IB Physics Negative signs in Physics
/In many equations in Physics there are negative signs. Sometimes answers have a negative sign. What does this mean? A tutorial sheet on these concepts follows.
- A particle moving in a straight line has a positive velocity and a negative acceleration. In words, describe the movement of the particle and sketch graphs showing its displacement, velocity and acceleration in terms of time.
- In the equation for heat conduction there is a negative sign. What does this mean?
- HL In Lenz's law there is a negative sign. What does this mean?
- HL extension. In the time dependent Schrodinger equation there is the imaginary unit. What does this mean?
- HL extension. The equation of continuity in fluid flow is div v = -𝜌t. State the meaning of these symbols and the negative sign.
- HL extension. The equation of continuity in charge flow is div J = -𝜌t. State the meaning of these symbols and the negative sign.
