Conservation of momentum  02/09/16
One of the most fundamental principles of Physics is the conservation of momentum. The theory of the conservation of momentum states that there is a quantity called linear momentum which is proportional to the product of an object’s mass and translational velocity. In addition, there is also angular velocity which is proportional to an object’s moment of inertia and angular momentum. This concept is one of the most pertinent to a student’s knowledge.

Geostationary Orbit  02/07/16
One of the most marvelous discoveries of modern Science and Engineering is the discovery and application of geosynchronous orbits. A geosynchronous orbit is a specific type of orbit in which the period of rotation around the earth is equal to the Earth’s revolution around its axis, an entire day in other words. This means that the orbiting satellite will stay above the same relative position of the earth for the whole time. This type of orbit is often used for telecommunication satellites. Unfortunately, such orbits can only be approximations due to impingement from solarwinds, geographic height shifts, solar wind, and gravitational influence of the moon.

               Second law of thermodynamics      01/31/16
One of the most enigmatic yet intriguing facets of fundamental physics is the second law of thermodynamics. The second law dictates a seemingly simple yet consequential rule, that the entropy in all systems can only increase. Entropy is the measure of disorder in a thermodynamic system, think of it like if there was one room half filled with people wearing red shirts and half blue shirts, with one room they are split evenly half and another they are strewn around in a desultory manner. The second law states that all systems start out like the former and end up like the latter. The dire implications of this quandary is that a perpetual motion machine is completely impossible any any attempt will only based off of erroneous reasoning.  

Phases of matter      01/30/16

 

Complex matter is invariably found in a physical state. A state of matter can be defined as the macroscopic order that the components are in. There are four (main) type of macroscopic states of matter, Solids, liquids, gases, and Plasmas. Every complex object can be found in one of those states and can transfer between one of those states through a change in temperature and pressure.

The most intuitive phase of solid is the solid. Objects in a solid state have their molecules packed closely together, with the forces so strong that the neighboring molecules are only able to vibrate. Consequently, solids have a definite shape and volume (unless deformation by an outside force impinges upon it, but that’s a topic for a later lecture).

 

Given the precise conditions, an object can also be extant in a liquid state. If a solid object is heated above the melting point, then the molecules begin to break free of their rigidity but the intermolecular forces are still strong enough to hold them together. As a result, liquids do not have a dependant shape (their geometry is contingent upon the space of the container that they are suffused in).  A most intriguing and peculiar facet of nature is that of the triple point, in which the state transitions for a certain object are all bordering one another.

 

If one is to change the pressure or temperature conditions to the point where the molecules are able to break completely free of neighboring van der wal force impingements, then a gas is formed. Gases have no definite shape or volume, so they are free to move around with little constraint. If enough heat is applied to a gas, then it will undergo a process known as ionization in which all of the electrons will break free of the molecules and a plasma will be formed. Plasmas have much of the same physical properties as a gas except for the fact that they are completely electrically conductive (not to say that gases can not be electrically conductive, just not on the same level as Plasmas)