What is Laws: Definition and 1000 Discussions

Law is a system of rules created and enforced through social or governmental institutions to regulate behavior, with its precise definition a matter of longstanding debate. It has been variously described as a science and the art of justice. State-enforced laws can be made by a group legislature or by a single legislator, resulting in statutes; by the executive through decrees and regulations; or established by judges through precedent, usually in common law jurisdictions. Private individuals may create legally binding contracts, including arbitration agreements that adopt alternative ways of resolving disputes to standard court litigation. The creation of laws themselves may be influenced by a constitution, written or tacit, and the rights encoded therein. The law shapes politics, economics, history and society in various ways and serves as a mediator of relations between people.
Legal systems vary between countries, with their differences analysed in comparative law. In civil law jurisdictions, a legislature or other central body codifies and consolidates the law. In common law systems, judges make binding case law through precedent, although on occasion this may be overturned by a higher court or the legislature. Historically, religious law influenced secular matters, and is still used in some religious communities. Sharia law based on Islamic principles is used as the primary legal system in several countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia.Law's scope can be divided into two domains. Public law concerns government and society, including constitutional law, administrative law, and criminal law. Private law deals with legal disputes between individuals and/or organisations in areas such as contracts, property, torts/delicts and commercial law. This distinction is stronger in civil law countries, particularly those with a separate system of administrative courts; by contrast, the public-private law divide is less pronounced in common law jurisdictions.Law provides a source of scholarly inquiry into legal history, philosophy, economic analysis and sociology. Law also raises important and complex issues concerning equality, fairness, and justice.

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  1. S

    How Do You Calculate Acceleration from a Hanging Die's Deflection?

    Homework Statement Calculate the acceleration of a car given the fuzzy die hanging from a string attached to the roof of the car is deflected 15degrees to the vertical. The mass of the die is 250 g. Homework Equations F = ma Fg = mg and possibly many more! The Attempt at a Solution I don't...
  2. J

    How to calculate Laws of Thermal Radiation

    1. Star X has a surface temperature of 10,000 K. How much power does it emit per square meter? Enter numbers only. Do not enter units (watt/m2 is assumed) 2. Star X has a surface temperature of 10,000 K. What is the wavelength of the dominate electromagnetic radiation that Star X emits? Enter...
  3. S

    Exploring the Laws of Nature: Understanding Physical Principles and Phenomena

    Hello, 1a) Generally, would anyone mind discussing what laws of nature (aka. physical laws, physical principles, scientific laws, etc.) are? 1b) Are they only to describe phenomena, i.e., interactions, behaviors, etc.? 1c) Or do any describe why certain entities are similar? Note: by...
  4. R

    Newton's laws with buckets and strings

    Problem: "One 2.80kg paint bucket is hanging by a massless cord from another 2.80kg paint bucket, also hanging by a massless cord" a. Calculate the tension in the upper cord when the two buckets are pulled upward with an acceleration of 1.54m/s^2 by the upper cord. T1 = upper cord's tension...
  5. Biosyn

    Differential Equations of Cooling Laws

    Homework Statement When you turn on an electric heater, such as "burner" on a stove, its temperature increases rapidly at first, then more slowly, and finally approaches a constant high temperature. As the burner warms up, heat supplied by the electricity goes to two places. i.) Storage in...
  6. T

    How to Calculate Reaction Rate for Pseudo-First Order Kinetics?

    Homework Statement 2A + 2B -> C +D where rate = k [A] [B]^2 [A]_0 = .000443 M [B]_0 = 1.69 M A plot of ln [A] vs time has a slope of -9.87. What will the rate of this reaction be when [A]=[B]=1.412 M? Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution From given information, this...
  7. E

    Newton's second and third laws

    Free body diagrams for system A that consists of two blocks and for system B with one block: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/filipina4eva92/1329082077750.jpg acceleration and net force from the systems: http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y260/filipina4eva92/Unknown.jpg frictional force...
  8. P

    Understanding the Relationship Between Force, Acceleration, and Momentum

    We know that ##F=ma## or ##F=ma=m \frac{v}{t}##, so the acceleration is rate of slowing or speeding velocity, then does force changes the momentum ##p=mv## or ##p=Ft##. I'm waiting an answer, thanks!:)
  9. O

    Physical laws are they material?

    Physical laws ... are they material?! There was an old question about physical laws , where do they come from? as they are considered separated from the material of the universe. Of course I know that they are produced by the human brain or human consciousness (which is material in turn) , but...
  10. A

    Question on Kirchoff's Laws

    I was hoping someone could help out, I am working out a problem with Kirchoff's Laws and cannot seem to get the math to work out properly, at least I think the math is not working properly. I was hoping to run it by someone here. Homework Statement The circuit is as follows: A battery...
  11. J

    Using Limit Laws to Solve for f(x)

    Homework Statement lim ( f(x)/(x2) )= 8 x→0 Then what is... a)lim ( f(x) ) x→0 b)lim ( f(x)/x ) x→0 Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution tried separating the limits (lim x→0 f(x))(lim x→0 1/(x2)) = 8 but the lim x→0...
  12. S

    Proving Kirchoff's Laws algebraically

    Homework Statement From the attached file using Kirchoff's laws prove that V AB = V AD and that i1 = i/2 Homework Equations V1 + V2 + V3 +... Vn = 0 (The sum of the voltage applied and dropped across the components is zero. i1 + i2 = i3 (The sum of the branch currents is equal to the...
  13. G

    Different universes with different laws

    Is it accepted as theoretically possible that there could be an infinity of universes with totally unrelated (or possibly related) laws governing their processes? I don't mean the different universes to have different initial (or practically initial) conditions but to have their own set...
  14. R

    Solving 10.0km + 5.0km [E15S] with Cos and Sin Laws

    Homework Statement 10.0km [N] + 5.0km [E15S] Homework Equations Cosine Law The Attempt at a Solution If you draw it out you see that 10km is 90 degrees north. From the 10km end, you do E15S for 5km. Therefore, a = 10km, b = 5km, c = ?, C = 90 - 15 = 75. Therefore: c^2...
  15. K

    Kepler's laws and orbits question?

    THIS ISN'T THE SAME AS MY PREVIOUS QUESTION ALTHOUGH IT HAS THE SAME TITLE Homework Statement The Moon is satellite of Earth with a diameter equal to a quarter of Earth's diameter and a mass equal 1/81 of Earth's mass. The period of the moon's rotation about the Earth is 27d 7h 43.1 min...
  16. K

    Kepler's laws and orbits question?

    Homework Statement An imaginary planet has a diameter twice that of our earth. The planet has one moon with an orbital radius of 5.0x10^7 km and orbital period of 10 Earth days. Determine the strength of the gravitational field at the surface of the planet. Radius of Earth = 6.38 x 10^6m...
  17. R

    Exploring Inverse Square Laws in Newton's and Coulomb's Laws of Force

    Why are Newtons law of universal gravitation, F=G\frac{m_{1}m_{2}}{r^{2}} and Coulombs law, F = K_{e}\frac{q_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} inverse square laws? I understand why they are inverse because the force decreases with distance but why is the distance, r, squared? Thanks AL
  18. P

    Why the fundamental laws of nature is the way it is?

    The world seems to me to be rather arbitrary. I don 't know if people feel the way I do. Scientists apply for government grants to gather data, and conduct experiments. Some scientists look at the data, and write down equations. If those equations are sufficiently fundamental, then some...
  19. U

    First and second laws of thermodynamics

    I don't understand this. The Entropy described in Isaac Asimov's " The last Question " is what i always tought to be the 2nd law of Thermodynamics. Now if this is correct i just can't understand how such entropy is possible with the first law of thermodynamics. I obviously know that i am wrong...
  20. X

    Newton's 1st, 2nd, & 3rd laws of motion

    a) A shirt left on your bedroom floor is still there after 2 days. (Newton's 1 law) b) You run into your friend while ice-skating, & you both fall in opposite directions. (3rd law) c) The horse you're riding trips on a tree stump & stops quickly, & you fly forward. (1st law) d) A baseball...
  21. L

    Solve Gas Law: Volume at STP from Pressure & Temp of Hydrogen Gas

    Homework Statement Hydrogen gas is collected over water at 25°C. The atmospheric pressure in the room is 745 mm Hg and the volume of gas in the container is 43.5mL. The vapor pressure of water at 25°C is 23.8 mm Hg. Determine the volume the gas would occupy at STP. Homework Equations...
  22. P

    What is the Mass of the Late Arrival in a Hot-Air Balloon Ride?

    Homework Statement For a birthday gift, you and some friends take a hot-air balloon ride. One friend is late, so the balloon floats a couple of feet off the ground as you wait. Before this person arrives, the combined weight of the basket and people is 1200kg , and the balloon is neutrally...
  23. H

    Why can we understand physical laws?

    I've always found it pretty amazing that human beings can understand the rules that govern the universe we live in, but is there a fundamental reason as to why they are comprehensible at all? Do they have to be rooted in logic? If it's just something that is unknown, that's a perfectly...
  24. A

    Proving Limit Laws - Pauls Online Math Notes

    Dear All, I need help on proving: According to Pauls Online Notes, we let ε > 0. Since http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/LimitProofs_files/eq0075M.gif, there's a [PLAIN]http://tutorial.math.lamar.edu/Classes/CalcI/LimitProofs_files/eq0076M.gif such that I...
  25. N

    What is the frustration with a professor's teaching style?

    I know from linear algebra that you can take two things, and if they are equal to each other then you can simply substitute different variables to develop a proof of a different statement. For example take, w = a w = z + k therefore proof would posit that a = z + k But my dilemma lies in what...
  26. S

    Pressure and Temperature question: Ideal Gas Laws

    Homework Statement Find the pressure and temperature when given the following data on helium gas: Volume (V) = 0.10 m^3 ** Helium mass (m) = 4.0 amu ** Number of atoms (N) = 3.0 x 10^24 Assuming PV = 1 then P=1/V then Pressure = 1.0 / 0.10m^3 = 10Pa Homework Equations PV = NkT...
  27. T

    Non-inertial Frames - Newton's Laws of Motion

    I've been lurking on PF for awhile now, but I reckon I'd benefit by actually trying to participate in the discussion and by asking my own questions once in awhile so, Hi all! In my second year I took a module on Classical Mechanics, and one of the things we covered was the Coriolis Theorem...
  28. P

    Newton's laws and Uniqueness of Motion

    How would you show mathematically that Newton's laws, when taken as given, always yield a motion and that this motion is always unique (given initial positions/velocities) for arbitrary systems?
  29. S

    Solving for Acceleration & Tension: Newton's Laws

    Homework Statement 1. For the system shown below use Newton’s Laws to clearly derive an expression for the acceleration of each mass and the tensions in the cord. The coefficient of friction between m1 and the incline is 0.100. The mass m1 is 3.00 kg, m2 = 8.00 kg, and θ = 35.0°. The...
  30. K

    Are my answers correct? (Newton's laws etc)

    I have my first physics exam coming up in January. To study I've been doing the past exams from the previous years, but there were are a few questions that I wasn't 100% sure about. I'd be greatful if anyone could tell me if my answers are correct or not :smile: 1) Which of the following...
  31. R

    Governing laws of quantum mechanics

    Laymen here. I have been told that the motion of particles at the quantum level are random. If this is not true please elaborate. Whether this is the case or whether there is a pattern waiting to be discovered, isn't it true that the world at the quantum level is still governed by...
  32. C

    Newton's Laws: Finding Acceleration of a Crate on a Level Floor

    Homework Statement A 880 N crate is being pulled across a level floor by a force F of 385 N at an angle of 27° above the horizontal. The coefficient of kinetic friction between the crate and the floor is 0.25. Find the magnitude of the acceleration of the crate. Homework Equations...
  33. Y

    Combination of conservation laws, and older things. Need Help.

    Homework Statement A small wooden block, of mass M, lies in the middle of a horizontal table of length L and height h above the floor. The coefficient of kinetic friction between this block and the surface of the table is μ. A bullet, of mass m, is shot with a horizontal velocity into...
  34. N

    Four-Momentum Invariant and Conservation Laws Yielding Contradictory Results

    Hello PF community! I'm having trouble with what strikes me as an inconsistency within conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, and the four-momentum invariant equation (E2-p2c2 = m2c4). For the sake of this question, I'll be using non-relativistic mass--i.e. mass is the same in all...
  35. M

    Are you aware of the Urban Tree Conservation By-law in Ottawa?

    Do you have any idea about ridiculous laws? These are the laws which makes no proper sense. Usually the purpose of making laws is to improve the disciplined level in society. Some of the really ridiculous laws are. 1.You may not have an ice cream cone in your back pocket at any time. 2. It is...
  36. T

    Inertial reference frames and Newton's Laws of Motion

    The first law of motion says that it takes force to accelerate something. The second law of motion says that F=ma. So now my teacher says that the first law is for inertial reference frames, while the second is for non-inertial reference frames. This really annoys me because I don't...
  37. R

    DC Networks and Kirchoff's Laws

    Homework Statement Calculate the value of the current through the 12V battery shown in figure (attached). Homework Equations V = IR I1 = I2 + I3 The Attempt at a Solution I've calculated the current for the left hand loop, see below: Loop 1: E_1- E_2- V_1- V_2=0 E_1- E_2=...
  38. Char. Limit

    News Newt Gingrich Calls for Repeal of Child Labor Laws in Impoverished Areas

    Newt Gingrich: "Child labor laws are stupid" http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-gingrich-child-labor-20111121,0,6466282.story Please tell me this is a parody or I'm misunderstanding him or SOMETHING. Cause the way I read it, he wants to repeal CHILD LABOR LAWS.
  39. P

    Parallel circuits, Emfs and kirchoff's laws

    Homework Statement What must the emf ε in the figure be in order for the current through the 7Ω resistor to be 1.79A ? Each emf source has negligible internal resistance. Homework Equations V=IR Kirchoffs junc and loop rules The Attempt at a Solution I put that the outer...
  40. F

    Question about De Broglie's laws

    Homework Statement Find the wavelength of an electron which is traveling at 4.35*10^6 m/s. Homework Equations p = h/λ p = mv E = hf E = 1/2mv^2 The Attempt at a Solution I know this can be easily solved using the momentum equation and De Broglie's law like this: mv = h/λ...
  41. R

    Newton's Third as logical device to make sense of 1st two laws

    In Introduction to Mechanics by Kleppner, the section on Newton's third law says that the third law is not only a physical principle but is also a logical necessity for the first two laws to make sense. I don't quite get this. These statement precedes an experiment regarding an object in a...
  42. S

    (Newton's 2nd & 3rd laws) finding mass

    A mass is hanged by 2 cables, the first makes 30° with the ceiling while the second makes 60° with the ceiling. Find the attached mass if the first tension is 24.5 N and the second tension is 42.7 N. my way: T1=24.5N θ=30 T2=42.7N θ= -60 m=? m=Fnet/a the ans should be (m=5.017 Kg)
  43. T

    Laws governing/explaining Time

    Has anyone discovered the laws governing or explaining the passage of Time? Shouldn't there be laws for that as well? In addition to the laws that explain the fundamental forces and how they interact, shouldn't there be laws that govern/explain how the universe got from the big bang to here?
  44. W

    What is the difference between weak and strong large number laws?

    i can understand the weak large number law however, what does strong large number law mean? i cannot see the difference between the two ps: i do physics, not maths
  45. nukeman

    Conservation Laws - Finding angle ?

    Conservation Laws - Finding angle ? Homework Statement Having trouble with question 2, a) - See below Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution Which conservations laws am I suppoe to use to figure this out? THanks!
  46. A

    Radiation from charge ; nature of laws

    1.) does a stationary charge in a gravitational field radiate (as per the principle of equivalence)? 2.) why have we been advancing from seemingly less intelligent species to a more intelligent one? what is its physical significance (besides intelligence corresponding to complexity) ? why do...
  47. M

    Does electric heating violates the laws of thermodynamics

    hello, we have learned that according to the laws of thermodynamics that the efficiency of any machine should be less than one because of the passive components in it. in an electric heating machine all the input electrical energy is converted to heat. Does this make the electrical heater as an...
  48. N

    Bicyclist coasting down hill (Newton's Laws)

    Homework Statement "A bicyclist can coast down a 5° hill at a constant 7.0 km/h. Assume the force of friction (air resistance) is proportional to the speed v so that Fair = cv." (a) Calculate the value of the constant c. (b) Calculate the average force that must be applied in order to...
  49. andrewkirk

    How many laws explain everything we know about nature, and what are they?

    The other day, as I was struggling through my quantum mechanics text, I realized that the only physical laws presented in the text were the four postulates of QM, the last of which is Schrodinger's equation. These are presented around page 150. The first 150 pages establish the background needed...
  50. L

    Electrical principles DC kirchoffs and maxwells laws

    Homework Statement Using Kirchoff's laws, determine the current in each of the branches in the network shown. Homework Equations I have used both kirchhoffs and Maxwells circulating currents. I get the right answer with maxwell's but not sure with Kirchoffs Maxwells is on the left...
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