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College Physics

Algebra-based physics from mechanics through modern physics: motion, forces, energy, fluids, heat, waves and sound, electricity and magnetism, optics, and atomic and nuclear physics. The problems train the core physics move — model the situation, pick the principle, and carry units through to a checked answer.

Merged from College Physics 2e & College Physics for AP® Courses 2e

1,411 exercises224 sections
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Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

25
1.1 Physics: An Introduction1
1.2 Physical Quantities and Units7
1.3 Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures12
1.4 Approximation5

Kinematics

38
2.1 Displacement3
2.2 Vectors, Scalars, and Coordinate Systems1
2.3 Time, Velocity, and Speed8
2.4 Acceleration4
2.5 Motion Equations for Constant Acceleration in One Dimension12
2.7 Falling Objects10

Two-Dimensional Kinematics

32
3.1 Kinematics in Two Dimensions: An Introduction2
3.2 Vector Addition and Subtraction: Graphical Methods5
3.3 Vector Addition and Subtraction: Analytical Methods4
3.4 Projectile Motion13
3.5 Addition of Velocities8

Dynamics: Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

33
4.1 Development of Force Concept1
4.2 Newton’s First Law of Motion: Inertia1
4.3 Newton’s Second Law of Motion: Concept of a System5
4.4 Newton’s Third Law of Motion: Symmetry in Forces6
4.5 Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces5
4.6 Problem-Solving Strategies5
4.7 Further Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion5
4.8 Extended Topic: The Four Basic Forces—An Introduction5

Further Applications of Newton's Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity

22
5.1 Friction9
5.2 Drag Forces5
5.3 Elasticity: Stress and Strain8

Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

30
6.1 Rotation Angle and Angular Velocity5
6.2 Centripetal Acceleration7
6.3 Centripetal Force5
6.5 Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation9
6.6 Satellites and Kepler’s Laws: An Argument for Simplicity4

Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

47
7.1 Work: The Scientific Definition5
7.2 Kinetic Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem10
7.3 Gravitational Potential Energy3
7.4 Conservative Forces and Potential Energy5
7.5 Nonconservative Forces1
7.6 Conservation of Energy8
7.7 Power6
7.8 Work, Energy, and Power in Humans5
7.9 World Energy Use4

Linear Momentum and Collisions

56
8.1 Linear Momentum and Force4
8.2 Impulse13
8.3 Conservation of Momentum6
8.4 Elastic Collisions in One Dimension10
8.5 Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension13
8.6 Collisions of Point Masses in Two Dimensions5
8.7 Introduction to Rocket Propulsion5

Statics and Torque

15
9.2 The Second Condition for Equilibrium4
9.3 Stability2
9.4 Applications of Statics, Including Problem-Solving Strategies1
9.5 Simple Machines5
9.6 Forces and Torques in Muscles and Joints3

Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

42
10.1 Angular Acceleration3
10.2 Kinematics of Rotational Motion4
10.3 Dynamics of Rotational Motion: Rotational Inertia11
10.4 Rotational Kinetic Energy: Work and Energy Revisited9
10.5 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation8
10.6 Collisions of Extended Bodies in Two Dimensions6
10.7 Gyroscopic Effects: Vector Aspects of Angular Momentum1

Fluid Statics

47
11.2 Density9
11.3 Pressure2
11.4 Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid5
11.5 Pascal’s Principle3
11.6 Gauge Pressure, Absolute Pressure, and Pressure Measurement4
11.7 Archimedes’ Principle9
11.8 Cohesion and Adhesion in Liquids: Surface Tension and Capillary Action7
11.9 Pressures in the Body8

Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

37
12.1 Flow Rate and Its Relation to Velocity8
12.2 Bernoulli’s Equation6
12.3 The Most General Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation4
12.4 Viscosity and Laminar Flow; Poiseuille’s Law10
12.5 The Onset of Turbulence6
12.7 Molecular Transport Phenomena: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Related Processes3

Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

48
13.1 Temperature5
13.2 Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids7
13.3 The Ideal Gas Law13
13.4 Kinetic Theory: Atomic and Molecular Explanation of Pressure and Temperature8
13.5 Phase Changes2
13.6 Humidity, Evaporation, and Boiling13

Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

51
14.1 Heat2
14.2 Temperature Change and Heat Capacity6
14.3 Phase Change and Latent Heat11
14.4 Heat Transfer Methods1
14.5 Conduction11
14.6 Convection6
14.7 Radiation14

Thermodynamics

39
15.1 The First Law of Thermodynamics8
15.2 The First Law of Thermodynamics and Some Simple Processes6
15.3 Introduction to the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines and Their Efficiency4
15.4 Carnot’s Perfect Heat Engine: The Second Law of Thermodynamics Restated5
15.5 Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Pumps and Refrigerators5
15.6 Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Disorder and the Unavailability of Energy6
15.7 Statistical Interpretation of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Underlying Explanation5

Oscillatory Motion and Waves

70
16.1 Hooke’s Law: Stress and Strain Revisited7
16.2 Period and Frequency in Oscillations8
16.3 Simple Harmonic Motion: A Special Periodic Motion7
16.4 The Simple Pendulum9
16.5 Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator5
16.6 Uniform Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion3
16.7 Damped Harmonic Motion4
16.8 Forced Oscillations and Resonance4
16.9 Waves8
16.10 Superposition and Interference9
16.11 Energy in Waves: Intensity6

Physics of Hearing

65
17.2 Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength9
17.3 Sound Intensity and Sound Level12
17.4 Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms7
17.5 Sound Interference and Resonance: Standing Waves in Air Columns19
17.6 Hearing10
17.7 Ultrasound8

Electric Charge and Electric Field

40
18.1 Static Electricity and Charge: Conservation of Charge8
18.2 Conductors and Insulators5
18.3 Coulomb’s Law10
18.4 Electric Field: Concept of a Field Revisited7
18.7 Conductors and Electric Fields in Static Equilibrium6
18.8 Applications of Electrostatics4

Electric Potential and Electric Field

52
19.1 Electric Potential Energy: Potential Difference14
19.2 Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field9
19.3 Electrical Potential Due to a Point Charge6
19.4 Equipotential Lines3
19.5 Capacitors and Dielectrics9
19.6 Capacitors in Series and Parallel2
19.7 Energy Stored in Capacitors9

Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law

50
20.1 Current9
20.2 Ohm’s Law: Resistance and Simple Circuits5
20.3 Resistance and Resistivity10
20.4 Electric Power and Energy13
20.5 Alternating Current versus Direct Current6
20.6 Electric Hazards and the Human Body5
20.7 Nerve Conduction–Electrocardiograms2

Circuits and DC Instruments

44
21.1 Resistors in Series and Parallel10
21.2 Electromotive Force: Terminal Voltage8
21.3 Kirchhoff’s Rules4
21.4 DC Voltmeters and Ammeters7
21.5 Null Measurements5
21.6 DC Circuits Containing Resistors and Capacitors10

Magnetism

46
22.2 Ferromagnets and Electromagnets2
22.4 Magnetic Field Strength: Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field4
22.5 Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field: Examples and Applications6
22.6 The Hall Effect5
22.7 Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor3
22.8 Torque on a Current Loop: Motors and Meters5
22.9 Magnetic Fields Produced by Currents: Ampere’s Law2
22.10 Magnetic Force between Two Parallel Conductors4
22.11 More Applications of Magnetism15

Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies

49
23.2 Faraday’s Law of Induction: Lenz’s Law3
23.3 Motional Emf3
23.5 Electric Generators7
23.6 Back Emf3
23.7 Transformers6
23.8 Electrical Safety: Systems and Devices1
23.9 Inductance6
23.10 RL Circuits5
23.11 Reactance, Inductive and Capacitive6
23.12 RLC Series AC Circuits9

Electromagnetic Waves

31
24.2 Production of Electromagnetic Waves5
24.3 The Electromagnetic Spectrum13
24.4 Energy in Electromagnetic Waves13

Geometric Optics

37
25.1 The Ray Aspect of Light1
25.2 The Law of Reflection1
25.3 The Law of Refraction10
25.4 Total Internal Reflection2
25.5 Dispersion: The Rainbow and Prisms3
25.6 Image Formation by Lenses11
25.7 Image Formation by Mirrors9

Vision and Optical Instruments

27
26.1 Physics of the Eye4
26.2 Vision Correction11
26.3 Color and Color Vision1
26.4 Microscopes4
26.5 Telescopes5
26.6 Aberrations2

Wave Optics

58
27.1 The Wave Aspect of Light: Interference3
27.2 Huygens's Principle: Diffraction1
27.3 Young’s Double Slit Experiment10
27.4 Multiple Slit Diffraction11
27.5 Single Slit Diffraction8
27.6 Limits of Resolution: The Rayleigh Criterion6
27.7 Thin Film Interference8
27.8 Polarization11

Special Relativity

46
28.1 Einstein’s Postulates2
28.2 Simultaneity And Time Dilation7
28.3 Length Contraction5
28.4 Relativistic Addition of Velocities10
28.5 Relativistic Momentum5
28.6 Relativistic Energy17

Quantum Physics

55
29.1 Quantization of Energy3
29.2 The Photoelectric Effect9
29.3 Photon Energies and the Electromagnetic Spectrum10
29.4 Photon Momentum8
29.5 The Particle-Wave Duality1
29.6 The Wave Nature of Matter9
29.7 Probability: The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle5
29.8 The Particle-Wave Duality Reviewed10

Atomic Physics

42
30.1 Discovery of the Atom2
30.2 Discovery of the Parts of the Atom: Electrons and Nuclei3
30.3 Bohr’s Theory of the Hydrogen Atom11
30.4 X Rays: Atomic Origins and Applications3
30.5 Applications of Atomic Excitations and De-Excitations4
30.8 Quantum Numbers and Rules5
30.9 The Pauli Exclusion Principle14

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

49
31.1 Nuclear Radioactivity1
31.2 Radiation Detection and Detectors1
31.3 Substructure of the Nucleus7
31.4 Nuclear Decay and Conservation Laws17
31.5 Half-Life and Activity13
31.6 Binding Energy5
31.7 Tunneling5

Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

37
32.1 Diagnostics and Medical Imaging4
32.2 Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation5
32.3 Therapeutic Uses of Ionizing Radiation5
32.5 Fusion10
32.6 Fission6
32.7 Nuclear Weapons7

Particle Physics

34
33.1 The Yukawa Particle and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle Revisited2
33.2 The Four Basic Forces5
33.3 Accelerators Create Matter from Energy7
33.4 Particles, Patterns, and Conservation Laws5
33.5 Quarks: Is That All There Is?11
33.6 GUTs: The Unification of Forces4

Frontiers of Physics

17
34.1 Cosmology and Particle Physics10
34.2 General Relativity and Quantum Gravity2
34.3 Superstrings1
34.4 Dark Matter and Closure2
34.6 High-temperature Superconductors2

Adapted from College Physics © 2022 Rice University. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Sources: College Physics 2e, College Physics for AP® Courses 2e. Imported at revision f98d7a7.