200 More Puzzling Physics Problems

Abstract

Like its predecessor, 200 Puzzling Physics Problems, this book is aimed at strengthening students' grasp of the laws of physics by applying them to situations that are practical, and to problems that yield more easily to intuitive insight than to brute-force methods and complex mathematics. The problems are chosen almost exclusively from classical, non-quantum physics, but are no easier for that. They are intriguingly posed in accessible non-technical language, and require readers to select an appropriate analysis framework and decide which branches of physics are involved. The general level of sophistication needed is that of the exceptional school student, the good undergraduate, or the competent graduate student; some physics professors may find some of the more difficult questions challenging. By contrast, the mathematical demands are relatively minimal, and seldom go beyond elementary calculus. This further book of physics problems is not only instructive and challenging, but also enjoyable.

Superposition principle with Ampère’s law and a semi-infinite wire

“…Assuming azimuthal fields, the overall magnetic field is zero throughout the entire right half-space in figure 6. In the left half-space, the magnetic field exhibits an identical profile to that of a field produced by an infinite wire carrying a current of NI [16,17].…”