Key Concepts in Physics: Classical Mechanics & Thermodynamics

Newton's Laws of Motion:
1. First Law: An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net force.
2. Second Law: Force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma).
3. Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Kinematics: Study of motion without considering forces.
- Key equations include:
  - ( v = u + at )
  - ( s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 )
  - ( v^2 = u^2 + 2as )
Dynamics: Study of forces and their effects on motion.

Laws of Thermodynamics:
- First Law: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed (Conservation of Energy).
- Second Law: Entropy of an isolated system always increases.
- Third Law: As temperature approaches absolute zero, the entropy of a perfect crystal approaches zero.
Heat Transfer:
- Conduction, convection, and radiation.

Types of Waves:
- Mechanical Waves: Require a medium (e.g., sound waves).
- Electromagnetic Waves: Do not require a medium (e.g., light waves).
Wave Properties:
- Wavelength, frequency, amplitude, speed.
Simple Harmonic Motion: Motion where restoring force is directly proportional to the displacement.

Electric Forces: Coulomb's Law describes interaction between charged particles.
Magnetic Forces: Related to the motion of charged particles.
Maxwell’s Equations: Describe how electric and magnetic fields propagate and interact.

Relativity: Introduced by Einstein, includes Special and General Relativity. Key concepts:
- Time Dilation: Time moves slower for objects in motion compared to stationary observers.
- Mass-Energy Equivalence: ( E = mc^2 ).
Quantum Mechanics: Study of particles at atomic and subatomic levels.
- Key principles include wave-particle duality and uncertainty principle.

SI Units:
- Length: meter (m)
- Mass: kilogram (kg)
- Time: second (s)
- Force: Newton (N)
- Energy: Joule (J)

Speed of light (c): ( 3 \times 10^8 , \text{m/s} )
Gravitational constant (G): ( 6.674 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m}^3/\text{kg} \cdot \text{s}^2 )
Planck's constant (h): ( 6.626 \times 10^{-34} , \text{Js} )

Newton's Laws of Motion outline fundamental principles governing motion.
First Law: Inertia; an object remains in its state unless influenced by external forces.
Second Law: Describes the relationship ( F = ma ) where force is the product of mass and acceleration.
Third Law: Action and reaction; forces between objects are equal but opposite.
Kinematics focuses on motion analysis without discussing the forces causing it, using equations like ( v = u + at ) and ( s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2 ).
Dynamics investigates the impact of forces on motion.

First Law: Energy conservation principle; energy can only change forms.
Second Law: Entropy increases in an isolated system, driving the direction of spontaneous processes.
Third Law: Entropy of a perfect crystal reaches zero as absolute zero is approached.
Heat Transfer occurs through conduction, convection, and radiation.

Mechanical Waves require a medium for propagation (e.g., sound); Electromagnetic Waves can travel through a vacuum (e.g., light).
Key Wave Properties include wavelength, frequency, amplitude, and speed.
Simple Harmonic Motion occurs when a restoring force relates directly to displacement.

Coulomb's Law quantifies the electric force between charged particles.
Magnetic Forces result from charged particle movements.
Maxwell’s Equations formulate the behavior of electric and magnetic fields, explaining their interactions.

Relativity, developed by Einstein, encompasses Special and General themes.
Time Dilation indicates moving clocks run slower relative to stationary observers.
Mass-Energy Equivalence is expressed as ( E = mc^2 ), highlighting the relationship between mass and energy.
Quantum Mechanics examines the smallest scales of nature, with concepts like wave-particle duality and the uncertainty principle.

Kinetic Energy: ( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 ) reflects energy due to motion.
Potential Energy: ( PE = mgh ) indicates energy due to position in a gravitational field.
Work Done: ( W = Fd \cos(\theta) ) measures energy exerted by a force.
Power: ( P = \frac{W}{t} ) defines the rate of doing work.

SI Units:
- Length: meter (m)
- Mass: kilogram (kg)
- Time: second (s)
- Force: Newton (N)
- Energy: Joule (J)

Speed of Light (c): ( 3 \times 10^8 , \text{m/s} )
Gravitational Constant (G): ( 6.674 \times 10^{-11} , \text{m}^3/\text{kg} \cdot \text{s}^2 )
Planck's Constant (h): ( 6.626 \times 10^{-34} , \text{Js} )

Foundational in engineering and technology development.
Integral to medical imaging techniques like MRI and X-rays.
Critical for advancements in renewable energy technologies (solar panels, wind turbines).
Contributes significantly to environmental science initiatives.