Chapter 1 Reading Guide

I plan to give you a reading guide for each chapter. I will highlight certain concepts and pose questions in these guides. I expect you to read the text material and know the answers to questions marked with an * . Occasionally class will start with a graded or ungraded quiz which will cover the reading for the day. The quiz will not ask you to quote word for word the correct answer but you will have to know the concept.

1 - 1 Science and Creativity

Classical vs. Modern Physics

* The scientific method

TRUE or FALSE Physical observations from the past may play an important role in the creation of present day theories.

1 - 2 Physics and Its Relation to Other Fields

Physics studies the fundamental interactions of objects. Other fields apply physics.

1 - 3 Models, Theories, and Laws

A model is a description of a situation in terms that can we are familiar with.

A theory can be applied to more situations than a model, is more detailed in its wording or mathematics, and makes testable predictions. A law is a condensed, general statement about the behavior of objects. A principle is less general than a law.

1 - 4 Measurement and Uncertainty

This material is covered in lab. You should read and understand the examples in the text.

1 - 5 Units, Standards and the SI System

MKS meters, kilograms, seconds now called the SI units, System Internationale

Meter … the distance light travels in a short, specified time interval.

Kilogram … the mass of an object kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris

Second … the time period in which microwave radiation from Cs¹³³ vibrates a specified number of times

*TRUE or FALSE Some of the fundamental units in the International System of Units are feet and pounds.

*What advantages does the metric system have over the English system of units?

*TRUE or FALSE The meter is defined today using a physical object with lines marked on it.

*TRUE or FALSE The kilogram is defined today using a physical object.

*TRUE or FALSE The second is defined today using an atomic clock.

You should start memorizing the powers of ten and symbol associated with the prefixes: mega, kilo, centi, milli and micro.

Why is scientific notation useful?

Perform this calculation: 10³ multiplied by 2.4 x 10^-2 . See me if your result is not 24 .

1 - 6 Converting Units

You should be comfortable converting units with the aid of the table in the front cover of the text. Convert 42 miles/hour into the equivalent value with units of meters/second.

What method did you use?

a) fundamental conversion of miles to meters and hours to seconds or

b) a conversion factor from the front of the text.

Convert one micro-century into the equivalent value with units of minutes.

1 - 7 Order of Magnitude calculations

How can you estimate the answer to a calculation without using a calculator?

Why can you get a reasonable answer to problems in which you do not know the precise values of quantities used in the calculation?

Note: These estimation problems are often called "Fermi Problems" in honor of Enrico Fermi. Fermi led the USA development of the atomic bomb in the early 1940’s. He was famous for doing estimates of complex calculations on "the back of an envelope."

How many pairs of shoes are owned by students at this college?

1 - 8 Mathematics in Physics

Review the appendices in the text as necessary. See your instructor for help with the math. A major portion of this course is spent in solving story problems.

Problem solving is somewhat of an art. This art may or may not come easily for you. Your problem solving skills will improve with practice. Physics word problems require that you first understand the context, the physics principles, of the situation. Then you can use the correct equation (which you may invent, or recall from memory, or look up in the text) to solve the problem. You will be given the important equations when you take the exams. You do not need to completely memorize equations but you must understand them. This means that you must know what the symbols represent and know the assumptions associated with the equations.

Read the steps for problem solving given in the text. Read the steps again. Omitting one or more of these steps often leads to incorrect solutions to problems.

You should review the end of chapter summary for each chapter.

Copyright© 2001 - 2006 by Greg Clements Permission is granted to reproduce this document as long as 1) this copyright notice is included, 2) no charge above photocopy costs is made, and, 3) the use is for an educational purpose. Editing of the document to suit your own class style and purposes is allowed.