Classical Physics Forum

Post thread
Join expert classical physics discussion on the principles developed before the rise of relativity and quantum mechanics. Including mechanics, electrodynamics, thermodynamics, optics.

Mechanics

I Is calling fictitious forces "not real" just about terminology?

Optics

I How do I stretch a laser from a beam into a sheet?

Thermodynamics

I What thermal cycle would describe the action of a candle carousel?

Electromagnetism

A Reflections at the source point of a transmission line
Resistors that doesn't affect the others
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What happens when an explosion begins
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Jacobian matrix determinant vanishes
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Equation of State for Solids (Dense Fluids?)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Gyroscope coupling force force question
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How do I calculate a pumps psi output?
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
51K
The response of a mass suspended between two poles to an angle of heel
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Understanding Fluctuations in Multimeter Readings
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
Derivation of sagging expression
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
7K
Is there a way to know how the amplitude of a wave will evolve?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Will this stick spin if it has no pivot?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Importance of learning Physics II in the long run?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Quick P. Energy Derivation Question
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Does an object stop when reversing direction?
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
8K
Bohr Model of Atom: Stability Condition Explained
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
What Are the Best Approximations for Small Oscillations in Classical Mechanics?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
5K
Basic Statics - A weird outcome. Contradictory?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Intuition Mismatch: Reconciling ΔH for Ideal Gas Isothermal Expansion
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Negative Energy in Particles: A Conundrum
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
Is the phase diagram for an oscilliator always clockwise?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Flow separation leads to stalling?
  • · Replies 17 ·
Replies
17
Views
10K
Calculating Gravitational Field Strength of Elliptical Mass Distribution
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Crystals: difference between basis and unit cell
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
12K
Understanding Charge Carriers in Semiconductor Junctions
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Relation between spontaneous emission, absorption and re-emission
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Harmonic Oscillator (not sure where to post)
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
Focal Curve of an Achromatic Doublet
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Can Electric and Gravitational Fields Transport Potential Energy?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K
Throwing and dropping something
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Question about analyzing forces
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Gas liquid contact in stripping column
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Poisson's equation applied to an integral
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Fluid stress tensor in cylindrical coordinates?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
6K
What is the final term in the distance formula for maximum range?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Watching an aeroplane through a window
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Calculating the coefficent of volume expansion of liquid?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Mysteries in Classical Physics
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
What is the ratio of the voltmeter readings in this E-field scenario?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
Hydraulics - System curve VS pump curve
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
8K
As for the three body problem (the formula used, and the related areas)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Huygens principle consequence of isotropy
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Physics: Why Water in Car Acceleration is Perpendicular
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Bending of waves around obstacles and the effect of wavelength
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Slit width order of wavelength
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Reversibility, adiabatic-ness, quasi-static
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
How Relevant Are 1960s Solenoid Design Principles Today?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Why does gravitational Laplace's equation equal zero?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
6K
Reusable Fuel Ubop Self Contained Transit Drive
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What caused galaxies to start spinning?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Differential equation modeling question
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Finding the B field in a long cylindrical hole in a long wire
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Time constant for gas to reach equipartion equilibrium
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Force is ill-defined? contradictory definitions?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
2K
Does more energy equate to more force?
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
5K
Why Didn't the Ship Sink When a 15kg Bird Landed on It?
  • · Replies 26 ·
Replies
26
Views
4K
Question on vertical pole and equilibrium
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Derivation of equation for catenary
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Can Radar Be Used to Map Distant Planets?
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
3K
Solving Fluid Dynamics Problem: Granite Floating in Mercury & Water
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Is the Center of Mass an Abstraction?
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
Why is physics described using real numbers as a mathematical abstraction?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Driving Round Bends: Why Do We Take the Inside Line?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
3K
How Do Two Explanations of Spatial Hole Burning Differ?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
8K
Pn junction, diode and energy level of conduction band during forward biasing
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Solving Enthaply by other ways?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Why Does External Pressure Not Affect Work Done on Compressed Gas?
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
5K
Vectors: Reminder of Bare Basics & Vector Forces
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Question on the Gauss' Law's Qenc
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
11K
Can Power Be Transmitted via Radio Waves?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Why Are Cyclotrons Considered Dangerous?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
8K
Pincushion distortion from spherical detectors
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Center of gravity in wrong place?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
Legendre Transforms: U=U(S,V) vs U(V,P)
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
What Does the Vector Diagram of a Turning Vehicle Look Like?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Evaporation of Liquids: 3 Questions Explained
  • · Replies 7 ·
Replies
7
Views
8K
Equivalence of Integral and Differential Forms of Gauss's Law?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Gravity Basics: Negative Signs & Direction
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
7K
Why Did a Cumulus Cloud Change Colors When Viewed Through Polarized Sunglasses?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Are Principal Strains Always Tensile/Compressive or Can They Be Shear?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Solving Biot-Savarts Law for Finite Thickness Current Loops
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Jerk in Gravitation: Are Accelerations Equal in Cases of Varying Distances?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Flying at the Speed of Sound: What Would a Human Feel?
  • · Replies 31 ·
2
Replies
31
Views
6K
Oscilloscope triggering function on aperiodic signals
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Need help finding origin of an equation
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
Solving Poisson's equation with the help of Greens function
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
6K
Isochoric Compression Explained
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
8K
Normal force on top of a loop?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
6K
Velocities seen from the center of mass
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
Does the Hamiltonian is always equal to the energy of the system?
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
11K
Proof LaGrangian: Prove Ideal Gas Eqn w/ T, P, n, V, R
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
History of Hamilton's principle
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
3K
Force on rope during a rope swing
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
19K
What is the significance of g_c in different unit systems?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
4K
Too early to learn Lagrangians as a first year?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K
Hamilton's principle: why dA rather than dA/dt?
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
3K
The Mystery Behind Tuning a Radio
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
13K
Snagged a little on some vector math
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Advantage of Poisson's equation?
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
4K
Overshooting in a critically damped oscillator
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
4K
Force on solenoid in external uniform field?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
4K