Classical Mechanics and Thermodynamics

Classical Mechanics

• Classical mechanics describes the motion of macroscopic objects, from planets to cars.
• Key concepts include:
  • Newton's laws of motion: first law (inertia), second law (F=ma), third law (action-reaction).
  • Kinematics: describing motion in terms of displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
  • Dynamics: forces and how they affect motion.
  • Work-energy theorem: relating work done to changes in kinetic energy.
  • Conservation of energy: total energy in a closed system remains constant.
  • Conservation of momentum: total momentum in a closed system remains constant.
  • Rotational motion: analogous concepts to linear motion, but with angular quantities (torque, angular momentum).
  • Simple harmonic motion: periodic motion where restoring force is proportional to displacement.
  • Gravitation: Newton's law of universal gravitation describes the attractive force between masses.

Thermodynamics

• Thermodynamics describes heat and temperature, and their relationship to other forms of energy.
• Key concepts include:
  • Zeroth law: describes thermal equilibrium.
  • First law: conservation of energy, including heat transfer.
  • Second law: entropy of the universe always increases in spontaneous processes.
  • Third law: entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero as temperature approaches absolute zero.
  • Thermodynamic cycles: processes used to convert heat into work, such as the Carnot cycle.
  • Different types of systems (open, closed, isolated).
  • Understanding different forms of energy transfer (heat, work).

Electromagnetism

• Electromagnetism describes electric and magnetic phenomena and their close relationship.
• Key concepts include:
  • Coulomb's law: force between point charges.
  • Electric fields and potential: electric force exerted on charges.
  • Magnetic fields: produced by moving charges and affecting moving charges.
  • Faraday's law: changing magnetic fields induce electric fields.
  • Ampere's law: relationship between magnetic fields and currents.
  • Electromagnetic waves: light and other electromagnetic radiation.
  • Capacitors and inductors: devices storing electrical energy.
  • Basic circuit laws: Ohm's law (V=IR).
  • AC and DC circuits: different characteristics.

Optics

• Optics studies the behavior of light, including its interaction with matter.
• Key concepts include:
  • Reflection and refraction: change in direction of light.
  • Lenses and mirrors: focus and disperse light.
  • Interference and diffraction: wave-like behavior of light.
  • Polarization: light waves' oscillations orientation.
  • Types of optical instruments (telescopes, microscopes).
  • Geometric optics: using ray diagrams to trace light paths.
  • Wave optics: dealing with wave properties of light(interference and diffraction).

Modern Physics

• Modern physics extends classical physics to include the very small (quantum mechanics) and the very fast (relativity).
• Key concepts include:
  • Special Relativity: deals with space and time in circumstances where speeds are close to the speed of light and the constancy of the speed of light.
  • General Relativity: describes gravity as a curvature of spacetime.
  • Quantum Mechanics: deals with the motion of particles at the atomic and subatomic levels.
  • Concepts of wave-particle duality and uncertainty principle.
  • Models of the atom: Bohr model, quantum mechanical models.
  • Radioactivity: emission of particles from unstable atomic nuclei.
  • Particle physics: classification and interactions of fundamental particles.