This article introduces the application of calculus in physics, covering center-of-mass calculations (cones, hemispheric shells, hemispheres), conservative force potential energy and equilibrium stability criteria, Taylor small quantity expansion and its application in classic problems such as electric dipole forces, relativistic kinetic energy reduction, and non-uniform buoyancy.
Under conservative force, if the potential energy is at an extreme value, it is equilibrium:
Potential energy is at a maximum value: unstable equilibrium -Potential energy is at a minimum: stable equilibrium
Explanation: The work done by the conservative force has nothing to do with the path, but is only related to the initial and final positions.
Gravity, gravitation, and electrostatic forces are all conservative forces
Friction is a typical non-conservative force
The second sufficient condition for the extreme value of the derivative
Theorem content
Let the function f(x) have a second derivative at the point x0, and f′(x0)=0 (that is, x0 is a stationary point):
If f′′(x0)<0, then f(x) obtains the maximum value at x0.
If f′′(x0)>0, then f(x) obtains the minimum value at x0.
If f′′(x0)=0, then the theorem invalid, and it is impossible to determine whether an extreme value has been obtained (the first sufficient condition or a higher-order derivative needs to be used to determine).
Application examples
Find the extreme value of function f(x)=x3−3x.
Solution: First find the first derivative: f′(x)=3x2−3
Let f′(x)=0, the solution to the stationary point is: x1=1,x2=−1
Then find the second derivative: f′′(x)=6x
Substitute the stationary point into the second derivative to judge:
For x1=1: f′′(1)=6>0 So f(x) obtains the minimum value at x=1, and the minimum value is f(1)=−2.
For x2=−1: f′′(−1)=−6<0 So f(x) obtains the maximum value at x=−1, and the maximum value is f(−1)=2.
Example 5
There is a rubber band with mass m, stiffness coefficient k, and original length 2πr0, located on a cone whose angle between the busbar and the vertical line is θ.
(1) Find the equilibrium position
(2) Find the stability of upper and lower disturbances
(1)
Suppose the height difference from the equilibrium position to the top of the cone is z, and the extension of the rubber band at equilibrium is x
Ep(z) obtains the minimum value at z=z0, so the equilibrium is a stable equilibrium.
Example 6
The radius of the smooth ring is R. One end of the spring is hung directly above the ring, and the other end is tied to a small ball with mass m. The ring passes through the small ball. The original length of the spring is 0 and the stiffness coefficient is k
(1) Find the equilibrium position
(2) Find the stability of equilibrium.
(1)
Let the angle between the spring and the vertical direction be θ
Ep=21k(2Rcosθ)2+mg(2Rsin2θ)=2kR2cos2θ+2mgR(1−cos2θ)=2R(kR−mg)cos2θ+2mgRdθdEp=4R(mg−kR)cosθsinθ=0→sin2θ=0θ=0 or 2π
The equilibrium positions are point A and point B
(2)
dθ2d2Ep=4R(mg−kR)cos2θ
If mg<kR, then when θ=0, dθ2d2Ep<0
It is the potential energy maximum point, and point B is an unstable equilibrium.
When θ=2π, dθ2d2Ep>0
It is the potential energy minimum point, and point A belongs to stable equilibrium.
mg>kR, the opposite is true
Small expansion
Example 7
f(x)=x, estimated f(4.01)
Taylor Expand
Duck Principle: If something looks like a duck, sounds like a duck, and eats meat that tastes like a duck, then it is a duck.
Continuously obtain more information to get closer to the truth
Proof: 1+eiπ=0 or eiθ=cosθ+isinθ, where i is the imaginary unit.
Bringing iθ into ex Taylor expansion is easy to prove.
Example 10
Example: Force on an electric dipole
Known conditions
Coulomb's law:
F=r2kQq
If Q and q have the same sign, then F>0 is the repulsive force
If Q and q have different signs, then F<0 is gravity
Title
An electric dipole consists of a pair of equal dissimilar charges +q and −q, with a distance of l.
Request:
(1) The force on the point charge Q at a distance r from the center of the dipole on the extended axis of the electric dipole.
Condition: r≫l, reserved to the lowest order epsilon.
(2) The force (decomposed into a radial component Fr and a tangential component Fθ) on a point charge Q at a distance r from the center of the dipole when the axis of the electric dipole forms an angle θ with the connecting line.
Condition: r≫l, reserved to the lowest order epsilon.
There is a glass of sugar water, its density ρ(x) is related to depth, ρ(x)=ρ0el0x
There is a uniform hard rod with density ρ1=1.5ρ0, cross-sectional area S and length l0
When seeking equilibrium, the distance from the top to the water surface (is it above or below the water surface?). m0=ρ1Sl0=1.5ρ0Sl0 Assuming that the upper end is on the water, the length immersed in the water x0<l0
This section focuses on the core application of calculus in physical modeling and connects the following main lines:
Center of mass calculation: Through differential integration, the center of gravity positions of the uniform cone (43rcotθ), hemispherical shell (21R) and hemisphere (83R) were solved respectively, and the impact of the selection of slicing method on the integral was experienced.
Balance and Stability: Introduce the potential energy extreme value criterion-minimum potential energy corresponds to stable equilibrium, and maximum potential energy corresponds to unstable equilibrium. Through the two models of the rubber band on the cone and the ring spring ball, this criterion is embodied as a symbolic analysis of the second derivative of Ep.
Taylor expansion and small quantity approximation: Master common expansions such as (1+x)α, sinθ, cosθ, ex, ln(1+x) and other common expansions, and apply them to:
Force on the electric dipole (induced dipole moment p=ql)
Relativistic kinetic energy reduces to 21m0v2 at v≪c
Buoyancy equilibrium of hard rods in sugar water with non-uniform density
Core idea: The key to complex problems often lies in selecting appropriate microelements and coordinate systems, and then combining small expansions to retain the main terms, thereby turning tedious precise calculations into concise approximate results.