Recent content by PhysicsInNJ

Would E= √(p2c2 + m02c4) be more accurate?

I presume energy would also be conserved, but writing out that expression also leaves me with λ and λ' (γimevi2)/2 +mec2 - hc/λ = hc/λ' - (γfmevf2)/2 - mec2

Homework Statement An electron moving to the left at 0.8c collides with an incoming photon moving to the right. After the collision, the electron is moving to the right at 0.6c and an outgoing photon moves to the left. What was the wavelength of the incoming photon? Homework Equations p=γmv...

So really my question becomes the following: In voltage divider like the one below, where R1=R2, When I check Vout it will be 6V. If i had 1 resistor, the voltage would be 12V. How is the addition of a second resistor changing the voltage? Worded longer, if potential is how much work is needed...

I'm having trouble understanding how voltage drops. My understanding of voltage is a difference in potential, with potential being how much work is necessary to move a test charge to a specific orientation. So, if we have a circuit with say, a 12V battery and a 1 ohm resistor, and I had a +1...

Ok, just wanted to make sure. thank you!

I see. Then I would ask, is the rotation an artifact of using a wire in a loop and thus it can only travel in that way, or is it more fundamental than that?

Homework Statement I'm in a class where we have to essentially learn E&M ourselves and I'm challenged by Maxwells equations. I'm studying out of Purcell's E&M. The differential form of Faradays law for Maxwells equations is curl E = -∂B/∂t Im having trouble interpreting what to make of this...

I see, I suppose I was being pedantic and not considering the overall picture. This made sense, thank you Chet!

I was thinking that if we were hypothetically carrying out this process, we would have to move the reservoirs/systems requiring us to do physical work. But T+dT is the last reservoir we have, so the system would only be able to get down to T+dT, not return to T.

@Chestermiller If we put the system while it is in a T1 + 2dT configuration back in contact with T1+dT we could revert the temperature to T1 +dT. But this requires work on our part (outside work) to move the system and reservoir in contact, right? Also this wouldn't be able to bring the system...

Conceptually, why does infinitesimally changing a system allow for a process to be reversible. For example, if we heat a system at temperature T1 to T2 by using a heat reservoir at T2, it is considered irreversible, but if we heat the system with many reservoirs at temperatures T1+dT, T1+2dT...

That's where my concern really lies, having just a superficial knowledge of topics but not truly understanding them. I haven't had much opportunity to work on projects yet, but hopefully I'll be able to get there at some point and get a better grasp.

I appreciate the advice. As Dr. Courtney and PhotonSSBM are saying, I suppose for now I'll keep pushing through and working through material.

By the way, I reposted this here after originally posting in the Career Guidance forum. I think here is more applicable.