Mathematics

Question

how is math related to mechanic, electromagnitism, optics, thermodynamics, atomic physics, and quantum mechanics? 8th grader interested in astronomy.

Answer

<P>Hello,<BR><BR>All those branches of physics use mathematics.&nbsp; Mathematicians say that "math is the queen of the sciences," while scientists will often say, "mathematics is the servant of science."&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR><BR>Mechanics:&nbsp; Force = mass * acceleration, for starters.<BR>Electromagnetism:&nbsp; look up "Maxwell's equations."<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;also voltage = current * resistance<BR>Optics:&nbsp; The position of an image is a function of the object distance and the focal length of the lens.&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>Thermodynamics:&nbsp; Q = m * c * deltaT<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Heat = mass * constant * change in temperature<BR>Atomic Physics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; If nothing else, there is the equation E = m*c^2.&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Energy = (mass, or change in mass) times the speed of light squared.<BR>Quantum Mechanics:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;It's not an equation exactly but&nbsp;there is an interesting pattern in how&nbsp;the&nbsp;subshells of atoms get filled up.&nbsp; <BR><BR>That should get you started.&nbsp;&nbsp;<BR><BR><BR>Joe&nbsp;M.<BR>Information Technology Specialist<BR><BR>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; </P> http://vrd.askvrd.org/services/answerschema.xml