Physics 1301: Lecture 2 Units and Dimensions

What is Physics?
The quantitative study of the natural world. What is everything made of and how does it work? Foundation of all other sciences, Chemistry, Biology, Engineering, etc. We can predict the behavior of inanimate objects. It is based on experiments making measurements, giving rise to theories which are checked by experiments. Its discoveries are the basis of todays technologies Its methods are the most powerful we know for solving problems in the physical world.

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Physics 1301: Lecture 2, Pg 2

What can you get from 1301?

It is the first step towards; building a bridge, sending a space probe to Mars, designing a heart-lung machine, building telescopes or accelerators or detectors for particle physics, almost any other scientific or engineering enterprise It is the first step to solving any and all problems that arise in a multitude of fields in a logical step by step manner; It is the first step to finding out how the universe works.

Scope of Physics 1301

Classical Mechanics: Mechanics: How and why things move Classical: Not too fast or energetic (v << c) (Relativity) Not too small (d >> atom) (Quantum mechanics) Most everyday situations can be described in these terms. Projectile Motion Skiing Collisions Stability of a bridge Etc
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Units
How we measure things! All things in classical mechanics can be expressed in terms of the fundamental units: Length Mass Time L M T

Systme International d'Unit Syst d'Unit

Is it a coincidence that in modern units the circumference of the earth is 40,000 km?
No, in 1795 the meter was defined this way in Paris 1 kg = weight of 1000 cm pure H2O at 0C. 1s = 1/24 .1/60.1/60 of a day 0 C = freezing point of H2O. 100 C = Boiling point of H2O

For example: Speed has units of L / T (i.e. miles per hour). Force has units of ML / T2 etc... (as you will learn).

First real international standards Nowadays defined by much more accurate and reproducible methods
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SI Units
Physics is a quantitative science, so units and accuracy are very important. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) keeps standards and provides calibration services. We will use primarily SI units (metric system) in this course. Most countries (including England) and all sciences use the metric system. In the US people commonly use the "English" system, but if you are to study science you must be familiar with the metric system . SI system makes unit analysis simpler and more logical.

Mass
How much Matter in a body, how many protons, neutrons and electrons. SI unit is the kilogram (kg). Compare to standard kg in Paris Measure of resistance to acceleration Inertia Mass Weight Weight is caused by gravity and is a force A 1 kg mass weighs 1kg/2.2lb on the earth. In orbit it weighs 0lb but it still has 1kg mass and inertia (space walks).

Standard Mass Platinum-iridium standard kg

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Physics 1301: Lecture 2, Pg 8

Mass: Still the standard Kilogram but people are looking for better standards
Object Milky Way Galaxy Sun Earth Boeing 747 Car Student Dust particle Proton Electron
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Time: Originally based on the length of a day Now on the frequency of a cesium spectral line
Interval Time (s)

Mass (kg) 4 x 1041 2 x 1030 6 x 1024 4 x 105 1 x 103 7 x 101 1 x 10-9 2 x 10-27 9 x 10-31

Age of universe 5 x 1017 Age of Grand Canyon 3 x 1014 32 years 1 x 109 One year 3.2 x 107 One hour 3.6 x 103 Light travels from Earth to Moon 1.3 x 100 One cycle of guitar A string 2 x 10-3 One cycle of FM radio wave 6 x 10-8 Shortest laser pulses ~10-15
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Length: Originally the standard meter Now by the distance light travels in a given time
Distance Radius of visible universe To Andromeda Galaxy To nearest star Earth to Sun Radius of Earth Football field Tall person Thickness of paper Wavelength of blue light Diameter of hydrogen atom Diameter of proton Diameter of a quark or electron Length (m) 1 x 1026 2 x 1022 4 x 1016 1.5 x 1011 6.4 x 106 1.0 x 102 2 x 100 1 x 10-4 4 x 10-7 1 x 10-10 1 x 10-15 Too small to measure
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In class Questions
Now for a practice in-class question. You need an PRS Interwrite RF transmitter (NOT the IR version) (buy it from the book store). The first time you use it Turn on, press * button, scroll to the setup menu Scroll to ID, press green enter button, type in your STUDENT ID and hit enter Afterwards, turn on and it will find the correct class At a question press the appropriate key and enter It will tell you your answer has been received

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Question 1
Which of the following quantities is NOT one of the fundamental physical quantities in the SI system? (a) Mass (b) Length (c) Force (d) Time

Question 1
Which of the following quantities is NOT one of the fundamental physical quantities in the SI system? (a) Mass (b) Length (c) Force (d) Time

Mass, Length and Time are the fundamental quantities in Mechanics There are more Amount of a substance (mol) Current (amp) Luminous Intensity (lumen) Temperature (Kelvin)
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Units...
SI (Systme International) Units: MKS: L = meters (m) M = kilograms (kg) T = seconds (s) English Units: Inches, feet, miles, pounds,... We will use mostly SI units, but you may run across some problems using English units. You should know how to convert back & forth.
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Converting between different systems of units

Useful equalities: 1 inch(in) = 2.54 cm 1m = 3.28 ft 1 mile(mi) = 5280 ft 1 mile(mi) = 1.61 km 1 hour(h) = 3600 s Units are just like algebraic quantities, they can be manipulated and cancelled just like items in an equation Can divide each side of the equation 1 mi=1.61km by 1.61 km Conversion factor

1mi =1 1.61km

Multiplying by 1 does not change the value of a quantity but the conversion factor changes the units. The physical size is unchanged but the units and the numerical value change.

2km = 2km 1 = 2km

1mi = 1 . 25 mi 1.61km
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Unit Conversion
I am walking at 5 mph. How fast in m/s? Using 1.00 mi = 1.61 km 1 hour = 3600 sec 1km = 1000m

Significant Figures
Use appropriate accuracy, usually set by accuracy of given information # digits indicates accuracy. Set to lowest number of significant digits in the given information Scientific notation 6.12 x 105 has 3 sig figs, 612000. has 6 2 sig figs vs 6 sig figs 10. m vs 10.0000 m 9.7 m vs 9.71345 m Examples: 1.72g salt is added to 3.4 g salt. How much total? 1.72 g + 3.4 g = 5.12g =5.1 to 2 significant figures. Only 2 sig fig for second quantity. 101. + 0.02 = 101. To 3 sig figs 10. x 6.123 = 61 To 2 sig figs
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km mi 1.61 km mi mi = 8.05 = 5 = 5 1 5 mph = 5 h 1.00mi h h h

= 8.05

1h m m m 1000m km = 8050 = 2.24 = 8050 3600s h s h 1km h

Alternatively if we know that 1 mph = .447 m/s

5 mph = 5mph 1 = 5mph

0.447 m s = 2.24m / s 1mph

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Homework
Read Competent Problem Solver chapters 1-2 Try Fishbane Chapter 1 problems 28,43,73 Lecture on Friday

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