Feynman's Tips on Physics : A Problem-Solving Supplement to the Feynman Lectures on Physics

by Feynman, Richard P.; Gottlieb, Michael A.; Leighton, Ralph

• ISBN13: 9780805390636
• ISBN10: 0805390634
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2006-01-01
• Publisher: Addison Wesley

Summary

This new volume contains four previously unpublished lectures that Feynman gave to students preparing for exams. With characteristic insight and humor, Feynman discusses topics readers struggle with and offers valuable tips on solving physics problems. Exercises and answers by R. B. Leighton and R. E. Vogt are also included, along with an illuminating memoir by Matthew Sands. For all readers interested in physics.

Table of Contents

Introduction On the Origins of The Feynman Lectures on Physics	v
A MEMOIR BY MATTHEW SANDS	1	(14)
1 Prerequisites
REVIEW LECTURE A
1-1 Introduction to the review lecture	15	(1)
1-2 Caltech from the bottom	16	(2)
1-3 Mathematics for physics	18	(1)
1-4 Differentiation	19	(3)
1-5 Integration	22	(1)
1-6 Vectors	23	(6)
1-7 Differentiating vectors	29	(2)
1-8 Line integrals	31	(2)
1-9 A simple example	33	(5)
1-10 Triangulation	38	(3)
2 Laws and Intuition
REVIEW LECTURE B
2-1 The physical laws	41	(2)
2-2 The nonrelativistic approximation	43	(1)
2-3 Motion with forces	44	(3)
2-4 Forces and their potentials	47	(2)
2-5 Learning physics by example	49	(1)
2-6 Understanding physics physically	50	(3)
2-7 A problem in machine design	53	(11)
2-8 Earth's escape velocity	64	(3)
Alternate Solutions	67	(4)
A Finding the acceleration of the weight using geometry	67	(1)
B Finding the acceleration of the weight using trigonometry	68	(1)
C Finding the force on the weight using torque and angular momentum	69
3 Problems and Solutions
REVIEW LECTURE C
3-1 Satellite motion	71	(5)
3-2 Discovery of the atomic nucleus	76	(4)
3-3 The fundamental rocket equation	80	(2)
3-4 A numerical integration	82	(2)
3-5 Chemical rockets	84	(1)
3-6 Ion propulsion rockets	85	(3)
3-7 Photon propulsion rockets	88	(1)
3-8 An electrostatic proton beam deflector	88	(3)
3-9 Determining the mass of the pi meson	91	(5)
4 Dynamical Effects and Their Applications
REVIEW LECTURE D
4-1 A demonstration gyroscope	96	(1)
4-2 The directional gyro	97	(1)
4-3 The artificial horizon	98	(1)
4-4 A ship-stabilizing gyroscope	99	(1)
4-5 The gyrocompass	100	(4)
4-6 Improvements in gyroscopes design and construction	104	(7)
4-7 Accelerometers	111	(4)
4-8 A complete navigational system	115	(4)
4-9 Effects of the earth's rotation	119	(3)
4-10 The spinning disk	122	(3)
4-11 Earth's nutation	125	(1)
4-12 Angular momentum in astronomy	125	(2)
4-13 Angular momentum in quantum mechanics	127	(1)
4-14 After the lecture	128
5 Selected Exercises
5-1 Conservation of energy, statics	135	(3)
5-2 Kepler's laws and gravitation	138	(1)
5-3 Kinematics	138	(1)
5-4 Newton's laws	139	(2)
5-5 Conservation of momentum	141	(2)
5-6 Vectors	143	(1)
5-7 Nonrelativistic two-body collisions in 3 dimensions	144	(1)
5-8 Forces	144	(1)
5-9 Potentials and fields	145	(2)
5-10 Units and dimensions	147	(1)
5-11 Relativistic energy and momentum	147	(1)
5-12 Rotations in two dimensions, the center mass	148	(1)
5-13 Angular momentum, the moment of inertia	149	(2)
5-14 Rotation in three dimensions	151	(4)
Answers to Exercises	155	(4)
Photo Credits	159	(2)
Index to The Lectures	161