Intro to PhysicsIntro to PhysicsPart 1:Part 1:

What is physics and how does What is physics and how does it relate to me?it relate to me?

What do I already know about What do I already know about physics?physics?

What is Physics?What is Physics?

Physics is the science of matter, energy, Physics is the science of matter, energy, space, and time. space, and time. MATTERMATTER: It explains ordinary matter as : It explains ordinary matter as

combinations of particles (quarks and combinations of particles (quarks and leptons), interacting through forces. leptons), interacting through forces.

ENERGYENERGY: It describes the many forms of : It describes the many forms of energy—such as kinetic energy and electrical energy—such as kinetic energy and electrical energy—and the way energy can change from energy—and the way energy can change from one form to another. one form to another.

SPACE AND TIMESPACE AND TIME: It describes the way : It describes the way objects move through space and time.objects move through space and time.

How Does Physics How Does Physics Relate to Real Life?Relate to Real Life?

Physics is all around us. Physics is all around us. It is in the electric light you turn on in the It is in the electric light you turn on in the

morning; the bus you take to school; your morning; the bus you take to school; your wristwatch, cell phone, CD player, radio, and wristwatch, cell phone, CD player, radio, and that big plasma TV set you got for Christmas. that big plasma TV set you got for Christmas.

It makes the stars shine every night and the It makes the stars shine every night and the sun shine every day, and it makes a baseball sun shine every day, and it makes a baseball soar into the stands for a home run.soar into the stands for a home run.

What Can You Do With Physics?What Can You Do With Physics?

There are many fields of physics: mechanics, There are many fields of physics: mechanics, electricity, heat, sound, light, atomic physics, electricity, heat, sound, light, atomic physics, nuclear physics, astronomy, etc. nuclear physics, astronomy, etc. Physicists: Physicists: Work for research laboratories, universities, private Work for research laboratories, universities, private

companies, and government agencies. companies, and government agencies. Teach, do research, and develop new technologies. Teach, do research, and develop new technologies. Do experiments on mountaintops, in mines, and in Do experiments on mountaintops, in mines, and in

Earth’s orbit. Earth’s orbit. Are good at solving problems: How does a mirror Are good at solving problems: How does a mirror

reflect light? What holds an atom together? How fast reflect light? What holds an atom together? How fast does a rocket have to go to escape from earth? How does a rocket have to go to escape from earth? How can a worldwide team share data in real time? can a worldwide team share data in real time? (Solving this last problem led physicists to invent the (Solving this last problem led physicists to invent the World Wide Web.)World Wide Web.)

Unit Layout: Unit Layout: The Physics of MotionThe Physics of Motion

Physics Unit

Position Motion

Distance Uniform Motion

Displacement

Non-Uniform Motion

Position-Time Graphs

Velocity

Velocity-Time Graphs

Acceleration

So What Do We Already Know So What Do We Already Know About Motion?About Motion?

What are some forces that help or hinder What are some forces that help or hinder motion…motion… On the ground? In the air?On the ground? In the air?

Is it easier to make a turn your car on the road Is it easier to make a turn your car on the road when it is dry, or when it is icy?when it is dry, or when it is icy?

Is it easier to move a heavy box across a tile Is it easier to move a heavy box across a tile floor or carpet?floor or carpet?

What falls faster: heavy objects or light ones?What falls faster: heavy objects or light ones?

What happens to a ball when you throw it into What happens to a ball when you throw it into the air? What forces act on it? the air? What forces act on it?

So What Do We Already Know So What Do We Already Know About Motion?About Motion?

Problem: Using the materials assigned, design a Problem: Using the materials assigned, design a rotocopter that will fall the slowest to the floor.rotocopter that will fall the slowest to the floor.

Analysis:Analysis: Gravity is the force of attraction that causes objects to Gravity is the force of attraction that causes objects to

fall toward the center of the earth.fall toward the center of the earth. Air resistance, or air friction, can slow down the Air resistance, or air friction, can slow down the

acceleration of a falling object.acceleration of a falling object. The area “fronting the wind” affects the amount of air The area “fronting the wind” affects the amount of air

resistance a falling object encounters.resistance a falling object encounters.

So What Do We Already Know So What Do We Already Know About Motion?About Motion?

In small groups, come up with a definition (on In small groups, come up with a definition (on your own!) and examples for each of the your own!) and examples for each of the following terms. You do not have to write: just following terms. You do not have to write: just discuss.discuss. PositionPosition TimeTime DistanceDistance DisplacementDisplacement SpeedSpeed VelocityVelocity AccelerationAcceleration

Physics: Important Unit Physics: Important Unit TermsTerms

PositionPosition = describes an object’s location. = describes an object’s location.TimeTime = describes when an event occurs. = describes when an event occurs.DistanceDistance = the total length of a journey along every twist = the total length of a journey along every twist and turn of the path.and turn of the path.DisplacementDisplacement = describes how much an object’s = describes how much an object’s position has changed.position has changed.SpeedSpeed = how fast something is moving. = how fast something is moving.VelocityVelocity = the speed and direction of motion. = the speed and direction of motion.AccelerationAcceleration = how much an object’s velocity changes = how much an object’s velocity changes in a certain time (speeding up, slowing down, changing in a certain time (speeding up, slowing down, changing direction)direction)ScalarScalar = a measurement that gives only magnitude (how = a measurement that gives only magnitude (how much)much)VectorVector = a measurement that gives magnitude and = a measurement that gives magnitude and direction.direction.