What is Basic physics: Definition and 151 Discussions

The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to physics:
Physics – natural science that involves the study of matter and its motion through spacetime, along with related concepts such as energy and force. More broadly, it is the general analysis of nature, conducted in order to understand how the universe behaves.

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  1. K

    Basic Physics Problem: Acceleration and Tension of Connected Blocks"

    Hi guys,i'm happy to join you. I have the problem shown below for homework and i don't know how to solve it. This is becouse i have missed a lot of lessons during this month becouse of an illness. I will apreciate it if anyone can help me with the problem. Thanks. Problem: Two blocks, one...
  2. R

    I'm kind of angry: In dire need of guidance for self-teaching basic physics

    I am enrolled in ILC independent study to earn a Gr. 11 Physics credit. I took gr. 10 science as a prerequisite but it turns out I'm stuck right now on Chemistry and the Physics section as I forgot everything from grade 9. This angers me because ILC takes forever (there is a lot of stuff I...
  3. E

    I could use some basic physics help

    ive been sick a lot lately, and have missed a lot of physics, my worst class, and I am doing all the homework I've missed and can't figure out these 2 problems.everything else has been done. any help, like how to do them, i don't need the answer just how to set it up and such. anything would be...
  4. S

    How Do You Calculate Direction and Vector Components in Physics Problems?

    Physics HWK? Someone help? An airplane flies 200 km due west from city A to city B and then 330 km in the direction of 33.0° north of west from city B to city C. (a) In straight-line distance, how far is city C from city A? I got this and its 509 b) Relative to city A, in what direction is...
  5. M

    Is More Work Done By Lifting an Object Diagonally or Straight Up?

    Homework Statement True or False: To raise a 2.3kg mass from its resting place on a table, more work is done by lifting it diagonally than lifting it straight up. Homework Equations w=fd The Attempt at a Solution True: I argued that although the same amount of force is being...
  6. A

    How to Solve Basic Physics Problems: Tips and Tricks for Slope, Angles, and More

    Basic Physics HW help (URGENT) hey guys. i would like some help on these couple of problems. i solved #1 , the answer is 26.24 i think. for #5 a) the answer is 269.38. Can you give me some tips for 2,6,7,8 ? I need some help on those >< please its urgent., THANKS in advance
  7. A

    Basic Physics help ( energy )

    Homework Statement I really need help on these two problems, I am not sure where to start and for that reason I do not have an attempt at the problem. I am not asking for anyone to do them for me , but could somone give me the equations or the steps needed to solve? 1. I expend 700 Calories...
  8. J

    How to Calculate Time and Distance in Basic Physics Problems?

    *** Basic Physics Homework *** PLEEZ HELP! these are due at 8. i got transferred to this new school and they are much farther ahead of us in the curriclulum please HELP ME :( ANY ANSWERS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED :D :D :D #4 PART 1 Two cars travel in the same direction along a straight...
  9. H

    How Do You Calculate Average Speed with Variable Velocities and Accelerations?

    Homework Statement A particle that is moving along a straight line decelerates uniformly from 0.4 m/s to 0.2 m/s in 5 seconds and then has a constant acceleration of 0.2 m/s^2 during the next 4 seconds. What is the average speed over the whole time interval? Homework Equations vavg =...
  10. H

    How Do You Calculate the Initial Velocity of a Tennis Ball Thrown at an Angle?

    Homework Statement A tennis ball is thrown from ground level with an initial velocity directed 30° above the horizontal. If it takes the ball 1 second to reach the top of its trajectory, what is the magnitude of the initial velocity? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I...
  11. O

    Basic physics – mechanics (it is not homework)

    Hi everyone, I would like to ask somebody here that could better understand than me of the following example from a book Physics – Principles with Applications, 3rd ed. by Douglas C. Giancoli, Prentice Hall, page 33. Here is the example http://img231.imageshack.us/img231/8103/fleajb0.jpg"...
  12. I

    Medical Proving Centripetal Movement of Epithelial Cells in Human Cornea

    I am a Doctor and i am trying to prove a theory concernicg centripetal movements of epithelial stem cells in the human cornea. However my research is about the pterygium, a degenerative lesion of the cornea. I ve proven to be of parabolic form and i know from literature that corneal stem cells...
  13. marcus

    Basic physics in remote universe (proton/electron mass ratio)

    One of the basic numbers in fundamental physics is 1836.15 the ratio of proton mass to electron mass. This ratio has been measured in a quasar-type galaxy some 8 billion lightyears from us, and it turns out to be the same as here in Milky. You guessed it would be? OK. But still it's good to...
  14. Y

    Calculating Velocity of a Man Jumping from 90m Building | Physics Question

    IF a man jumps off a building that is 90 m high, and gravity is 9.8 m/s, and he weighs 80 kg, then what will his velocity be just as he hits the ground?
  15. 8

    Basic physics- chain strength question.

    A chain always breaks ath the weakest link. Right? Hypothetical: Where would a chain break if all the links were of equal strength, shape, shape, size... equal in every way. Ignore all tolerance rules, this is hypothetical! Thanks!
  16. L

    Courses Basic Physics Course Topics: 1st Year Uni

    what sort of topics should i be expecting in a basic first year uni physics course? the university websites are too general and don't usually give too much detail when desribing the topics covered
  17. T

    How Do You Calculate the Initial Velocity of a Projectile?

    A ball is thrown at a 45 degree angle and lands 90 meters away. What was the intial velocity? Tanner
  18. M

    How Do You Solve for Acceleration and Velocity in Basic Physics Equations?

    Homework Statement Question #1: Δd=v¹Δt+½a(t)² Solve for: a Question #2: E= ½ m * v² Solve for: v Homework Equations Δd=v¹Δt+½a(t)² v = Δd / Δt a = v² - v¹ / Δt v² = v¹ + a * Δt Δd = (v² - v¹) * Δt Δd = v¹ * Δt + ½ a ( Δt )² E= ½ m * v² The Attempt at a...
  19. C

    Understanding Basic Physics Concepts: Exploring Units and Equations

    I am very embarrassed to ask these questions because compared to other questions on these boards, these two seem very basic. Nonetheless, I have never taking physics and I am having a hard time grasping its concepts. So here are two simple questions that maybe someone could answer and explain...
  20. P

    Basic Physics Help - Calculating Time with Force

    Hey guys I need some help, I am struggling in a PH100 class and my professor is not that much help. This problem puzzles me and I have been working on it all night. "Scientists are experimenting with a kind of gun that may eventually be used to fire payloads directly into orbit. In one...
  21. C

    What Determines the Breaking Point of a Bridge Under Increasing Load?

    This is a very basic concept but I can't seem to explain it properly. Say you have a simple bridge made from two bricks that are, say, a metre apart, and a piece of wood spanning them. If you put a load on the wooden bridge, a normal force acts upward on the load. If you keep increasing the...
  22. A

    Where to Find the Best Basic Physics Books for a Deeper Understanding?

    Do you guys know what book would be the best for learning basic stuff (mechanics, electricity and magnetism) at a much higher and more detailed level than Halliday. I finished the Halliday text and feel like it was very shallow. I'd like to get into the details of the math and physics behind the...
  23. D

    Understanding Velocity Direction in Basic Physics Equations

    Hey all, I was wondering if someone could explain how to tell whether V = - or +? I'm getting answers right using the formula V^2 = sqrt(Vo^2 + 2ay) but I'm getting positive answers. How do you tell whether the velocity is in the + or - direction? Sample Question: A...
  24. R

    Need some help applying basic physics to a 2d environment.

    Could someone help me understand the principles behind a few things in physics? I'm trying to build a little side-scrolling space game where you can bolt add-ons and engines to your ship. Each has its own mass (and in the case of engines, their own maximum thrust), and therefore affects the...
  25. R

    Calculating Stone Heights and Velocities in Basic Physics Problems

    A stone is thrown vertically upward at a speed of 49.80 m/s at time t=0. A second stone is thrown upward with the same speed 2.670 seconds later. At what time are the two stones at the same height? i found that to be 6.411s at what hight do the two stones pass each other? ok, so that...
  26. M

    What is the relationship between centripetal acceleration and g-forces?

    I am just wondering what is exactly expected when asked "express the answer in terms of g, (acceleration due to Earth's gravity). I am thinking it means divide the result by 9.8N? What is the resulting unit? Any help would be appreciated :) Cheers
  27. M

    Understanding Forces on a Box: Basic Physics Question"

    Hi everyone! This is my first post so I thought it appropriate to start with a basic question and not give u guys a hard time :) ehehe So imagine u have 1 box resting on a larger box. A force is applied to this larger box and the smaller box moves with the larger box without slipage. My...
  28. K

    How Fast Must a Volcanic Bomb Travel to Reach a Certain Point?

    During volcanic eruptions, chunks of solid rock can be blasted out of the volcano; these projectiles are called volcanic bombs. At what initial speed would a bomb have to be ejected, at angle 35* to the horizontal, from the vent at A in order to fall at the foot of the volcano at B, at vertical...
  29. K

    How Do You Calculate the Initial Velocity Components of a Projectile?

    2 seconds after being projected from ground level, a projectile is displaced 40 m horizontally and 53 m vertically above its launch point. What are the horizontal and vertical components of the initial velocity of the projectile? At the instant the projective ahieves maximum height above...
  30. G

    How do I apply basic physics principles to solve problems in sound?

    Hey guys, my name is Gabriel. I no experience whatsoever with physics except this class I've enrolled in called the Basic Physics of Sound. It's suppose to be completely algebra based, I'm just horrible at math in general. I need some help with a couple of problems. Also, if you could tell me...
  31. 1

    Absolutely Basic Physics Homework HELP

    Absolutely Basic Physics Homework HELP! Hello there! I'm a new member and I have come across to site using google for some basic help on my physics homework!(I have just recenty started physics AP, every bit of material is new to me.) It would be extremely helpful to me if you can also help me...
  32. S

    Why Is the Net Force on Both Cars Zero Despite Different Speeds?

    I don't understand this: A slow car moves at a steady 10 km/hr down a straight highway while another car zooms past at a steady 120 km/hr. Which car is has the greater net force on it? The answer is neither, because the net force on each car is zero. Why is it zero?
  33. M

    How Do You Calculate the Speed of Vehicle B After Impact?

    It has been years since I have taken physics and for the life of me I cannot figure out how to solve the following real-world problem. Given 2 vehicles a & b: a's speed = 0, weight = 4,250 lbs b's speed = x, weight = 3,260 lbs. After b impacts a from behind and leaving a space of 8 feet...
  34. G

    Basic Physics Problem: Solving Work with Forces on an Inclined Plane

    :frown: I have this example problem and I can't seem to figure out how to do it. it says, there is a 1kg block on an inclined plane, the angle is 45 degrees and the distance of the inclined plane is 10m. there is a force pulling on it with 25N, it asks what is the work that the normal force...
  35. W

    Calculating Work and Power in Basic Physics: A Case Study

    Ok, here's the deal, this is a physics problem that might seem basic to you. But to me its a pain, I've been working on this problem for 2 days now, and my group members are of no assistance to me. They have different answers than i do which i didn't agree to. The question Jessica runs up a...
  36. P

    Physics Help: Calculating Speed for a Sled Collision Test Tomorrow

    Basic physics, need some help :D Hi, first i would like to start of by saying that i am norwegian, so my english skills is not so good. But anyway, I am having this test tomorrow and i need some help! Its about physics! I translated the task as good as i could! To sleds with elastic bumpers...
  37. Cyrus

    Checking Basic Physics Problem for Friend

    My friends a pre-med student and he's taking basic phyiscs 1. He asked me to do two problems. Can you double check to make sure I did not tell him the wrong thing! :blushing: Problem 1.) There are two square masses, side by side on a frictionless pond. Mass A is 150kg, and mass b, is...
  38. H

    Does Sand Falling in an Hourglass Affect the Balance Scale?

    Hi, I am a grade 12 physics student and my teacher asked us the following question: You have a perfect balance scale, with two identical hourglasses on each end. They each have the exact same amount of sand in them. However, one (hourglass 'A') has all it's sand in the bottom, while the...
  39. B

    How Is the Thickness of an Oil Film Calculated in a Plano-Convex Lens Setup?

    A plano-convex glass lens of radius of curvature 1.8 m rests on an optically flat glass plate. Before the lens is placed on the plate a film of oil of refractive index 1.78 is deposited on the plate. The arrangement is illuminated from above with monochromatic light of 480-nm wavelength. The...
  40. X

    Solving a Basic Physics Problem: Helping the Lost and Confused!

    Basic Physics...?? Hey Everyone, I just started the course and the first problem I come to, so very confused me! I don't need an answer just a basic response on exactly HOW I can approach this problem because I am just totally blown away by it . Two trains, each having a speed of 30...
  41. I

    Very basic physics (mechanics) question

    A structural I beam is made of steel. A view of its cross-section and its dimensions are shown in Figure P1.11. The density of steel is 7.56 * 10^3 kg/m^3. What is the mass of the section 8.5 m long? Figure P1.11 (shown below) I tried doing this by: 1) changing the 8.5 m into cm...
  42. R

    What are the basics of physics regarding displacement, velocity, and time?

    Hi , I want to know the rigorous mathematical definition of displacement, which is applicable to physics ? All we are taught is that its a vector quantity as opposed to a scalar such as distance. And I have a velocity time graph, which again, I am not too sure on a few aspects of it...
  43. N

    What are the Best Basic Physics Books for Understanding Formulas?

    I was just wondering, can you name of the books, which they are kind of basic, and explains all the formula's. Just name the books that's all.
  44. H

    Why Do Objects Fall at the Same Rate Regardless of Mass?

    I'm an adult doing the self-education thing, having dropped out of high-school (big mistake, incidentally). I have a couple basic physics questions that I can't seem to find the answers to: 1) If F=ma, why do all objects the same distance from the Earth's surface accelerate at 9.8 m/s^2...
  45. A

    How Do You Calculate the Final Speeds of Pucks After a Collision?

    I can NOT figure this question out, it's the only one I haven't gotten, can someone help? The drawing shows a collision between two pucks on an air-hockey table. Puck A has a mass of 0.020 kg and is moving along the x-axis with a velocity of +5.5 m/s. It makes a collision with puck B, which...
  46. T

    What are some good books for catching up on basic physics and chemistry?

    Hey This summer, I plan on participating in an entry exam for medicine. It requires a basic knowledge on biology, mathematics, chemistry and physics. I had a classical high school education, so very light on sciences. Biology and maths should be no problem; chemistry and physics are giving me...
  47. U

    A couple of basic physics problems

    a couple of "basic" physics problems i am stuck on a couple of my homework problems for my "basic" physics class. any help with either of them would be greatly appreciated. 1. a window washer pulls herself up in a bucket-pulley apparatus (single massless, frictionless pulley). how hard must...
  48. P

    Basic Physics - Spinning Head (mine)

    Hello again all. This is my 6th posting requesting some assistance for some new physics problem. It is getting a bit easier to understand but I would like some review and comments on the following problems. My answers are marked with an astericks. You do not have to necessarily provide me...
  49. J

    Gravitational Pull and Acceleration: Earth vs. Moon

    Which pulls harder gravitationally? the Earth on the moon, or the moon on the earth? Which accelerated more? i know this is easy, but don't they pull the same, and accelerate the same?
  50. B

    How Do Birds Control Their Falling Speed and Cars Stop Quickly?

    Actually, I guess I have two questions... OK, if a 2 Kg bird wants to drop at a rate of 1.2 m/s^2, what is the magnatude and direction of the force that the bird must exert? (Answer is 17.2 N, but I don't understand what work to do to get it) As for the second: If a car with a mass of...
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