Measurements and Standards
1-D Motion
Vectors
2-D Motion
Forces & Newton's Laws of Motion
Work & Energy
Momentum (& Conservation)
Rotational Motion
Thermodynamics
Vibrations & Waves
Sound
Electric Force & Fields
Capacitance &
Direct Current Circuits
Magnetism
Reflection & Refraction

Review Material

Questions

In Joule's Experiment, he created a contraption whereby he could measure mechanical energy and at the same time thermal energy (temperature).

In a thermally insulated container there was placed a paddle that stirred when the masses pulled down the ropes and spun the device. Because it is being stirred, the temperature of the water rises because of the friction between the water and the paddles.

The mechanical energy is the potential energy of the masses. This is what heats the water. Joule discovered that

• the loss in  mechanical energy is proportional to an increase in temperature of the water and the amount of water used
• the constant or proportionality (that makes the loss in mechanical energy equal to the increase in temperature of the water) was found to be 4.186 J/(g·ºC)

What's the difference between Cº and ºC (Celcius degrees and degrees Celcius)?

[Back to the Top Practice Questions]

• Joule's Experiment
• Practice Questions

Java Interactions and Demonstrations

• none

Links

General Pages/Sites

• Discover Magazine
• OMNI Magazine
• Popular Science
• Scientific American

Search

• Search for keyword
• Metasearch [Yahoo, Altavista, Webcrawler, etc.]
• Excite
• Hotbot

Physics Forum

Add/Contribute to this section

Comments? Questions? Email

Roll Credits