Physics Lecture 1

MS3 Summer InstitutePhysical SciencesDr. Chad A. Middleton : 

MS3 Summer InstitutePhysical SciencesDr. Chad A. Middleton

Chapter 1 : 

Chapter 1 Introduction

Section 1.1:Standards of Length, Mass and Time : 

Section 1.1:Standards of Length, Mass and Time Fundamental Quantities and their Dimension Length [L] Mass [M] Time [T] ALL other physical quantities can be constructed from these 3

Units : 

Units ALL physical quantities must possess units Systems of units SI (a.k.a. mks) [Length]=m, [Mass]=kg, [Time]=s cgs [Length]=cm, [Mass]=g, [Time]=s US Customary [Length]=ft, [Mass]=slug, [Time]=s

Metric prefixes : 

Metric prefixes Prefixes correspond to powers of 10

Section 1.4: Uncertainty in Measurements and Significant Figures : 

Section 1.4: Uncertainty in Measurements and Significant Figures There is no such thing as an exact measurement A digit in a number is a sig fig when it is known w/ some reliability In calculations & measurements, only sig figs should be provided.

“Rules of Thumb” for Sig Figs : 

“Rules of Thumb” for Sig Figs Multiplication/Division Product/quotient should be rounded to have the same number of sig figs as the least precise quantity in the calculation Addition/Subtraction Sum/difference should be rounded to have the same number of decimal places (to the right of the decimal point) as the least precise quantity in the calculation Trigonometry The values of trig functions should have the same number of sig figs as arguments.

Section 1.5: Conversion of Units : 

Section 1.5: Conversion of Units Units can be treated like algebraic quantities that can “cancel” each other i.e. Q: How many cans of beer are there in a keg?

Section 1.6: Estimates & Order-of-Magnitude Calculations : 

Section 1.6: Estimates & Order-of-Magnitude Calculations Approximation based on a number of assumptions Order-of-magnitude is the power of 10 that applies Q: How many gallons of gasoline are used in the U.S. each year?

Serway: Prob 1.28 : 

Serway: Prob 1.28 A hamburger chain advertises that it has sold more than 50 billion hamburgers. Estimate how many pounds of hamburger meat must have been used by the chain and how many cows were required to furnish the meat.

Miscellaneous Demo’s : 

Miscellaneous Demo’s What happens to the fluid when I smash it with a hammer? How can I pick up the quarter w/out getting my fingers (or the floor) wet?

Section 1.7: Coordinate Systems : 

Section 1.7: Coordinate Systems Used to describe the position of a point in space Coordinate system consists of a fixed reference point called the origin specific axes with scales and labels instructions on how to label a point relative to the origin and the axes Types: Cartesian Plane Polar

Cartesian : 

Cartesian Also called rectangular coordinate system x- and y- axes Points are labeled (x,y)

Plane Polar : 

Plane Polar Point is distance r from the origin in the direction of angle , ccw from reference line Points are labeled (r,)

Section 1.8:Trigonometry : 

Section 1.8:Trigonometry Trigonometry = ratios of sides of right triangles

More Trig… : 

More Trig… Pythagorean Theorem To find an angle, you need the inverse trig function i.e. x = y = 1 What is r? ?

Section 1.9:Problem Solving Strategy : 

Section 1.9:Problem Solving Strategy