Physics Made Simple

by Freeman, Ira M.

• ISBN13: 9780385242288
• ISBN10: 038524228X
• Edition: Revised
• Format: Trade Paper
• Copyright: 1990-01-01
• Publisher: Made Simple

Summary

First published in 1954, this approach to physics is a welcome relief from the standard intimidating textbooks. It features timely and engaging examples and common applications of theories, historical anecdotes of significant discoveries, and clear and contemporary graphics.

Table of Contents

Matter and Energy
States of Matter
What Is Physics?	p. 9
States of Matter	p. 10
Physics and Measurement
Measuring Length	p. 14
Measuring Area and Volume	p. 16
Measuring Weight and Mass	p. 18
How We Measure Time	p. 19
How We Measure Density	p. 19
Force
Force Vectors	p. 22
Resultant of a Set of Forces	p. 23
Equilibrium of Forces	p. 25
Gravity	p. 26
Center of Gravity	p. 27
Torque	p. 28
Motion
Speed and Velocity	p. 31
Acceleration	p. 32
Inertia	p. 34
Constant Acceleration	p. 35
Momentum	p. 36
Work and Energy
What Is Work?	p. 40
Energy	p. 41
Power	p. 44
Machines	p. 45
Heat
Temperature and How We Measure It	p. 47
Expansion and Contraction of Solids and Liquids	p. 49
Expansion and Contraction of Gases	p. 51
Conduction of Heat	p. 52
Convection	p. 54
Thermal Radiation	p. 55
Thermal Energy
Measuring Thermal Energy (Quantity of Heat)	p. 59
Heat Units	p. 61
Heat of Fusion	p. 62
Heat of Vaporization	p. 63
Heat--Work Equivalent	p. 65
Pressure of Liquids and Gases
What Is Pressure?	p. 67
Liquid (Hydraulic) Pressure	p. 68
Computing Hydraulic Pressure	p. 69
Pressure of Gases	p. 70
Barometric Pressure	p. 71
Gas Volume and Boyle's Law	p. 72
Buoyancy and Flotation	p. 73
Buoyancy in Gases	p. 75
Air Resistance	p. 75
Bernoulli's Law	p. 77
Sound and Light
Sound
The Nature of Waves	p. 84
Sound Waves	p. 85
Reflection of Sound Waves	p. 88
Wavelength and Frequency	p. 90
Frequency and Pitch	p. 91
The Doppler Effect	p. 92
Intensity (Loudness)	p. 93
Music: Controlled Sound	p. 95
Light
Light Rays	p. 99
Artificial Sources of Light	p. 101
How Illumination Is Measured	p. 102
What Is Light?	p. 103
The Speed of Light	p. 104
Reflection	p. 105
Mirrors	p. 107
Refraction	p. 108
Lenses	p. 110
How a Lens Forms an Image	p. 111
The Camera and the Human Eye	p. 113
Microscopes and Telescopes	p. 114
Wave Optics
The Spectrum	p. 117
Mixing Colors and Pigments	p. 119
Measuring and Analyzing Light and Color	p. 121
Electromagnetic Waves: A Preview	p. 122
Diffraction	p. 122
Interference of Light	p. 124
Polarization	p. 125
Electricity and Magnetism
Electric Charge
Static Electricity and Electric Current	p. 130
Atoms and Electric Charge	p. 131
Conductors and Insulators	p. 132
Electrostatic Induction	p. 133
Fields of Electricity	p. 134
Potential and Capacitance	p. 135
Electricity
Measuring Electric Current	p. 137
How Voltaic Cells Work	p. 138
How Batteries Work	p. 139
How a Simple Electrical Circuit Works	p. 141
Electrical Resistance and Ohm's Law	p. 141
Potential Difference in a Circuit	p. 142
Measuring Electric Power	p. 144
Putting Electric Power to Use	p. 144
Magnetism
How Magnets Work	p. 148
Magnetic Fields	p. 150
The Earth's Magnetic Poles	p. 151
Electrical Fields	p. 152
Electromagnets	p. 153
Uses of Electromagnets	p. 154
Forces Operating on an Electric Current	p. 154
Metering Electricity	p. 155
Motors	p. 156
Electromagnetic Induction
How Electromagnetic Induction Works	p. 159
Lenz's Law	p. 161
Generators	p. 161
Alternating Current (AC)	p. 162
Direct Current (DC)	p. 163
Back Voltage	p. 164
Transformers	p. 164
Electromagnetic Radiation
Electron Beams	p. 167
Photoelectric Effect	p. 168
Vacuum Tubes	p. 169
Semiconductors	p. 170
Integrated Circuits	p. 170
Electronic Devices	p. 171
Cathode Ray Tubes (CRTs)	p. 171
Glossary	p. 175
Appendix
Important Formulas and Relations	p. 185
Major Principles and Laws	p. 188
Answers and Solutions to Testing Your Knowledge	p. 189
Index	p. 201
Table of Contents provided by Ingram. All Rights Reserved.