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For example, given a set of generalized coordinates, the variables canonically conjugate are the generalized momenta. This doubles the number of variables, but makes differential equations first order. The Hamiltonian is a particularly ubiquitous quantity in quantum mechanics (see Hamiltonian (quantum mechanics)).
In physics, Hooke's law is an empirical law which states that the force ( F) needed to extend or compress a spring by some distance ( x) scales linearly with respect to that distance—that is, Fs = kx, where k is a constant factor characteristic of the spring (i.e., its stiffness ), and x is small compared to the total possible deformation of ...
In its most basic form, a moment is the product of the distance to a point, raised to a power, and a physical quantity (such as force or electrical charge) at that point: where is the physical quantity such as a force applied at a point, or a point charge, or a point mass, etc. If the quantity is not concentrated solely at a single point, the ...
Action (physics) In physics, action is a scalar quantity that describes how the balance of kinetic versus potential energy of a physical system changes with trajectory. Action is significant because it is an input to the principle of stationary action, an approach to classical mechanics that is simpler for multiple objects. [ 1]
The first general equation of motion developed was Newton's second law of motion. In its most general form it states the rate of change of momentum p = p(t) = mv(t) of an object equals the force F = F(x(t), v(t), t) acting on it, [ 13]: 1112. The force in the equation is not the force the object exerts.
Fermi problem. In physics or engineering education, a Fermi problem (or Fermi quiz, Fermi question, Fermi estimate ), also known as a order-of-magnitude problem (or order-of-magnitude estimate, order estimation ), is an estimation problem designed to teach dimensional analysis or approximation of extreme scientific calculations.
Ballistic trajectories are parabolic if gravity is homogeneous and elliptic if it is round. Projectile motion is a form of motion experienced by an object or particle (a projectile) that is projected in a gravitational field, such as from Earth 's surface, and moves along a curved path (a trajectory) under the action of gravity only.
A critical mass is a mass of fissile material that self-sustains a fission chain reaction. In this case, called criticality, k = 1. A steady rate of spontaneous fission causes a proportionally steady level of neutron activity. A supercritical mass is a mass which, once fission has started, will proceed at an increasing rate. [ 1]