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. 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 Cover Title Copyright Contents Preface How to use this book Thematic order of the problems Physical constants Problems P01-P04 P05-P09 P10-P14 P15-P19 P20-P25 P26-P29 P30-P34 P35-P42 P43-P47 P48-P51 P52-P55 P56-P60 P61-P63 P64-P67 P68-P70 P71-P74 P75-P77 P78-P81 P82-P85 P86-P89 P90-P94 P96-P99 P100-P102 P103-P104 P105-P107 P108-P110 P111-P112 P113-P117 P118-P120 P121-P125 P126-P132 P133-P137 P138-P142 P143-P145 P146-P151 P152-P154 P155-P159 P160-P163 P164-P167 P168-P170 P171-P174 P175-P177 P178-P179 P180-P182 P183-P185 P186-P187 P188-P192 P193-P199 P200 Hints H01-H08 H09-H24 H25-H37 H38-H48 H49-H58 H59-H68 H69-H76 H77-H87 H88-H97 H98-H106 H107-H118 H119-H130 H131-H137 H138-H151 H152-H160 H161-H171 H172-H182 H183-H190 H191-H200 Solutions S01 S20 S40 S60 S80 S100 S120 S140 S160 S180 S200 P1 Three small snails are each at a vertex of an equilateral triangle of side 60 cm.