Physics Made Simple

196 Pages·1965·25.309 MB·English

by  Ira M. Freeman

Complete from Newtonian physics to nuclear fusion
Excellent study guide for any introductory course
Over fifty experiments you can do at home
Index, practical tests, and appendix of formulas

3
PHYSICS
MADE SIMPLE

PHYSICS
MADE
SIMPLE
NEW, REVISED EDITION
BY
IRA M. FREEMAN, Ph.D.
Professor of Physics, Rutgers University; Author of Theoretical Physics,
Modern Introductory Physics, Invitation to Experiment, The New World of
Physics, and numerous interpretive books on science for young people.
MADE SIMPLE BOOKS
DOUBLEDAY & COMPANY, INC.
GARDEN NEW YORK
CITY,
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 65-13090
Copyright © 1954, 1965 by Doubleday & Company, Inc.
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
A DIFFERENT BOOK ON PHYSICS
This book is intended to be a simple, first introduction to the subject of
physics. As such, it can serve you in several ways: It can provide information
and understanding leading to advancement in your work, whether this be
a job in industry, in one of the arts or in military work. Further, because it
has been written in such a way as to make it especially appropriate for self
study, it is well suited for use as a refresher course, or for reference work.
The book stresses the essentials of the subject. It concentrates on the main
ideas and developments and explains them in simple, straightforward lan-
guage. The mathematics used is purposely kept simple in order that the
physical principles may dominate the discussion. Nothing beyond arithmetic
and simple algebra (linear equations in one unknown) is used, and all com-
putations are shown in detail and are fully explained.
Three valuable features contribute to the self-teaching aspect of the book.
One of these is the inclusion of detailed instructions for doing fifty-seven
basic experiments, using nothing more complicated than objects commonly
found about the home. Whenever possible, these experiments should be per-
formed as you come to them in the text. They will add immeasurably to your
grasp of the subject and help develop a real feeling for its practical side.
The second self-teaching device is the large number of Practice Exercises,
involving questions and simple calculations based on the material of the
text and requiring, in many instances, some original thinking with the text
material as a point of departure. Be sure to work out these exercises con-
scientiously. The answers to most of them, together with detailed solutions,
are given at the back of the book. For some, only hints to the final solution
are presented. In every case, do the best you can "on your own" before
looking up the answers and solutions.
Finally, the Summary at the end of each chapter is programmed in the
form of a self-testing device. —
Ira M. Freeman

CONTENTS
SECTION ONE—MATTER Chapter IV 30
The Air and Other Gases 30
Chapter I 14 Air Pressure 30
The Barometer 30
Matter and Energy 14 Toricelli's Experiments 30
The Atmosphere 31
Three Forms of Matter 14 Boyle's Law 32
Solid 14
Buoyancy in Gases 33
Liquid 14
Uses of Air Pressure 33
Gas 14
Air Resistance 33
General Characteristics of Matter 15
The Airplane; Bernoulli's Law 34
Mass and Weight 15
Other Applications 35
What is Energy? 16
Electrical, Chemical, Mechanical Energy 16
SECTION TWO—FORCE, MOTION
AND ENERGY
Chapter n 18
How We Measure Things 18 Chapter V 38
Measurement of Length 18
Forces 38
The Metric System: The Meter 18
Measurement of Area and Volume 19 Representation of Forces; Vectors 38
The Units of Measurement 19 Resultant of a Set of Forces 38
Measuring Mass and Weight 20 Equilibrium of Forces 39
The Kilogram 20 Center of Gravity 40
Time 20 Torque and Rotation 41
The Second 20 Gravitation 42
Derived Units; Density 20
Fundamental Units 20
Area and Volume 20
Chapter VI 45
Motion 45
Chapter in 23
Speed and Velocity 45
Liquids 23 Acceleration 46
Motion with Constant Acceleration 46
Liquid Pressure 23 Falling Motion; Projectiles 46
What is Force? What is Pressure? 23 Force and Motion 47
Pressure Depends on Depth 23 Newton's Laws 47
Computing the Pressure 25 Law of Inertia 47
Applications of Fluid Pressure 25 Centripetal Force; Satellites 48
Buoyancy and Flotation 26 The Second Law 48
Archimedes' Law of Buoyancy 27 The Third Law; Action and Reaction 49
Applications of Flotation 27 Rotational Inertia 50
8 Contents
Chapter VII 52 SECTION FOUR—SOUND
Work, Energy and Machines 52
Chapter XI 82
Work 52
The Energy Principle 53 The Nature of Sound 82
Potential Energy 53
Kinetic Energy 53 Sound Waves 82
Power 54 Temperature Effects 83
Machines 55 Reflection of Waves 83
Perpetual Motion Machine 55 Continuous Waves 84
Frequency and Wavelength 85
Chapter VIII 58
Chapter XII 88
Molecules 58
Acoustics 88
Atoms and Molecules 58
The Kinetic Theory 58 Pitch and Frequency 88
Gas Pressure 59 Intensity and Loudness 89
Molecular Forces in Solids 61 Indoor Sound 89
Other Properties of Solids 61 Stationary Waves 90
Surface Tension 62 Vibration of Strings 91
Capillarity 62 Waves in a Pipe 91
Resonance; Forced Vibrations 92
Quality of Sounds 93
SECTION THREE—HEAT
SECTION FIVE—LIGHT
Chapter IX 66
The Nature of Heat 66 Chapter XHI 98
Temperature and Its Measurement 66
Light and Lighting 98
Expansion of Solids and Liquids 67
Expansion of Gases; Light Travels in Straight Lines 98
Absolute Temperature 68 Speed of Light 99
Conduction of Heat 69 Light Sources 99
Convection 70 Filament Lamp 99
Radiation 71 Carbon Arc 99
Tube-Type Lighting 100
Fluorescent Lamps 100
X
Chapter 74 Illumination 100
Theories of Light 102
Heat Energy 74
Quantity of Heat 74
Heat Units 75 Chapter XIV 105
Fusion of a Solid 75
Reflection and Refraction of Light 105
Vaporization of a Liquid 76
Moisture in the Air 77 Reflection of Light 105
Conservation of Energy 77
Law of Reflection 105
Heat Engines 78
Plane Mirror 106
Refrigeration 78 Curved Mirrors 107