PHYSICSLecture 1Introduction to Physics

Southern Boone County SchoolsBill Palmer

PHYSICSThe branch of science that deals with

the physical world.Physicists study objects as small as

subatomic particles and as large as the universe.

Physics and math are closely linked.We will study traditional Physics not

calculus based.

PHYSICSA Case Study-the planet MarsMars is a bright reddish object in the skyKnow to ancients as one of the

“wanderers” We know the wanderers as planets

today

Mars

PHYSICSBabylonians associated Mars with

disasterRomans associated Mars with War In 1609 Galileo built first telescope

Mars-Roman God of War

Galileo’s Telescope

PHYSICSGalileo discovered that the moon had

mountains, Jupiter had moons, Venus had phases.

Galileo wrote his observations in Italian instead of Latin-allowing all to read

Galileo is considered father of experimental science

PHYSICS In 16-18th centuries, people thought

Mars was inhabitedCanals Ice capsSeas

Early map of Mars showing canals

Artists rendition of Martian canals.

PHYSICS1938-War of The Worlds

Orson Wells

PHYSICS In 1960s to today we have used

satellites and probes to study marsWe think that at one time Mars had

flowing waterCurrently there is much debate as to if

there is life on MarsMany scientist think that simple forms of

life will be found underground on Mars

PHYSICS

Water on mars.

PHYSICS

Absolute proof that there is water on Mars.

PHYSICSMetric system came into use in 1795Based on units of 10SI units-Systeme Internationale d’Unites

PHYSICSLength=Meters (m)Mass=Kilogram (kg)Time=Second (s)Temperature=Kelvin (K)Amount of a Substance=Mole (mol)Electric Current= Ampere (A)Luminous Intensity=Candela (cd)

PHYSICSMeter=1/10 000 000 of distance from

north pole to equator through a line passing through Lyons, France

Distance between two lines on a platinum bar in Paris

Distance light travels in a vacuum in 1/299 792 458 seconds

PHYSICSSecond=1/ 86 400 of a solar day=frequency of certain type of radiation

from Cesium-133Add leap seconds due to slowing of

earths rotation

PHYSICSKilogram=mass of platinum-iridium

cylinder in Paris

PHYSICS SI Prefixes

Femto-(f) 10-15

Pico-(p) 10-12

Nano-(n) 10-9

Micro- (μ) 10-6

Milli- (m) 10-3

Centi-(c) 10-2

Deci- (d) 10-1

Kilo- (k) 103

Mega- (M) 106

Giga- (G) 109

Tera- (T) 1012

This is in the book (p18)-you don’t have to copy.

PHYSICSScientific Notation

Used to write very large or very small numbers

Numerical part is written as a number between 1 and 10

Exponent indicates how many places the decimal point is moved to right or left

PHYSICSScientific Notation-examples1.23 x 108 = 123 000 0001.64 x 10-5 = .0000164

PHYSICSMeasuring precision is the exactness of

a measurement-depends on instrumentMeasuring Accuracy is how well the

result agrees with a standard value-depends on the condition of the measuring instrument and ability of the measurer

PHYSICSSignificant Figures is the number of

valid digits in a measurement Nonzero digits are always significant Final zeros after a decimal are significant Zeros between to other digits are

significant Zeros as place holders are NOT significant

PHYSICSExamples of three SigFig

245M 18.0 g 308 km 0.00623 g

PHYSICSSample Problem-Add and show result in

SigFig24.686m+2.343m+3.21m=

24.686 2.343 3.21 30.239 =30.24m rounded to nearest

hundredth of m

PHYSICSGraphs help to visualize dataBar Graphs, Line Graphs

PHYSICS

Independent Variable is horizontal or X-axis-The one that is changed or manipulated by the researcher

Dependent Variable is vertical or Y-axis-depends on the other variable

PHYSICSHOW TO MAKE A GRAPH

Identify dependent and independent variables

Determine range of independent variable Determine if 0,0 is a valid starting point Spread the data out to a reasonable size Number and label Horizontal axis Repeat for dependant variable Plot data Make “best fit” connection (straight or

curved) Title and check

PHYSICS-Wrap Ups1. Define physics.2. How is mathematics linked to physics?3. Outline the Scientific Method. Is it an

exact procedure?4. Has the science of Physics changed

over time? Give two examples.5. What is SI?

PHYSICS-Wrap Ups6. What are the SI units for mass, length,

time, and temperature?7. What is the current most accurate definition

of a kilogram, meter, and second?8. What is scientific notation and how is it

used?9. What is the difference between accuracy

and precision?10. Differentiate between the dependent and

independent variable.

PHYSICS-Wrap UpsDo the following problems from your

textbook: Pages 39-41 Do problems-30, 33, 34, 44 Due EOP

PHYSICS –Original Graph Work in pairs Design an experiment from which you can

gather data a graph the results. Remember to make a hypothesis…a

statement you can test and to form a conclusion.

Materials…meter sticks, rulers, timers, scales, large graph paper, etc. Anything we can find.

PHYSICS –Original GraphThese will be prepared as Posters and

displayed in the Science Hall of Fame