An easy-to-follow guide to introductory physics, from the Big Bang to relativity
All science, technology, engineering, and math majors in college and university require some familiarity with physics. Other career paths, like medicine, are also only open to students who understand this fundamental science. But dont worry if you find physics to be intimidating or confusing. You just need the right guide!
InPhysics I For Dummies, youll find a roadmap to physics success that walks you through every major topic in introductory physics, including motion, energy, waves, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, relativity, and more. Youll learn the basic principles and math formulas of physics through clear and straightforward examples and instruction, and without unnecessary jargon or complicated theory.
In this book, youll also find:Up-to-date examples and explanations appearing alongside the latest discoveries and research in physics, discussed at a level appropriate for beginning studentsAll the info found in an intro physics course, arranged in an intuitive sequence that will give first-year students a head start in their high school or college physics classThe latest teaching techniques to ensure that you remember and retain what you read and practice in the book
Physics I For Dummies is proof that physics can fun, accessible, challenging, and rewarding, all at the same time! Whether youre a high school or undergraduate student looking for a leg-up on basic physics concepts or youre just interested in how our universe works, this book will help you understand the thermodynamic, electromagnetic, relativistic, and everything in between.
Introduction 1
Part 1: Putting Physics into Motion 5
Chapter 1: Using Physics to Understand Your World 7
Chapter 2: Reviewing Physics Measurement and Math Fundamentals 15
Chapter 3: Exploring the Need for Speed 29
Chapter 4: Following Directions: Motion in Two Dimensions 53
Part 2: May the Forces of Physics Be with You 79
Chapter 5: When Push Comes to Shove: Force 81
Chapter 6: Getting Down with Gravity, Inclined Planes, and Friction 101
Chapter 7: Circling Around Rotational Motion and Orbits 119
Chapter 8: Go with the Flow: Looking at Pressure in Fluids 141
Part 3: Manifesting the Energy to Work 165
Chapter 9: Getting Some Work Out of Physics 167
Chapter 10: Putting Objects in Motion: Momentum and Impulse 191
Chapter 11: Winding Up with Angular Kinetics 211
Chapter 12: Round and Round with Rotational Dynamics 237
Chapter 13: Springs n Things: Simple Harmonic Motion 255
Part 4: Laying Down the Laws of Thermodynamics 273
Chapter 14: Turning Up the Heat with Thermodynamics 275
Chapter 15: Here, Take My Coat: How Heat Is Transferred 291
Chapter 16: In the Best of All Possible Worlds: The Ideal Gas Law 307
Chapter 17: Heat and Work: The Laws of Thermodynamics 319
Part 5: The Part of Tens 349
Chapter 18: Ten Physics Heroes 351
Chapter 19: Ten Wild Physics Theories 357
Glossary 365
Index 369
ntroduction 1
Part 1: Putting Physics into Motion 5
Chapter 1: Using Physics to Understand Your World 7
Chapter 2: Reviewing Physics Measurement and Math Fundamentals 15
Chapter 3: Exploring the Need for Speed 29
Chapter 4: Following Directions: Motion in Two Dimensions 53
Part 2: May the Forces of Physics Be with You 79
Chapter 5: When Push Comes to Shove: Force 81
Chapter 6: Getting Down with Gravity, Inclined Planes, and Friction 101
Chapter 7: Circling Around Rotational Motion and Orbits 119
Chapter 8: Go with the Flow: Looking at Pressure in Fluids 141
Part 3: Manifesting the Energy to Work 165
Chapter 9: Getting Some Work Out of Physics 167
Chapter 10: Putting Objects in Motion: Momentum and Impulse 191
Chapter 11: Winding Up with Angular Kinetics 211
Chapter 12: Round and Round with Rotational Dynamics 237
Chapter 13: Springs n Things: Simple Harmonic Motion 255
Part 4: Laying Down the Laws of Thermodynamics 273
Chapter 14: Turning Up the Heat with Thermodynamics 275
Chapter 15: Here, Take My Coat: How Heat Is Transferred 291
Chapter 16: In the Best of All Possible Worlds: The Ideal Gas Law 307
Chapter 17: Heat and Work: The Laws of Thermodynamics 319
Part 5: The Part of Tens 349
Chapter 18: Ten Physics Heroes 351
Chapter 19: Ten Wild Physics Theories 357
Glossary 365
Index 369
