PHYSICS C/HL UNIT 1 STUDY GUIDE
List four basic concepts which Physics studies and the four general
force laws of Physics
State two characteristics of the scientific method
List four fundamental SI units
Define what derived SI units are and differentiate between derived
and fundamental units
Convert various non-SI units into SI units given the non-SI units’
conversion factor
Convert the following prefixes into scientific notation: Femto-, Pico-,
Nano-, Micro-, Milli-, Centi-, Deci-, Kilo-, Mega-, Giga-, TeraConvert conventional numbers into scientific notation and vice versa
Add, subtract, multiply and divide using scientific notation
State units in the accepted SI format
Define order of magnitude
State and compare order of magnitude of selected systems in the
universe (range of size, mass and time in the universe)
List factors influencing the accuracy of making measurements
(uncertainties) and analyze situations where parallax applies
Define accuracy and precision
Distinguish between random and systematic errors and recognize
experimental methods for reducing their impact
State the measurement from a display giving proper number of
significant digits and listing the uncertainty
Graphical show uncertainty (error bars)
List four rules determining significant digits
Round after adding, subtracting, multiplying and dividing using
significant digits
State uncertainties as absolute, fractional and percentage
uncertainties
Determine propagated uncertainties (add, subtract, multiplication,
division, powers, and trig)
Determine uncertainties in the slope and intercepts (minimum,
maximum fit and error bars) of a line graph
State ratios of quantities as differences of orders of magnitude
Solve for one particular variable in terms of the other variables in an
equation.
Recognize the dependent and independent variable and choose the
proper convention for plotting them
Define interpolate and extrapolate
Recognize the graph of a line, parabola and inverse proportional
graph
Given a set of data, plot the data and describe in equation from the
resulting graph
Describe the significance of the slope and y intercept point of a line,
and the value of k in a parabolic and inverse proportional graph
Give an application of the line, parabola, inverse, and inverse2 graph
Given the degrees of an angle, determine its sin, cos, and tan, and
given a sin, cos or tan of an angle, determine the angle’s degrees
Convert from degrees to radians and vice versa
Given a right triangle with one length and two angles, solve for the
other angle and lengths of the triangle
Without a calculator give the sin and cos values for 0, 30, 45, 60, and
90 degrees
Transform equations involving powers and exponentials into lines of
the form y = mx +b by using substitution and log-log and semi-log
graph paper
Analyze log-log and semi-log graphs to determine the parameters of
the equations
Use and interpret the symbology of calculus in setting up and
interpreting equations
Use deferential and integral calculus to determine the derivative and
integral of basic physics equations (polynomial, trig , and exponential
functions)
State the difference between scalar and vector quantities and give
examples of both.
Graphically display vectors and add/subtract them
Add and subtract vector quantities by
Establishing a coordinate system
Resolving the vectors into components using Trig
Adding as scalars
Reforming the resultant vector using Trig.
Multiply/Divide vectors by scalars
Interchange between compass degrees, standard math notation and
N/S of E/W units for describing vectors
Use and interpret the unit vector notation i, j, k for x, y, z axes
Compute the cross and dot product using unit vectors
Solve problems using determinants and matrices when multiplying
vectors