Notes, abstracts, papers, exams and problems of Physics

Surveying, Mapping, and Geodesy

Surveying

Surveying is a set of technical and scientific operations used to determine the spatial position of points to represent a plane land surface and its elements. Common units used in surveying include:

• Length: meter
• Area: square meter or hectare (10,000 m²)
• Angle: Grad

Cartography

Cartography is the science that studies the different methods and systems used to represent part or all of the Earth's surface on a plane.

Geodesy

Geodesy is the science that studies the shape and dimensions of the Earth.

Map Projections

Map projections aim to minimize distortions caused by transforming a three-dimensional surface into a two-dimensional plane. These distortions can be linear, angular, or surface-related. Different types... Continue reading "Surveying, Mapping, and Geodesy Fundamentals" »

Measurement Process Analysis

Measurement, regardless of the magnitude, involves decisions on:

Measurand

The measurand is of fundamental importance to the choice of instrument.

Measure or Check

Measure determines the numerical value of a quantity, while verification confirms if a magnitude is within preset limits.

Geometric Characteristics of the Scale

1. Provision of Space to Measure

• Exterior
• Interior
• Depth
• Distance

2. Geometric Shape

2.1 Form of Isolated Elements

• Straightness
• Roundness
• Form a line
• Flatness
• Cylindrical
• Form a surface

2.2 Guidance of Isolated Elements

• Parallelism
• Perpendicularity
• Angularity

2.3 Positioning of Associated Elements

• Position of an element
• Concentricity
• Symmetry
• Circular
• Total

Logistical Difficulties

Part size, specimen weight, mobility, measuring... Continue reading "Measurement Process Analysis: Principles and Techniques" »

Current Density

The electric current density is a vector quantity representing power per unit area. It relates to current as:

• I is the electric current in amperes (A).
• j is the current density in amperes per square meter (Am^-2).
• S is the area in square meters (m²).

Isolated Point Charges

Current density relates to charge carriers (electrons, holes, ions) by:

Where:

• n_i is the concentration of carrier i.
• q_i is the electric charge of carrier i.
• v_i is the average velocity of carrier i in the volume.

Electromotive Force (EMF)

Electromotive force maintains a potential difference in an open circuit or produces current in a closed circuit. It's a generator characteristic, explained by an electric field Ξ, where defines the EMF.

EMF is the work done to move a... Continue reading "Understanding Current Density and Electromotive Force" »

Uniform Rectilinear Motion

Understanding Wave Motion

Wave motion is a form of energy transmission that is not accompanied by the transport of matter. It is the propagation of a vibration, i.e., the propagation of movement around the equilibrium position of a body.

A wave is the position taken at each instant by the disturbance that has occurred.

Types of Waves

• Mechanical waves originate when a disturbance occurs in an elastic medium, which would not exist without the spread.
• Electromagnetic waves, although they may be transmitted through certain media, do not necessarily need an elastic medium and can propagate in a vacuum.

Wave Characteristics

• In longitudinal waves, the vibrations of particles around their equilibrium point occur in the same direction in which the wave propagates.

Motion and Kinematics

Reference Systems and Motion

A reference system is a point from which the movement of a body is observed. The temporal reference system indicates the starting time for studying a movement, represented by the letter T, with the SI unit of seconds (s). A body's movement involves changes in its position over time relative to a spatial and temporal reference system. Kinematics is the branch of physics that studies motion.

Position and Trajectory

Position indicates a body's location with respect to a reference system at a given time. The trajectory is the set of points through which a body moves concerning a reference system. Trajectories can be classified as:

• Rectilinear motion: The trajectory is a straight line.
• Curvilinear motion:

Il Gesu: A Precursor to Baroque

The construction of Il Gesu began in 1527 but faced delays due to financial constraints. It was finally consecrated in 1685 by Andrea Pozzo, although it remained unfinished. Andrea Pozzo painted the dome on canvas, where the roof is flat.

The Facade

The facade bears a striking resemblance to that of the Church of the Gesu. The lower section features a similar joint, with notable entry columns. There is an interplay of inputs and outputs, verticality, and decorative plates with angles, which are more pronounced. These plates would become a defining feature of the Baroque style. On the second level, columns are positioned in front of the pillars seen in the Gesu. The pediment introduces a decorative element, departing... Continue reading "Baroque and Renaissance Architecture: Saint Peter's Basilica and Il Gesu" »

1. Waves and Communication

Electromagnetic waves are transmitted through various communication systems, such as radio, telephone, or even our voice. A wave is a disturbance that travels through space without transferring material, but energy.

Features of Waves

• The time it takes for one complete oscillation is called the period.
• The number of oscillations per second is called frequency (f) and equals the inverse of the period: f = 1 / T. It is measured in s^-1, also known as Hertz (Hz).
• The distance between two peaks (the highest points of a wave) or two valleys (the lowest points of a wave) is the wavelength (λ). The longer the wavelength, the lower its frequency.
• The amplitude (A) is the maximum distance a particle displaced by the wave reaches

Understanding Sound: Properties and Behavior

Sound is produced by the vibration of an elastic medium, which can exist in three states (solid, liquid, gas).

An elastic medium possesses the ability to regain its original shape after deformation.

Types of Sound

The sounds audible to the human ear have frequencies between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz.

• Infrasound: Sounds below 20 Hz.
• Ultrasound: Sounds above 20,000 Hz.

Sound is a longitudinal mechanical wave where the medium undergoes vibrating pressure variations. Key aspects include:

• Compression: High-pressure zone.
• Rarefaction: Lower-pressure zone.

Sound Intensity and Volume

The intensity of a sound wave is a physical quantity defined as the sound energy carried by the wave per unit time through a unit area. It... Continue reading "Understanding Sound: Properties, Transmission, and Reflection" »

Ancient Science: The Closed World

The vision of the cosmos in ancient science is based on a geocentric model. This worldview, beginning in ancient Greek cosmologies and extending into the Renaissance, convinced humanity for over two thousand years that the Earth was the center of the universe. Geocentrism is the defining characteristic of the ancient worldview.

Aristotle believed the universe was divided into two levels:

• The lower or sublunary world, below the Moon's orbit, is imperfect and corruptible.
• The upper or supralunar world, beyond the Moon, is perfect and incorruptible, containing planets and stars composed of ether or quintessence.

The sublunary world is composed of four elements: earth, air, water, and fire. The cosmos is a closed and... Continue reading "Ancient Science vs. Scientific Revolution: Cosmos View" »