Relative Velocity

Relative Velocity

The concept of relative velocity is deeply rooted in the history of physics and our understanding of motion. It’s a concept that has evolved, influenced by the work of many great scientists. Galileo Galilei was one of the first to discuss the idea of relativity in motion. He proposed that motion is relative — meaning … Read more

Kinematic Equations for Uniformly Accelerated Motion

Kinematic Equations

The story of kinematic equations begins in ancient times with the need to understand the motion of celestial bodies. Early astronomers and mathematicians observed the stars and planets, trying to predict their movements. This curiosity laid the groundwork for the field of kinematics. Kinematics is a term derived from the Greek word “kinesis,” meaning motion. … Read more

Acceleration

Acceleration

The concept of acceleration has been pivotal in physics, dating back to the works of Galileo Galilei and Sir Isaac Newton. Galileo Galilei’s work on acceleration was a significant departure from the prevailing Aristotelian physics of his time. Aristotle claimed that an object’s fall speed depended on its weight and the medium it was falling … Read more

Frame of Reference

Frame of Reference

The concept of a frame of reference is like the backdrop of a theater stage—it sets the scene for where and how we observe motion and forces. The idea of a frame of reference has existed since ancient times, but it wasn’t formally defined until much later. Ancient astronomers used the stars as a fixed … Read more

Mean Free Path

Mean Free Path

The concept of the mean free path has its roots in the kinetic theory of gases, which was developed in the 19th century. This theory was a major step forward in understanding how gases behave at the molecular level. The kinetic theory describes the motion of particles in a gas and how they interact with … Read more

Ideal Gas Law

Ideal Gas Law

The story of the Ideal Gas Law is a tale of the discovery and the unification of several individual gas laws. It began in the 17th century with Boyle’s Law, discovered by Robert Boyle, which found that pressure and volume are inversely proportional in a gas at a constant temperature. Then, in the 18th century, … Read more