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College Physics

College Physics. Chapter 1 Introduction. Science is a Philosophy. It is not science without data It is not science without measurement errors (somehow) It is not science unless it can be reproduced (objectivity) Math is like the grammar of science.

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College Physics

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  1. College Physics Chapter 1 Introduction

  2. Science is a Philosophy • It is not science without data • It is not science without measurement errors (somehow) • It is not science unless it can be reproduced (objectivity) • Math is like the grammar of science

  3. Fundamental Quantities and Their Dimension • Length [L] • Mass [M] • Time [T] • other physical quantities can be constructed from these three

  4. Systems of Measurement • Standardized systems • agreed upon by some authority • SI -- Systéme International • 1960 by international committee • main system used in this text • also called “mks” units • cgs – Gaussian system • US Customary • nits of common usage

  5. Prefixes • Metric prefixes correspond to powers of 10 • Each prefix has a specific name • Each prefix has a specific abbreviation • See table 1.4

  6. Structure of Matter

  7. Dimensional Analysis • Technique to check the correctness of an equation • Dimensions (length, mass, time, combinations) can be treated as algebraic quantities • add, subtract, multiply, divide • Both sides of equation must have the same dimensions

  8. Uncertainty in Measurements • There is uncertainty in every measurement, and uncertainty carries over through calculations • Lab uses rules for significant figures to approximate the uncertainty in calculations

  9. Conversions • Units must be consistent (time=time) • Units carry value! (1 m = 100 cm) • You can manipulate words in equations just like you manipulate numbers • Example:

  10. Cartesian coordinate system • Also called rectangular coordinate system • x- and y- axes • Points are labeled (x,y)

  11. Plane polar coordinate system • Origin and reference line are noted • Points labeled (r,q) • Point is distance r from the origin in the direction of angle , (counterclockwise from reference line)

  12. Trigonometry Review

  13. More Trig • Pythagorean Theorem • To find an angle, you need the inverse trig function • for example, • Be sure your calculator is set appropriately for degrees or radians • Must beware of quadrant ambiguities

  14. Polar Coordinates Example • Convert the Cartesian coordinates for (x,y) to Polar coordinates (r,q)

  15. How High Is the Building? • Determine the height of the building and the distance traveled by the light beam

  16. Problem Solving Strategy

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