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physics notes

The document provides an overview of the fundamentals of mechanics, covering key concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, Newton's laws, work, energy, momentum, and gravitation. It includes essential formulas and principles that form the basis for further study in physics. The content is structured into sections addressing motion in one, two, and three dimensions, as well as energy conservation and types of collisions.

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6 views

physics notes

The document provides an overview of the fundamentals of mechanics, covering key concepts such as kinematics, dynamics, Newton's laws, work, energy, momentum, and gravitation. It includes essential formulas and principles that form the basis for further study in physics. The content is structured into sections addressing motion in one, two, and three dimensions, as well as energy conservation and types of collisions.

Uploaded by

aditya31rajput
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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## **Physics Notes: Fundamentals of Mechanics**

### **Page 1: Introduction to Mechanics**

Mechanics is the branch of physics that deals with the motion of objects and the
forces that cause this motion. It is divided into two main parts:

1. **Kinematics** – the study of motion without considering its causes.


2. **Dynamics** – the study of the forces and torques that cause motion.

Key physical quantities in mechanics include:

* **Scalar quantities**: Have only magnitude (e.g., speed, distance, mass).


* **Vector quantities**: Have both magnitude and direction (e.g., velocity,
displacement, force).

The standard unit system used is SI (International System of Units), where:

* Length: meter (m)


* Mass: kilogram (kg)
* Time: second (s)

### **Page 2: Motion in One Dimension**

**Displacement** is the change in position and is a vector.


**Distance** is the total length traveled, a scalar.

**Velocity** = Displacement / Time


**Speed** = Distance / Time

**Acceleration** is the rate of change of velocity.

**Equations of motion** (for constant acceleration):

1. $v = u + at$
2. $s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$
3. $v^2 = u^2 + 2as$
Where:

* $u$ = initial velocity


* $v$ = final velocity
* $a$ = acceleration
* $s$ = displacement
* $t$ = time

### **Page 3: Motion in Two and Three Dimensions**

When motion occurs in a plane, we deal with vectors.

**Projectile motion**: Motion under constant gravity in two dimensions.

Key equations:

* Horizontal distance: $x = u_x t$


* Vertical distance: $y = u_y t - \frac{1}{2}gt^2$
* Time of flight: $T = \frac{2u \sin \theta}{g}$
* Maximum height: $H = \frac{u^2 \sin^2 \theta}{2g}$
* Range: $R = \frac{u^2 \sin 2\theta}{g}$

Where $u$ is initial velocity, $\theta$ is the angle of projection.

### **Page 4: Newton’s Laws of Motion**

**Newton’s First Law (Inertia)**: A body remains at rest or in uniform motion


unless acted upon by a force.

**Newton’s Second Law**:


$F = ma$
Where:

* $F$ = net force


* $m$ = mass
* $a$ = acceleration

**Newton’s Third Law**:


For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

The unit of force is the **Newton (N)**: $1N = 1kg \cdot m/s^2$

**Free-body diagrams** are helpful for analyzing forces acting on a body.

### **Page 5: Work, Energy, and Power**

**Work**: $W = Fd \cos \theta$

* $F$ = force
* $d$ = displacement
* $\theta$ = angle between force and displacement

**Kinetic Energy**: $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$

**Potential Energy**: $PE = mgh$

**Work-Energy Theorem**: Net work done = change in kinetic energy.

**Power**: $P = \frac{W}{t}$ (rate of doing work)

Unit of power: Watt (W)


1 Watt = 1 Joule/second

### **Page 6: Conservation of Energy**

Energy cannot be created or destroyed, only transformed from one form to another.

**Mechanical energy** = Kinetic energy + Potential energy


In an ideal system (no friction):
Total mechanical energy remains constant.

Real-life systems lose energy due to friction (converted to heat or sound).

### **Page 7: Momentum and Collisions**

**Linear Momentum**: $p = mv$


**Impulse**: Change in momentum = $F \cdot t$

**Conservation of Momentum**:
In a closed system with no external forces, total momentum before and after a
collision is constant.

**Types of collisions**:

1. **Elastic** – both momentum and kinetic energy conserved.


2. **Inelastic** – only momentum conserved; kinetic energy is not.
3. **Perfectly inelastic** – objects stick together after collision.

### **Page 8: Circular Motion**

**Uniform circular motion**: Motion in a circle at constant speed.

**Centripetal acceleration**: $a = \frac{v^2}{r}$

**Centripetal force**: $F = \frac{mv^2}{r}$

Where:

* $v$ = speed
* $r$ = radius
* $m$ = mass

Objects in circular motion constantly accelerate toward the center, even if their
speed stays the same.

### **Page 9: Gravitation**

**Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation**:


$F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$

Where:

* $G$ = gravitational constant $(6.674 \times 10^{-11} N\cdot m^2/kg^2)$


* $m_1, m_2$ = masses
* $r$ = distance between centers

**Gravitational field strength (g)**:


$g = \frac{GM}{r^2}$

This explains planetary motion and orbits. The orbits of planets are elliptical
(Kepler’s Laws).

### **Page 10: Summary and Key Formulas**

#### **Key Concepts Recap**:

* Motion: Scalars vs. Vectors


* Newton’s Laws
* Work, Energy, and Power
* Momentum and Collisions
* Circular and Gravitational Motion

#### **Important Formulas**:

* $v = u + at$
* $s = ut + \frac{1}{2}at^2$
* $F = ma$
* $W = Fd \cos \theta$
* $KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2$
* $PE = mgh$
* $p = mv$
* $F_{gravity} = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2}$

Understanding these principles is the foundation for studying advanced topics in


physics like thermodynamics, electromagnetism, and quantum mechanics.

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