Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
Mechanics
Newtons First Law
A body continues in its state of rest or uniform motion unless acted upon by an external unbalanced force.
Newtons Second Law
The rate of change of momentum of a body is directly proportional to the applied force and in the direction of
force. F = ma.
Newtons Third Law
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Conservation of Energy
Energy can neither be created nor destroyed; it can only change forms. The total energy of a closed system
remains constant.
Conservation of Momentum
In an isolated system, total momentum before and after a collision remains the same.
Hookes Law
The force needed to extend or compress a spring is directly proportional to the displacement. F = -kx.
Work-Energy Theorem
The net work done by forces on an object equals the change in kinetic energy.
Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
Superposition Principle
Net force or effect on a system is the vector sum of individual forces or effects.
Fluid Mechanics
Archimedes Principle
Any object submerged in a fluid is buoyed up by a force equal to the weight of the fluid displaced.
Bernoullis Theorem
In steady flow, the sum of pressure energy, kinetic energy, and potential energy per unit volume is constant.
Pascals Law
A pressure change at any point in an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all points.
Thermodynamics
Boyles Law
For a fixed amount of gas at constant temperature, pressure is inversely proportional to volume. PV =
constant.
Charless Law
At constant pressure, the volume of gas is directly proportional to absolute temperature.
Gay-Lussacs Law
At constant volume, the pressure of a gas is directly proportional to temperature.
Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
Zeroth Law
If A is in thermal equilibrium with B, and B with C, then A is in equilibrium with C.
First Law
Energy conservation: U = Q - W.
Second Law
Heat cannot spontaneously flow from a colder to a hotter body; entropy increases.
Third Law
As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero.
Carnots Theorem
No engine is more efficient than a Carnot engine between the same two temperatures.
Electricity and Magnetism
Ohms Law
Voltage across a conductor is proportional to the current through it. V = IR.
Kirchhoffs Laws
1. Current Law: Sum of currents into a junction = sum out. 2. Voltage Law: Sum of voltage in a loop = 0.
Coulombs Law
Electrostatic force between charges is proportional to product of charges and inversely to square of distance.
Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
Gauss's Law
Electric flux through a surface is proportional to the charge enclosed.
Amperes Circuital Law
Line integral of magnetic field around a closed loop equals 0 times enclosed current.
Faradays Law
EMF induced is equal to rate of change of magnetic flux.
Lenzs Law
Induced current direction opposes the change in magnetic flux.
Biot-Savart Law
Describes magnetic field generated by an electric current.
Maxwells Equations
Set of four equations describing electric and magnetic fields.
Optics and Waves
Snells Law
Relates angles of incidence and refraction: n1sin1 = n2sin2.
Law of Reflection
Angle of incidence equals angle of reflection.
Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
Huygens Principle
Each point on a wavefront is a source of secondary wavelets.
Doppler Effect
Frequency changes with relative motion of source and observer.
Malus Law
Intensity of polarized light varies as cos2.
Rayleigh Scattering
Scattering of light 1/4. Explains why sky is blue.
Newtons Law of Cooling
Rate of cooling is proportional to temperature difference between body and surroundings.
Modern and Quantum Physics
Plancks Law
Energy of a photon is E = h.
Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Position and momentum of a particle cannot both be precisely known. xp /2.
Einsteins Mass-Energy
Mass and energy are equivalent: E = mc2.
Detailed Explanations of Important Laws and Theorems in Physics
de Broglies Hypothesis
Particles exhibit wave nature: = h/p.
Photoelectric Equation
K.E. of ejected electron = h - .
Bohrs Quantization
Electron angular momentum is quantized: mvr = nh/2.
Stefan-Boltzmann Law
Total energy radiated T4.
Wiens Law
Wavelength of peak emission 1/Temperature.
Gravitation and Astronomy
Keplers Laws
1. Planets move in ellipses. 2. Area swept in equal times is constant. 3. T2 R3.
Universal Law of Gravitation
Every mass attracts every other mass: F = Gm1m2/r2.
