Physics Session 1

Physics & Laws of Nature

December 15, 2011

Nature behaves according to a set of laws. Some of them we fully understand, some we dont. Physics is a quantative science, based on measurements, that helps us understand the laws of nature Measurements help us to establish or disprove theories regarding the laws Physical theories help us predict outcomes Method of Physics research 1. Observe 2. Measure 3. Formulate 4. Design test cases 5. Verify / Predict 6. If we find a case where the results dont match our prediction, go back to step (3)

Units of Length, Mass & Time The SI Units (AKA Metric System) uses: meter for length, kg for mass & sec for time hence the name mks system. o Length o Mass Mass the amount of material that makes up a body Mass - the property of a body that causes it to have weight in a gravitational field A kilogram was defined as the mass of a cubic decimeter of water A standard kg was created using a platinum-iridium cylinder (CGPM - General Conference on Weights and Measures (in French)) Initially defined by measurements of the body. E.g.: foot was the size of the foot of King Luis XIV; Inaccurate, not reproducible Meter was defined as 10-7 of the distance between North Pole and the Equator, on a line passing through Paris A standard meter was created using a platinum-iridium rod ("1874 Alloy.") Currently it is defined as the speed of light in space: 1 meter = distance travelled by light in space in 1/299,792.458 Sec.

The difference between mass and weight

o Time Initially defined by rotation of the earth around its axis sun dial.

Other time measurements sandglass, clepsydra, burning of a candle

Second defined initially by the rotation of the earth. The fraction 1/86 400 of the mean solar day Most accurate time keeping is done by atomic clocks which use characteristics of radiation emitted by certain materials. Accuracy is 1 second variation in 300,000 years. Currently it is defined as the time it takes the radiation of Cesium133 to oscillate 9,192,631,770 cycles.

o Prefixes: nano-, micro-, milli-, centi-, deci-, killo-, mega-, giga-, tera-

Dimensional Analysis Dimension of a quantity is the type of the quantity (length, mass, time) Derivative dimensions: surface area, volume, velocity, etc. Notation: [L], [M], [T] Exercises: Notation for surface area, volume, velocity Dimensional consistency

Dimensional analysis is a tool to find or check relations among physical quantities by using their dimensions. Dimension of: mgh where: m= g= h= o of a circle is r2 or 2r? Exercises: Can a dimensional analysis determine whether the area mass acceleration (velocity / time) height

o Can a dimensional analysis determine whether the circumference of a circle is 2r or 4r? o If a distance d has units of meters and a time T has units of seconds, does the quantity of T + d make sense physically? What about the quantity d/T? o consistent? o m on a spring of force constant k is: Which of the following equations are dimensionally v = at v= 1 2 at 2

t=a v v 2 = 2ax The time T required for one complete oscillation of mass m k

T = 2

Find the dimensions k must have for this equation to be dimensionally correct Significant Figures

o o o o o o o o o

Reason for inaccuracy / uncertainty Definition of significant numbers Determining the significant number of a multiplication or division Exercise: Scientific notation: Converting Units British units of length: inch, foot, mile 1 foot = 12 inches 1 mile = 5280 feet Conversion British SI: 1 m = 3.3281 ft Order of Magnitude Estimation of answers, with precision of factor of 10 Tool for checking ones result of computation => 1 in = 2.54 cm distance: 18.54 cm. x 10
y

time: 2.3 Sec calculate velocity

Truncation and rounding

o o o o o o o

Problem Solving Read problem carefully Sketch Visualize Strategize Identify appropriate equations Solve equations Check your answer

Definition of mechanics The branch of physics concerned with the relationships between matter, force and energy o Statics Branch of mechanics dealing with stationary objects Branch of mechanics dealing with moving objects

Dynamics ( = kinematics) Position, Distance & Displacement

o Position is defined by coordinates o Distance o Exercise o o Speed: o Exercise Does a speedometer measure speed or velocity? Does an odometer in a car measure distance or displacement? How fast does an object move Rate of motion, defined by distance in a unit of time; scalar Speed & Velocity Total length of travel o Displacement -Difference between start and end position

Velocity: Rate of motion, defined by displacement in a unit of time; vector