Raymond A.

Serway Chris Vuille

Chapter One
Introduction

Theories and Experiments

The goal of physics is to develop theories based on experiments A physical theory, usually expressed mathematically, describes how a given system works The theory makes predictions about how a system should work Experiments check the theories predictions Every theory is a work in progress

Introduction

Fundamental Quantities and Their Dimension

Mechanics uses three fundamental quantities
Length [L] Mass [M] Time [T]

Other physical quantities can be constructed from these three

Introduction

Units
To communicate the result of a measurement for a quantity, a unit must be defined Defining units allows everyone to relate to the same fundamental amount

Section 1.1

SI System of Measurement
SI Systme International
Agreed to in 1960 by an international committee Main system used in this text

Section 1.1

Length
Units
meter, m

The meter is currently defined in terms of the distance traveled by light in a vacuum during a given time
Also establishes the value for the speed of light in a vacuum

Section 1.1

Mass
Units
kilogram, kg

The kilogram is currently defined as the mass of a specific cylinder kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures

Section 1.1

Standard Kilogram

Section 1.1

Time
Units
seconds, s

The second is currently defined in terms of the oscillation of radiation from a cesium atom

Section 1.1

Other Systems of Measurements

cgs Gaussian system
Named for the first letters of the units it uses for fundamental quantities

US Customary
Everyday units Often uses weight, in pounds, instead of mass as a fundamental quantity

Section 1.1

Units in Various Systems

System Length Mass Time
second second second

SI meter kilogram cgs centimeter gram US foot slug Customary

Section 1.1

Prefixes
Prefixes correspond to powers of 10 Each prefix has a specific name Each prefix has a specific abbreviation See table 1.4

Section 1.1

Uncertainty in Measurements
There is uncertainty in every measurement, this uncertainty carries over through the calculations
Need a technique to account for this uncertainty

We will use rules for significant figures to approximate the uncertainty in results of calculations

Section 1.4

Significant Figures
A significant figure is a reliably known digit All non-zero digits are significant Zeros are not significant when they only locate the decimal point
Using scientific notion to indicate the number of significant figures removes ambiguity when the possibility of misinterpretation is present

Section 1.4

Conversions
When units are not consistent, you may need to convert to appropriate ones See the inside of the front cover for an extensive list of conversion factors Units can be treated like algebraic quantities that can cancel each other Example:

Section 1.5

Coordinate Systems
Used to describe the position of a point in space Coordinate system consists of
A fixed reference point called the origin, O Specified axes with scales and labels Instructions on how to label a point relative to the origin and the axes

Section 1.7

Cartesian coordinate system

x- and y- axes Points are labeled (x,y) Positive x is usually selected to be to the right of the origin Positive y is usually selected to be to upward from the origin

Section 1.7

Trigonometry Review

Section 1.8

More Trigonometry
Pythagorean Theorem
r2 = x2 + y2

To find an angle, you need the inverse trig function

For example, q = sin-1 0.707 = 45

Section 1.8

Problem Solving Strategy

Section 1.9

Problem Solving, final

Check
Check the answer
Do the units match?
Are the units correct for the quantity being found?

Does the answer seem reasonable?

Check order of magnitude

Are signs appropriate and meaningful?

Section 1.9

Problem Solving Summary

Equations are the tools of physics
Understand what the equations mean and how to use them

Carry through the algebra as far as possible

Substitute numbers at the end

Be organized

Section 1.9

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

1.5 Scalars and Vectors

Arrows are used to represent vectors. The direction of the arrow gives the direction of the vector.

By convention, the length of a vector arrow is proportional to the magnitude of the vector.

8 lb
4 lb

1.5 Scalars and Vectors

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

Often it is necessary to add one vector to another.

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

5m

3m

8m

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

2.00 m
6.00 m

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

R 2.00 m 6.00 m
2 2

2.00 m 6.00 m
2

6.32m

2.00 m
6.00 m

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

tan q 2.00 6.00

q tan

2.00

6.00 18 .4

6.32 m

2.00 m

q
6.00 m

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.

1.6 Vector Addition and Subtraction

AB A

B A
AB

1.7 The Components of a Vector

x and y are called the x vector component and the y vector component of r.

1.7 The Components of a Vector

The vector componentsof A are two perpendicular vectors A x and A y that are parallel to the x and y axes, and add together vectorially so that A A x A y .

1.7 The Components of a Vector

It is often easier to work with the scalar components rather than the vector components.

Ax and Ay are the scalar components of A.

x and y are unit vectors with magnitude1.

A Ax x Ay y

1.7 The Components of a Vector

Example
A displacement vector has a magnitude of 175 m and points at an angle of 50.0 degrees relative to the x axis. Find the x and y components of this vector.

sin q y r

y r sin q 175 m sin 50 .0 134 m

cosq x r

x r cosq 175 m cos 50 .0 112 m

r 112 m x 134 m y

1.8 Addition of Vectors by Means of Components

C AB

A Ax x Ay y

B Bx x By y

1.8 Addition of Vectors by Means of Components

C Ax x Ay y Bx x B y y Ax Bx x Ay B y y

C x Ax Bx

C y Ay B y