 What is physics?

Explains & predicts the nature of basic concepts The fundamental science: It supports Chemistry which in turn, supports Biology

Recognize a problem Make a hypothesis about the answer Predict the consequences of the hypothesis Test predictions Form a general rule

Fact: Close agreement on a subject by competent individuals Hypothesis: An educated guess Law: A hypothesis which has not been contradicted

All of these aspects of science undergo change as tech- nology improves Theory: A synthesis of many well tested hypotheses and laws

Scientific hypotheses must be testable Cannot be statements of opinion There must be a method of attempting to prove it false

 There must be some means of attempting to prove a hypothesis wrong.  For example: “The alignment of planets in the sky determines the best time for making decisions.” ▪ This is NOT a scientific hypothesis because it cannot be proven wrong or right. ▪ It is only a speculation.

 For example: “No material object can travel faster than light.” ▪ This IS a scientific hypothesis. ▪ Even if it were supported by 1000 experiments, it could be proven wrong by a single experiment.

 Conceptual physics allows us to look past the mathematics and really understand the concepts. ▪ Once the concepts are grasped, the mathematics will come more easily.

Abbreviates large and small numbers to perform computations Take the form: N x 10 n, where 1 ≤ N < 10 and n is an integer Positive Exponents: For numbers greater than 10 Negative Exponents: For numbers between 0 and 1

 2300   

 There are many primary units  Mass Kilogram (kg)  Time Second (s)  Length Meter (m)  There are many derived units as well

 kilok1 000= 10 3  hectoh100= 10 2  decada10= 10 1  Base Unit  decid0.1=  centic0.01=  millim0.001= 10 -3

 There are many primary units  Mass Kilogram (kg)  Time Second (s)  Length Meter (m)  There are many derived units as well

 8.98 mg to g  3.34 mm to cm  1.23 ml to L

 Solve for each variable in the following equations

 Convert the following  m to km .0006 cm to m  Solve for x

 Precision  “Grouped” results  Shows a trend  Accuracy  “On target” results  Near expected Values

Things to remember Independent variable on x-axis Dependent variable on y-axis Label both axes with titles AND units Title the graph – Figure #: Title Choose a suitable scale Be sure graph is evenly spread

Graphing Plot your points Estimate and draw a trend line with a ruler Be sure it intersects the y-axis Determine the slope of the trend line NOT the actual points Look for points of intersection m =  y/  x

Graphing Solve for the y-intercept of the trend line using a point on that line (= b) Determine the equation of the line (y = mx + b)

Figure 1: Height vs. Time Height (m) Time (s)