Category Archives: Classical Mechanics

Swendsen in Am. J. Phys., “How physicists disagree on the meaning of entropy”

Posted on March 20, 2011 by

“Nobody really knows what entropy really is.”—John von Neumann. Contradictory opinions among practicing physicists on entropy: “The theory of probability (has nothing to do with/ is the basis of) statistical mechanics.” “The entropy of an ideal classical gas of distinguishable … Continue reading →

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Kinchin, “Investigation into the centre of gravity and stability of a bus”

Posted on December 23, 2010 by

  Don’t try this at home (even if you are an expert bus driver). Driving on two wheels is only a gendanken problem for a physics course. How the centre of gravity of a ‘bus’ changes with the position of the load (f.ex. the … Continue reading →

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