LESSON1

PHYSICS LESSON 1
TUESDAY, JUNE 1, 2010

I Introduction
II Logistics
A. Syllabus
B. Seating
C. Questions
D. Brain
III Measurements – Chapters 1, 2
A. Units – metric (mks; also known as SIU)
B. Meters for length
Length / Distance / Displacement, “x”
C. Kilograms for mass
Mass; 1kg = 2.2 lbs at sea level
D. Seconds for time
Time; second; 3600 sec = 1 hour
E. Coordinates: 3D: x, y, z
F. Speed: v = Dx/Dt; D = “change of” or
(x2 – x1) / (t2 – t1)
Velocity = speed with a vector
G. Acceleration = Dv / Dt or (v2 – v1) / (t2 – t1) ; often a vector
H. Scientific Notation:
5,617 = 5.617 x 103 or 5.617 x 10^3 or 5.617 E3
I. Significant Figures: 5,617 x 27 = 151,659 ? NO! 150,000 or 1.5 x 105
J. Estimating (ball parking; educated guessing): 5,617 x 321 = (5.6 x 3) x 105 = 16.8 x 105 = 1.68 x 106 for a guess. Exact is 1,803,057 = 1.80 x 106

IV Trigonometry: Create a right triangle inside a “unit” circle of radius r = 1. Then the x-component will be r cosine(θ) and the y-component will be r sine(θ) . However, since r = 1, we realize that the x-component will almost always be cosθ while the y-component will almost always be sinθ . Plus, sinθ / cosθ = y/x = tangent of the angle, or, tanθ.

V Lab 1: Density of Water

VI Homework 1: Handout 1. Turn in Thursday, 6/3

VII Essay 1: Aristotle, due 6/3