MEASUREMENTWHAT IS PHYSICS
THE METRIC SYSTEM
METRIC PREFIXES
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
SIGNIFICANT FIGURES
CONVERSION OF UNITS
ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
NOTATION
TRIGONOMETRY
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Physics is the study of how physical quantities are related. It isconcerned with the understanding of the natural universe.
Physics is based on experimental observation.
Physics is organized into a set of physical laws havingmathematical expressions.
PHYSICS:Mechanics
Thermodynamics
Electromagnetism
Relativity
Quantum Mechanics
THE METRIC SYSTEM:
The fundamental physical quantities of the metricsystem are:
length, mass, and time.
Metric system basic units:
length: the meter
mass: the gram
time: the second
Metric prefixes are based on powers of 10.
prefix power abbreviation
tera 10 12 Tgiga 10 9 Gmega 10 6 Mkilo 10 3 K- 10 0 -milli 10 -3 m
micro 10 -6 nano 10 -9 npico 10 -12 p
MASS:
Mass in kg:
Universe 1052 (?)
Milky Way Galaxy 7x1041
Earth 6x1024
Human 7x101
Bacterium 1x10-15
Electron 9x10-31
Lengths and Distances in m:
Distance to most remote Quasar 1x1026
Distance to nearest Galaxy 1x1022
Distance to nearest Star 4x1016
Mean orbital radius of Earth 4x1011
Length of a housefly 5x10-3
Size of a living cell 1x10-5
Diameter of a proton 1x10-15
Time Intervals in s:
Age of Universe 5x1017
Age of earth 1x1017
Average of college student 6x108
One day 9x104
Period of audible sound wave 1x10-3
Period of visible light wave 2x10-15
Time for light to cross a proton 3x10-24
Dimensional Analysis:
Physical units combine algebraically .
a = acceleration [a] = L/T 2
x = distance [x] = L
t = time interval [t] = T
x = at2/2
L = (L/T2)T2 = L
EXAMPLE: Using the variables v and r for speed (meters per second) and distance (meters), combine them algebraically to form an acceleration, a (meters per second squared).
2va
r
EXAMPLE: Using the variables v and r for speed (meters per second) and distance (meters), combine them algebraically to form an acceleration, a (meters per second squared).
Significant Figures:
Significant figures includes the first estimated digit.
Multiplication or Division: 1. Calculate the result2. The result has the same number of significant
figures as the factor with the fewest.
Zeros immediately to the right of a decimal point are notsignificant unless they are by themselves.
Zeros on the end of a number (5200) may or may not besignificant. 5200. or 5.2x103
Adding and Subtracting: The result has the same numberof decimal places as the value with the fewest.
Conversion of Units:
All conversion factors begin with an equation: x = y.
All conversion factors are equal to 1 (unity).
If x = y, then x/y = 1 and y/x = 1.
Chose the ratio that eliminates the original unit.
100 cm = 1 m
52 cm = 52 cm x 1m/100cm = 0.52 m
EXAMPLE: Convert 67 miles per hour to meters per second.
1 mile = 1609 meters 1 hour = 3600 seconds
EXAMPLE: Convert 3525.00 cm2 to m2.
EXAMPLE: Convert 67 miles per hour to meters per second.
1 mile = 1609 meters 1 hour = 3600 seconds
EXAMPLE: Convert 3525.00 cm2 to m2.
67.00 mi/hr
1 mi
1609 m 1 hr
36 00 s
= 29.95 m/s
3525.00 cm2
(100 cm)2
(1 m)2
= 0.3525 m2
Order of Magnitude Calculation:
An order of magnitude calculation is done by selectingreasonable sized values to substitute into an equation. Thepurpose is to determine the size of the real calculation result.
EXAMPLE: How much tire tread is worn off a tire for every mile driven?
EXAMPLE: How much tire tread is worn off a tire for every mile driven?
A tire lasts about 40,000 miles and takes off about 1 cm of tread. Thus about 2.5x10-7 m/mile of tread is removed. The important value is the power of 10.
NOTATION:
means change in.
means sum of.
2 1 f ix x x or v v v
1 2 3 ...x x x x
Trigonometry:
c
b
a
sin sin
cos cos
tan
bb c
ca
a ccb
a
The trigonometric functions are most easily understood as ratios of the lengths of the sides of a right triangle.
2 2 2
1tan
c a b
b
a
Solve the triangle for the unknown sides.
40o
8
X= ______
Y= _____
Solve the triangle for the unknown sides.
40o
8
X= ______
Y= _____
6.128
5.142
Problem Solving:
Read the problem carefully.
Draw a diagram or sketch of the problem, don’t bean artist.
Identify given information.
Select basic relationship that applies.
Substitute data and calculate result.