULAR-KINETIC THEORY OF GASES 48 16. An Ideal Gas 48 17. The First Law of Thermodynamics 52 18. The Second Law of Thermodynamics 54 19. Fundamentals of Fluid Dynamics 56 4. MOLECULAR FORCES AND STATES OF AGGREGATION OF MATTER 59 20. Solids 59 21. Liquids 61 22. Vapours 62 23. Phase Transitions 63 5. ELECTRODYNAMICS 65 24. A Field of Fixed Charges in a Vacuum 65 25. Dielectrics 68 26. Direct Current 69 27. A Magnetic Field in a Vacuum 73 28. Charges and Currents in a Magnetic Field 75 29. Magnetic Materials 78 30. Electromagnetic Induction 81 31. Classical Electron Theory 84 32. Electric Conductivity of Electrolytes 86 33. Electric Current in a Vacuum and in Gases 87 6. VIBRATIONS AND WAVES 91 34. Harmonic Vibrations 91 35. Free Vibrations 92 36. Forced Vibrations. Alternating Current 95 37. Elastic Waves 98 38. Interference and Diffraction 100 39. Electromagnetic Waves 101 40. Interference and Diffraction of Light 103 41. Dispersion and Absorption of Light 105 42. Polarization of Light 107 43. Geometrical Optics 108 44. Optical Instruments 111 7. FUNDAMENTALS OF QUANTUM PHYSICS 114 45. Photons 114 46. Elementary Quantum Mechanics 116 47. Atomic and Molecular Structure 117 48. Quantum Properties of Metals and of Semiconductors 121 8. NUCLEAR AND ELEMENTARY PARTICLE PHYSICS 123 49. Nuclear Structure 123 50. Nuclear Reactions 125 SOLUTIONS 127 ANSWERS AND HINTS 310 TABLES 333 Back Cover 342