Physics Tools

A. Define

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Rufus: He still digs humanity, but it bothers Him to see the $#!+ that gets carried out in His name: wars, bigotry, televangelism. But especially the factioning of all the religions. He said humanity took a good idea and, like always, built a belief structure on it.

Bethany: Having beliefs isn't good?

Rufus: I think it's better to have ideas. You can change an idea, changing a belief is trickier. Life should be malleable and progressive; working from idea to idea permits that. Beliefs anchor you to certain points and limit growth; new ideas can't generate. Life becomes stagnant.

Comparing fact to belief Religion and Science are both attempts to explain the world. Humans are intelligent and have a natural curiosity with forces them to look for answers. We look for answers to questions that start with "How?" and "Why?" The most significant difference between the two approaches is that the nature of Science is to change when it is confronted with new information.

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1. Science-
2. Physics-
3. Astronomy-
4. Quantum Theory-
5. Relativity-
6. Cosmology-
7. Equilibrium-

B. Scientific Methods – the Big Lie - these methods allow us to say "This is what we think is true, based on current information."

1. Problem, usually stated as a question
2. Research
3. Hypothesis- an educated guess, that can be tested
4. Experiment
5. Theory- an explanation that has been tested, that may or may not agree with your hypothesis

- - - - - - - - - - -

Law-

Bias-

C. Units- a noun that follows a number to explain a measurement

meter --> distance

meters squared --> Area

Liter = dm3 -->Volume

second --> time

gram = mass of 1mL of water

Define: Length, Area, Volume, mass

Compare/contrast mass and volume

List comparing English and SI units...

D. Affixes

(see "The Chart")

E. Significant Digits (sig fig)

1)Precision vs. Accuracy

2)The measuring device determines the precision of the measurement.

3)Measurements must make sense for that given situation

Examples:

252.17g ... mass using a triple beam balance scale

34.14s ... time when using a stop watch

55mph ... speed using a car's speedometer

32.4mL ... liquid volume using an average graduated cylindar

F. Measuring

1. Issues to consider before you start measuring

Concept:

Units:

Scale

Smallest amount that can be measured:

Largest amount that can be measured:

Increment:

Precision:

2. Issues to consider while measuring

Parallax

Meniscus

“Burning an inch”

Estimation

To position and use a ruler correctly, pretend the graduations (marks/lines) have NO thickness. If they are VERY thin, you should try to use the center of each mark

3. Measuring Mindset

a. Measure and record the "at least"

b. Estimate 1 more digit

c. Record correct units

G. Graphing in Physics

includes the slope equation

Demo of a programmer using these equations.

Use graphing to define Density...

H. Conversions

4/4 = 1 and 25 X 1 = 25 ...

I. Metric Conversions ...

J. Scientific Notation

1.Rules

always write number with one digit to the left of the period

Converting TO Scientific Notation...

if num >= 10, exp is positive

if num <1, exp is negative

if 1<= num <10, exp is 0

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Converting FROM Scientific Notation...

if exp is positive, move decimal to right

if exp is negative, move decimal to left

2.Examples

K. Problem Solving strategy

Read the problem

Make a prediction including units

Take inventory - What do we know and what do we need to know?

Choose an equation

Solve for x

Substitute

Calculate and simplify units

Verify - are those the units you expected? Does the answer make sense?