200 puzzling physics problems : [with hints and solutions

This text will strengthen a student's ability to apply the laws of physics to practical situations and problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than to complex mathematics. These problems, chosen almost exclusively from classical (non-quantum) physics, are posed in accessible nontechnical language and require the student to select the right framework in which to analyze the situation. The book will be invaluable to undergraduates preparing for «general physics» papers. Some physics professors will even find the more difficult questions challenging. The mathematical prerequisites are minimal and do not go beyond elementary calculus. This intriguing book of physics problems will prove instructive, challenging and fun. Cover......Page 1 Title......Page 2 ISBN 0521774802 ......Page 3 ISBN 0521773067 ......Page Contents ......Page 4 Preface ......Page 6 How to use this book ......Page 9 Thematic order of the problems ......Page 10 Physical constants ......Page 12 P1-P4......Page 14 P5-P9......Page 15 P10-P14......Page 16 P15-19......Page 17 P20-P25......Page 18 P26-P29......Page 19 P30-P34......Page 20 P35-P42......Page 21 P43-P47......Page 22 P48-P51......Page 23 P52-P55......Page 24 P56-P60......Page 25 P61-P63......Page 26 P64-P67......Page 27 P68-P70......Page 28 P71-P74......Page 29 P75-P77......Page 30 P78-P81......Page 31 P82-P85......Page 32 P86-P89......Page 33 P90-P94......Page 34 P96-P99......Page 35 P100-P102......Page 36 P103-P104......Page 37 P105-P107......Page 38 P108-110......Page 39 P111-P112......Page 40 P113-P117......Page 41 P118-P120......Page 42 P121-P125......Page 43 P126-P132......Page 44 P133-P137......Page 45 P138-P142......Page 46 P143-P145......Page 47 P146-P151......Page 48 P152-P154......Page 49 P155-P159......Page 50 P160-P163......Page 51 P164-P167......Page 52 P168-P170......Page 53 P171-P174......Page 54 P175-P177......Page 55 P178-P179......Page 56 P180-P182......Page 57 P183-P185......Page 58 P186-P187......Page 59 P1888-P192......Page 60 P194-P199......Page 61 P200......Page 62 H1-H8......Page 63 H9-H24......Page 64 H25-H37......Page 65 H38-H48......Page 66 H49-H58......Page 67 H59-H68......Page 68 H69-H76......Page 69 H77-H87......Page 70 H88-H97......Page 71 H98-H106......Page 72 H107-H118......Page 73 H119-H130......Page 74 H131-H137......Page 75 H138-H151......Page 76 H152-H160......Page 77 H161-H171......Page 78 H172-H182......Page 79 H183-H190......Page 80 H192-H200......Page 81 Solutions ......Page 82 Back Cover......Page 271 200 Puzzling Physics Problems Will Strengthen A Student's Grasp Of The Laws Of Physics By Applying Them To Situations That Are Practical, And To Problems That Yield More Easily To Intuitive Insight Than To Brute-force Methods And Complex Mathematics. The Problems Are Chosen Almost Exclusively From Classical (i.e. Non-quantum) Physics, But Are No Easier For That. For The Most Part, These Problems Are Intriguingly Posed In Accessible Non-technical Language. This Requires The Student To Select The Right Framework In Which To Analyse The Situation And To Make Decisions About Which Branches Of Physics Are Involved. The General Level Of Sophistication Needed To Tackle Most Of The 200 Problems Is That Of The Exceptional School Student, The Good Undergraduate, Or The Competent Graduate Student. The Book Should Be Valuable To Undergraduates Preparing For 'general Physics' Papers, Either On Their Own Or In Classes Or Seminars Designed For This Purpose. It Is Even Hoped That Some Physics Professors Will Find The More Difficult Questions Challenging. By Contrast, The Mathematical Demands Made Are Minimal, And Do Not Go Beyond Elementary Calculus. This Intriguing Book Of Physics Problems Should Prove Not Only Instructive And Challenging, But Also Fun.--book Jacket. 1. Introduction -- 2. Problems -- 3. Hints -- 4. Solutions. P. Gnädig, G. Honyek, K.f. Riley. This book will strengthen a student's grasp of the laws of physics by applying them to practical situations, and problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than brute-force methods and complex mathematics. These intriguing problems, chosen almost exclusively from classical (non-quantum) physics, are posed in accessible non-technical language requiring the student to select the right framework in which to analyse the situation and decide which branches of physics are involved. The level of sophistication needed to tackle most of the two hundred problems is that of the exceptional school student, the good undergraduate, or competent graduate student. The book will be valuable to undergraduates preparing for 'general physics' papers. It is hoped that even some physics professors will find the more difficult questions challenging. By contrast, mathematical demands are minimal, and do not go beyond elementary calculus. This intriguing book of physics problems should prove instructive, challenging and fun P1 Three small snails are each at a vertex of an equilateral triangle of side 60 cm.