INTRODUCTION TO

BIOPHYSICS

Welcome to the Cytobiology and

Proteomics Unit
at the Department of Biomedical Sciences

SEMINARS
Compulsory
In the case of absence from the seminars the
student is obligated to justify it within a week.
The student is entitled to TWO justified absences.
Only sick leaves and official certificates are
honored.
The exam consists of two parts

SEMINARS
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Introduction
prof. dr hab. C. Wataa
Motion
Force
dr M. Stasiak
Work and Energy/ Gravity
Solids and Fluids
dr R. Bednarek
Vibrations and Waves
Electric Fields
dr M. Stasiak
Current
TEST middle

SEMINARS
10.Magnetism
11.Properties of Light
12.Quantum Physics
dr K. Czarnecka
13.Atomic and Nuclear Physics
14.Thermodynamics
15.TEST

TEST
With open questions
Short answer
Could be calculation
Conversion of units
The first part of the exam is held 7th December 3 and
4 groups (30 Nov- groups 8 and 9)
The second part last classes (25th January 2016)
The second and third term exam will be during the
session

 For more information visit our website:

http://zdn.umed.lodz.pl/~biophysics
(password: bFk4std)
Biophysics coordinator:
(the teacher of the 4th module):
Radoslaw Bednarek, Ph.D. (room 145)
radoslaw.bednarek@umed.lodz.pl

KINEMATICS
DR MARTA STASIAK
DEPARTMENT OF CYTOBIOLOGY AND PROTEOMICS

lecture based on 2016 Pearson Education, Ltd.

Vectors
Reference Frames
Displacement
Average Velocity
Instantaneous Velocity
Acceleration
Motion at Constant Acceleration
Solving Problems
Falling Objects
Graphical Analysis of Linear Motion
Projectile Motion
Linear Momentum

VECTORS
A vector has magnitude as well as direction.
Examples: displacement, velocity, acceleration,
force, momentum
A scalar has only magnitude
Examples: time, mass, temperature, enargy

VECTORS
Magnitude
Direction the line of action (line segment) and
sense (orientation).
Origin (tail) of the vector - point of application,
initial point
line segment
sense
B

Origin
A

VECTOR ADDITION ONE DIMENSION

A person walks 8 km East
and then 6 km East.
Displacement =14 km East

A person walks 8 km East

and then 6 km West.

Displacement = 2 km East

VECTOR ADDITION
A person walks 10 km East
and 5.0 km North

DR D1 D2

DR D12 D22

DR (10 km) 2 (5 km) 2 11.2 km

D2
sin
DR
sin 1 (

D2
5 km
) sin 1 (
) 26.5 0
DR
11.2 km

Order doesnt matter

GRAPHICAL METHOD OF VECTOR

ADDITION TAIL TO TIP METHOD

V1

VR

V2

V3

GRAPHICAL METHOD OF VECTOR

ADDITION TAIL TO TIP METHOD

V1

V2

V1

V3

VR

V2

V3

PARALLELOGRAM METHOD

SUBTRACTION OF VECTORS
Negative of vector has
same magnitude but points
in the opposite direction
For subtraction, we add the
negative vector.

MULTIPLICATION BY A SCALAR
A vector V can be multiplied by a scalar c;
the result is a vector cV that has the same direction
but a magnitude cV.
If c is negative, the resultant vector points in the
opposite direction.

ADDING VECTORS BY COMPONENTS

Any vector can be expressed as the sum of two
other vectors, which are called its components.
Usually the other vectors are chosen so that they
are perpendicular to each other.

TRIGONOMETRY REVIEW

Hypotenuse

Adjacent

Opposite

sin

Opposite
Hypotenuse

Adjacent
cos
Hypotenuse
Opposite
sin
tan

Adjacent
cos

ADDING VECTORS BY COMPONENTS

If the components are perpendicular, they can be
found using trigonometric functions.

Vy
Opposite
sin

Hypotenuse V

V y V sin

Vx
Adjacent

cos
V
Hypotenuse
tan

Opp
sin

Adj
cos

Vx V cos

ADDING VECTORS BY COMPONENTS

Adding vectors:
1. Draw a diagram; add the vectors graphically.
2. Choose x and y axes.
3. Resolve each vector into x and y components.
4. Calculate each component using sines and
cosines.
5. Add the components in each direction.
6. To find the length and direction of the vector, use:

sin

Vy
V

REFERENCE FRAMES
Any measurement of position, distance, or speed
must be made with respect to a reference frame.

REFERENCE FRAMES
Coordinate axes

REFERENCE FRAMES
COORDINATE SYSTEM

DISPLACEMENT
distance
displacement

DISPLACEMENT
The displacement is written:

Displacement is positive
x=30m-10m=20m

Displacement is negative
x=10m-30m=-20m

VELOCITY
Speed: how far an object travels in a given time
interval

Velocity includes directional information:

VELOCITY
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
The average speed of driving 30 km in 1 hour is the
same as the average speed of driving

A.
B.
C.
D.

30 km in 1/2 hour.
30 km in 2 hours.
60 km in 1/2 hour.
60 km in 2 hours.

VELOCITY
CHECK YOUR ANSWER
The average speed of driving 30 km in 1 hour is the
same as the average speed of driving

A. 30 km in 1/2 hour.
B. 30 km in 2 hours.
C. 60 km in 1/2 hour.
D. 60 km in 2 hours.
Explanation:
Average speed = total distance / time
So, average speed = 30 km / 1 h = 30 km/h.
Now, if we drive 60 km in 2 hours:
Average speed = 60 km / 2 h = 30 km/h

Same

VELOCITY AS A VECTOR

AVERAGE VELOCITY

2 1
=
=
2 1

INSTANTANEOUS VELOCITY

= lim
=
0

constant velocity

varying velocity

ACCELERATION

ACCELERATION
VECTOR

ACCELERATION AS A VECTOR

ACCELERATION
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
An automobile is accelerating when it is
A.
B.
C.
D.

slowing down to a stop.

rounding a curve at a steady speed.
Both of the above.
Neither of the above.

ACCELERATION
CHECK YOUR ANSWER
An automobile is accelerating when it is
A.
B.
C.
D.

slowing down to a stop.

rounding a curve at a steady speed.
Both of the above.
Neither of the above.

Explanation:
Change in speed (increase or decrease) per time is
acceleration, so slowing is acceleration.
Change in direction is acceleration (even if speed stays
the same), so rounding a curve is acceleration.

ACCELERATION
There is a difference between negative acceleration
and deceleration

ACCELERATION
Negative acceleration is acceleration in the negative
direction as defined by the coordinate system.

ACCELERATION
Deceleration occurs when the acceleration is
opposite in direction to the velocity.

ACCELERATION
The instantaneous acceleration is the average
acceleration, in the limit as the time interval becomes
infinitesimally short.

= lim
=
=
0

MOTION AT CONSTANT
ACCELERATION
The average velocity of an object during a time
interval t is

The acceleration, assumed constant, is

MOTION AT CONSTANT
ACCELERATION
In addition, as the velocity is increasing at a
constant rate, we know that

Combining these last three equations, we find:

MOTION AT CONSTANT
ACCELERATION
We can also combine these equations so as to
eliminate t:

We now have all the equations we need to solve

constant-acceleration problems.

FALLING OBJECTS

The same acceleration

FALLING OBJECTS

FALLING OBJECTS
9.80 m/s2

FREE FALLHOW FAST?

The velocity acquired by an object
starting from rest is
Velocity = acceleration time
So, under free fall, when
acceleration is 10 m/s2, the speed is
10 m/s after 1 s.
20 m/s after 2 s.
30 m/s after 3 s.
And so on.
2015 Pearson Education, Inc.

FREE FALLHOW FAST?

CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
At a particular instant a free-falling object has a
speed of 30 m/s. Exactly 1 s later its speed will be

A.
B.
C.
D.

the same.
35 m/s.
more than 35 m/s.
60 m/s.

FREE FALLHOW FAST?

CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
At a particular instant a free-falling object has a
speed of 30 m/s. Exactly 1 s later its speed will be

A. the same.
B. 35 m/s.
C. more than 35 m/s.
D. 60 m/s.
Explanation:
One second later its speed will be 40 m/s, which is
more than 35 m/s.

GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF LINEAR

MOTION
constant velocity

GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF LINEAR

MOTION
VARYING VELOCITY

GRAPHICAL ANALYSIS OF LINEAR

MOTION
Displacement

Displacement

SUMMARY
Kinematics is the description of how objects move
with respect to a defined reference frame.
Displacement is the change in position of an object.
Average speed is the distance traveled divided by
the time it took; average velocity is the
displacement divided by the time.
Instantaneous velocity is the limit as the time
becomes infinitesimally short.

SUMMARY
Average acceleration is the change in velocity
divided by the time.
Instantaneous acceleration is the limit as the time
interval becomes infinitesimally small.
The equations of motion for constant acceleration
are given in the text; there are four, each one of
which requires a different set of quantities.
Objects falling (or having been projected) near the
surface of the Earth experience a gravitational
acceleration of 9.80 m/s2.

KINEMATICS IN TWO
DIMENSION
DR MARTA STASIAK
DEPARTMENT OF CYTOBIOLOGY AND PROTEOMICS

lecture based on 2016 Pearson Education, Ltd.

PROJECTILE MOTION
two dimensions
parabola

PROJECTILE MOTION
ay=o

tgrounded=tdropped vertically

EQUATIONS FOR PROJECTILE MOTION

Horizontal X
ax=0
vx= constant

Vertical Y
ay = - g

v0 vx 0

vy vy 0 g t

x x0 v x0 t

1 2
y y0 v y 0 t g t
2

v y2 v y2 0 2 g ( y y0 )

INITIAL VELOCITY

v y 0 v0 sin

v y 0 v0 sin
v x 0 v0 cos

For y=0 0 =
v = vx0 = constans

PROBLEM SOLVINGA GENERAL

APPROACH
Read the problem carefully; then read it again.
Draw a sketch, and then a free-body diagram.
Choose a convenient coordinate system.
List the known and unknown quantities
Find relationships between the knowns and the unknowns.
Estimate the answer.
Solve the problem without putting in any numbers
(algebraically); once you are satisfied, put the numbers in.
Keep track of dimensions.
Make sure your answer is reasonable.

EXAMPLE
A football is kicked at an angle of 50 above the
horizontal with a velocity of 18 m/s. =50
V0=18m/s
Calculate the maximum height and the range
as well as how long it is in the air
Hmax, R , t=?
Assume that the ball was kicked at ground level
and lands at ground level.

EXAMPLE

A football is kicked at an angle of 50 above the horizontal with a

velocity of 18.0 m / s. Calculate the maximum height. Assume that
the ball was kicked at ground level and lands at ground level.

(
18
)(cos
50
) 11.6m / s
vx 0 v cos
s
v y 0 v sin (18 m )(sin 50 ) 13.8m / s
s
at top: v y v y 0 g t 0
v y 0 v sin

H max ymax

1 2
y0 v yot gt
2

tup

13.8 m
s

9.80 m
s

1.41s

v sin 1
v sin
g

H max 0 v y 0
g 2
g
1
H max 0 (13.8 m )(1.41s ) (9.8 m 2 )(1.41s ) 2
s
s
2

H max 9.7 m

LEVEL HORIZONTAL RANGE

Range is determined by time it takes for ball to return to
ground level or perhaps some other vertical value.
If ball hits something a fixed distance away, then time is
determined by x motion
If the motion is on a level field, when it hits: y = 0
1
1
y y0 v y 0 t g t 2 0 0 v yo t g t 2
2
2
Solving we find t

2 v y0
g

We can substitute this in the x equation to find the range R

2 v y0
2 vx 0 v yo 2 v02 sin 0 cos 0
R x vx 0 t vxo (
)

g
g
g

LEVEL HORIZONTAL RANGE

We can use a trig identity 2 sin cos sin 2

v02 sin 2
R
g

( 450 150 )

Greatest range: = 450

= 300 and 600 have same
range.

Caution the range formula has limited usefulness. It is

only valid when the projectile returns to the same
vertical position.

EXAMPLE

A football is kicked at an angle of 50 above the horizontal with a

velocity of 18.0 m / s. Calculate the maximum height. Assume that
the ball was kicked at ground level and lands at ground level.

Assume time down = time up

t (2)(1.41s) 2.82s

For Range:

R x x0 vx0t 0 (11.6 m ) (2.82s) 33m

s
Could also use range formula

(18 m / s ) 2 sin (2) ( 500 )

v02 sin 2

33 m
R
2
9.8 m / s
g

EXAMPLE-VERTICAL PROJECTION

A rescue plane wants to drop supplies to isolated mountain climbers

on a rocky ridge 235 m below. If the plane is traveling horizontally with
a speed of 250 km/h (69.4 m/s) how far in advance of the recipients
(horizontal distance) must the goods be dropped?

y 235 m
v vx 0 69.4m / s

x?
Coordinate system is 235 m below plane
1
1
y 235 m 0 g t 2 g t 2
2
2

(2)(y )
( 2 ) (235 m )
t

6.93 s
2
9.8 m / s
g

vy0 0

x x0 vxo t
0 ( 69.4 m / s ) ( 6.93 s
x 481 m

PROJECTILE MOTION IS PARABOLIC

In order to demonstrate that
projectile motion is parabolic, the
book derives y as a function of x.
When we do, we find that it has
the form:
This is the equation for a parabola

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
The velocity of a typical projectile can be
represented by horizontal and vertical components.
Assuming negligible air resistance, the horizontal
component along the path of the projectile
A. increases.
B. decreases.
C. remains the same.
D. Not enough information.

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR ANSWER
The velocity of a typical projectile can be
represented by horizontal and vertical components.
Assuming negligible air resistance, the horizontal
component along the path of the projectile
A. increases.
B. decreases.
C. remains the same.
D. Not enough information.
Explanation:
Since there is no force horizontally, no horizontal
acceleration occurs.

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
When no air resistance acts on a fast-moving
baseball, its acceleration is
A. downward, g.
B. a combination of constant horizontal motion and
accelerated downward motion.
C. opposite to the force of gravity.
D. centripetal.

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR ANSWER
When no air resistance acts on a fast-moving
baseball, its acceleration is
A. downward, g.
B. a combination of constant horizontal motion and
accelerated downward motion.
C. opposite to the force of gravity.
D. centripetal.

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
Neglecting air drag, a ball tossed at an angle of 30
with the horizontal will go as far downrange as one
that is tossed at the same speed at an angle of
A. 45.
B. 60.
C. 75.
D. None of the above.

PROJECTILE MOTION
CHECK YOUR ANSWER
Neglecting air drag, a ball tossed at an angle of 30
with the horizontal will go as far downrange as one
that is tossed at the same speed at an angle of
A. 45.
B. 60.
C. 75.
D. None of the above.
Explanation:
Same initial-speed projectiles have the same range when their
launching angles add up to 90. Why this is true involves a bit of
trigonometrywhich, in the interest of time, we'll not pursue here.

LINEAR MOMENTUM
DR MARTA STASIAK
DEPARTMENT OF CYTOBIOLOGY AND PROTEOMICS

lecture based on 2016 Pearson Education, Ltd.

Momentum and Its Relation to Force

Conservation of Momentum
Collisions and Impulse
Conservation of Energy and Momentum in Collisions
Elastic Collisions in One Dimension
Inelastic Collisions
Collisions in Two or Three Dimensions
Center of Mass (CM)
CM for the Human Body
Center of Mass and Translational Motion

MOMENTUM AND ITS RELATION TO

FORCE
Momentum is a vector symbolized by the symbol p,
and is defined as

The rate of change of momentum is equal to the

net force:

This can be shown using Newtons second law.

CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM
During a collision, measurements show that the
TOTAL MOMENTUM DOES NOT CHANGE:

CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM
More formally, the law of conservation of momentum
states:
The total momentum of an isolated system of
objects remains constant.

CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM
EXPERIMENT
Momentum conservation works for a rocket as long
as we consider the rocket and its fuel to be one
system, and account for the mass loss of the rocket.

CONSERVATION OF MOMENTUM
EXPERIMENT
A Wad of Clay Hits Unsuspecting Sled
1 kg clay ball strikes 5 kg sled at 12 m/s and sticks
Momentum before collision:
(1 kg)(12 m/s) + (5 kg)(0 m/s)
Momentum after

= 12 kgm/s (6 kg)(2 m/s)

MOMENTUM
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
When the speed of an object is doubled, its
momentum

A. remains unchanged in accord with the

conservation of momentum.
B. doubles.
C. quadruples.
D. decreases.

MOMENTUM
CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
When the speed of an object is doubled, its
momentum

A. remains unchanged in accord with the

conservation of momentum.
B. doubles.
C. quadruples.
D. decreases.

IMPULSE CHANGES MOMENTUM

CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
When the force that produces an impulse acts for
twice as much time, the impulse is

A.
B.
C.
D.

not changed.
doubled.
quadrupled.
halved.

IMPULSE CHANGES MOMENTUM

CHECK YOUR NEIGHBOR
When the force that produces an impulse acts for
twice as much time, the impulse is

A.
B.
C.
D.

not changed.
doubled.
quadrupled.
halved.

ELASTIC COLLISION: BILLIARD BALLS

Whack stationary ball with identical ball moving at
velocity vcue
8
To conserve both energy and momentum, cue ball stops
dead, and 8-ball takes off with vcue
8
Momentum conservation: mvcue = mvcue, after + mv8-ball
Energy conservation: mv2cue = mv2cue, after + mv28-ball
The only way v0 = v1 + v2 and v20 = v21 + v22 is if either v1 or
v2 is 0.
Since cue ball cant move through 8-ball, cue ball gets
stopped.

DESK TOY PHYSICS

The same principle applies to the suspended-ball

desk toy, which eerily knows how many balls you
let go
Only way to simultaneously satisfy energy and
momentum conservation
Relies on balls to all have same mass

INELASTIC COLLISION
Energy not conserved (absorbed into other paths)
Non-bouncy: hacky sack, velcro ball, ball of clay

Momentum before = m1vinitial

Momentum after = (m1 + m2)vfinal = m1vinitial (because conserved)
Energy before = m1v2initial
Energy after = (m1 + m2)v2final + heat energy

COLLISIONS AND IMPULSE

During a collision, objects are deformed due to the
large forces involved.
Since
, we can

Write
The definition of impulse:

COLLISIONS AND IMPULSE

The impulse tells us that we
can get the same change
in momentum with a large
force acting for a short time,
or a small force acting for a
longer time.
This is why you should bend
your knees when you land;
why airbags work; and why
landing on a pillow hurts less
than landing on concrete.

CONSERVATION OF ENERGY AND

MOMENTUM IN COLLISIONS
Momentum is conserved
in all collisions.
Collisions in which kinetic
energy is conserved as
well are called elastic
collisions,
and those in which it is not
are called inelastic.

ELASTIC COLLISIONS IN ONE

DIMENSION
Here we have two objects
colliding elastically. We know
the masses and the initial
speeds.
Since both momentum and
kinetic energy are conserved,
we can write two equations.
This allows us to solve for the
two unknown final speeds.

INELASTIC COLLISIONS
With inelastic collisions, some of the
initial kinetic energy is lost to
thermal or potential energy. It may
also be gained during explosions,
as there is the addition of chemical
or nuclear energy.
A completely inelastic collision is
one where the objects stick
together afterwards, so there is only
one final velocity.

COLLISIONS IN TWO OR THREE

DIMENSIONS
Conservation of energy
and momentum can also
be used to analyze
collisions in two or three
dimensions, but unless the
situation is very simple,
the math quickly
becomes unwieldy.
Here, a moving object
collides with an object
initially at rest. Knowing
the masses and initial
velocities is not enough;
we need to know the
angles as well in order to
find the final velocities

COLLISIONS IN TWO OR THREE

DIMENSIONS PROBLEM SOLVING
Choose the system. If it is complex, subsystems may be
chosen where one or more conservation laws apply.
Is there an external force? If so, is the collision time short
enough that you can ignore it?
Draw diagrams of the initial and final situations, with
momentum vectors labeled.
Choose a coordinate system.
Apply momentum conservation; there will be one
equation for each dimension.
If the collision is elastic, apply conservation of kinetic
energy as well.
Solve.
Check units and magnitudes of result.

SUMMARY
Momentum of an object:
Newtons second law:

Total momentum of an isolated system of objects is

conserved.
During a collision, the colliding objects can be
considered to be an isolated system even if external
forces exist, as long as they are not too large.
Momentum will therefore be conserved during
collisions.

SUMMARY

In an elastic collision, total kinetic energy is also

conserved.
In an inelastic collision, some kinetic energy is lost.
In a completely inelastic collision, the two objects
stick together after the collision.