PHYS 425: Thermodynamics & Statistical Physics

Explore the physics behind an athlete's rope climb. Understand the relationship between power, force, and time, and how to calculate the minimum power output an athlete exerts. Witness the interplay of physics principles in evaluating athletic prowess.

Discover the physics behind the musical notes produced when car tires interact with highway lane dividers. This video explains the "stick-slip friction" phenomenon and its relation to tire vibrations. Learn how analyzing sound frequencies can offer insights into vehicle speeds

Learn how to calculate the kinetic energy of a Saturn 5 rocket with an Apollo spacecraft attached using physics principles and formulas. Understand the importance of unit conversion and the work-energy theorem as you plug values into the KE = 1/2 mv² formula. Discover that the kinetic energy for this rocket and spacecraft combo is an astonishing 1.82 x 10¹³ Joules.

Discover the limits of circular motion as we explore the maximum speed a ball can achieve before its string breaks. Uncover the physics behind this thrilling scenario in our engaging video.

Explore the concept of capacitance and learn how to calculate potential difference, the impact of separation, and the work required for a parallel-plate air capacitor.

Explore how a mass spectrometer works by analyzing an ion's path through the device. Understand the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in determining the ion's trajectory. Learn to compute the radius of an ion's path within the mass spectrometer.