NorthAlleghenySenior High School

Concepts of Physics

Instructor : Mr. Kuffer

Useful Conversions

Mr. Kuffer – Concepts of Physics

1 in = 2.54 cm / 1 oz > 28.4 g / 1 mole = 6.02 x 1023
“things”
1 mi = 1.61 km / 1 kg > 2.21 lb
1 mi2 = 640 acres / 1 lb = 4.45 N / 1 mi = 5280 ft
1 gal = 3.79 L / 1 cal = 4.184 J
1m3 = 264 gal / 1 ev = 1.60 x 10-19 J
1 knot = 1.15 mi/h / 1 kWH = 3.60 MJ
1 kg = 6.02 x 1026 u / 1 hp = 746 W

How To Take Notes and Interpret Text:

Name: ______Date: _ _

Chapter 1 – About Science

(HW –Complete this activity sheet, along with reading pages 0-5)

  1. Why is physics the “most basic science”? ______.
  1. Name one physicists and their accomplishment. Be prepared to share your research.

Name: ______

Scientific Accomplishment: ______

______

  1. All sciences are the study of problems. Galileo Galilei developed a systematic process of observing, experimenting, and analyzing that is the foundation of how science exploration is approached today. What is the name of Galileo’s systematic process?

______

  1. This method often takes many forms. List below the steps included in your text.

Step 1 – ______

______

Step 2 – ______

______

Step 3 – ______

______

Step 4 – ______

______

Step 5 - ______

______

  1. “The success of science has more to do with an ______common to all scientists. This attitude is one of ______, ______, and ______before the facts.” -Hewitt
  1. Galileo is considered to be the Father of Modern Experimental Science. He earned this title, in part, because he chose to write his life’s work in the Italian language. What is the significance of his choice to publish his works in Italian? (Research)

______

  1. Define the following terms:
  2. Fact –______

______

  1. Law/principle -______

______

  1. Theory - ______

______

  1. In the space provided below, write your answer to the question on page 4. Provide an explanation. ______

______

“All truths are easy to understand once they are discovered; the point is to discover them”.

~Galileo Galilei

What is Physics?

Instructions: Answer the following questions on the paper provided.

  1. Which is longer: a meter or a yard?
  1. How many planets are there in our solar system?

3. If dropped from the same height and at the same time, which hits the ground first, a bowling ball or a racquetball?

  1. Complete the following phrase: “ What goes up……….”
  1. What is the speed limit on most of the interstates in the United States?
  1. What is the speed limit on most interstates in Canada?
  1. In the fall the weather starts to get cooler here in Wexford, Pennsylvania, United States of America, Northern Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way. Why?
  1. How long does it take for the Earth to turn once?
  1. How long does it take the sun to travel around the Earth once?
  1. How long is a football field in feet? (Not counting the end zones.)
  1. Where is the first track on a CD, on the inside or outside?
  1. When you throw a football why does it go further when it is spiraling?

Which of these is a scientific hypothesis?

  1. The universe is surrounded by a second universe, which cannot be seen
  1. Albert Einstein is the greatest physicist of the twentieth century
  1. Atoms are the smallest particles of matter that exist

Name: ______Date: ______

Scientific Method

The 5 steps to the Scientific Method:

  1. Clearly define the problem
  2. Hypothesis – Educated Guess
  3. Design and Conduct an Experiment
  4. Analyze the results
  5. Draw a Conclusion  Revise Hypothesis
  1. Clearly define a problem you’ve encountered in the past week. Don’t be picky about choosing your problem.
  1. Predict how you may be able to resolve that problem. (Hypothesis)
  1. Come up with a way to test your prediction. (Experiment)
  1. Follow through with the test you came up with above. (Analysis)
  2. What did you observe?
  1. Based on the results of your experiment, was your hypothesis correct?
  1. What do we do if we don’t solve the problem?

Significant Digits

  1. Nonzero digits are always significant.
  1. All final zeros to the right of the decimal point are significant.
  1. Zeros between two other significant digits are always significant.
  1. Zeros used solely for spacing the decimal point are not significant.

Example Problems

Directions: State the number of significant digits in each measurement.

  1. 2804 m
  1. 2.84 m
  1. 0.0029 m
  1. 0.003068 m
  1. 75 m
  1. 75.00
  1. 0.007060 m

Significant Digits

  1. 0.005 m
  1. 306.20 m
  1. .0008905 m
  1. 20.00 m
  1. 1062038.01 m
  1. 5.26 m
  1. 41.015 m
  1. 0.0010970 m

Scientific Notation

Prefixes with SI Units

Prefix Symbol Fractions Example

pico / p / 1 x 10 -12 / picometer (pm)
nano / n / 1 x 10 -9 / nanometer (nm)
micro / µ / 1 x 10 -6 / micrometer (g)
milli / m / 1 x 10 -3 / milligram (mg)
centi / c / 1 x 10 -2 / centimeter (cm)
deci / d / 1 x 10 -1 / decimeter (dm)

Prefix Symbol Fractions Example

tera / T / 1 x 10 12 / Terameter (Tm)
giga / G / 1 x 10 9 / Gigameter (Gm)
Mega / M / 1 x 10 6 / Megagram (Mg)
killo / k / 1 x 10 3 / killogram (kg)
hecto / h / 1 x 10 2 / hectometer (hm)
deka / da / 1 x 10 1 / dekagram (dag)

**BOTH OF THESE TABLES ARE MEANT TO BE USED TO CONVERT TO OR FROM THE BASE UNIT**


Table 1. SI base units
SI base unit
Base quantity / Name / Symbol
length / meter / m
mass / kilogram / kg
time / second / s
electric current / ampere / A
thermodynamic temperature / kelvin / K
amount of substance / mole / mol
luminous intensity / candela / cd

Show work on a SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER!!!

  1. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
  2. 5,800 m b. 450,000 m c. 302,000,000 m d. 86,000,000
  1. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
  2. 0.000508 kg b. 0.00000045 kg c. 0.003600 kg

d. 0.000000000004 kg

  1. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
  2. 300,000,000 s b. 186,000 m c. 930,000,000,000 m

d. 354, 000 ft

  1. Convert the following length measurement into its equivalent in meters.
  2. 1.22 cmb. 76.3 pmc. 21.4 kmd. 0.45 km
  1. Change the following to kilograms.
  2. 54 gb. 5.4 gc. 540 gd. 54000 g
  1. List an appropriate SI base unit (with a prefix as needed) for measuring the following:
  2. The time it takes to play a CD in your stereo
  3. The mass of a sports car
  4. The length of a soccer field
  5. The diameter of a large pizza
  6. The mass of a single slice of pepperoni
  7. A semester in college
  8. The distance from your home to NASH
  9. Your mass
  10. Your height
  1. Einstein’s famous equation indicates that E = mc2, where c is the speed of light and m is the objects mass. Given this, what are the SI units for E?
  1. The height of a horse is sometimes given in units of “hands”. Why was this a poor standard of length before it was redefined to refer to exactly 4 in.?
  1. Use the SI prefixes from your ‘prefix chart’ to convert these hypothetical units of measure into appropriate quantities:
  2. 10 rations
  3. 2000 mockingbirds
  4. 1 x 10 -6 phones
  5. 1 x 10 -9 goats
  6. 1 x 10 6 miners
  1. Use the fact that the speed of light is 3.0 x 108 m/s to determine how many kilometers a pulse from laser beam travels in exactly 1 hour.

Mathematical Operations with Scientific Notation

M x 10 n

When Adding and Subtracting:

  1. If the n values are the same, add the M values and keep the n value the same.
  2. If the n values are not the same, move the decimal until they are the same and repeat the above step.
  3. When the magnitude of one number is quite small compared to the other, its effect on the larger number is insignificant. The smaller number can be treated as zero.

When Multiplying:

  1. Multiply the M values.
  2. Add the exponents (n)

When Dividing:

  1. Divide the M values.
  2. Subtract the exponent divisor from the exponent of the dividend.

Measurement Rules:

  1. Measure to the smallest increment of the measure device.
  1. Estimate one place beyond the smallest increment
  2. The precision of a measurement is ½ the smallest increment, thus, for a metric ruler we would estimate either .0 mm or .5 mm.

Measure this! Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.

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Concepts of PhysicsName:

Mr. Kuffer

Weirdini Rulers ActivityPeriod:

  1. Cut out the three Weirdini rulers on the other handout.
  2. Using ruler , how long is this object A? What is your uncertainty range?

A

  1. Using ruler , how long is object A? What is your uncertainty range?
  1. Using ruler , how long is object A? What is your uncertainty range?
  1. How could you get three different measurements of the same object?
  1. Using ruler , how long is this object B? What is your uncertainty range?

B

  1. Using ruler , how long is object B? What is your uncertainty range?
  1. Using ruler , how long is object B? What is your uncertainty range?
  1. What is the area of object B?
  1. How did you decide which measurement to use?


Metric Conversion Lab

Objective:

Measure objects using the metric system

Measure objects using the appropriate procedure

Indicate the precision of measured quantities with Significant Digits

Include uncertainties in measurements

Practice w/ Factor-Label (sample calculations)

Materials:

Ruler

Pencil

Bag of objects

Metric Prefixes Table

Metric Conversion Lab Data Table

Procedure:

Measure each object to the most convenient metric unit with the appropriate tool (ruler)

Enter data into the appropriate column of Data Table

Convert the measurements into all units on data table, to the nearest significant digit with the use of Metric Prefix Table

Metric System Conversions:

Metric Lab Data Table

Name: ______Date: ______

mm / cm / dm / m / km
Penny
Diameter
Thickness
Q-tip
Length
Playing Card
Length
Width
Golf Tee
length
Paper Clip
Thickness
Length
Straw / Length

Factor Label Method

DIRECTIONS: Convert the following as indicated.

1. 65 mph = ______km/hr

2. 6.6 ft/s = ______cm/s

3. 283 L/s = ______gal/min

(Note 1 gal = 3.788L)

4. 1.02 cm/day = ______m/yr

5. 218.5 km/hr =______m/s

6. 87.9 ft/s =______miles/hr

7. 1.8 x 10 mm/hr =______in/yr

8. 0.432 kg/L =______lb/gal

9. 78 km/hr =______mph

10. 354 cm/hr = ______m/s

11. 0.480 g/m =______lb/ft

Determine the unit factors for each of the following conversions:

  1. km/hr to m/s
  1. miles/hr to ft/s
  1. miles/hr to m/s
  1. miles/hr to km/hr



Objectives:

Distinguish between accuracy and precision

Calculate mean, median, relative deviation and percent error

Definitions:

Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measurement to the true or accepted value of the quantity measured. If a measurement can be compared to the correct value its accuracy can be judged using percent error. Think of accuracy as being able to hit the target.


Precision refers to the agreement among the numerical values of a set of measurements of the same quantity made in the same way. Think of precision as being consistent from one trial to the next. It is often referred to as “grouping” in target sports

The mean refers to the arithmetic average.

The median refers to the score that divides the group of scores in two equal parts.

Relative deviation refers to the absolute value of the experimental score (E) minus the mean (M), divided by the mean. This calculation enables us to determine the degree of precision.

E-M/ M X 100%relative deviation

Percent error refers to the absolute value of the experimental value (E) minus the actual value (A), divided by the Actual value. This calculation enables us to determine the degree of accuracy.

E-A / A X 100%

Procedure:

  1. Mark one point of a paper football with your pencil. Be sure to mark both sides of the football.
  2. Place the target sheet on your table securely.
  3. Using the techniques demonstrated by your instructor, run ten trials of this experiment. After each trial record where the marked point of the football landed on the target and record your points in the data table.

Each member of the team must complete ten trials and each member of the team must be represented on the data table.

Analysis Questions:

Answer the following questions in your lab books. All paragraph answers must demonstrate the use of proper English (grammar usage, capitalization, punctuation, etc.) to receive full credit. Calculated answers must have all work clearly shown with units included to receive full credit.

  1. Calculate the mean for your set of trials.
  2. Determine the median for your set of trials.
  3. Calculate the relative deviation for your set of trials.
  4. Calculate the percent error for your set of trials, assuming the true or accepted value per shot to be 25 points.
  5. Calculate the percent error for your group using the group mean. The accepted value for one shot is 25 points per shot.
  6. Write a paragraph explaining your results in terms of accuracy AND precision. Compare your results to your teammates. Explain the process as well as the results.
  7. In a lab situation you are asked to determine the rate at which a ball falls from a tabletop. Your experimental results show that a ball falls at a rate of 9.5 m/s2 on your first trial. After several trials you calculate a mean of 9.6 m/s2. Assuming the actual value is 9.8 m/s2, what is the…

a)relative deviation

b)percent error


Name: ______Per: _____Date: ______

  1. In a lab situation you are asked to determine the rate at which a ball falls from a tabletop. You determine that a ball falls at a rate of 9.7 m/s2 on your first trial. After several trials you calculate a mean of 9.6 m/s2. Assuming the actual value is 9.8 m/s2, what is the…

a)relative deviation

b)percent error

  1. Interpret the above scores. What do they mean? What information do they tell us?
  1. Measure your pen / pencil with the provided ruler. Place the measurement below. Include uncertainties.
  1. ______refers to the ability to reproduce your results
  1. ______refers to the closeness of a value to the standard

Calculate the following to the nearest significant digit

  1. 2.1 x 17.21 = ______
  2. 1.2365 + 1.0 = ______
  3. 13.26 + 126.3389 + 1.1 = ______

Accuracy vs. Precision

Determine whether the below diagrams represent accuracy, precision, neither, or both.

  1. A B C D

______

______

______

______

10. Convert the Following to Units NOT Given (mm, cm, m, km)

(Three Points Each)

10. 436.5 mm11. 456.7 cm

11. 0.00764 km12. 345.6 m

Name:______Date: _____

Study Guide

  1. Express the following numbers in Scientific Notation.
  2. 5000000000000 m______
  3. 0.000000000166 s______
  4. 2003000000 g______
  5. 0.0000001030 m______
Arithmetic with Exponents

Complete the following operations to the most significant digit

  1. (1.2 x 107) + (1.33 x 106) = ______
  2. (3.55 x 109) - (3.55 x 109) = ______
  3. (1.23 x 1010) x (1.5 x 107) = ______
  4. (7.395 x 108) / (3.26 x 1012) = ______
  5. State the number of Significant digits in each of the following measurements.
  6. 0.00003 m
  7. 64.01 L
  8. 80.001 s
  9. 0.720 g
  1. Add or subtract as indicated
  2. 16.2 m + 5.008 m + 13.48 m
  3. 5.006 m + 12.0077 m +8.0084 m
  4. 78.05 cm2 – 32.046 cm2
  5. 15.07 kg – 12.0 kg
  1. Multiply or divide as indicated
  2. (6.2 x 1018 m) x (4.7x 10-10 m)
  3. (5.6 x 10-7 s) / (2.8 x 10-12 s)
  4. (8.1 x 104 km) x (1.6 x 10-3 km)
  5. (6.5 x 105 kg) / (3.4 x 10-3 kg)
  1. Convert each of the following measurements to meters
  2. 42.3 cm
  3. 6.2 pm
  4. 21 km
  5. 0.023 mm
  6. 214 µm
  7. 570 nm
  1. Using a calculator, Chris obtained the following results. Give the answer to each operation using the correct number of significant digits.
  2. 5.32 mm + 2.1 MM = 7.4200000 mm
  3. 13.597 m x 3.65 m = 49.62905 m2
  4. 83.2 kg – 12.804 kg = 70.3960000 kg


Table 1. SI base units
SI base unit
Base quantity / Name / Symbol
length / meter / m
mass / kilogram / kg
time / second / s
electric current / ampere / A
thermodynamic temperature / kelvin / K
amount of substance / mole / mol
luminous intensity / candela / cd
Table 2. Examples of SI derived units
SI derived unit
Derived quantity / Name / Symbol
area / square meter / m2
volume / cubic meter / m3
speed, velocity / meter per second / m/s
acceleration / meter per second squared / m/s2
wave number / reciprocal meter / m-1
mass density / kilogram per cubic meter / kg/m3
specific volume / cubic meter per kilogram / m3/kg
current density / ampere per square meter / A/m2
magnetic field strength / ampere per meter / A/m
amount-of-substance concentration / mole per cubic meter / mol/m3
luminance / candela per square meter / cd/m2
mass fraction / kilogram per kilogram, which may be represented by the number 1 / kg/kg = 1
Table 3. SI derived units with special names and symbols
SI derived unit
Derived quantity / Name / Symbol / Expression
in terms of
other SI units / Expression
in terms of
SI base units
plane angle / radian (a) / rad / - / m·m-1 = 1 (b)
solid angle / steradian (a) / sr (c) / - / m2·m-2 = 1 (b)
frequency / hertz / Hz / - / s-1
force / newton / N / - / m·kg·s-2
pressure, stress / pascal / Pa / N/m2 / m-1·kg·s-2
energy, work, quantity of heat / joule / J / N·m / m2·kg·s-2
power, radiant flux / watt / W / J/s / m2·kg·s-3
electric charge, quantity of electricity / coulomb / C / - / s·A
electric potential difference,
electromotive force / volt / V / W/A / m2·kg·s-3·A-1
capacitance / farad / F / C/V / m-2·kg-1·s4·A2
electric resistance / ohm / / V/A / m2·kg·s-3·A-2
electric conductance / siemens / S / A/V / m-2·kg-1·s3·A2
magnetic flux / weber / Wb / V·s / m2·kg·s-2·A-1
magnetic flux density / tesla / T / Wb/m2 / kg·s-2·A-1
inductance / henry / H / Wb/A / m2·kg·s-2·A-2
Celsius temperature / degree Celsius / °C / - / K
luminous flux / lumen / lm / cd·sr (c) / m2·m-2·cd = cd
illuminance / lux / lx / lm/m2 / m2·m-4·cd = m-2·cd
activity (of a radionuclide) / becquerel / Bq / - / s-1
absorbed dose, specific energy (imparted), kerma / gray / Gy / J/kg / m2·s-2
dose equivalent (d) / sievert / Sv / J/kg / m2·s-2
catalytic activity / katal / kat / s-1·mol

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