Chapt 1

PHYS.1301: Intro.
to Physics – Chapter 1 Spring 2024 Page 1

Lecture #:____
Date:________
2024 I.R.B.
Chapter 1: Introduction and

Mathematical Concepts
Science and Physics,
Units & Unit Conversions,
Significant Figures & Scientific Notation,
Trigonometry Review,
Vectors
Lecture #:_____ Date: April 29, 2024 © 2024 I.R.B. Chapter 1 Slide #1
PHYS.1301: Intro. to Physics – Chapter 1 Spring 2024 Page 2
Lecture #:____
Date:________
What is Science? 2024 I.R.B.
• We like to be able to predict:
predict
– What will happen if…?
– What will the weather be like (tomorrow, in 10 years, or in
10,000 years)?
– If I get sick, what caused the illness and what can be
done to make me better?
– And so on…
• To be scientific means to be based on evidence.
evidence
• Evidence is gathered through observation.
• Theories are formulated based on observations.
• Theories are tested for their ability to predict.
• Scientists must be willing to modify or abandoned a
theory based on the results of tests and new
evidence.
Website for links.

Lecture #:____
Date:________
The Scientific Attitude 2024 I.R.B.
• Science never absolutely proves anything,
although the evidence supporting many
theories is very strong.
• Lee McIntyre, in his book The Scientific
Attitude Defending Science from Denial,
Fraud, and Pseudoscience, describes the
“scientific attitude”
attitude as: “An argument that
what makes science distinctive is its
emphasis on evidence and scientists’
willingness to change theories on the basis
of new evidence.”
Website for links.

Lecture #:____
Date:________
PHYSICS 2024 I.R.B.
• Physics is the study of nature at its most
fundamental level. We study physics to gain
a deeper understanding of the world (and
Universe) in which we live. Its purpose is to
formulate theories that, when tested through
experiment, accurately account for the
behaviour of phenomena at all levels, from
the microscope world of the atom, to the vast
reaches of the Universe as a whole.
• In this chapter, we will develop some of the
language of physics.
Website for links.

Lecture #:____
Date:________
Base Quantities to Measure 2024 I.R.B.
• The Basic Quantities:
– Length (L)
– Mass (M) Used in the study of
– Time (T) Mechanics
– Electric Current
– Temperature
– Amount of Substance
– Luminous Intensity
• Units:
– The result of any measurement must always be
reported along with an appropriately defined
Unit of Measure. A result quoted without
units (or uncertainty!) has little meaning.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Systems of Units 2024 I.R.B.
• Base SI units (Physics) - “mks” system.
– Length: meter (m)
Used in the study of
– Mass: kilogram (kg)
– Time: second (s)
Mechanics
• Gaussian units (Chemistry) - “cgs” system.
– Length: centimeter (cm)
– Mass: gram (g)
• British Engineering System - (we avoid this).
– Length: foot (ft)
– Mass: slug (sl)
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Base SI Units: Definitions 2024 I.R.B.
• All SI units are now defined in terms of
Fundamental Constants.
Constants
• The meter (m): Since 1983 defined in terms
of the speed of light. One meter is the
distance that light travels in a vacuum during
a time interval of 1/299,792,458 second.
• The second (s): Since 1967/68 defined in
terms of Cs = 9,192,631,770 Hz. One
second is the time for 9,192,631,770 periods
of the radiation from the cesium-133 atom
(an “atomic” clock).
Website for links.

Lecture #:____
Date:________
The Kilogram has recently changed 2024 I.R.B.
• The kilogram (kg):
– From 1889 (old definition): The mass of
cylinder made of a specific platinum-iridium alloy
stored at the International Bureau of Weights
and Measures, Sèvres, France. Known as the
IPK (International Prototype of the Kilogram) or,
often, “Le Grand K”.
– On May 20, 2019 (NEW definition): The
kilogram was redefined in terms of the Planck
constant, h, which will be fixed at exactly
h = 6.62607015 x 10-34 kilograms times meters
squared per second (kg·m2/s).
Website for links.

Lecture #:____
Date:________
Scientific Notion 2024 I.R.B.
• Scientific Notation is used to express large
and small numbers in a compact way. For
example:
– 1500 km = 1.500 x 103 km (to show 4 sig figs), or
1.5 x 103 km (to show 2 sig figs).
– 0.00003825 s = 3.825 x 10-5 s.
• Calculators and computer programs handle
scientific notation in various ways. Know
your device! For example:
– 2.856 x 1015 could be shown as 2.856E15.
– 4.56 x 10-5 could be shown as 4.56E-5.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
SI System Prefixes 2024 I.R.B.
• The SI system of units uses a number of
prefixes for powers of 10.
• Common prefixes (see Table 1.2 of text):
• Examples:
* 80, 700 m = 8.07 x 104 m = 80.7 x 103 m
= 80.7 km.
* 0.0025 s = 2.5 x 10-3 s = 2.5 ms.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Significant Figures – a note 2024 I.R.B.
• There are accepted “rules” for dealing with
significant figures and the results of
calculations (see Appendix B of the text).
• I will, very loosely, follow the “rules”…
• Note: In a multiple-step calculation, it is
important not to round off after each step, as
this can lead to round-off error in the final
result. Instead, retain extra sig. figs., within
reason, until the end, and then round off, as
appropriate.
• WileyPLUS is very fussy about rounding off!
NOTE: Don’t round off at each stage of the multiple step calculation.
Instead, keep at least one extra sig. fig. in each step, and then round off for
the final result. This will reduce the effect of Round-Off Error.
WileyPLUS: WileyPLUS is VERY fussy about your answers and rounding

off. The way I set up WileyPLUS to mark your answers is using a 2%
tolerance: i.e. if your answer is within 2% of the correct answer, WileyPLUS
will mark your answer as CORRECT. I DO NOT set WileyPLUS to consider
significant figures so DO NOT worry about sig figs when submitting your
answers on WileyPLUS – keep lots of sig figs! Be VERY CAREFUL not to
round off too much for multiple step calculations!
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Conversion of Units 2024 I.R.B.
• We treat units as algebraic quantities in
order to convert the units from one system to
another (given some accepted conversion
factor; see inside front cover of text book).
• Example: given that 1 inch = 2.54 cm, we
can convert 15 inches to cm:
 2.54 cm 
Length  15 in  15 in     38.1 cm
 1 in 
conversion factor = 1
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Units in Calculations 2024 I.R.B.
• When doing calculations, consider the
following in order to deal with the units:
– Include the units in your calculations.
– Note that some equations are only valid when
the variables in the equation are entered in
specific units.
– Treat the units as algebraic quantities.
– Use conversion factors available in the text (at
the start of the book). Remember that when
using conversion factors, you are simply
multiplying by 1, written in a specific way.
– Check the final result to make sure the units are
correct.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Example #1: Ch. 1, Prob. #4 2024 I.R.B.
• Suppose a man’s scalp hair grows at a rate of
0.35 mm per day. What is this growth rate in feet
per century?
FROM: PHYSICS, 12th Edition, Cutnell and Johnson, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2022
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Trigonometry 2024 I.R.B.
• Trigonometry is the branch of mathematics
dealing with the special properties of a right
angle triangle. Recall:
opposite h
sin    o
hypotenuse h
adjacent h
cos   a
ho
h
hypotenuse h Soh
tan  
opposite ho
adjacent

ha
Cah

ha ha 2  ho 2  h2 Toa
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Inverse Trigonometric Functions 2024 I.R.B.
• In order to determine an angle, say , when
the lengths of two sides of a right triangle are
know, the inverse trigonometric functions
are used. Recall:
h
  sin 1  o 
 h
h h
ho   cos 1  a 
 h
 h 
  tan 1  o 
ha h
 a
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Example #2: Ch. 1, Prob. #16
2024 I.R.B.
• The drawing shows a person looking at a
building on top of which an antenna is mounted.
The horizontal distance between the person’s
eyes and the building is 85.0 m. In part a the
person is looking at the base of the antenna, and
his line of sight makes an angle of 35.0° with the
horizontal. In part b the person is looking at the
top of the antenna, and his line of sight makes an
angle of 38.0° with the horizontal. How tall is the Fig. Problem 16, Page 22
antenna? PHYSICS, 12th Edition,
Cutnell and Johnson,
John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
2022
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Scalars and Vectors 2024 I.R.B.
• We require the use of vector notation to
describe physical quantities with both
magnitude and direction.
• Scalar:
Scalar A Number with Units. Can be
positive, negative or zero.
– Temperature, speed, mass, volume for example.
• Vectors:
Vectors Magnitude, Direction, and Unit.
– Position, displacement, velocity, acceleration,
and force for example.
• We will use an arrow ( ) over the quantity
to indicate that it is a vector ( a for example).
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Drawing Vectors 2024 I.R.B.
• We use arrows to graphically represent
vectors. The length of the arrow represents
the magnitude of the vector quantity and the
direction in which the arrow points gives the
direction of the vector quantity.
N For example: Let’s say that
R the vector R has a length of
200 m. Its magnitude is
W 30o E written: R  R  200 m
The direction of R is 30o
North of West, as shown.
S So: R = 200 m @ 30o N of W.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Properties of Vectors 2024 I.R.B.
• To be equal,
equal vectors must have the same
magnitude (length) and direction.
• To be added or subtracted, vectors must
have the same units.
• The negative of a vector has the same
magnitude but opposite direction.
A A
B -A
A = B
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Vector Addition: Graphically 2024 I.R.B.
• To add vectors graphically,
graphically the tail of each
vector is connected to the tip of the previous
vector (with the vectors drawn to the same
scale). For example find the sum of the
three vectors:    
R  A BC
C
A
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Subtraction and Multiplication 2024 I.R.B.
• Subtraction of a vector is accomplished by
adding the negative of the vector.
• Multiplication or division of a vector by a
scalar results in a vector for which:
– only the magnitude changes if the scalar is
positive
– the magnitude changes and the direction is
reversed if the scalar is negative.
A A
B
   -B 
3A
A  B  A  ( B) -3A
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Vector Components 2024 I.R.B.
• In the figure below, the vector A can be
expressed as the sum of the two
perpendicular vectors: Ax (along the
x-axis) and Ay (along the y-axis). Ax and Ay
are the vector components of A.
y
  
A  Ax  Ay
A
Ay

x
Ax
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Scalar Components of a Vector 2024 I.R.B.
• The projections of a vector along the axes of
a rectangular co-ordinate system are called
scalar components.
components These components
are positive or negative numbers (you apply
the correct sign) with units.
y Ax  A cos
A y  A sin 
Ay = A sin 
 
A 
A  Ax2  A 2y

 Ay
Ax = A cos 
x
  tan 1
Ax
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Unit Vectors 2024 I.R.B.
• Unit Vectors are dimensionless vectors of
unit length (magnitude = 1) and are used to
specify direction only.
^ points in the positive x
• The x unit vector, x,
direction. (Say “x cap”.)
^ points in the positive y
• The y unit vector, y,
direction. (Say “y cap”.)
y
^y
x
x^
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Vector Components 2024 I.R.B.
• In the figure below, using unit vector
notation: Ax=Axx^ and Ay=Ayy^are the vector
components of A.
y
 Notice:
Ay= Ay ^y
 
A A  Ax  A y

^y
 A  Ax xˆ  A y yˆ
x
^
x Ax=Ax ^x
Lecture #:____
Date:________
For a Vector to be Zero... 2024 I.R.B.
• In order for a vector to be zero,
zero each and
every component of that vector must be
zero. For a two dimensional vector, A = 0,
we have:
the vector, and scalar, components must
each be zero:

Ax  0 Ax  0
 and
Ay  0 Ay  0
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Vector Addition with Components 2024 I.R.B.
• To add vectors
 by components:
 
For: R  A  B  C 
– Find the x and y components of all of the vectors
to be added and give them proper signs (+ or -).
– Add all x components to get Rx = Ax + Bx + Cx +
– Add all y components to get Ry = Ay + By + Cy +
– Then: 
Caution:
R  Rx2  R 2y
Be sure to consider
from where the
1 R y
  tan angle  has been
Rx measured.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Using Unit Vectors 2024 I.R.B.
• With unit vectors, vector addition and
subtraction is straightforward:
For:
  
C  A  B  ( Ax  Bx ) xˆ  ( A y  B y ) yˆ
and:
  
D  A  B  ( Ax  Bx ) xˆ  ( A y  B y ) yˆ
Notice that the unit vectors give an easy

way of keeping track of the x and y
components of a vector.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Problem-Solving 2024 I.R.B.
• A suggested strategy for attacking physics
problems (in general):
– Read the problem carefully, Identifying what you
are given and what you are to determine.
– Draw and label an accurate diagram to help
visualize the problem.
– Strategize your approach – be creative!
– Choose the equations that will be needed to
solve the problem and perform the necessary
mathematics to solve the equations.
– Consider your answer – does it make sense?
Explore limits and special cases…
Lecture #:____
Date:________
Example #3: 2024 I.R.B.
• For the vectors:

A  ( 25 m) xˆ  ( 12 m) yˆ

B  ( 2.0 m) xˆ  (15 m) yˆ
Draw, and find the magnitude and direction of:
a) A
b) B
c) A + B
d) A - B
Lecture #:____
Date:________
• A grasshopper makes four jumps. The
displacement vectors are:
(1) 27.0 cm, due west;
(2) 23.0 cm, 35.0o south of west;
(3) 28.0 cm, 55.0o south of east; and
(4) 35.0 cm, 63.0o north of east.
• Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant
displacement vector (i.e. where did it end up
relative to where it started). Express the direction
with respect to due west.
Lecture #:____
Date:________
• The route followed by a hiker consists of three
displacement vectors A, B, and C. Vector A is
along a measured trail and is 1550 m in a
direction 25.0° north of east. Vector B is not
along a measured trail, but the hiker uses a
compass and knows that the direction is 41.0°
east of south. Similarly, the direction of vector C
is 35.0° north of west. The hiker ends up back
where she started, so the resultant displacement is
zero, or A + B + C = 0. Find the magnitudes of
(a) vector B and (b) vector C.

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PHYS.1301: Intro.

to Physics – Chapter 1 Spring 2024 Page 1

Chapter 1: Introduction and

Website for links.

Website for links.

Website for links.

Website for links.

Website for links.

WileyPLUS: WileyPLUS is VERY fussy about your answers and rounding

Notice that the unit vectors give an easy

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