Related papers: Physics of Bamboo Rifle
Using a game theory approach and a new extremal problem, Gibbs formula is proved in a most simple and general way for the classical mechanics case. A corresponding conjecture on the asymptotics of the classical entropy is formulated. For…
The study of gas bubble dynamics in liquids is justified by the numerous applications and natural phenomena where this two-phase flow is encountered. Gas bubbles move as forces are applied to them; their dynamics are full of nuances that…
It can be a challenge to come up with simple demonstrations of circular motion and conservation of energy. One such demonstration consists of a large exercise ball, off of which a small solid or hollow ball is rolled. The small balls are…
All systems are expected to be designed to fulfil their functions over their requested lifetime. Nevertheless, failure of a system may occur, and this is unfortunately, true also for vacuum systems. From a mechanical point of view,…
Go gaming is a struggle between adversaries, black and white simple stones, and aim to control the most Go board territory for success. Rules are simple but Go game fighting is highly intricate. Stones placement and interaction on board is…
We present our first attempts to formulate a thermodynamics-like description of explosions. The motivation is partly a fundamental interest in non-equilibrium statistical physics, partly the resemblance of an explosion to the late stages of…
Moving-boundary work, also called pressure-volume work or expansion work, is perhaps the main form of work discussed in introductory courses about Thermodynamics. Here, we take a particular definition of this kind of thermodynamic work. On…
We present a method of training character manipulation of amorphous materials such as those often used in cooking. Common examples of amorphous materials include granular materials (salt, uncooked rice), fluids (honey), and visco-plastic…
Bubbly drinks are surprisingly attractive. There is something about the nature of the these beverages that make them preferable among other choices. In this article we explore the physics involved in this particular kind of two-phase,…
Bullets are fired, one per second, with independent speeds sampled uniformly from a discrete set. Collisions result in mutual annihilation. We show that the second fastest bullet survives with positive probability, while a slowest bullet…
Plant morphogenesis relies on dynamic growth deformations at the cell and tissue scales driven by osmotic fluxes. A mechanistic understanding of this phenomenon demands a physical framework that integrates cell imbibition, tissue mechanics,…
We study the thermal rectification phenomenon in ``billiard'' systems with interacting particles. This interaction induces a local dynamical response of the billiard to an external thermodynamic gradient. To explain this dynamical effect we…
In medicolegal situations, the consequences of a stabbing incident are described in terms that are qualitative without being quantitative. Here, the mechanical variables involved in knife-tissue penetration events are used to determine the…
The production of $\alpha$-particles in reactions using both the strongly and weakly bound projectiles at energies around the Coulomb barrier show several interesting features. To understand these, the role of various reaction mechanisms…
A Stirling engine of the type used for demonstration purposes has been outfitted with a pair of sensors that measure pressure and piston displacement when the engine is operating with a small temperature difference between the hot and cold…
The equilibrium conditions of a system consisting of a box with gas divided by a piston are revised. The apparent indetermination of the problem is solved by explicitly imposing the constancy of the internal energy when the Entropy Maximum…
There are many processes in biology in which mechanical forces are generated. Force-bearing networks can transduce locally developed mechanical signals very extensively over different parts of the cell or tissues. In this article we conduct…
The concept of temperature is one of the key ideas in describing the thermodynamical properties of a physical system. In classical statistical mechanics of ideal gases, the notion of temperature can be described in two different ways, the…
We solve a set of selected exercises on rotational motion requiring a mechanical and thermodynamical analysis. When non-conservative forces or thermal effects are present, a complete study must use the first law of thermodynamics together…
Thermodynamic properties of a photon gas in a small box are explored taking into account finite size effects. General thermodynamic relations are derived for this finite system. Photon gas thermodynamic functions are calculated for the case…