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College Physics 2e

OpenStax · 283 sections in 35 chapters. Each section is its own page.

Front matter

• Preface

• Atomic Masses

• Selected Radioactive Isotopes

• Useful Information

• Glossary of Key Symbols and Notation

Introduction: The Nature of Science and Physics

• Introduction to Science and the Realm of Physics, Physical Quantities, and Units

• Physics: An Introduction

• Physical Quantities and Units

• Accuracy, Precision, and Significant Figures

• Approximation

Kinematics

• Introduction to One-Dimensional Kinematics

• Displacement

• Vectors, Scalars, and Coordinate Systems

• Time, Velocity, and Speed

• Acceleration

• Motion Equations for Constant Acceleration in One Dimension

• Problem-Solving Basics for One-Dimensional Kinematics

• Falling Objects

• Graphical Analysis of One-Dimensional Motion

Two-Dimensional Kinematics

• Introduction to Two-Dimensional Kinematics

• Kinematics in Two Dimensions: An Introduction

• Vector Addition and Subtraction: Graphical Methods

• Vector Addition and Subtraction: Analytical Methods

• Projectile Motion

• Addition of Velocities

Dynamics: Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

• Introduction to Dynamics: Newton’s Laws of Motion

• Development of Force Concept

• Newton’s First Law of Motion: Inertia

• Newton’s Second Law of Motion: Concept of a System

• Newton’s Third Law of Motion: Symmetry in Forces

• Normal, Tension, and Other Examples of Forces

• Problem-Solving Strategies

• Further Applications of Newton’s Laws of Motion

• Extended Topic: The Four Basic Forces—An Introduction

Further Applications of Newton's Laws: Friction, Drag, and Elasticity

• Introduction: Further Applications of Newton’s Laws

• Friction

• Drag Forces

• Elasticity: Stress and Strain

Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

• Introduction to Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation

• Rotation Angle and Angular Velocity

• Centripetal Acceleration

• Centripetal Force

• Fictitious Forces and Non-inertial Frames: The Coriolis Force

• Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation

• Satellites and Kepler’s Laws: An Argument for Simplicity

Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

• Introduction to Work, Energy, and Energy Resources

• Work: The Scientific Definition

• Kinetic Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem

• Gravitational Potential Energy

• Conservative Forces and Potential Energy

• Nonconservative Forces

• Conservation of Energy

• Power

• Work, Energy, and Power in Humans

• World Energy Use

Linear Momentum and Collisions

• Introduction to Linear Momentum and Collisions

• Linear Momentum and Force

• Impulse

• Conservation of Momentum

• Elastic Collisions in One Dimension

• Inelastic Collisions in One Dimension

• Collisions of Point Masses in Two Dimensions

• Introduction to Rocket Propulsion

Statics and Torque

• Introduction to Statics and Torque

• The First Condition for Equilibrium

• The Second Condition for Equilibrium

• Stability

• Applications of Statics, Including Problem-Solving Strategies

• Simple Machines

• Forces and Torques in Muscles and Joints

Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

• Introduction to Rotational Motion and Angular Momentum

• Angular Acceleration

• Kinematics of Rotational Motion

• Dynamics of Rotational Motion: Rotational Inertia

• Rotational Kinetic Energy: Work and Energy Revisited

• Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

• Collisions of Extended Bodies in Two Dimensions

• Gyroscopic Effects: Vector Aspects of Angular Momentum

Fluid Statics

• Introduction to Fluid Statics

• What Is a Fluid?

• Density

• Pressure

• Variation of Pressure with Depth in a Fluid

• Pascal’s Principle

• Gauge Pressure, Absolute Pressure, and Pressure Measurement

• Archimedes’ Principle

• Cohesion and Adhesion in Liquids: Surface Tension and Capillary Action

• Pressures in the Body

Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

• Introduction to Fluid Dynamics and Its Biological and Medical Applications

• Flow Rate and Its Relation to Velocity

• Bernoulli’s Equation

• The Most General Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation

• Viscosity and Laminar Flow; Poiseuille’s Law

• The Onset of Turbulence

• Motion of an Object in a Viscous Fluid

• Molecular Transport Phenomena: Diffusion, Osmosis, and Related Processes

Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

• Introduction to Temperature, Kinetic Theory, and the Gas Laws

• Temperature

• Thermal Expansion of Solids and Liquids

• The Ideal Gas Law

• Kinetic Theory: Atomic and Molecular Explanation of Pressure and Temperature

• Phase Changes

• Humidity, Evaporation, and Boiling

Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

• Introduction to Heat and Heat Transfer Methods

• Heat

• Temperature Change and Heat Capacity

• Phase Change and Latent Heat

• Heat Transfer Methods

• Conduction

• Convection

• Radiation

Thermodynamics

• Introduction to Thermodynamics

• The First Law of Thermodynamics

• The First Law of Thermodynamics and Some Simple Processes

• Introduction to the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Heat Engines and Their Efficiency

• Carnot’s Perfect Heat Engine: The Second Law of Thermodynamics Restated

• Applications of Thermodynamics: Heat Pumps and Refrigerators

• Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: Disorder and the Unavailability of Energy

• Statistical Interpretation of Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics: The Underlying Explanation

Oscillatory Motion and Waves

• Introduction to Oscillatory Motion and Waves

• Hooke’s Law: Stress and Strain Revisited

• Period and Frequency in Oscillations

• Simple Harmonic Motion: A Special Periodic Motion

• The Simple Pendulum

• Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator

• Uniform Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion

• Damped Harmonic Motion

• Forced Oscillations and Resonance

• Waves

• Superposition and Interference

• Energy in Waves: Intensity

Physics of Hearing

• Introduction to the Physics of Hearing

• Sound

• Speed of Sound, Frequency, and Wavelength

• Sound Intensity and Sound Level

• Doppler Effect and Sonic Booms

• Sound Interference and Resonance: Standing Waves in Air Columns

• Hearing

• Ultrasound

Electric Charge and Electric Field

• Introduction to Electric Charge and Electric Field

• Static Electricity and Charge: Conservation of Charge

• Conductors and Insulators

• Coulomb’s Law

• Electric Field: Concept of a Field Revisited

• Electric Field Lines: Multiple Charges

• Electric Forces in Biology

• Conductors and Electric Fields in Static Equilibrium

• Applications of Electrostatics

Electric Potential and Electric Field

• Introduction to Electric Potential and Electric Energy

• Electric Potential Energy: Potential Difference

• Electric Potential in a Uniform Electric Field

• Electrical Potential Due to a Point Charge

• Equipotential Lines

• Capacitors and Dielectrics

• Capacitors in Series and Parallel

• Energy Stored in Capacitors

Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law

• Introduction to Electric Current, Resistance, and Ohm's Law

• Current

• Ohm’s Law: Resistance and Simple Circuits

• Resistance and Resistivity

• Electric Power and Energy

• Alternating Current versus Direct Current

• Electric Hazards and the Human Body

• Nerve Conduction–Electrocardiograms

Circuits and DC Instruments

• Introduction to Circuits and DC Instruments

• Resistors in Series and Parallel

• Electromotive Force: Terminal Voltage

• Kirchhoff’s Rules

• DC Voltmeters and Ammeters

• Null Measurements

• DC Circuits Containing Resistors and Capacitors

Magnetism

• Introduction to Magnetism

• Magnets

• Ferromagnets and Electromagnets

• Magnetic Fields and Magnetic Field Lines

• Magnetic Field Strength: Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field

• Force on a Moving Charge in a Magnetic Field: Examples and Applications

• The Hall Effect

• Magnetic Force on a Current-Carrying Conductor

• Torque on a Current Loop: Motors and Meters

• Magnetic Fields Produced by Currents: Ampere’s Law

• Magnetic Force between Two Parallel Conductors

• More Applications of Magnetism

Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits, and Electrical Technologies

• Introduction to Electromagnetic Induction, AC Circuits and Electrical Technologies

• Induced Emf and Magnetic Flux

• Faraday’s Law of Induction: Lenz’s Law

• Motional Emf

• Eddy Currents and Magnetic Damping

• Electric Generators

• Back Emf

• Transformers

• Electrical Safety: Systems and Devices

• Inductance

• RL Circuits

• Reactance, Inductive and Capacitive

• RLC Series AC Circuits

Electromagnetic Waves

• Introduction to Electromagnetic Waves

• Maxwell’s Equations: Electromagnetic Waves Predicted and Observed

• Production of Electromagnetic Waves

• The Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Energy in Electromagnetic Waves

Geometric Optics

• Introduction to Geometric Optics

• The Ray Aspect of Light

• The Law of Reflection

• The Law of Refraction

• Total Internal Reflection

• Dispersion: The Rainbow and Prisms

• Image Formation by Lenses

• Image Formation by Mirrors

Vision and Optical Instruments

• Introduction to Vision and Optical Instruments

• Physics of the Eye

• Vision Correction

• Color and Color Vision

• Microscopes

• Telescopes

• Aberrations

Wave Optics

• Introduction to Wave Optics

• The Wave Aspect of Light: Interference

• Huygens's Principle: Diffraction

• Young’s Double Slit Experiment

• Multiple Slit Diffraction

• Single Slit Diffraction

• Limits of Resolution: The Rayleigh Criterion

• Thin Film Interference

• Polarization

• *Extended Topic* Microscopy Enhanced by the Wave Characteristics of Light

Special Relativity

• Introduction to Special Relativity

• Einstein’s Postulates

• Simultaneity And Time Dilation

• Length Contraction

• Relativistic Addition of Velocities

• Relativistic Momentum

• Relativistic Energy

Quantum Physics

• Introduction to Quantum Physics

• Quantization of Energy

• The Photoelectric Effect

• Photon Energies and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

• Photon Momentum

• The Particle-Wave Duality

• The Wave Nature of Matter

• Probability: The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle

• The Particle-Wave Duality Reviewed

Atomic Physics

• Introduction to Atomic Physics

• Discovery of the Atom

• Discovery of the Parts of the Atom: Electrons and Nuclei

• Bohr’s Theory of the Hydrogen Atom

• X Rays: Atomic Origins and Applications

• Applications of Atomic Excitations and De-Excitations

• The Wave Nature of Matter Causes Quantization

• Patterns in Spectra Reveal More Quantization

• Quantum Numbers and Rules

• The Pauli Exclusion Principle

Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

• Introduction to Radioactivity and Nuclear Physics

• Nuclear Radioactivity

• Radiation Detection and Detectors

• Substructure of the Nucleus

• Nuclear Decay and Conservation Laws

• Half-Life and Activity

• Binding Energy

• Tunneling

Medical Applications of Nuclear Physics

• Introduction to Applications of Nuclear Physics

• Diagnostics and Medical Imaging

• Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation

• Therapeutic Uses of Ionizing Radiation

• Food Irradiation

• Fusion

• Fission

• Nuclear Weapons

Particle Physics

• Introduction to Particle Physics

• The Yukawa Particle and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle Revisited

• The Four Basic Forces

• Accelerators Create Matter from Energy

• Particles, Patterns, and Conservation Laws

• Quarks: Is That All There Is?

• GUTs: The Unification of Forces

Frontiers of Physics

• Introduction to Frontiers of Physics

• Cosmology and Particle Physics

• General Relativity and Quantum Gravity

• Superstrings

• Dark Matter and Closure

• Complexity and Chaos

• High-temperature Superconductors

• Some Questions We Know to Ask

Attribution. College Physics 2e, OpenStax, Rice University, and the contributing authors credited in the book. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International. Source revision f98d7a7921 of openstax/osbooks-college-physics-bundle (2026-02-04). CC BY 4.0. Original source ↗. Text edition of a pinned CC BY 4.0 source revision of the OpenStax book, converted from CNXML by the EvidenceHelix importer. Original prose, learning objectives, tables, exercises, glossary and captions are preserved; images are not copied (figures link to the original source and keep their credits). No new content was added. Later revisions of this book can carry different licence terms and are not used.