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. W

    Probability laws of quantum mechanics

    Im currently reading Entanglement by Amir D. Aczel and it talks about the Wu-Shaknov experiment of positronium emission where two particles annihilate each other and two high energy photons are emitted. It goes onto say that due to the probability laws of quantum mechanics, every so often three...
  2. C

    Mass hanging from the roof of a moving truck. Newtons laws.

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img28.imageshack.us/img28/7341/capturehzm.jpg Homework Equations Fg=mg Ft=ma Ftx=Ftsin(22) Fty=Ftcos(22) Fg-Fty=? I realize this is probably required but I don't know where. The Attempt at a Solution I believe the acceleration the question is...
  3. A

    Need an explanation on how to do a question applying Newtons Laws

    Homework Statement A 2.0 kg mass , placed on a smooth, level table, is attached by a light string passing over a frictionless pulley to a 5.0 kg mass hanging freely over the edge of a table. Calculate... a) the tension in the string b) the acceleration of the 2.0 kg mass on the table.The answer...
  4. T

    Math Laws, Rules, and Precautions?

    Hey! I am curious to know if there is any book, site, or reference material that teaches you strictly on math laws. For example, they may give you formulas (like synthetic division).. and tell you that every time you use the restriction ( that happens to be a fraction, you must divide it...
  5. A

    One brick on another (friction, laws of Newton)

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8219/utennavnu.png Homework Equations n= normal force µ*n=friction F=ma. T = tension , mA = mass of A, mB mass of B The Attempt at a Solution a) Static friction should be used. Forces on brick A : x: T - µ*mg=0 y...
  6. B

    What is the force and acceleration in a conical pendulum?

    This homework is worth 5 percent of the total grade, so this shows that I am purely doing this for my own benefit. I'm struggling with this course, want to understand it, and will be taking more physics classes in the future college courses that I take. In conclusion to this, I ask that...
  7. R

    Electrical current & Kirchhoff’s laws

    Homework Statement [PLAIN]http://img84.imageshack.us/img84/3711/imagode.gif Consider the electrical circuit shown above. Using Kirchhoff’s Rules determine the currents I1 and I2. (Correct answers: I1=-0.727, I2 = 2.33) The Attempt at a Solution We can see from the network...
  8. E

    Newton's First and Second Laws

    Homework Statement A particle is traveling in a straight line at a constant speed of 25.0 m/s. Suddenly, a constant force of 15.0 N acts on it, bringing it to a stop in a distance of 62.5 m. (a) What is the direction of the force? (b) Determine the time it takes for the particle to come...
  9. E

    Forces and Laws of Motion Problem

    Homework Statement A car with a mass of 1100 kg is being pulled by a tow truck exerts a 500 N force on the car and there is a 300 N friction force acting on the car. If the car starts at rest at time t=0, at what time has the truck moved 100 meters? Homework Equations x=v0t + 1/2 at2...
  10. E

    What is the explanation behind Newton's Laws?

    Homework Statement I need someone to help me fully understand Newton's Laws. I kinda get his second law, the sum of the forces equals mass times acceleration??, but yea. Homework Equations Newton's First Law Newton's Second Law...
  11. B

    Physical Chemistry-Gas Laws (Find R and M)

    Thanks ahead of time for any help! Homework Statement From Atkins Physical Chemistry text, 9th Edition: 1.7b) The following data has been obtained for oxygen gas at 273.15 K. Calculate the best value of the gas constant R from them and the best value of the molar mass of O2 (oxygen). p(in...
  12. R

    Newtons three laws of motion from a single rule.

    Dear all I have come with a simple idea to generate the three laws of motion of Newton and would love to hear comments on its correctness. Assume equal point masses: the rule says ' the displacement of one point mass must be balanced by an equal and opposite displacement of another'. Since all...
  13. J

    Finding Acceleration in a Frictionless System with Multiple Masses

    Homework Statement What is the acceleration of the masses as shown in the second attached image. m1 = 0.9kg, m2 = 1.6kg, and m3 = 2.4kg. (Assume the table is frictionless) Homework Equations \sumF=ma F_mg+FN = ma The Attempt at a Solution I figured everything up to the point...
  14. J

    What is the mass of the hanging block in this system in equilibrium?

    Homework Statement T here are 2 blocks connected by a string, as shown in the first image attached. The smooth inclined surface makes an angle of 40 degrees with the horizontal, and the block on the incline has a mass m1 = 7.9kg. What is the mass of the hanging block m2 that will cause the...
  15. M

    Solve Hooke's Law Problem: Spring Constant & Compression

    Homework Statement A 60 kg driver gets into an empty taptap to start the day's work. The springs compress 0.02 m. What is the effective spring constant of the spring system in the taptap? using F=kx I got 2.94*10^4 Then After driving a portion of the route, the taptap is fully loaded with...
  16. L

    Solving I3 Resistor Problem with Kirchhoff's Laws

    Find the current in I3 resistor by using kirchhoff's laws. problems: -when i try to use norton theorem to check for my answer and my answer is IN=2.855A=I3 but when i use kirchhoff's law i get I3=0.645A. -i don't know where is the problems...the current for norton theorem and kirchhoff's...
  17. F

    Virtual Paricles and the Laws of Conservation

    Do virtual particles break the conservation laws? Thanks
  18. O

    What is the acceleration of the block in this system?

    Homework Statement In the system shown all pulleys are light and smooth and all strings are light and inextensible. A block of mass m = 20 kg is attached to the movable pulley. A constant force, F, applied at the free end of the string, makes the point of application of force move down with...
  19. M

    Help me understand kinematics lecture on derivation of laws of motion

    I was checking online videos for lectures on kinematics and I watched one made by yale university but there was some part of it that I didn't understand when he talks about calculus derivation of Vf^2=Vi^2 + 2ax here is the video the derivation starts from about 1:08:45 I didn't understand...
  20. bcrowell

    Conservation laws in GR: a messy picture?

    I've been trying to organize my thoughts about conservation laws in GR, and so far I'm not having as much success as I'd like in bringing order to the whole topic. Maybe this is just the way GR is -- conservation laws don't play their usual central role, and their behavior varies on a...
  21. O

    Laws of motion/vectors question?

    1. Homework Statement A 10 kg block is subjected to two forces (10i + 20j) N and (6i - 8j) N. The magnitude of the resultant acceleration is (a) 2 (b) 3 (c) 4 (c) 5 2. Homework Equations F=ma 3. The Attempt at a Solution...
  22. I

    Exponential laws logrithm function.

    find x for y=5 y = -(((e^x)/(e^-x))/2) + ((e^x)/(e^(-3x)) all i did was a^m / a^n = a^m-n i get here y = -1/2(e^(2x)) + (e^(4x)) after this i get iffy and want to make sure i can do what i did. 5 = -1/2(e^(2x)) + (e^(4x)) ln|5|= -1/2(ln(e^2x)) + ln(e^4x) ln|5|= -1/2(2x) + 4x...
  23. C

    Newton's laws in variable mass systems

    Thread split from this thread. Not true. The spray can is generating a constant force, not a constant power. As a result, the work done by the spray can depends on the distance it travels, and the power generated depends on the rate at which it is traveling. The farther the spray can travels...
  24. P

    Can you prove the distributive laws?

    Homework Statement This is not a HW, I am reviewing the basic material for my own use. Please prove the distributive laws. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution
  25. M

    Proving the Universality of Physical Laws: A Challenge for Kev

    How do you prove that the laws of physics are the same in all inertial frames of reference?
  26. O

    Newton's Laws of Motion problem help

    Hi everyone! I am really bad in physics so I need help in my assignments. My problem is what formula to use. Here's the problems. Homework Statement An electron (mass = 9.11 x 10-31 kg) leaves one end of a tv picture tube with zero (0) initial speed and travels in a straight line to the...
  27. M

    Wire tension and motion in a pulley system

    Hello everyone, i need help with these 2 question from physics. I am a year 11 physics student. Joey and Caitlin hang from two ends of a wire, looped through an ideal pulley. Joey has a mass of 75.0Kg, whilst Caitlin weighs 637N. a) calculate the tension of the wire? b) If Caitlin is...
  28. R

    Newton's Laws with Friction; Inclines

    Homework Statement A car can decelerate at -4.80m/s^2 without skidding when coming to rest on a level road. What would its deceleration be if the road were inclined at 13degrees uphill? Assume the same static friction coefficient. Homework Equations Ffr=µkFN The Attempt at a...
  29. M

    Proving rotational motion using Newton's laws

    I have asked this question before, but couldn't get a satisfactory response. Let me make the problem more concise. We have a two particle system, i.e. two masses of mass m each joined together by a spring of spring constant k. A force F is applied to one of these particles in a direction...
  30. M

    Deriving the equations of torque and ang. Momentum from Newton's laws

    I know what the definition of torque and angular momentum is. But I read in a few books that "Torque and angular momentum are not independent laws of nature, and have been derived from the more fundamental laws of Newton." The above simply means, that the rotational motion is just a...
  31. ThomasMagnus

    How can Newton's Laws be applied to the motion of a bus and a person on it?

    Hi there, I have two simple physics questions. One day I was on the bus, and began to wonder why I kept getting thrown to the back every time the bus accelerated. Which one of Newton's laws can be applied to this?-if any. Another question is: When a rocket takes off, it applies a force in...
  32. K

    Understanding Thermodynamics in an Experiment: Laws at Play

    Homework Statement Hello. I'm starting to study thermo and I'm kind of confused. In this experiment: http://sci-toys.com/scitoys/scitoys/echem/echem2.html Note: I'm not talking about about the actual solar cell, I'm just talking about the heating up part (until the black layer...
  33. H

    A simple algorithm, with no use of the mass, to reproduce the 3 laws of Kepler

    Hello, I was drawing some curves on my computer when something appeared : it is possible to build trajectories that agree with all Kepler's laws with a very simple iterative process and very simple conditions. I wrote a paper to describe this fact and I built an online demonstrator to...
  34. K

    The Laws of Physics: Exploring Nature's Relationships

    The "Laws" of physics In physics and math we often talk about the laws of nature. I have never liked to call these laws. My first diff EQ treacher felt the same. He liked to call them "really good aproximations". I perfer to think of them as equations that relate quanties in nature, or...
  35. stevmg

    Acceleartion and the laws of relativity

    Homework Statement a) When a frame of reference undergoes acceleration/decelation (whatever,) what happens with regards to the Lorentz equations and Simple Relativity? How do the equations "change?" b) It is said that when twins move apart (or clocks move apart) that this is a...
  36. S

    Newtons laws: tablecloth trick

    For the following question: A magician pulls a tablecloth out from under some dishes. *How far do the dishes move during the .25 seconds it takes to pull out the tablecloth? The coefficient of kinetic friction between the cloth and the dishes is .12 I think I got the answer right by...
  37. B

    How Do You Convert \( \frac{1}{x^n} \) to \( x^{-n} \) in Algebra?

    ok so I am working through a problem,got part way through and realized i couldn't remeber what to do with power rules,if someone could quickly remind me of the rules! the question is differentiate ƒ(x) = 1/x^3 Using if ƒ(x) = x^n then ƒ'(x) = nx^n-1 and the book answer given is ƒ(x) =...
  38. S

    Relationship between Newton's laws and distance

    Homework Statement a)If the mass of the crate is doubled but the initial velocity is not changed, what distance does the crate slide before stopping? Explain. b) If the initial velocity of the crate is doubled to 2vi but the mass is not changd, what distance does the crate slide before...
  39. S

    Question about distance using Newton's Laws of Motion

    Homework Statement A crate pushed along the floor with velocity Vi slides a distance d after the pushing force is removed. a)If the mass of the crate is doubled but the initial velocity is not changed, what distance does the crate slide before stopping? Explain. b) If the initial...
  40. A

    How Do Multiple Gases Affect Pressure When Compressed into a Liquid?

    As we all know, the air we breath is made up of appox... 78% Nitrogen ... 21% Oxygen ... and then traces of other random things. Lets consider that only the oxygen and nitrogen exist so that we neglect the other chemical traces. If I were to fire up a compressor that pumps outside air...
  41. W

    Chemical Kinetics: Rate Laws, Orders

    Homework Statement I understand how to determine the order of a rxn based on a series of experiments one divides one into another to obtain a ratio and then determines the power to which one is raised to determine the order. Typical data collected would be: Ex1 [A] .2 mol = Initial rate...
  42. M

    Ohm's, Kirchoff's & Thevenin: Exploring Relationships

    Homework Statement Hey. Is it correct to say that Ohm's Law, Kirchoff's Law and Thevenin Thereom are all related? Am I right in thinking that Ohms and Kirchoff's Law have been derived from Thevenin's Thereom? Just on very basic scale. Using the Thevenin's Thereom, I know that the ratio of the...
  43. V

    De Morgan's Set Laws: A Simple Proof for (A∪B)' = A'∩B

    hi i just need a simple yet uncomplicated proof for (A UNION B)'S COMPLIMENTARY=A' INTERSECTION B'
  44. Gokul43201

    News Interpreting the 2nd Amendment: Literalism and Intent in Gun Laws

    In my layman opinion, the arguments last year (or the year before - context: DC gun law) that the second clause in the 2nd Amendment is not predicated upon the first, is at least grammatical overreach.
  45. B

    Perpetual Motion and the Laws of Thermodynamics

    How come we say perpetual motion is not possible according to the laws of thermodynamics. Yet our universe is expanding faster and faster. How can we say nothing is faster than the speed on light but the universe expanding is? Keep it simple please.
  46. A

    Gas Laws Weakness: Moving Plunger In Heats Gas, But Moving Out May Not Cool It

    Did that get your attention? Ok, so I'm mosty kidding, but I have a conundrum for you that exposes one of the weaknesses of the gas laws. Ready? In my astronomy class last quarter, we had to do a brief overview of physics, because physics isn't a pre-req, and some people had never taken...
  47. X

    Logarithms and Index Laws help

    !Logarithms and Index Laws help! Ive been trying to complete a revision sheet but it has logarithims and index laws, and i don't know how to do them. I've included a few of the hardest questions frome the revision sheet in the attachment. ...Look at attachment.... I've tried the...
  48. M

    Natural Laws and their domain of validity

    "Natural Laws" and their domain of validity What is the philosophical justification for extending observed phenomena to "laws of nature". For example, Galileo dropped massive objects and saw that they fall at the same rate, but to then say that all massive objects fall at the same rate requires...
  49. E

    Force pairs between 5 objects (Newton's 2nd & 3rd laws)

    Homework Statement A table of mass 20kg is placed on the ground. A box of mass 3kg is placed on the table. Another box of mass 2kg is placed on the table, not in contact with the first box. Another box of mass 1 kg is placed on top of the 3kg box. The earth, table, and boxes are all at rest...
  50. R

    Newton's laws : some math work

    Homework Statement 1)The particle shown below is at rest, where F = 65.0 N, and θ = 33.1°. Find the magnitudes of F1 and F2. 2)Just after opening a parachute of negligible mass, a parachutist of mass 99.5 kg experiences an instantaneous upward acceleration of 1.09 m/s2. Find the force...
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