Physics Lab Practices: Reaction Time, Density, Energy, Pendulums, Inertia, and Oscillation
Practice 1: Random Errors, Determination of Reaction Time
We know that the fall of a body is accelerated motion, with a relationship between the distance traveled and time. So, it is possible to determine the time it takes to react to stimuli, trying to catch a falling body by measuring the area it runs through before catching it.
- Medium-haul space: The sum of all measures / number of measures +/- error.
- Absolute error: Given by the measurement equipment.
- Relative error: |Δe| / |e|.
- Random error: (1
Understanding the Universe: Celestial Bodies and Energy
Geocentric System
The geocentric system is a planetary model which states that the Earth is the center of the Universe, and the other planets and the Sun revolve around it.
Heliocentric System
The heliocentric system is a planetary model where the Sun is the center of our system, and the other planets, including Earth, revolve around it.
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that studies the structure, composition, and evolution of the Universe.
Light-Year
A light-year is the distance that
Read MoreEssential Vocabulary: Definitions and Terms
A
- Abacus: A wooden box with ten parallel wires and ten beads on each wire, used to learn to count.
- Abbot (Abbess f.): The superior of a monastery or abbey.
- Abdicate: To renounce power (e.g., the king abdicated).
- Abolish: To remove a law (e.g., the law was abolished).
- Aboriginal: A primitive inhabitant of a country. / Native: A plant or animal from its original place of residence.
- Absolve: To leave a defendant guilt-free (e.g., the prisoner was acquitted).
- Greedy: Wanting something with great force; thirsty
Fundamental Laws of Physics: Motion, Energy, and Electricity
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Newton’s First Law of Motion
An object continues to remain at rest or in a state of uniform motion along a straight line unless an external unbalanced force acts on it.
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
The rate of change of momentum is proportional to the applied force, and the change of momentum occurs in the direction of the force.
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
Every action force has an equal and opposite reaction force which acts simultaneously.
Work
Work done by a force acting on
Read MoreFluid Dynamics: Key Concepts and Principles
Fluid Energy
- Kinetic Energy
- Potential Energy
- Internal Energy
Kinematic Viscosity
Dynamic Viscosity/Density
Streamlines
Tangent to flow velocity. Velocity potential is zero when the flow is irrotational or vorticity is “0”.
Bernoulli’s Equation is Applicable When
- Along a Streamline
- Inviscid
- Steady
- Incompressible
- No work is done
- No heat transfer
Bernoulli Equation was Developed by
Daniel Bernoulli and Leonhard Euler
Apply Shear Stress
- Solids: Will stop deforming
- Fluids: Continuously deform
Gage Pressure
Positive Pressure
Read MoreFluid Dynamics: Reynolds Number, Manometers, and Bernoulli’s Theorem
Reynolds’ Experiment
Osborne Reynolds, an Irish engineer, conducted a series of experiments in the 1880s to investigate the nature of fluid flow. His most famous experiment involved flowing water through a pipe and observing the flow behavior.
Procedure
Reynolds varied the flow rate of water through the pipe and observed the flow behavior using a dye. He noted that at low flow rates, the dye flowed smoothly and steadily through the pipe, indicating laminar flow. As the flow rate increased, the dye
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