EN PH 131 (EB02) – Lecture 1 – Jan.

6th, 2023

Introduction, Review: Units, Dimensional

Analysis, Calculus, & Chapter 12.1
(Kinematics of a Particle)

Prof. Charlebois (Dr. C)

Logistics

• Syllabus - PDF posted on eClass

• eClass page

• Physics joke of the day!

Units – NASA’s Mars Climate Orbiter Mistake!

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWHTyibmB7U
Units - Definitions
Units - Example
• A person weighs 657 N on Earth and 56.1 lbs on
Mercury. Find:

(a) Their mass in slugs.

(b) The value of g on Mercury in SI units.

Dimensional Analysis – Key Points
Dimensional Analysis - Example
Calculus

• Calculus I (required); Calculus II (co-requisite)

Things you should know:

• Differentiate polynomials

• Integrate polynomials

• Product and quotient rules

• Chain rule

• Implicit differentiation
Explicit vs. Implicit Dependence
Significant Figures (Sig Digs)

For seminars and exams: 1) Keep track of extra sig digs

during calculations and 2) Round your final answer to 3
sig digs unless otherwise specified.
Accuracy and Precision
Section 12.1

Introduction

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An Overview of Mechanics

Many problems in engineering require the application of

dynamics. E.g. structural design of a car requires
understanding of the motion to which it will be subjected.
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Concepts
The motion of large objects, such as
rockets, airplanes, or cars, can often
be analyzed as if they were
particles.
Why?

If we measure the altitude of this

rocket as a function of time, how
can we determine its velocity and
acceleration?

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Concepts

A sports car travels along a straight road.

Can we treat the car as a particle?

If the car accelerates at a constant rate, how can we

determine its position and velocity at some instant?

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