What is Particle motion: Definition and 64 Discussions

In the physical sciences, a particle (or corpuscule in older texts) is a small localized object to which can be ascribed several physical or chemical properties such as volume, density or mass. They vary greatly in size or quantity, from subatomic particles like the electron, to microscopic particles like atoms and molecules, to macroscopic particles like powders and other granular materials. Particles can also be used to create scientific models of even larger objects depending on their density, such as humans moving in a crowd or celestial bodies in motion.
The term 'particle' is rather general in meaning, and is refined as needed by various scientific fields. Anything that is composed of particles may be referred to as being particulate. However, the noun 'particulate' is most frequently used to refer to pollutants in the Earth's atmosphere, which are a suspension of unconnected particles, rather than a connected particle aggregation.

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  1. I_Try_Math

    Using energy considerations to analyse particle motion

    For part (c) my understanding is that in this case for the particle to cross the origin it must have at least as much kinetic energy as there is potential energy at ##U(0) = A##. Given the potential energy and kinetic energy at any position x=a is equal to ## U(a) = \frac {ka^2} {2} +...
  2. rudransh verma

    A particle motion problem in the x-y plane with constant acceleration

    I have attempted but I don’t get anywhere.
  3. E

    Particle motion in a magnetic field

    The equation of motion can be integrated w.r.t. ##t## since ##\frac{d}{dt} (\mathbf{r} \times \mathbf{B}) = \dot{\mathbf{r}} \times \mathbf{B} + \mathbf{0}## $$\int (q\dot{\mathbf{r}} \times \mathbf{B} + m\mathbf{g}) dt = \int m\ddot{\mathbf{r}}(t) dt$$ $$\frac{q}{m} \mathbf{r} \times \mathbf{B}...
  4. warhammer

    Classical Physics & Particle Motion Under Force Field

    The particle is moving under a force field with the potential energy equation described above. I find it logical that Newton's Laws can be used as in the question itself it is stated that the velocity is quite small and we could approximate its subsequent motion via the notions of Classical...
  5. S

    Solving Particle Motion in a Rigid Box: t=0

    I have question, how can I solve problem of particle in rigid box when one of the wall gets completely destroyed? At time t = 0 the right wall of box gets completely destroyed, left wall is still here( ψ(0) = 0 ), also at t = 0 we know that particle is in ground state. How can I search for...
  6. A

    Can you change the state of matter by increasing the speed?

    We all know that the state of matter can be changed by increasing temperature or by applying pressure. And, all of these, in some way lead to a change in the particles' speed. The speed of the particle decides the state of matter. So, if we were to throw an object at very high speeds, like 50%...
  7. T

    I Charged particle acceleration across a potential

    Hello, I haven't been able to find the answer to this anywhere. When calculating the energy gained by a particle that is accelerated across the gap of two cavities (e.g. Dees in a cyclotron, or charged cylindrical cavities of a linear accelerator), does one need to take into account the size of...
  8. David Koufos

    Air resistance differential equation

    Hello all, I want to say thank you in advance for any and all advice on my question. My classical mechanics textbook (Marion Thornton) has been taking me through motion for a particle with retarding forces. The example it keeps giving is: m dv/dt = -kmv which can be solved for: v = v0e-kt...
  9. S

    Charged particle motion in a magnetic feild

    Homework Statement A particle moves along a circle in a region of uniform magnetic field of magnitude B=4.0 mT. The particle is either a proton or an electron. It experiences a magnetic force of magnitude 3.2x1015 N. What are (a) the charge of the particle? (b) The particle speed? (c) The...
  10. Alexanddros81

    Particle Motion; Graphical Method

    Homework Statement A particle moves in a straight line with the acceleration shown in the figure. Knowing that it starts from the origin with ##v_0 = -14ft/s##, plot the v-t and x-t curves for 0 < t < 15 s and determine (a) the maximum value of the velocity of the particle, (b) the maximum...
  11. Alexanddros81

    Particle Motion; Acceleration directly proportional to time

    Homework Statement 11.10 The acceleration of a particle is directly proposional to the time t. At t = 0, the velocity of the particle is v = 16 in./s. Knowing that v = 15 in./s and that x = 20 in. when t = 1 s, determine the velocity, the position, and the total distance traveled when t = 7s...
  12. T

    Understanding Random Particle Motion in a Monoatomic Gas

    We consider a monoatomic gas in a closed box. A textbook says : Since the assumption is that the particles move in random directions, the average value of velocity squared along each direction must be same. Why the assumption is that the particles move in random directions implies that the...
  13. R

    Particle motion + electric field when voltage varies

    Homework Statement Two parallel plates located at a distance "L" from each other they maintain a potential difference "V" because of a battery (as shown in the picture). Through a small hole, made in bottom plate, electrons get into system (with mass "m" and charge "-e"), with velocity "v" and...
  14. C

    Expressing y(t) including the effects of air resistance & gravity

    Homework Statement [/B] Hi everyone! So I've got this similar problem as I posted yesterday, but this one is slightly different due to the presence of gravity: A particle in gravitational field ##~~g## starts traveling upward (positive direction) along the y-axis from ##~~y=0## with the...
  15. Alexanddros81

    Particle motion - Path Coordinates

    Homework Statement Pytel Dynamics Problem 13.4 13.4 The particle passespoint O at the speed of 2.4 m/s. Between O and B, the speed changes at the rate of 2.2√v m/s2, where v is the speed in m/s. Determine the magnitude of the acceleration when the particle is (a) just to the left of pont A...
  16. lfdahl

    MHB Particle Motion in a Vertical Plane: Trajectory Equation & Curve

    A particle moves in a vertical plane from rest under the influence of gravity and a force perpendicular to and proportional to its velocity. Obtain the equation of the trajectory, and identify the curve.
  17. A

    I Constant particle motion due to zero-point energy....

    Hi all, Just a clarification to ask about: if a have an electron (all by its lonesome) in its ground state, it will have non-zero kinetic energy (zero-point energy), even at absolute zero. This should mean the particle (oscillating field excitation in QFT) is always moving. Now, to be clear...
  18. Macykc2

    Particle Motion in a Magnetic field

    Homework Statement Consider a charged particle entering a region of uniform magnetic field B - for example the Earth's field. Determine it's subsequent motion when the y-axis is parallel with the magnetic field Homework Equations F=qv x B = ma vector components of velocity, acceleration, and...
  19. G

    Particle Motion (Astrophysics)

    Homework Statement This is new for me, so forgive me my clumsiness. I am working on the following problem: A particle p is moving with a velocity v1 = c (speed of light) towards an object q, which is moving in the same direction with the speed v2, where v1>v2. Now, v2 is a function of the...
  20. A

    I 'Localization,' particle motion, and quantum fluctuations....

    Hi all, Some time ago I was reading about Anderson localization (posted a question about it was well) - this got me thinking about vacuum fluctuations. I think I have the wrong idea in my mind - so wanted to ask the great community here about it: Quantum (vacuum) fluctuations must have an...
  21. M

    Stokes Number for Particle Motion?

    Hello, I have a question... With the Stokes Number you can derive if particles follow a streamline or not, right? Let's say I am in a windtunnel, the wind is coming from the east. And I have a tube in the wind tunnel (horizontally located) which is 180° opposite to the flow (the opening of the...
  22. D

    Particle motion when wrapped around drum; elastic string

    Homework Statement A uniform cylindrical drum of mass M and radius a is free to rotate about its axis, which i is horizontal. An elastic cable of negligible mass and length l is wrapped around the drum and carries on its free end a mass m. The cable has elastic potential energy \tfrac12...
  23. RyanH42

    No problem! Good luck with your homework.

    Homework Statement A particle moves so that its equation of motion in vector form given is given by ##\vec{R}=((sint^-1)/2+t/2√(1-t^2))\vec{i}+1/2t^2\vec{j}## , ##0≤t<1## a)Show that particle moves with a constant speed. b)Compute ##\vec{v}## and ##\vec{a}##,and verify that...
  24. jdawg

    Particle Motion Along a Straight Line

    Homework Statement At time t=0, a particle is located at the point (1,2,3). It travels in a straight line to the point (4,1,4), has speed 2 at (1,2,3) and constant acceleration 3i-j+k. Find an equation for the position vector r(t) of the particle at time t. Homework Equations The...
  25. S

    Angular momentum of time dependent particle motion

    Homework Statement A particle of mass m moves in a circle of radius R at a constant speed v. Assume: The motion begins from the point Q, which has coordinates (R, 0). Determine the angular momentum of the particle about point P, which has coordinates (−R, 0) as a function of time. The...
  26. B

    How Does a Block of Ice Move When Sliding Off a Sloped Roof?

    Homework Statement A block of ice starts from rest on an apartment building’s roof, which slopes at 41° below the horizontal. The block slides down the icy frictionless roof for 5.0 m and then leaves the edge, which is 12 m above the ground. a. How far from the building does the block strike...
  27. P

    Particle motion in a magnetic field

    Homework Statement Assume the Earth's magnetic field is almost homogeneous with direction along the z-axis, with a small inhomogeneous modification which make the field lines converge towards the z-axis. Also ignore relativistic and gravitational effects. . First assume the magnetic field, B...
  28. P

    Quantum time corr: expectation value of particle motion in Schro. pic

    Homework Statement The expectation value of motion of a particle over a time interval t-to is C(t,to) = <0|x(t)x(to)|0> (product of position operators in Heisenberg representation for ground state harmonic oscillator) Homework Equations Schrodinger picture: <ψ(t)|Ω|ψ(t)> =...
  29. G

    Particle motion in a Magnetic Field 1

    Homework Statement A charged particle of mass m = 6X10-8 kg, moving with constant velocity in the y-direction enters a region containing a constant magnetic field B = 2.8T aligned with the positive z-axis as shown. The particle enters the region at (x,y) = (0.58 m, 0) and leaves the region at...
  30. Q

    Particle motion + electric fields

    Homework Statement see attachment for question wording. a) find acceleration b) find horizontal displacement c) find final velocity vx=4.0*10^6m/s ε=4.0*10^2 N/C Δdy=0.02m mass of electron = me = 9.11*10^-31kg charge of electron = qe = -1.6*10^-19 C Homework Equations suvat...
  31. N

    Simulating particle motion in real time

    Hi I am trying to simulate N particles evaporating from an oven, after which they propagate and eventually hit a wall. it is all classically, no quantum behavior. So far my approach has been the following: I pick a random Gaussianly distribution number, which I say is the velocity of the...
  32. J

    Solving Frictionless Particle Motion: Find V(x),T,E & Turning Points

    Homework Statement a particle of mass m is contrained to lie on along a frictionless,horizontal plane subject to a force given by the expression F(x)=-kx. It is projected from x=0 to the right along the positive x direction with initial kinetic energy T(o)=1/2kA^2, k and A are positive...
  33. K

    Particle motion ode (1st order nonlinear nonhomog)

    hi all, I've been trying to work this problem out, \frac{dv}{dt}-A(B-v)^{1.6}=G A, B and G are constants and Matlab can't give me a solution either. I'm wondering if there is even a solution?
  34. P

    How to Solve a Basic Particle Motion Problem?

    Homework Statement Moves at G(f)=t^2-4t+3 a. Find displacement at 2 sec b. Find average velocity at 4 sec c. Find instantaneous velocity at t=4 d. Find acceleration at t= 4Homework Equations Instantaneous rate of change DisplacementThe Attempt at a Solution f'= 2t-4 (So this would be the...
  35. D

    Simple Particle Motion (Dynamics)

    Homework Statement A particle of mass 3.2kg is moving due west with a velocity of 6m/s. Another particle of mass 1.6kg is moving due north with a velocity of 5.0m/s. The two particles are interacting. After 2s the first particle is moving in the direction N 30° E with a velocity of 3m/s...
  36. C

    Particle Motion: Retardation & Arithmetic Progression

    Homework Statement A particle moves in a straight line away from a fixed point O in the line, such that when its distance from O is x its speed v is given by v=k/x , for some constant k. (a) show that the particle has a retardation which is inversely proportional to x3 The answer is...
  37. R

    Kinematics of a particle motion equations problem

    Homework Statement A baseball is thrown downward from a 12.5m tower with and initial speed of 4.5m/s. Determine the speed at which it hits the ground and the time of travel. s = 12.5m u = 4.5m/s a = g = 10m/s^2 Homework Equations Motion equations used s = ut + 0.5at^2 v^2 = u^2 +2as...
  38. C

    Charged particle motion in a uniform magnetic field

    Consider that we have a macroscopic, electrically charged, point object tracing out a circular path in a uniform magnetic field in the usual way due to the Lorentz force. Now we very slowly raise the overall strength of the magnetic field (slow enough that on one orbit, the object sees the same...
  39. W

    Why is the nuclear shell model build around single particle motion?

    Hi everyone For the past few months I have been learning about the nucleus and the nuclear shell model. The experimental evidence for a shell structure is overwhelming and easy to understand. It is also quite straight forward to obtain the correct shell closures (magic numbers) using a 3d...
  40. L

    Calculating Particle Motion with Varying Force: Solving for Distance and Time

    A particle of mass m travels in a straight line and experiences a single force, F(t) , in the direction of motion that varies with time t. ( a ) Given that m = 6 kg and F( t ) = 6 sin t + 24 N, use Newton’s 2nd law to show that the acceleration, a m/s2 , of the particle is...
  41. Z

    Help Needed: Magnetism and Electron/Alpha Particle Motion

    Homework Statement Hi guys. I'm stuck at a question that has to do with magnetism and I would really appreciate some help! The question is: "An electron and an alpha particle are in a magnetic field and moves in circles with the same tangential speed. Calculate the ratio between the number...
  42. K

    Particle Motion 2: Floating, Flying & Moving Freely in Space

    What is the meaning of floatin and flying and moveing freely in space?
  43. V

    Particle Motion in One Dimension

    Two bodies begin a free fall from rest from the same height. If one starts 1.0 s after the other, how long after the first body begins to fall will the two bodies be 10 m apart? x = x + vt +1/2at^2 I'm having trouble visualising a solution.
  44. N

    Particle Motion in GR: Solving Radial Motion Problems

    Have looked on the forum but can't find this query so hope I am not repeating something that might be here already. Also hope this is the right forum for the post. Homework Statement I am working through a paper on particle motion in GR (Cohen PhysRevD 19,8,p2273) but am running into a few...
  45. B

    Solving Constant Force on Particle Motion

    Im having trouble understanding that if i have an equation for the motion of a particle how can i find out that a constant force is being acted upon the particle? Any help would be appreciated thank you.
  46. V

    Analysis of Lorentz Force on Particle Motion

    Homework Statement Consider a particle of mass m that carries a charge q. Suppose that the particle is under the influence of both an electric field E and a magnetic field B so that the particle's trajectory is described by the path x(t) for a\leqt\leqb. Then the total force acting on the...
  47. Q

    Charged Particle Motion in a Magnetic Field

    Homework Statement A proton is moving through a vertical magnetic field. The (instantaneous) velocity of the proton is 8.5x105m/s horizontally in the north direction. The (instantaneous) acceleration produced by the magnetic force is 2.90x105m/s2 in the west direction. What is the magnitude...
  48. P

    Differential equations particle motion

    Homework Statement Hey all. I have F(v) and I'm looking for x(t). F(v) = -bV2 I'm a physics undergrad student who hasn't done diff. equations in a while, so I'm very unsure of my work so far... but here it is. The Attempt at a Solution I write F=ma as F(v)=mdv/dt: -bV2=mdv/dt -m∫ dv/v2 =...
  49. S

    Electric Lines of Force: Exploring Their Impact on Particle Motion

    Do the electric lines of force necessarily depict the trajectory of a charged particle? Or do they depict the trajectory at all.
  50. J

    Point Particle Motion problem

    Hi, Can anybody help with the following: A point particle moves in a plane with trajectory given by r(t) = R [θ (t)]^3/2, where R is a constant. The angle θ in radians increases in time according to the equation θ (t) = 1/2 α t^2, where α is a constant whose numerical value is α = 1...
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