Examples for

Physics

Physics studies features of the universe, ranging from natural to manmade phenomena. With Wolfram|Alpha, you can explore data about phenomena in the areas of quantum mechanics, nuclear and particle physics, thermodynamics and Newtonian mechanics. Wolfram|Alpha also knows a variety of physical formulas and constants. With all of this built-in data and interactive calculators, it is easy to get answers to your physics questions, either for homework or general curiosity.

Mechanics

Explore the physical laws that describe the behavior of one or more bodies under a system of forces.

Compute mechanical work:

Compute centripetal acceleration:

Do a gravitation calculation:

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Statistical Physics

Explore the motion of fluids using statistical methods.

Find the Maxwell speed distribution of a gas:

Compute entropy with the Sackur–Tetrode equation:

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Optics

Study the properties and behaviors of light.

Do computations using the thin lens equation:

Compute a diffraction pattern for a circular aperture:

Compute a diffraction pattern for a single slit:

Use the Rydberg formula to compute spectral lines:

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Quantum Physics

Explore quantum phenomena, such as scattering and quantum states.

Compute the energy of a photon given its wavelength:

Compute a Compton wavelength:

Look up atomic spectra:

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Physical Constants

Explore details, values and definitions for various physical constants.

Get the value of a physical constant:

Do computations involving constants:

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Fluid Mechanics

Examine the behavior of fluid systems and objects moving through them.

Calculate flow through a pipe:

Determine change in fluid speed from pressure change:

Compute fluid flow around an object:

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Oscillations & Waves

Explore oscillatory motion, from pendulums to electromagnetic waves.

Analyze a harmonic oscillator:

Analyze the motion of a spring pendulum:

Compute a Doppler shift:

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Thermodynamics

Explore heat, energy and entropy and how they relate to thermodynamic systems.

Do computations with Joule's law:

Analyze an adiabatic process:

Do an ideal gas law computation:

Analyze an Atkinson cycle:

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Relativity

Explore Einstein's theories of special and general relativity and how they relate to gravity, time and space.

Do relativistic addition of velocities:

Compute relativistic momentum:

Determine gravitational time dilation near massive objects:

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Particle Physics

Get information about particles and their interactions.

Get information about a particle:

Do a calculation with particle properties:

Compare the values of a property for a class of particles:

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Physical Principles

Explore physical laws, principles and effects.

Find out about Newton's laws:

Find out about Brownian motion:

Learn about a paradox in quantum mechanics:

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Black Holes

Delve into black holes to learn about their properties, evolution and locations.

Compute the location and get properties of a stellar-mass black hole:

Generate a list of nearby black holes:

Calculate the properties of a theoretical black hole with a known mass:

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Step-by-Step Solutions for Physics

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  • Electricity & Magnetism

    Explore the physics of the electromagnetic force.

    Use input fields to specify data for an Ohm's law computation:

    Find equations associated with a magnetized object:

    Analyze an RLC circuit:

    Do a Coulomb's law computation:

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    Nuclear Physics

    Explore aspects of nuclear physics, including radiation and nuclear power.

    Compute the stopping power of a material:

    Get information about an isotope:

    Compute characteristics of Cerenkov radiation:

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    Astrophysics

    Explore the nature of celestial objects, including black holes, stars and planets.

    Compute the orbital period of a massive body orbiting another:

    Compute cosmological properties of the universe:

    Compute properties of a black hole:

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    Physical Effects

    Get information on physical effects and compare them.

    Explore physical effects:

    Compare physical effects:

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