North Allegheny Senior High School
Concepts of Physics
Instructor : Mr. Kuffer
Useful Conversions
Mr. Kuffer – Concepts of Physics
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 mi = 1.61 km
1 mi2 = 640 acres
1 gal = 3.79 L
1m3 = 264 gal
1 knot = 1.15 mi/h
1 kg = 6.02 x 1026 u
1 oz > 28.4 g
1 kg > 2.21 lb
1 lb = 4.45 N
1 cal = 4.184 J
1 ev = 1.60 x 10-19 J
1 kWH = 3.60 MJ
1 hp = 746 W
1 mole = 6.02 x 1023
“things”
1 mi = 5280 ft
1
How To Take Notes and Interpret Text:
2
Name: _______________
Date: _
_
Chapter 1 – About Science
(HW –Complete this activity sheet, along with reading pages 0-5)
1. Why is physics the “most basic science”?
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________.
2. Name one physicists and their accomplishment. Be prepared to share
your research.
Name: __________________
Scientific Accomplishment: _____________________
__________________________________________
3. All sciences are the study of problems. Galileo Galilei developed a
systematic process of observing, experimenting, and analyzing that is
the foundation of how science exploration is approached today. What
is the name of Galileo’s systematic process?
__________________________________________
4. This method often takes many forms. List below the steps included in
your text.
Step 1 – _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Step 2 – _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Step 3 – _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Step 4 – _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
Step 5 - _________________________________________
_______________________________________________
5. “The success of science has more to do with an __________common
to all scientists. This attitude is one of ________, ____________,
and ________ before the facts.”
-Hewitt
3
6. Galileo is considered to be the Father of Modern Experimental
Science. He earned this title, in part, because he chose to write his
life’s work in the Italian language. What is the significance of his
choice to publish his works in Italian? (Research)
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
7. Define the following terms:
a. Fact –___________________________________________
__________________________________________________
b. Law/principle -____________________________________
__________________________________________________
c. Theory - ________________________________________
__________________________________________________
8. In the space provided below, write your answer to the question on
page 4. Provide an explanation. _____________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
____________________________________________________
“All truths are easy to understand once they are
discovered; the point is to discover them”.
~Galileo Galilei
4
What is Physics?
Instructions: Answer the following questions on the paper provided.
1. Which is longer: a meter or a yard?
2. How many planets are there in our solar system?
3. If dropped from the same height and at the same time, which
hits the ground first, a bowling ball or a racquetball?
4. Complete the following phrase: “ What goes up……….”
5. What is the speed limit on most of the interstates in the
United States?
6. What is the speed limit on most interstates in Canada?
7. In the fall the weather starts to get cooler here in Wexford,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, Northern
Hemisphere, Earth, Milky Way. Why?
8. How long does it take for the Earth to turn once?
9. How long does it take the sun to travel around the Earth once?
10. How long is a football field in feet? (Not counting the end
zones.)
11.
Where is the first track on a CD, on the inside or outside?
12. When you throw a football why does it go further when it is
spiraling?
Have you ever heard of……….
Copernicus?
Newton?
Einstein?
Galileo?
Cavendish?
Aristotle?
If you haven’t, you will!!!!!!
5
Which of these is a scientific hypothesis?
a. The universe is
surrounded by a
second universe,
which cannot be
seen
b. Albert Einstein is the
greatest physicist of the
twentieth century
c. Atoms are the smallest
particles of matter that
exist
6
Name: ______________
Date: _________
Scientific Method
The 5 steps to the Scientific Method:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Clearly define the problem
Hypothesis – Educated Guess
Design and Conduct an Experiment
Analyze the results
Draw a Conclusion  Revise Hypothesis
1. Clearly define a problem you’ve encountered in the past week. Don’t
be picky about choosing your problem.
2. Predict how you may be able to resolve that problem. (Hypothesis)
3. Come up with a way to test your prediction. (Experiment)
4. Follow through with the test you came up with above. (Analysis)
a. What did you observe?
b. Based on the results of your experiment, was your hypothesis
correct?
5. What do we do if we don’t solve the problem?
7
HW #1
Significant Digits
1. Nonzero digits are always significant.
2. All final zeros to the right of the decimal point are significant.
3. Zeros between two other significant digits are always significant.
4. Zeros used solely for spacing the decimal point are not significant.
Example Problems
Directions: State the number of significant digits in each measurement.
1. 2804 m
2. 2.84 m
3. 0.0029 m
4. 0.003068 m
5. 75 m
6. 75.00
7. 0.007060 m
8
Significant Digits
1. 0.005 m
2. 306.20 m
3. .0008905 m
4. 20.00 m
5. 1062038.01 m
6. 5.26 m
7. 41.015 m
8. 0.0010970 m
9
Scientific Notation
Prefixes with SI Units
Prefix
pico
nano
micro
milli
centi
deci
Symbol
p
n
µ
m
c
d
Fractions
1 x 10 -12
1 x 10 -9
1 x 10 -6
1 x 10 -3
1 x 10 -2
1 x 10 -1
Example
picometer (pm)
nanometer (nm)
micrometer (g)
milligram (mg)
centimeter (cm)
decimeter (dm)
Prefix
Symbol
Fractions
Example
12
tera
T
1 x 10
Terameter (Tm)
9
giga
G
1 x 10
Gigameter (Gm)
6
Mega
M
1 x 10
Megagram (Mg)
3
killo
k
1 x 10
killogram (kg)
hecto
h
1 x 10 2
hectometer (hm)
1
deka
da
1 x 10
dekagram (dag)
**BOTH OF THESE TABLES ARE MEANT TO BE USED TO CONVERT
TO OR FROM THE BASE UNIT**
Table 1. SI base units
SI base unit
Base quantity
length
mass
time
electric current
thermodynamic temperature
amount of substance
luminous intensity
Name
meter
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela
Symbol
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd
10
HW #2
Show work on a SEPARATE SHEET OF PAPER!!!
1. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
a. 5,800 m
b. 450,000 m
c. 302,000,000 m
d. 86,000,000
2. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
a. 0.000508 kg b. 0.00000045 kg c. 0.003600 kg
d. 0.000000000004 kg
3. Express the following measurements in Scientific Notation.
a. 300,000,000 s
b. 186,000 m
c. 930,000,000,000 m
d. 354, 000 ft
4. Convert the following length measurement into its equivalent in
meters.
a. 1.22 cm
b. 76.3 pm c. 21.4 km d. 0.45 km
5. Change the following to kilograms.
a. 54 g
b. 5.4 g
c. 540 g
d. 54000 g
6. List an appropriate SI base unit (with a prefix as needed) for
measuring the following:
a. The time it takes to play a CD in your stereo
b. The mass of a sports car
c. The length of a soccer field
d. The diameter of a large pizza
e. The mass of a single slice of pepperoni
f. A semester in college
g. The distance from your home to NASH
h. Your mass
i. Your height
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7. Einstein’s famous equation indicates that E = mc2, where c is the speed
of light and m is the objects mass. Given this, what are the SI units
for E?
8. The height of a horse is sometimes given in units of “hands”. Why was
this a poor standard of length before it was redefined to refer to
exactly 4 in.?
9. Use the SI prefixes from your ‘prefix chart’ to convert these
hypothetical units of measure into appropriate quantities:
a. 10 rations
b. 2000 mockingbirds
c. 1 x 10 -6 phones
d. 1 x 10 -9 goats
e. 1 x 10 6 miners
10. Use the fact that the speed of light is 3.0 x 108 m/s to determine how
many kilometers a pulse from laser beam travels in exactly 1 hour.
12
Mathematical Operations with Scientific Notation
SIGNIFICANT
DIGITS
M x 10
n
When Adding and Subtracting:
ONLY AS
PRECISE AS
THE LEAST
PRECISE
1. If the n values are the same, add the M values and keep the n value
the same.
2. If the n values are not the same, move the decimal until they are
the same and repeat the above step.
3. When the magnitude of one number is quite small compared to the
other, its effect on the larger number is insignificant. The smaller
number can be treated as zero.
When Multiplying:
LEAST
NUMBER OF
SIGNIFICANT
DIGITS
1. Multiply the M values.
2. Add the exponents (n)
When Dividing:
1. Divide the M values.
2. Subtract the exponent divisor from the exponent of the dividend.
13
Measurement Rules:
1. Measure to the smallest increment of the measure device.
2. Estimate one place beyond the smallest increment
a. The precision of a measurement is ½ the smallest increment,
thus, for a metric ruler we would estimate either .0 mm or .5
mm.
Measure this! Write your answer on a separate piece of paper.
HW #3
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Concepts of Physics
Mr. Kuffer
Weirdini Rulers Activity
Name:
Period:
1. Cut out the three Weirdini rulers on the other handout.
2. Using ruler , how long is this object A? What is your uncertainty range?
A
3. Using ruler , how long is object A? What is your uncertainty range?
4. Using ruler , how long is object A? What is your uncertainty range?
5. How could you get three different measurements of the same object?
6. Using ruler , how long is this object B? What is your uncertainty range?
B
7. Using ruler , how long is object B? What is your uncertainty range?
8. Using ruler , how long is object B? What is your uncertainty range?
9. What is the area of object B?
10. How did you decide which measurement to use?
15
Metric Conversion Lab
Objective:





Measure objects using the metric system
Measure objects using the appropriate procedure
Indicate the precision of measured quantities with Significant Digits
Include uncertainties in measurements
Practice w/ Factor-Label (sample calculations)
Materials:





Ruler
Pencil
Bag of objects
Metric Prefixes Table
Metric Conversion Lab Data Table
Procedure:



Measure each object to the most convenient metric unit with the
appropriate tool (ruler)
Enter data into the appropriate column of Data Table
Convert the measurements into all units on data table, to the nearest
significant digit with the use of Metric Prefix Table
16
Metric System Conversions:
Metric Lab Data Table
Name: ____________
Date: ______
mm
cm
dm
m
km
Penny
Diameter
Thickness
Q-tip
Length
Playing Card
Length
Width
Golf Tee
length
Paper Clip
Thickness
Length
Straw
Length
17
HW #4
Factor Label Method
DIRECTIONS: Convert the following as indicated.
1. 65 mph =
_______________________km/hr
2. 6.6 ft/s =
_______________________cm/s
3. 283 L/s =
_______________________gal/min
(Note 1 gal = 3.788L)
4. 1.02 cm/day =
_______________________m/yr
5. 218.5 km/hr =
_______________________m/s
6. 87.9 ft/s =
_______________________miles/hr
7. 1.8 x 10 mm/hr =
_______________________in/yr
8. 0.432 kg/L =
_______________________lb/gal
9. 78 km/hr =
_______________________mph
10. 354 cm/hr =
_______________________m/s
11. 0.480 g/m =
_______________________lb/ft
Determine the unit factors for each of the following conversions:
A. km/hr
to m/s
B. miles/hr to ft/s
C. miles/hr to m/s
D. miles/hr to km/hr
18
Objectives:


Distinguish between accuracy and precision
Calculate mean, median, relative deviation and percent error
Definitions:




Accuracy refers to the closeness of a measurement to the true or
accepted value of the quantity measured. If a measurement can be
compared to the correct value its accuracy can be judged using percent
error. Think of accuracy as being able to hit the target.
Precision refers to the agreement among the numerical values of a set of
measurements of the same quantity made in the same way. Think of
precision as being consistent from one trial to the next. It is often
referred to as “grouping” in target sports
The mean refers to the arithmetic average.
The median refers to the score that divides the group of scores in two
equal parts.
19

Relative deviation refers to the absolute value of the experimental score
(E) minus the mean (M), divided by the mean. This calculation enables us
to determine the degree of precision.
E-M/ M X 100% relative deviation

Percent error refers to the absolute value of the experimental value (E)
minus the actual value (A), divided by the Actual value. This calculation
enables us to determine the degree of accuracy.
E-A / A X 100%
Procedure:
1. Mark one point of a paper football with your pencil. Be sure to
mark both sides of the football.
2. Place the target sheet on your table securely.
3. Using the techniques demonstrated by your instructor, run ten
trials of this experiment. After each trial record where the
marked point of the football landed on the target and record your
points in the data table.
 Each member of the team must complete ten trials and each
member of the team must be represented on the data table.
20
Analysis Questions:
Answer the following questions in your lab books. All paragraph
answers must demonstrate the use of proper English (grammar usage,
capitalization, punctuation, etc.) to receive full credit. Calculated answers
must have all work clearly shown with units included to receive full credit.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Calculate the mean for your set of trials.
Determine the median for your set of trials.
Calculate the relative deviation for your set of trials.
Calculate the percent error for your set of trials, assuming the
true or accepted value per shot to be 25 points.
5. Calculate the percent error for your group using the group mean.
The accepted value for one shot is 25 points per shot.
6. Write a paragraph explaining your results in terms of accuracy
AND precision. Compare your results to your teammates. Explain
the process as well as the results.
7. In a lab situation you are asked to determine the rate at which a
ball falls from a tabletop. Your experimental results show that a
ball falls at a rate of 9.5 m/s2 on your first trial. After several
trials you calculate a mean of 9.6 m/s2. Assuming the actual value is
9.8 m/s2, what is the…
a) relative deviation
b) percent error
21
HW #5
Name: ____________
Per: _____
Date: _______
1. In a lab situation you are asked to determine the rate at which a ball falls
from a tabletop. You determine that a ball falls at a rate of 9.7 m/s2 on
your first trial. After several trials you calculate a mean of 9.6 m/s2.
Assuming the actual value is 9.8 m/s2, what is the…
a) relative deviation
b) percent error
2. Interpret the above scores. What do they mean? What information do
they tell us?
3. Measure your pen / pencil with the provided ruler. Place the measurement
below. Include uncertainties.
4. __________ refers to the ability to reproduce your results
5. __________ refers to the closeness of a value to the standard
22
HW #5
Calculate the following to the nearest significant digit
6. 2.1 x 17.21 = ___________
7. 1.2365 + 1.0 = __________
8. 13.26 + 126.3389 + 1.1 = __________
Accuracy vs. Precision
Determine whether the below diagrams represent accuracy, precision,
neither, or both.
9.
A
B
C
D
_________________
_________________
_________________
_________________
10. Convert the Following to Units NOT Given (mm, cm, m, km)
(Three Points Each)
10. 436.5 mm
11. 456.7 cm
11.
12. 345.6 m
0.00764 km
23
Name:_____________________
Study Guide
1. Express the following numbers
a. 5000000000000 m
b. 0.000000000166 s
c. 2003000000 g
d. 0.0000001030 m
Date: _____
in Scientific Notation.
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
Arithmetic with Exponents
Complete the following operations to the most significant digit
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
(1.2 x 107) + (1.33 x 106) = _____________________
(3.55 x 109) - (3.55 x 109) = _____________________
(1.23 x 1010) x (1.5 x 107) = _____________________
(7.395 x 108) / (3.26 x 1012) = _____________________
State the number of Significant digits in each of the following
measurements.
a. 0.00003 m
b. 64.01 L
c. 80.001 s
d. 0.720 g
7. Add or subtract as indicated
a. 16.2 m + 5.008 m + 13.48 m
b. 5.006 m + 12.0077 m +8.0084 m
c. 78.05 cm2 – 32.046 cm2
d. 15.07 kg – 12.0 kg
8. Multiply or divide as indicated
a. (6.2 x 1018 m) x (4.7x 10-10 m)
b. (5.6 x 10-7 s) / (2.8 x 10-12 s)
c. (8.1 x 104 km) x (1.6 x 10-3 km)
d. (6.5 x 105 kg) / (3.4 x 10-3 kg)
24
9. Convert each of the following measurements to meters
a. 42.3 cm
b. 6.2 pm
c. 21 km
d. 0.023 mm
e. 214 µm
f. 570 nm
10. Using a calculator, Chris obtained the following results. Give the
answer to each operation using the correct number of significant
digits.
a. 5.32 mm + 2.1 MM = 7.4200000 mm
b. 13.597 m x 3.65 m = 49.62905 m2
c. 83.2 kg – 12.804 kg = 70.3960000 kg
25
Table 1. SI base units
SI base unit
Base quantity
length
mass
time
electric current
thermodynamic temperature
amount of substance
luminous intensity
Name
meter
kilogram
second
ampere
kelvin
mole
candela
Symbol
m
kg
s
A
K
mol
cd
Table 2. Examples of SI derived units
SI derived unit
Derived quantity
Name
Symbol
area
square meter
m2
volume
cubic meter
m3
speed, velocity
meter per second
m/s
acceleration
meter per second squared
m/s2
wave number
reciprocal meter
m-1
mass density
kilogram per cubic meter
kg/m3
specific volume
cubic meter per kilogram
m3/kg
current density
ampere per square meter
A/m2
magnetic field strength
ampere per meter
A/m
amount-of-substance concentration
mole per cubic meter
mol/m3
luminance
candela per square meter
cd/m2
mass fraction
kilogram per kilogram, which may
kg/kg = 1
be represented by the number 1
26
Table 3. SI derived units with special names and symbols
SI derived unit
Derived quantity
Name
Symbol
Expression
in terms of
SI base units
-
m·m-1 = 1 (b)
steradian (a) sr (c)
-
m2·m-2 = 1 (b)
frequency
hertz
Hz
-
s-1
force
newton
N
-
m·kg·s-2
pressure, stress
pascal
Pa
N/m2
m-1·kg·s-2
energy, work, quantity of
heat
joule
J
N·m
m2·kg·s-2
power, radiant flux
watt
W
J/s
m2·kg·s-3
electric charge, quantity of
electricity
coulomb
C
-
electric potential difference,
electromotive force
volt
V
W/A
m2·kg·s-3·A-1
capacitance
farad
F
C/V
m-2·kg-1·s4·A2
electric resistance
ohm
V/A
m2·kg·s-3·A-2
electric conductance
siemens
S
A/V
m-2·kg-1·s3·A2
magnetic flux
weber
Wb
V·s
m2·kg·s-2·A-1
magnetic flux density
tesla
T
Wb/m2
kg·s-2·A-1
inductance
henry
H
Wb/A
m2·kg·s-2·A-2
Celsius temperature
degree
Celsius
°C
luminous flux
lumen
lm
cd·sr (c)
m2·m-2·cd = cd
illuminance
lux
lx
lm/m2
m2·m-4·cd = m-2·cd
activity (of a radionuclide)
becquerel
Bq
-
absorbed dose, specific energy
gray
(imparted), kerma
Gy
J/kg
m2·s-2
dose equivalent (d)
sievert
Sv
J/kg
m2·s-2
catalytic activity
katal
kat
plane angle
radian
solid angle
(a)
Expression
in terms of
other SI
units
rad
-
s·A
K
s-1
s-1·mol
27
Name
Score
Relative Deviation Percent Error
Name
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Trial 6
Trial 7
Trial 8
Trial 9
Trial 10
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Trial 6
Trial 7
Trial 8
Trial 9
Trial 10
Mean
Mean
median
Actual
median
Actual
Score
Team % Error -->
Name
Score
Relative Deviation Percent Error
Team % Error -->
Name
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Trial 6
Trial 7
Trial 8
Trial 9
Trial 10
Trial 1
Trial 2
Trial 3
Trial 4
Trial 5
Trial 6
Trial 7
Trial 8
Trial 9
Trial 10
Mean
Mean
median
Actual
median
Actual
Team % Error -->
Relative Deviation Percent Error
Score
Relative Deviation Percent Error
Team % Error -->
28