Lectures On Physics

1
Lectures On Physics

• Brad Carter

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Physics Is the Study of Nature

• Mechanics
• Thermodynamics
• Electromagnetism
• Relativity
• Quantum mechanics

3
Physics Is Universal

• The Big Bang
• The forces of nature
• Galaxies, stars and us

BANG!
4
Technology Uses Physics

• Past (wheels)
• Present (computers)
• Future (???????)

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Module 1 Introduction

• Serway Faughn Chapter 1

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Module 1 Study Objectives

• Standards of Length, Mass and Time
• The Building Blocks of Matter
• Dimensional Analysis
• Significant Figures
• Conversion of Units
• Order-of-Magnitude Calculations

• Mathematical notation
• Coordinate systems and frames of reference
• Trigonometry
• Problem-solving strategy

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Standards of Length, Mass and Time

• SI system
• Metres
• Kilogrammes
• Seconds

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The Building Blocks of Matter

• Atoms
• Protons
• Neutrons
• Electrons
• Quarks

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Dimensional Analysis

• Physical quantities
• Dimensions units
• Checks equations
• Derives equations

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Significant Figures

• Uncertainty
• Decimal places count
• Must combine errors
• Worst value counts

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Conversion of Units

• Measurement systems
• Conversions needed
• Miles to km, etc
• Use metric system

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Order-of-magnitude Calculations

• Estimates
• Uses little data
• Saves time
• Eg national fuel use

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Mathematical Notation

• ? proportional to
• ? less than
• ? greater than
• ?? much less than
• gtgt much greater than
• ? less or equal to
• ? greater or equal to

• ? approx. equal
• ? defined as
• ?therefore
• ? change

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Coordinate Systems and Frames of Reference

• Rectangular
• Polar

y
x
r
?
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Trigonometry
c
b
a
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Problem-solving Strategy

• Read the problem
• Draw a diagram
• Identify the data
• Choose equation(s)
• Solve equation(s)
• Evaluate check

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End of Module 1

• Any questions?