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Explore concepts, laws, equations and methods, with clear explanations of their use and sources. Choose an area of study or find a specific entry.

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Showing 31–60 of 365 reference entries

PhysicsFrequency, wavelength and phase speed

Relate a periodic wave's spatial and temporal repetition.

Definition
Physics · MeasurementElectric current

Current measures charge crossing a chosen surface per unit time.

Definition
PhysicsElectric field and force

An electric field assigns force per unit test charge.

Definition
PhysicsMagnetic force on a moving charge

Magnetic force depends on charge motion relative to the field.

Model
PhysicsOhm's law and its domain

A linear current-voltage relation requires suitable conditions.

Empirical finding
PhysicsFirst law of thermodynamics

Keep the heat and work sign convention explicit in an energy balance.

Model
PhysicsSecond law: isolated-system entropy

Apply entropy increase to the whole isolated system.

Model
Physics · ChemistryIdeal-gas equation of state

A simple gas model relates pressure, amount, volume and temperature.

Model
PhysicsPhoton energy and frequency

One photon's energy is proportional to its frequency.

Model
Physics · Mathematics & logicInvariant spacetime interval

Lorentz transformations preserve a combined space-time separation.

Model
PhysicsNewton's third law

Interaction forces act on different bodies in equal and opposite pairs.

Model
PhysicsAngular momentum and torque

Torque changes angular momentum about a specified origin.

Model
PhysicsHydrostatic pressure

Static fluid pressure rises with depth under gravity.

Model
PhysicsArchimedes' buoyancy principle

The hydrostatic upward force equals displaced-fluid weight.

Model
PhysicsMaxwell equations in free space

Four field equations connect electric and magnetic fields with charge and current.

Model
PhysicsSchrödinger time evolution

A quantum wavefunction evolves according to its Hamiltonian.

Model
PhysicsBorn position probability

A normalized wavefunction assigns probabilities to position intervals.

Model
Physics · MeasurementElementary charge

The elementary charge has an exact SI numerical value.

Definition
Physics · MeasurementBoltzmann constant

The Boltzmann constant has an exact SI numerical value.

Definition
Measurement · Chemistry · PhysicsAvogadro constant

The mole is linked to a specified number of entities.

Definition
Measurement · PhysicsSI defining luminous efficacy

A specified frequency fixes the photometric SI reference.

Definition
PhysicsCentre-of-mass dynamics

External force controls the mass-weighted centre's acceleration.

Model
PhysicsRigid-body inertia tensor

A tensor relates rotation to angular momentum.

Model
PhysicsEuler equations for a rigid body

Body-axis angular acceleration includes rotation of the axes.

Model
Physics · Mathematics & logicEuler–Lagrange equations

Stationary action supplies coordinate equations of motion.

Mathematical statement
Physics · Mathematics & logicHamilton's canonical equations

Canonical coordinates and momenta evolve from the Hamiltonian.

Mathematical statement
PhysicsFluid mass continuity

Density change balances mass flux through a region.

Model
PhysicsBernoulli's streamline relation

An ideal steady flow balances pressure, motion and height.

Model
PhysicsIncompressible Navier–Stokes equation

Fluid inertia balances pressure, viscosity and gravity.

Model
PhysicsReynolds number

Compare inertial and viscous scales of a flow.

Model