High School Feynman's lectures: Newton’s Laws of Dynamics

Click For Summary
Feynman's lectures on Newton's Laws of Dynamics emphasize the relationship between displacement, velocity, and time. In equation (9.13), displacement is approximated as the product of time elapsed and velocity, which becomes more accurate with smaller time increments. Equation (9.14) relates velocity to acceleration, while equation (9.15) highlights that acceleration equals negative displacement. Despite Feynman's clarity, some readers still feel gaps in their understanding of these concepts. The discussion underscores the effectiveness of Feynman's teaching style in conveying complex physics principles.
YanaFFF
Messages
4
Reaction score
3
TL;DR
Please help me figure out equations 9.13, 9.14, 9.15 from the Feynman lectures on physics (Volume 1, Chapter 9). I don't really understand what exactly these functions mean and also why they need to be added or subtracted. (Explain as simply as possible). I will be very grateful for your help!
Physics news on Phys.org
It is hard to explain things better than Feynman :smile:

For eq. (9.13), if the velocity was constant, then
$$
x(t+\epsilon) = x(t) + \epsilon v_x
$$
would be exact, as the displacement in ##x## is time elapsed (##\epsilon##) multiplied by velocity (##v_x##). Since velocity depends on time, it is only an approximation; the smaller ##\epsilon##, the better.

Eq. (9.14), is the same, but for velocity in terms of acceleration. Eq. (9.15) follows from the fact that in this case acceleration is ##-x##, see eq. (9.12).
 
DrClaude said:
It is hard to explain things better than Feynman :smile:

For eq. (9.13), if the velocity was constant, then
$$
x(t+\epsilon) = x(t) + \epsilon v_x
$$
would be exact, as the displacement in ##x## is time elapsed (##\epsilon##) multiplied by velocity (##v_x##). Since velocity depends on time, it is only an approximation; the smaller ##\epsilon##, the better.

Eq. (9.14), is the same, but for velocity in terms of acceleration. Eq. (9.15) follows from the fact that in this case acceleration is ##-x##, see eq. (9.12).
Thank you very much! I agree that Feynman explains it well, but I still have gaps in my knowledge.
 
For simple comparison, I think the same thought process can be followed as a block slides down a hill, - for block down hill, simple starting PE of mgh to final max KE 0.5mv^2 - comparing PE1 to max KE2 would result in finding the work friction did through the process. efficiency is just 100*KE2/PE1. If a mousetrap car travels along a flat surface, a starting PE of 0.5 k th^2 can be measured and maximum velocity of the car can also be measured. If energy efficiency is defined by...

Similar threads

  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
1K
  • · Replies 46 ·
2
Replies
46
Views
4K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 15 ·
Replies
15
Views
2K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
1K
  • · Replies 27 ·
Replies
27
Views
2K
  • · Replies 45 ·
2
Replies
45
Views
4K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
1K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 14 ·
Replies
14
Views
2K