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| − | Force is defined as rate of change of momentum of a body . F= dp/dt , p= mv , F= ma where F stands for total vector sum of all forces | + | Force is defined as rate of change of [[momentum]] of a body . F = dp/dt. For non-[[Theory of Relativity|relativistic]] speeds, the momentum is given by ''p = m v'', giving ''F = m a''.<ref>Marcelo Alonso and Edward J. Finn, ''Fundamental University Physics'', Addison-Wesley.</ref> In these expressions, ''F'' stands for the total vector sum of all forces, ''m'' for the mass of the object, ''a'' for its [[acceleration]] expressed as a vector, ''p'' stands for momentum vector and ''v'' for velocity vector. The expression ''F = m a'' is Newton's Second Law, which was stated first by Sir [[Isaac Newton]]. |
| − | , m for mass of the object, a for its acceleration expressed as a vector, p stands for momentum vector and v for velocity vector. It | |
| − | was stated first by Sir Isaac Newton. | |
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| − | When the velocity of the object approaches light speed it's effective mass changes. Then it is expressed as
| + | When the velocity of the object approaches the speed of light, these expressions need to be modified to account for so-called "relativistic effects". Newtonian mechanics is then no longer a good approximation, and one should use the description given by Einstein's [[Theory of Relativity]]. |
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| − | <math> F = dp/dt / (1- v*v)/c </math>
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| − | The types of forces are
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| − | 1. Electro-magnetic force
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| − | 2. gravitational Force
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| − | 3. Strong force
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| − | 4. weak force
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| | + | There are four known types of forces occurring in nature<ref>Lewis H. Ryder, ''Quantum Field Theory'', 2nd ed., Cambridge University Press, Cambridge (UK), 1996</ref>: |
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| | + | ;[[Electromagnetism|Electromagnetic]] force |
| | + | ;[[Gravitation]]al force |
| | + | ;Strong force |
| | + | :this is the force that keeps [[atom]]ic [[nucleus|nuclei]] together. |
| | + | ;Weak force |
| | + | :this force is (amongst other things) involved in ''beta decay'', in which a [[neutron]] in an atomic nucleus is changed to a [[proton]], emitting an [[electron]] and a [[neutrino]]. |
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| | + | It should be noted that the latter two forces have an extremely short range (on the order of femtometers), and that a classical (Newtonian or relativistic) description of these forces is not possible. They can only be desribed using [[quantum field theory]], a relativistic version of [[quantum mechanics]]. |
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| | ==References== | | ==References== |