Book cover for Fundamentals of Physics

Fundamentals of Physics

David Halliday, Robert Resnick

ISBN #9781119460138

11th Edition

4,175 Questions

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Summary

Learning Objectives

Key Concepts

Example Problems

Explanations

Common Mistakes

Summary

This section introduces the fundamental concepts of force and motion in physics. It emphasizes that forces are vector quantities and cause changes in the velocity of objects. Newton’s First Law describes the principle of inertia, while the Second Law quantitatively relates net force, mass, and acceleration. Free-body diagrams are essential tools for visualizing and analyzing the forces acting on a body in both simple and complex situations. Recognizing inertial reference frames ensures the proper application of Newtonian mechanics.

Learning Objectives

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Key Concepts

CONCEPT

DEFINITION

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Example Problems

Example 1

The position vector for an electron is $\vec{r}=(5.0 \mathrm{~m}) \hat{\mathrm{i}}-$ $(3.0 \mathrm{~m}) \hat{\mathrm{j}}+(2.0 \mathrm{~m}) \hat{\mathrm{k}} .$ (a) Find the magnitude of $\vec{r} .$ (b) Sketch the vector on a right-handed coordinate system.

Example 2

A watermelon seed has the following coordinates: $x=-5.0 \mathrm{~m}$, $y=8.0 \mathrm{~m},$ and $z=0 \mathrm{~m} .$ Find its position vector $(\mathrm{a})$ in unit-vector notation and as (b) a magnitude and (c) an angle relative to the positive direction of the $x$ axis. (d) Sketch the vector on a right-handed coordinate system. If the seed is moved to the $x y z$ coordinates $(3.00 \mathrm{~m}$, $0 \mathrm{~m}, 0 \mathrm{~m}),$ what is its displacement (e) in unit-vector notation and as (f) a magnitude and (g) an angle relative to the positive $x$ direction?

Example 3

A positron undergoes a displacement $\Delta \vec{r}=2.0 \hat{\mathrm{i}}-3.0 \hat{\mathrm{j}}+6.0 \hat{\mathrm{k}}$ ending with the position vector $\vec{r}=3.0 \hat{\mathrm{j}}-4.0 \hat{\mathrm{k}},$ in meters. What was the positron's initial position vector?

Example 4

The minute hand of a wall clock measures $10 \mathrm{~cm}$ from its tip to the axis about which it rotates. The magnitude and angle of the displacement vector of the tip are to be determined for three time intervals. What are the (a) magnitude and (b) angle from a quarter after the hour to half past, the (c) magnitude and (d) angle for the next half hour, and the (e) magnitude and (f) angle for the hour after that?

Example 5

A train at a constant 60.0 km/h moves east for 40.0 min, then in a direction 50.0° east of due north for 20.0 min, and then west for 50.0 min. What are the (a) magnitude and (b) angle of its average velocity during this trip?

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Common Mistakes

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