Apologia Physics Contents

Home > Back to Apologia Science & History

Exploring Creation With Physics

Table of Contents
Module 1 : Measurement and Units
Introduction 1
Units of Measurement 2
The Metric System 2
Manipulating Units 4
Converting Between Units 6
Derived Units 12
Making Measurements 16
Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures 18
Scientific Notation 21
Using Significant Figures in Mathematical Problems 24
Experiment 1.1 : Comparing Conversions To Measurements 26
Density 27
Experiment 1.2 : The Density of Liquids 28

Module 2 : Motion in One Dimension
Introduction 37
Distance and Displacement 37
Speed and Velocity 40
Average and Instantaneous Velocity 44
Experiment 2.1 : Measuring Velocity over Different Time Intervals 52
Acceleration 54
Experiment 2.2 : Measuring an Object's Acceleration 55
Average and Instantaneous Acceleration 57

Module 3 : One-Dimensional Motion Equations and Free Fall
Introduction 69
Relating Velocity, Acceleration, and Time 69
Relating Velocity, Acceleration, and Displacement 72
Relating Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration, and Time 76
Using Our Equations for One-Dimensional Motion 80
Free Fall 84
Experiment 3.1 : The Acceleration Due To Gravity is the Same 85
Experiment 3.2 : Determining a Person's Reaction Time 87
A More Detailed Look at Free Fall 90
Terminal Velocity 94

Module 4 : Two-Dimensional Vectors
Introduction 105
Vectors 105
Adding and Subtracting Two-Dimensional Vectors: The Graphical Way 108
Adding and Subtracting Two-Dimensional Vectors: The Analytical Way 113
Applying Vector Addition to Physical Situations 123

Module 5 : Two-Dimensional Motion
Introduction 139
Navigation in Two Dimensions 139
Projectile Motion in Two Dimensions 143
The Range Equation 150
Experiment 5.1 156
Two-Dimensional Situations in Which You Cannot Use Equation (5.9) 157

Module 6 : Newton's Laws
Introduction 177
Sir Isaac Newton 177
Newton's First Law 178
Experiment 6.1 : Inertia 179
Newton's Second Law 181
Mass and Weight 183
The Normal Force 188
Analyzing Situations With Friction 190
Newton's Third Law 199

Module 7 : Applications of Newton's Second Law
Introduction 213
Translational Equilibrium 213
Rotational Motion and Torque 222
Experiment 7.1 : What Causes Rotational Motion? 223
Rotational Equilibrium 228
Objects on an Inclined Surface 232
Experiment 7.2 234
Applying Newton's Second Law to More Than One Object at a Time 238

Module 8 : Uniform Circular Motion and Gravity
Introduction 255
Uniform Circular Motion 255
Gravity 265
Circular Motion Terminology 270
Gravity and the Motion of the Planets 273

Module 9 : Work and Energy
Introduction 289
The Definitions of Work and Energy 289
The Mathematical Definition of Work 290
Kinetic and Potential Energy 292
the First Law of Thermodynamics 296
Experiment 9.1 302
Friction, Work, and Energy 304
Energy and Power 310

Module 10 : Momentum
Introduction 325
Definition of Momentum 325
Impulse 326
Experiment 10.1 329
The Conservation of Momentum 333
The Mathematics of Momentum Conservation 336
Angular Momentum 341

Module 11 : Periodic Motion
Introduction 355
Hooke's Law 355
Experiment 11.1 : Hooke's Law 355
Uniform Circular Motion, An Example of Periodic Motion 361
Experiment 11.2 : The Characteristics of a Mass/Spring System 363
Potential Energy in a Compressed or Stretched Spring 371
The Simple Pendulum 377

Module 12 : Waves and Optics
Introduction 391
Waves 391
The Physical Nature of Sound 393
Light Waves 397
The Law of Reflection 400
Experiment 12.1 : The Law of Reflection 401
Flat Mirrors 403
Curved Mirrors 404
Snell's Law of Refraction 413
Lenses 417
The Human Eye 420

Module 13 : Electrostatics
Introduction 433
The Basics of Electrical Charge 433
Experiment 13.1 434
Experiment 13.2: Making and Using an Electroscope 436
Electrostatic Force and Coulomb's Law 440
Multiple Charges and the Electrostatic Force 444
The Electric Field 449
Application of Coulomb's Law to the Bohr Model of the Atom 453

Module 14 : Electrodynamics
Introduction 465
Electrical Potential 465
Electrical Potential and Potential Energy 468
Conservation of Energy in Electrodynamics 469
Capacitors 479
How a Television Makes Its Picture 484

Module 15 : Electrical Circuits
Introduction 499
Batteries, Circuits, and Conventional Current 499
Resistance 503
Experiment 15.1: Current and Resistance 503
Electrical Heaters 505
Electrical Power 507
Switches and Circuits 509
Series and Parallel Circuits 510
Fuses and Circuit Breakers 517
Current and Power in Series and Parallel Circuits 519
Analyzing More Complicated Circuits 521

Module 16 : Magnetism
Introduction 535
Permanent Magnets 535
Magnetic Fields 537
How Magnets Become Magnetic 539
Experiment 16.1: Oersted's Experiment 539
Experiment 16.2: Diamagnetic, Paramagnetic, and Ferromagnetic 542
The Earth's Magnetic Field 543
The Magnetic Field of a Current-Carrying Wire 545
Using Magnets to Generate Electricity 547
Alternating Current 550
Some Final Thoughts 552
Glossary
Appendix
Index