1 / 10

The Language of Physics

The Language of Physics. Pearland ISD Physics Mark Lesmeister. Objectives. Interpret data in tables and graphs. Distinguish common symbols used in equations. Recognize common equations and graphs. Convert units. Use dimensional analysis. Tools to make data easier to understand. Tables

agnes
Download Presentation

The Language of Physics

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. The Language of Physics Pearland ISD Physics Mark Lesmeister

  2. Objectives • Interpret data in tables and graphs. • Distinguish common symbols used in equations. • Recognize common equations and graphs. • Convert units. • Use dimensional analysis.

  3. Tools to make data easier to understand. • Tables • Very useful for displaying data precisely. • The relationship between the quantities may not be clear. • Graphs • Visually display the relationship between two quantities. • The precision of the data is limited by the scale of the graph.

  4. Tools to make data easier to understand. • Equations • Mathematically display the relationship between two quantities. • Can be manipulated using algebra:

  5. Relating equations and graphs

  6. Symbols used in physics equations • S means “sum” or “total.” • D means “difference” or “change in.”

  7. Evaluating physics expressions • Units are treated like other algebraic quantities in equations. • Ex.: A car travels 20 m/s for 120 s. How far does the car travel?

  8. Dimensional analysis • Dimensional analysis- determining what units would result from a calculation. In order to be correct, a calculation must produce units of the proper dimension. • Ex.

  9. Order of Magnitude Calculations • Order of magnitude calculations are estimates made using orders of magnitude, that is, powers of 10. • Ex.- How long is PHS, as an order of magnitude?

  10. Converting units • To convert units, multiply the quantity you wish to convert by fractions equalling one; that is, fractions with equivalent units in the numerator and denominator. • For example, convert 20 m/s to km/hour.

More Related