Competitive Physics: Thermodynamics, Electromagnetism And Relativity

by Jinhui Wang, Bernard Ricardo Widjaja

Overview

Written by a former Olympiad student, Wang Jinhui, and a Physics Olympiad national trainer, Bernard Ricardo, Competitive Physics delves into the art of solving challenging physics puzzles. This book not only expounds a multitude of physics topics from the basics but also illustrates how these theories can be applied to problems, often in an elegant fashion. With worked examples that depict various problem-solving sleights of hand and interesting exercises to enhance the mastery of such techniques, readers will hopefully be able to develop their own insights and be better prepared for physics competitions. Ultimately, problem-solving is a craft that requires much intuition. Yet this intuition, perhaps, can only be honed by trudging through an arduous but fulfilling journey of enigmas.This is the second part of a two-volume series and will mainly analyze thermodynamics, electromagnetism and special relativity. A brief overview of geometrical optics is also included.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9789813239418
Publisher:	World Scientific Publishing Company, Incorporated
Publication date:	02/13/2019
Pages:	960
Product dimensions:	6.69(w) x 9.61(h) x 2.00(d)

About the Author

Wang Jinhui was a Physics Olympiad trainer at his alma mater, Hwa Chong Institution, from 2016 to 2017. An enthusiastic solver of challenging problems of which life is only a part, he placed first in the 2016 Princeton University Online Physics Competition and was awarded Bronze in the Singapore Physics Olympiad in 2014. Jinhui is currently pursuing his undergraduate studies at Stanford University.

Bernard Ricardo is a Physics Consultant and a seasoned national trainer of Singapore's Physics Olympiad team (since 2005). He received his GradDip in Mathematics from the University of London (2013), M. Sc. In Applied Physics from the National University of Singapore (2010) and B.Eng. in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Nanyang Technological University (2008). A passionate educator who received the Outstanding Physics Teacher Award from the Institute of Physics Singapore for his contributions to the Singapore team, Bernard is currently researching physics education for high-performing students at the National Institute of Education for his Ph.D. As a former contestant himself, Bernard was awarded Silver in the 34th International Physics Olympiad (2003), as well as Gold and the 'Best in Experiment' Award in the 4th Asian Physics Olympiad in the same year.

Table of Contents

Dedication v

Preface vii

1 Geometrical Optics 1

1.1 Light Rays 1

1.2 The Law of Reflection 4

1.3 Refraction 10

1.4 Total Internal Reflection 15

1.5 Format's Principle 15

1.6 Optical Apparatus 19

Problems 44

Solutions 51

2 Thermodynamics and Ideal Gases 77

2.1 The Zeroth Law 77

2.2 Common Quantities in Thermodynamics 78

2.3 The First Law of Thermodynamics 80

2.4 Ideal Gases 80

2.5 Heat Capacity 94

2.6 Gas Flows 98

2.7 Kinetic Theory of Gases 104

Problems 122

Solutions 131

3 The Second Law and Heat Engines 155

3.1 Kelvin-Planck's and Clausms' Statements 155

3.2 Heat Engines and Refrigerators 158

3.3 Clausius' Inequality and Entropy 169

3.4 Fundamental Relation of Thermodynamics 178

Problems 182

Solutions 186

4 Heat Transfer and Phase Transitions 197

4.1 Convection 197

4.2 Conduction 198

4.3 Radiation 207

4.4 Thermal Expansion 218

4.5 Phase Transitions 220

Problems 236

Solutions 241

5 Electrostatics 261

5.1 Electric Charges 261

5.2 Coulomb's Law 262

5.3 Electric Field 264

5.4 Gauss' Law 270

5.5 Line Integral of Electrostatic Field 280

5.6 Electric; Potential Energy 285

5.7 Electric Potential 289

5.8 Potential Energy of a System 292

Problems 301

Solutions 308

6 Conductors and Dielectrics 337

6.1 Properties of Conductors 337

6.2 The Uniqueness Theorems 340

6.3 Capacitors 360

6.4 Electric Fields in Matter 370

Problems 397

Solutions 403

7 Magnetism 431

7.1 Lorentz Force Law and the Definition of Magnetic Field 431

7.2 Magnetic Field 433

7.3 Ampere's Law 443

7.4 Motion in Magnetic Fields 451

7.5 Magnetic Fields in Matter 460

Problems 472

Solutions 480

8 Currents and EMI 513

8.1 Voltage 513

8.2 Current 514

8.3 Electromotive Force 527

8.4 Motional EMF 530

8.5 Induced EMF 539

8.6 Self-Inductance 544

8.7 Mutual Inductance 546

8.8 Ampere-Maxwell Law 550

8.9 Perfect Conductors and Superconductors 553

8.10 Force on Inductors 558

Problems 571

Solutions 581

9 DC Circuits 615

9.1 Kirchhoff's Laws 615

9.2 The Principle of Superposition 626

9.3 Equipotential Points 633

9.4 Thevenin's Theorem 641

9.5 Y-Δ Transformations 650

9.6 Infinite Networks 659

Problems 662

Solutions 670

10 RLC and AC Circuits 695

10.1 Roles of Capacitors and Inductors 695

10.2 AC Circuits 715

Problems 730

Solutions 737

11 Relativistic Kinematics 763

11.1 Frames of Reference 764

11.2 The Two Postulates 765

11.3 Consequences of the Postulates 770

11.4 Space-Time 788

11.5 The Lorentz Transformations and Active Transformations 790

11.6 Passive Transformations 796

11.7 The Invariant Interval 802

11.8 The Relativistic Speed Limit 806

11.9 Other Effects 807

Problems 824

Solutions 831

12 Relativistic Dynamics 851

12.1 Momentum 851

12.2 Relativistic Energy 855

12.3 Force and Coordinate Acceleration 863

12.4 Four-Vectors 868

12.5 Transformation of Electric and Magnetic Fields 889

Problems 898

Solutions 906

Appendix: Michelson-Morley Experiment 937

Index 943