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Explore the nature of physics, units in experiments, scalar and vector quantities, vector addition, components, and practice problems. Learn to calculate vector differences and displacements.
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Introduction and Mathematical Concepts Chapter 1
1.1 The Nature of Physics Physics has developed out of the efforts of men and women to explain our physical environment. Physics encompasses a remarkable variety of phenomena: planetary orbits radio and TV waves magnetism lasers many more!
1.2 Units Physics experiments involve the measurement of a variety of quantities. These measurements should be accurate and reproducible. The first step in ensuring accuracy and reproducibility is defining the units in which the measurements are made.
1.2 Units SI units meter (m): unit of length kilogram (kg): unit of mass second (s): unit of time
1.2 Units The units for length, mass, and time (as well as a few others), are regarded as base SI units. These units are used in combination to define additional units for other important physical quantities such as force and energy.
1.5 Scalars and Vectors A scalar quantity is one that can be described by a single number: temperature, speed, mass A vector quantity deals inherently with both magnitude and direction: velocity, force, displacement
1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction Often it is necessary to add one vector to another.
1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction When a vector is multiplied by -1, the magnitude of the vector remains the same, but the direction of the vector is reversed.
1.7 The Components of a Vector It is often easier to work with the scalar components rather than the vector components.
Example 1.1 • A vector A has a magnitude of 20cm at 200⁰, and a vector B has a magnitude of 37cm at 45⁰. What is the magnitude and direction of vector difference A – B? • Solution:
Magnitude: |A - B|= [(Ax– Bx)2+ (Ay – By)2] = [(-44.95)2 + (-33.00)2]2 = 55.76cm • Direction: θ = tan-1 [(Ay – By)]/[(Ax – Bx)] = [-33.00/-44.95] = 36.28⁰ = 216.28⁰
Problems to be solved • 1.36, 1.51, 1.52, 1.57, 1.63, 1.65 • B1.1: A disoriented physics professor drives 4.92km east, then 3.95km south, then 1.80km west. Find the magnitude and direction of the resultant displacement, using the method of components.Ans: 5.03km; -51.690
B1.2: The three finalists in a contest are brought to the centre of a large, flat field. Each is given a meter stick, a compass, a calculator, a shovel, and (in a different order for each) the following three displacements: 72.4m, 32⁰ east of north, 57.3m, 36⁰ south of west, 17.8m straight south. The three displacements lead to the point where the keys to a new Porsche are buried. Two contestants start measuring immediately, but the winner first calculates where to go. What does he calculate? Ans: 12.74; -51.150
B1.3: After an airplane takes off, it travels 10.4km west, 8.7km north, and 2.1km up. How far is it from the take-off point? Ans: 13.72km