Chapter 1: Units, Physical

Quantities and Vectors

About Physics

What is Physics?
Physics

[Gr. Physika, physical or natural things]

Originally, natural sciences or natural philosophy

The science of dealing with properties, changes, interaction,

etc., of matter and energy
Physics is subdivided into mechanics, thermodynamics,
optics, acoustics, etc.

From Webster's Unabridged Dictionary

Science

Science

[Latin scientia - knowledge]

Originally, state of fact of knowing; knowledge, often as

opposed to intuition, belief, etc.

Systematized knowledge derived from observation, study and

experimentation carried on in order to determine the nature or
principles of what is being studied.

A Science must have PREDICTIVE power

Physics: Like a Mystery Story

Nature presents the clues

Experiments

We devise the hypothesis

Theory

A hypothesis predicts other facts that can be checked is the theory right?

Right - keep checking

Wrong - develop a new theory

Physics is an experimental science

The Ancient Greeks

Aristotle (384-322 B.C.) is regarded as the
first person to attempt physics, and actually
gave physics its name.

On the nature of matter:

Matter was composed of:

Air

Earth

Water

Fire

Every compound was a mixture of these elements

Unfortunately there is no predictive power
6

On the Nature of Motion

Natural motion - like a falling body

Objects seek their natural place

Heavy objects fall fast

Light objects fall slow

Objects fall at a constant speed

Unnatural motion - like a cart being pushed

The moving body comes to a stand still when the

force pushing it along no longer acts

The natural state of a body is at rest

Aristotelian Physics

Aristotelian Physics was based on logic

o

It provided a framework for understanding nature

It was logically consistent

It was wrong !!!

Aristotelian physics relied on logic - not experiment

The Renaissance
Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642) was one of the
first to use the scientific method of observation
and experimentation. He laid the groundwork
for modern science.

Classical Mechanics
Mechanics : the study of motion
Galileo (1564 -1642) laid the
groundwork for Mechanics
Newton (1642-1727) completed
its development (~almost~)
Newtons Laws work fine for

Large Objects - Balls, planes, planets, ...

Slow Objects - people, cars, planes, ...

Small objects (atoms) Quantum Mechanics

Fast objects (near the speed of light) Relativity

Classical Mechanics - essentially complete at the end of the

19th Century
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Why is Physics Important?

Newtons Laws
and
Classical Physics

Planetary motion
Steam Engines
Radio
Cars
Television

Quantum
Mechanics

Microwaves
Transistors
Computers
Lasers

The Next
Great Theory

Teleportation
Faster than
light travel
(cant exist
today)

"Heavier-than-air flying machines are impossible."

Lord Kelvin, president, Royal Society, 1895.
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Mechanics

Physics is science of measurements

Mechanics deals with the motion of objects

o

What specifies the motion?

o

Where is it located?

When was it there?

How fast is it moving?

Before we can answer these questions

We must develop a common language

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Units

13

Fundamental Units

Length [L]

Foot
Meter - Accepted Unit
Furlong

Time [T]

Second - Accepted Unit

Minute
Hour
Century

Mass [M]

Kilogram - Accepted Unit

Slug
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Derived Units

Single Fundamental Unit

Area
= Length Length
Volume = Length Length Length

[L]2
[L]3

Combination of Units
Velocity = Length / Time
[L/T]
Acceleration = Length / (Time Time)
[L/T2]
Jerk = Length / (Time Time Time)
[L/T3]
Force = Mass Length / (Time Time)
[M L/T2]

15

Units

SI (Systme Internationale) Units:

mks: L = meters (m), M = kilograms (kg),
= seconds (s)

cgs: L = centimeters (cm), M = grams (g), T

= seconds (s)

British Units:
Inches, feet, miles, pounds, slugs...

We will switch back and forth in stating problems.

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Unit Conversion

Useful Conversion Factors:

1
1
1
1

inch = 2.54
m = 3.28
mile = 5280
mile = 1.61

cm
ft
ft
km

Example: convert miles per hour to meters per second:

mi
mi
ft
1 m
1 hr
m
1
1 5280

0.447
hr
hr
mi 3.28 ft 3600 s
s
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Orders of Magnitude

Physical quantities span an immense range

Length

size of nucleus ~ 10-15 m

size of universe ~ 1030 m

Time

nuclear vibration ~ 10-20 s

age of universe ~ 1018 s

Mass

electron
universe

~ 10-30 kg
~ 1028 kg

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Physical Scale

Orders of Magnitude Set the Scale

Atomic Physics ~ 10-10 m

Basketball ~ 10 m
Planetary Motion ~ 1010 m

Knowing the scale lets us guess the Result

Q: What is the speed of a 747?

Distance - New York to LA

4000 mi

Flying Time

6 hrs

= 660 mph

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Dimensional Analysis

Fundamental Quantities

Length - [L]

Time

- [T]

Mass

- [M]

Derived Quantities

Velocity - [L]/[T]

Density

- [M]/[L]3

Energy

- [M][L]2/[T]2

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Physical Quantities

Must always have dimensions

Can only compare quantities with the same

dimensions

v(0)

[L]/[T] = [L]/[T]

a t

+ [L]/[T]2 [T]

Comparing quantities with different

dimensions is nonsense
=

t2

[L]/[T] = [L]/[T]2 [T]2 = [L]

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Provides Solution Sometimes

Period of a Pendulum
Period is a time [T] -

Which of these could be

correct?

a ) lg

b) mlg

Can only depend on:

c)

l
g

Length [L] - l

d)

ml
g

e)

l
m

Mass [M] -

Gravity [L/T2] -

l
g

22

Solving Problems

23

Problem Solving Strategy

Each profession has its own specialized knowledge and patterns

of thought.

The knowledge and thought processes that you use in each of

the steps will depend on the discipline in which you operate.

Taking into account the specific nature of physics, we choose to

label and interpret the five steps of the general problem solving
strategy as follows:

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Problem Solving Strategy

A. Everyday language:
1) Make a sketch.
2) What do you want to find out?
3) What are the physics ideas?

B. Physics description:
1) Make a physics diagram.
2) Define your variables.
3) Write down general equations.

C. Combine equations:
1) Select an equation with the target variable.
2) Which of the variables are not known?
3) Substitute in a different equation.
4) Continue for all of the unknown variables .
5) Solve for the target variable.
6) Check units.

D. Calculate solution:
1) Plug in numerical values.
E. Evaluate the answer:
1) Is it properly stated?
2) Is it reasonable?
3) Answered the question asked?

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Problem Solving Strategy, Step

A
A. Everyday language description:
In this step you develop a qualitative description of the problem.

Visualize the events described in the problem by making a sketch. The sketch
should indicate the different objects involved and any changes in the situation
(e.g. changes in force applied, collisions, etc.) First, identify the different objects
that are relevant to finding your desired category. Next, identify whether there is
more than one stage (part) to the behavior of the object during the time from the
beginning to the end that is relevant for what you are trying to find out. Things
that would indicate more than one part would include key information about the
behavior of the object at a point between start and end of movement, collisions,
changes in the force applied or acceleration of an object.

Write down a simple statement of what you want to find out. This should be a
specific physical quantity that you could calculate to answer the original question.

Write down verbal descriptions of the physics ideas (the type of

problem). Identify the physics idea for each stage of each object. If the physics
idea is a vector quantity (motion, force, momentum, etc.) identify how many
dimensions are involved.
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Problem Solving Strategy, Step

B
B. Physics description:

In this step you use your qualitative understanding of the problem to prepare
for the quantitative solution.

First, simplify the problem situation by describing it with a diagram in terms of

simple physical objects and essential physical quantities. Make a physics
diagram. You will need a diagram for each physics idea for each object, and
possibly one for each stage and for each dimension.

Define your variables (make a chart) of know quantities and unknown

quantities. Identify the variable you will solve for. Make sure variables are
defined for each object, stage, idea and dimension. Pay attention to units, to
make sure you have the right kind of units for each type of variable.

Using the physics ideas assembled in A-3 and the diagram you made in B-1,
write down general equations which specify how these physical quantities
are related according to the principles of physics or mathematics.

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Problem Solving Strategy, Step

C
C. Combine equations:

In this step you translate the physics description into a set of equations which
represent the problem mathematically by using the equations assembled in step 2.

Select an equation from the list in B3 that contains the variable you are solving for
(as specified in B2).

Identify which of the variables in the selected equation are not known.

For each of the unknown variables, select another equation from the list in B3 and
solve it for the unknown variable. Then substitute the new equation in for the
unknown quantity in the original equation.

Continue steps 2 & 3 until all of the unknown variables (except the variable you
are solving for) have been replaced or eliminated.

Solve for the target variable.

Check your work by making sure the units work out.

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Problem Solving Strategy, Steps D &

E
D. Calculate solution:

In this step you actually execute the solution you have planned.

Plug in numerical values (with units) into your solution from C-5.

E. Evaluate the answer:

Finally, check your work.

Is it properly stated? Is it reasonable?

Have you actually answered the question asked?

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Problem Solving Strategy

Consider each step as a translation of the previous step into a slightly different
language.

You begin with the full complexity of real objects interacting in the real world and
through a series of steps arrive at a simple and precise mathematical
expression. The five-step strategy represents an effective way to organize your
thinking to produce a solution based on your best understanding of physics. The
quality of the solution depends on the knowledge that you use in obtaining the
solution.

Your use of the strategy also makes it easier to look back through your solution
to check for incorrect knowledge and assumptions. That makes it an important
tool for learning physics.

If you learn to use the strategy effectively, you will find it a valuable tool to
use for solving new and complex problems.

30

Vectors

31

Scalars & Vectors

A scalar is a physical
quantity that has only
magnitude (size) and
can be represented by a
number and a unit.

A vector is a physical
quantity that has both
magnitude (size) and
direction.

Examples of vectors?

Velocity
Force

Examples of scalars?
Time
Mass
Temperature
Density
Electric charge

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Displacement Vector is a change in

position. It is calculated as the final
position minus the initial position.

Vectors are

represented pictorially by an arrow from one point to another.

represented symbolically by a letter with an arrow above it.
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Some Vector Properties

Two vectors that have the

same direction are said to
be parallel.
Two vectors that have
opposite directions are said
to be anti-parallel.

Two vectors that have the

same length and the same
direction are said to be
equal no matter where they
are located.
The negative of a vector is a
vector with the same
magnitude (size) but
opposite direction

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Magnitude of a Vector

( Magnitude of A) A A

The magnitude of a vector is a positive number (with

units!) that describes its size.

Example: magnitude of a displacement vector is its length.

The magnitude of a velocity vector is often called speed.

The magnitude of a vector is expressed using the same letter

as the vector but without the arrow on top of it.

35

Vector Addition

Vector C of a vector sum of vectors A and C.

Example: double displacement of particle.

Vector addition is commutative (the order of vector

addition doesnt matter).

36

Vector Addition

CAUTION

Common error: to conclude that if C = A + B the

magnitude C should be equal the magnitude A plus
magnitude B. Wrong !

Example: C < A + B.

37

Vector Addition

Add more than two vectors:

R A B C D C

R A B C A E

38

Vector Subtraction

Subtract vectors:

A B A ( B)

39

Vector Components
There

are two methods of vector

addition
represent vectors as scaleddirected line segments; attach tail to head
Analytical resolve vectors into x and y
components; add components
Graphical

40

Vector Components
r r r
If R A B
Then R A B and R A B
x
x
x
y
y
y

r
r
Where A A cos and A A cos
x
A
y
A

r
r
Bx B cos B and By B sin B
41

Vector Components

r
R Rx2 Ry2

tan 1

Ry

r
R

Ry

Rx

Rx

If Rx< 0 and Ry > 0 or if Rx< 0

and Ry < 0 then + 180o

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Vector Components

CAUTION

The components Ax and Ay of a vector A are numbers; they

are not vectors !

43

Vector Components

R A B
Rx Ax Bx

A B A ( B)

R y Ay B y
44

Vector Components

45

Problem Solving Strategy

VECTOR ADDITION

IDENTIFY the relevant concepts and SET UP the problem:

Decide what your target variable is. It may be the magnitude of the
vector sum, the direction, or both.
Then draw the individual vectors being summed and the coordinate
axes being used. In your drawing, place the tail of the first vector at
the origin of coordinates; place the tail of the second vector at the
head of the first vector; and so on.
Draw the vector sum R from the tail of the first vector to the head of
the last vector.
By examining your drawing, make a rough estimate of the magnitude
and direction of R youll use these estimates later to check your
calculations.

46

Vector Components
There are two methods of vector addition
Graphical represent vectors as scaled-directed
line segments; attach tail to head
Analytical resolve vectors into x and y
components; add components

Components

Component
vectors
A Ax Ay

Ax Ax

Ay Ay

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Vector Components

You can calculate components if its

magnitude and direction are known

Direction of a vector described by its

angle relative to reference direction

Reference direction positive x-axis

Angle the angle between vector A

and positive x-axis

y
90 < < 180
cos (-) sin (+)

= 90

= 180
180 < < 270
cos (-) sin (-)

= 270

0 < < 90
cos (+) sin (+)
x = 0
270 < < 360
cos (+) sin (-)

48

Vector Components
Ay
A

sin

Ax
cos
A

Ax A cos
Ay A sin

49

Vector Components

CAUTION

The components Ax and Ay of a vector A are numbers;

they are not vectors !

The components of vectors can be negative or positive

numbers.

90 < < 180

cos (-) sin (+)

180 < < 270

cos (-) sin (-)

50

Finding Vector Components

What are x and y components of vector
D? Magnitude of D=3.00m, angle is
=45.
IDENTIFY AND SET UP
Vector Components Trig Equations
EXECUTE
Angle here is measured toward
negative y-axis. But we need angle
measured from positive x-axis toward
positive y-axis. Thus, =-=-45.

Dx D cos (3.00m)(cos(45)) 2.1m

D y D sin (3.00m)(sin(45)) 2.1m
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Finding Vector Components

What are x and y components

of vector E? Magnitude of
D=4.50m, angle is =37.0.

IDENTIFY AND SET UP

Vector Components Trig

Equations
EXECUTE

Any orientation of axes is

permissible, but X- and Y-axes
must be perpendicular.

E is the hypotenuse of a right

triangle! Thus:

E x E sin (4.50m)(sin(37.0)) 2.71m

E y E cos (4.50m)(cos(37.0)) 3.59m
52

Vector Components

Reverse the process: We know

the components. How to find
the vector magnitude and its
direction?

Magnitude: Pythagorean
2
2
theorem
x
y

A A A

Direction: angle between xaxis and vector

tan

Ay
Ax

arctan

Ay
Ax
53

Vector Addition, Components

R A B
Rx Ax Bx
R y Ay B y

Ax A cos A

Ay A sin A

Bx B cos B

B y B sin B
54

Problem Solving Strategy

IDENTIFY AND SET UP

Target variable: vector

magnitude, its direction or
both

Draw individual vectors and

coordinate axes

Tail of 1st vector in origin, tail

of 2nd vector at the head of
1st vector, and so on

Draw the vector sum from

the tail of 1st vector to the
head of the last vector.

Make a rough estimate of

magnitudes and direction.

EXECUTE

Find x- and y-components of each

individual vector

Bx B cos B

B y B sin B

Check quadrant sign!

Add individual components
algebraically to find components of the
sum vector

Rx Ax Bx C x ...
R y Ay B y C y ...

Magnitude
Direction

R Rx R y
arctan

Ry

EVALUATE
Check your results comparing them with the rough estimates!

Rx

55

Vector Components

A=90.0-32.0=58.0

B=180.0+36.0=216.0

C=270.0

Ax=A cos A

Ay=A sin A

Distance

Angle

X-comp

Y-comp

A=72.4m

58.0

38.37m

61.40m

B=57.3m

216.0

-46.36m

-33.68m

C=17.8m

270.0

0.00m

-17.80m

-7.99m

9.92m

R ( 7.99m) 2 (9.92m) 2 12.7 m

arctan 9.92m 7.99m 129

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Unit Vectors

57

Unit Vectors

Unit vectors provide a

convenient means of notation
to allow one to express a
vector in terms of its
components.

Unit vectors always have a

magnitude of 1 (with no
units).

Unit vectors point along a

coordinate direction.

Unit vectors are written using

a caret (or "hat", ^ ) to
distinguish them from
ordinary vectors.

Ax Ax i

Ay Ay j

A Ax i Ay j
58

Unit Vectors

B Bx i B y j
A Ax i Ay j

R A B ( Ax i Ay j ) ( Bx i B y j )
( Ax Bx )i ( Ay B y ) j Rx i R y j

B Bx i B y j Bz k
A Ax i Ay j Az k

R ( Ax Bx )i ( Ay B y ) j ( Az Bz )k

Rx i R y j Rz k
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