Physics toolkit

Method of science: Scientific investigations do not always proceed with identical steps but do contain similar models

Essential Qs 1. What are the characteristics of scientific methods? 2. Why do scientists use models? 3. What is the difference between scientific theory and scientific law? a. Theories can change b. Laws cant 4. What are some limitations of science? Vocabulary: Physics: is a branch of science that involves the study of the physical world: energy, matter, and how they are related Scientific method: Although physicists do not always follow a rigid set of steps, investigations often follow similar patterns. Hypothesis: an educated guess. Is a possible explanation for a problem using what you know and have observed It can be tasted by different means: Models Experiment

Model: is a representation of an idea, event, structure, or object that helps people better understanding it. Scientific theory: is an explanation of thing or events based on knowledge gained from many observations and investigations. This is what the hypothesis becomes after numerous trials of data supporting the hypothesis. A data can change as new information is discover.

Scientific law: is a statement about what happens in nature and seems to be true all the time. Help you understand what happens under certain conditions , buut they dont explain why or how they happen. Scientific methods Many investigations begin when someone observes an event in nature and wonder why or how it occurs The question of why or how is the problem The sky is blue because of the mixture of gases An important part of every investigation includes recording observations and organizing data into easy-reading tables and graphs.

The limitations of science Science cannot explain or solve every Qs A scientific question must be testable and verifiable

Ohms law 1. V= IR Voltage (volts, v), I (current) = amperes,(A), R= resitance (omhs, sign omega) Potential Difference 2. P=IV P= power I= current 3. I*IR= I2R= V2/r I=V/R Power (watts, w)

Mathematics and physics We use math to express concepts in physics Essential Qs Why do scientists use the metric system? How can dimensional analysis help evaluate answers? What are significant figures? Vocabulary Dimensional analysis: Significant figures: Physicists often use the language of mathematics. Physicists rely on theories and experiments with numerical results to support their conclusions.

Dimensional analysis: You will often need to use different versions of a formula, or use a string of formulas, to solve a physics problem. A conversion factor is a multiplier equal to 1. Significant figures: When you perfom any arithmetic operation, it is important to remember that the result can never be more precise than the least-precise measurement

Significant figures PE=mgh (mass, gravity m/s2, height) J= kg m/s2 * m=kgm2/s2

Measurement Making careful measurements allows scientist to repeat experiments and compare results Essential Qs Why are the results of measurements often reported with an uncertainty? What is the difference between precision and accuracy? Vocabulary Parallax: the apparent shift in the position

What is a measurement? Is a comparison between an unknown quantity and a standard Measurements quantify observations Comparing results The result are often reported with uncertainty Most error come from the angle in which the instrument is real nonlinear relationships a quadratic relationship can be represented by the following equation: y=ax2+bx+c c- is y intercept (dependent variable) x- is the independent variable a hyperbola result when one variable depends on the inverse of the other an inverse relationship can be represented by the following equation: y=a/x relations are either formulas or developed from graph best fit the line drawn as close as possible to all data points y=mx+b a linear relationship review dimensional analysis is when you change metric units

When and where Distance: is a measurement, and displacement has a direction; is a vector and (it has a magnitude) has as distance and a direction. Scalar: Is magnitude

 Coordinate system: tells you the location of the zero point of the variable you are studying and the direction in which the values of the variable increases. The origin is the point at which both variables have the values zero. The straight line is an axis of the coordinate system The two arrows locate the runners position at different times The length of how far an object is from the origin indicates ots distance from the origin The arrow points from the origin to the location of the moving object at a particular time Vectors and scalars o Quantities have both size, also magnitude and direction are calles vectors and can be represented by arrows o Quantities that are just numbers without any direction, such as distance, time, or temperature are called scalars. To add vector graphically, the length of a vector shuld be proportional to the magnitude of the quantity being represented. So its important to decide on the scale of your drawings The important this is to choose a scale that produces a diagram of reasonable size with a vector that is about 5-10 cm long. The vector that represents the sum of the other two vector is called the resultant The difference between the initial and the final times is called the time interval. Delta is used to represent a change in quantity

t=tf-ti

D may be used to represent position The lenht of the arrow represents the distance the runner move, while the direction the arrow points indictes the direction

d=df-di

The displacement vector is always drawn with its flat end, or tail, at the earlier position, and its point, or tip, at the later position

Chapter 2.4
Acceleration: increase of velocity, if its negative its deceleration

Section 3.3 Acceleration due to gravity: is the acceleration of an object in free fall that results from the influence of Earths gravity Chapter 5 vectors 1. 2. 3. 4. Draw diagram Write known and unknown Solve for unknown Check your answer