1. PHYS 1221 Introduction to Mechanics
Dr. Xsitaaz Chadee
Semester I,
Lecture 1 - Overview

2. Today’s learning objective
Familiarize yourself with PHYS 1221
State the standard units of measurement

3. How an eclipse proved Einstein Right
(2 mins)

4. Experimental evidence of Einstein’s General Relativity
(1.5 min)

5. Eddington’s experiment – how much light is deflected
Measurements
- true positions of Hyades star cluster, shifted positions during eclipse
– of position, time, light intensity on photographic plates etc.
“Once the two teams had analyzed their results, they found their measurements were within two standard deviations of Einstein’s predictions, compared to twice that for Newton’s, thus supporting Einstein’s new theory. ”(APS 2016)
Errors
Repeat of experiment
1919 experiment - Different equipment – different errors – Brazilian team and Principe tea
different conditions naturally , 1953, 1973 eclipses – each result better than the last – improved telescopes, reduced errors

6. Experimentalist Vs. Theorist on Einstein's General Theory of Relativity

7. Reading on Proving Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity
Buchen, Lizzie “May 29, 1919: A major eclipse, relatively speaking.” Accessed September 9, 2018,
APS “This month in Physics History: May 29, 1919: Eddington observes solar eclipse to test general relativity.” Accessed September 9, 2018,
NASA “Testing General Relativity.” Accessed September 9, 2018,

8. Scientific method

9. No one way for the scientific method - Homework – look at this video

10. Theory and experiment together
Well-conceived question
Hypothesis
Assumptions
Build theory
Test theory with previous experimental data
Predict with theory
Design and implement theory
Evaluate experimental results and compute errors
Confirm or refute theory

11. In this course Theory - Mechanics Experiment
Vectors (Mathematical tool)
Motion in 3D
Force and motion
Kinetic energy and work
Potential Energy and Conservation of Energy
Center of Mass and Linear Momentum
Equilibrium and elasticity
Gravitation
Fluids – for motion through atmosphere and ocean
(Topics in angular momentum are dealt with in PHYS 2151)
Experiment

12. Reading Resources – Available in the Library
CATEGORY/AUTHOR
TITLE
PUBLISHER A.
Halliday, D., Resnick, R., and Walker, J.
Fundamentals of Physics
Wiley 9th edition (2010)
PHYS 1221 Laboratory Manual
Department of Physics
UWI St. Augustine B.
Christam, J. Richards
A Student’s Companion to
accompany Fundamentals of Physics
Fishbane, P., Gasiorowicz, S. and Thornton, S.
Physics for Scientists & Engineers with Modern Physics
Prentice Hall Inc.
3rd edition (2004)
Giancoli, D.C.
General Physics
Prentice Hall Inc.(1984) C.
Hurley, J.P., and Garrod, C.
Principles of Physics
Houghton & Mifflin (1978)
Mac Donald, S.
Problems & Solutions in General Physics for Science & Engineering Students
Addison-Weskey (1967)
Squires, G.L.
Practical Physics
Cambridge University
Press, 3rd Ed. 1985

13. Internet Sources:
Online lectures: physics
Online tutorials:
Physics help: me.html
Simulations:
Online lectures and support materials:

14. How to study for this course:
Review your lecture slides.
Make your own notes.
Notes are personal.
Notes fill the gap in your knowledge.
Ask questions in class.
Attempt questions in the lecture slides and the textbook.
Attempt the tutorial questions.
Watch youtube videos.
Check Khan’s Academy online.
Refer to: The Fresher’s Guide to Learning at the UWI- Instructional Development Unit, August 2012)

15. Plagiarism

16. Assessments Coursework – (50%)
2 quizzes – myelearning – MCQs (15%)
Use your tutorials and your notes to help you prepare
Dates: Wed. 17th October and Wed. November 14th
Project (10%) – Due Wed. October 10th
Create a video using a smart phone recording and explaining one application of mechanics in your environment – You are to answer “How does XXX work?”
For example, “How does wind turn a wind turbine? What types of forces are exerted?”
Upload to YouTube as an unlisted video and send me the link
Groups will be given next week.
You have a choice of the application.
At most 15 minutes long.
Include references.
4 Lab experiments and reports (25%) – as according to schedule
Final exam - short answer questions (50%)

17. Units of measurement
Standard – a 1 m length in Trinidad is the same as a 1 m length in London
Physical Quantity
Name of Unit
Abbreviation
Mass
kilogram kg
Length
meter m
Time
second s
Temperature
Kelvin K
Amount of substance
mole
mol
Electric current
Ampere A
Luminous intensity
Candela cd

19. Halliday et al. (2014, 2011)

20. Redefining the kilogram
Look at

21. The kilogram is based on Planck’s constant h,
Professor Klaus von Klitzing - Nobel Prize winner in Physics 1985
ℎ/ 𝑒 2 the von Klitzing constant – used in redefining the kilogram
Quantized Hall effect – resistance effect
Visiting Trinidad in early October

22. To review for next class
(1) Difference between vectors and scalars in 1 dimension
Chapter 2 of Halliday et al.
Next class, we start with a short multiple choice quiz (MCQ)