Notes, summaries, assignments, exams, and problems for Physics

Wave Phenomena

Diffraction

This phenomenon occurs when an obstacle prevents the advance of part of a wavefront. Points on the wavefront not covered by the obstacle become new centers of emission for new wave fronts, according to Huygens' Principle, causing the wave to bend around the obstacle and spread into the region behind it.

Polarization

Polarization refers to the orientation of oscillations in a transverse wave. For instance, waves oscillating parallel to a slot can pass through, while those perpendicular are blocked. In transverse waves, the direction of propagation is perpendicular to the direction of vibration of the particles.

Interference

Interference occurs when two waves, originating from different sources and propagating through the... Continue reading "Fundamental Concepts in Physics: Waves, Light, and Quantum Principles" »

Risks Linked to Security Conditions

The following are common risks associated with security conditions in the workplace:

• Falls of persons, both at the same level and different levels.
• Clashes with mobile and immobile objects.
• Entrapments, cuts, and projections of particles.

Preventive Measures for Security Conditions

To avoid these risks, the following measures should be implemented:

• Premises must have a minimum height of 3 meters, and offices should have a minimum height of 2.5 meters.
• Each worker must have a working space of at least 2 square meters of surface area and 10 cubic meters of volume.
• Main corridors should have a minimum width of 1.20 meters, and side corridors should have a minimum width of 1 meter.
• Passage areas and workplaces must be

Understanding Electric Fields and Potentials

Electric Field

The spatial region where electric forces are produced and exerted.

Electric Field Intensity

Defined as the force experienced by a positive test charge placed under the action of such a field, divided by the value of the charge.

Charged Particle Motion in Uniform Electric Fields

When a point charge of magnitude "q" enters a region where an electric field exists, it will be subjected to a force of magnitude F = qE. If the particle has mass m, the acceleration, a, imparted to it is given by a = F / m = qE / m. This relationship provides both the magnitude and the direction of the acceleration of a particle in an electric field. The magnitude is equal to qE / m, while the direction depends on... Continue reading "Fundamentals of Electric Fields and Potentials" »

Physics Formulas

Speed

V: Average velocity

• V = s / t
• s: Distance traveled
• s = v · t
• t: Time spent
• t = s / v
• Minutes to hours = min / 60

SI units:

• Speed is the distance traveled by a mobile unit per unit of time.
• m / s
• km / h
• cm / s

Acceleration

a: Acceleration

• a = V_f - V₀ / t
• V_f: Final velocity
• V_f = V₀ + a · t
• V₀: Initial velocity
• V₀ = V_f - a · t
• t: Time

SI units:

• Acceleration is the change in speed per unit of time.
• m / s²

Forces

F: Force in newtons

• F = m · a
• m: Mass in kg
• a: Acceleration in m / s²

SI units:

• Force is a physical quantity associated with movement.
• Newton (N)
• Kilogram-force (kgf)
• Pound (lb)
• Dyne (dyn)

Forces in the same direction:

• F_R = F₁ + F₂

Forces in opposite directions:

• F_R = F₁ - F₂

Mass

m: Mass in kg

• m = F / a
• F: Force in newtons
• a: Acceleration in m / s²

SI units:

San Pietro in Montorio, Bramante, 1502

Religious Architecture, Cinquecento, Rome

Introduction: This is an early work of Bramante in Rome. It is a chapel, built between 1502-1503, located in a small courtyard. According to tradition, Saint Peter was crucified on this site. It is a model of a religious building with a central plan, inspired by the Hellenistic *monopteros* temples, and its elevation recalls the Temple of the Sibyl at Tivoli.

Analysis and Features: It is considered the aesthetic ideal of the Renaissance in the 16th century. This architectural ideal is achieved by using:

• A monumental and grandiose architectural language, achieved through a rigorous study of the proportions of each part of the building.
• The creation of a complete architectural

Huygens' Principle: Understanding Wave Propagation

Huygens' Principle is a wave propagation model that helps explain various wave phenomena. It states that a wave propagates as a wave front or surface connecting all points reached by the wave motion at the same instant. Every point of an isotropic medium which experiences a disturbance behaves as a source emitting secondary waves (or wavelets) that propagate in the direction of the disturbance. The surface tangent to all these wavelets at a given instant forms the next wave front. The radius of the wavelets at any instant is vt (velocity × time).

Wave Reflection

When a wave propagating through one medium reaches the boundary with a different medium, part of the wave is reflected and continues... Continue reading "Huygens' Principle: Wave Propagation & Phenomena" »

Modern Physics

This branch of physics considers the theory of relativity and quantum theory in describing microscopic systems like atoms.

Model of Modern Physics

In the late nineteenth century, it was a common belief that all phenomena of nature could be described by Newton's laws, principles of thermodynamics, and the laws of electromagnetism, which were based on a mechanical conception of the universe.

Reaffirmation of Modern Physics

In 1905, Albert Einstein produced a series of works that revolutionized physics, mainly due to the wave-particle duality of light and the theory of relativity, among others.

Classification of Modern Physics

It is generally known to study phenomena that occur at the speed of light or values close to it, or whose spatial... Continue reading "Modern Physics: Relativity, Quantum Mechanics, and Nuclear Processes" »

Understanding Geospatial Concepts

Geographical Coordinates

The geographic coordinate system determines all positions on the Earth's surface using two angular coordinates of a spherical coordinate system, which is aligned with the Earth's axis of rotation. It defines two angles measured from the center of the Earth:

• Latitude: Measures the angle between any point and the Equator. Lines of latitude are called parallels and are circles parallel to the Earth's surface.
• Longitude: Measures the angle along the Equator from anywhere on Earth. In most modern societies, Greenwich, London, is accepted as the 0° longitude. Lines of longitude are great circles passing through the poles and are called meridians.

Aerial Photography (Photogrammetry)

Photogrammetry... Continue reading "Essential Geospatial and Mapping Concepts" »

Force Interactions

Strength: Action of one body on another, or interaction. Net force (resultant) is the vector sum of all forces acting simultaneously on the same body.

Like acceleration and speed, force is a vector quantity, defined by its magnitude and direction.

Force Measurement

To combine forces on a body, add them vectorially. The net force is equivalent to a single force producing the same effect.

Special Forces

Weight

Weight is the gravitational force a planet or star exerts on a body.

Normal Force

The normal force is a contact force preventing an object from passing through a surface, always perpendicular to it.

Friction Force

Friction force is exerted between two surfaces in contact. Its magnitude on solids depends on surface roughness.

F_r =