1. Introduction to Physics And the Metric System

2. Introduction to Physics Physics is a natural science. Examines nature. Seeks natural explanations. Concerned with mass, charge, energy, motion, force, etc. Seeks to understand how the universe behaves.

3. Introduction to Physics Syllabus Calendar Classroom Policies Lab Safety Class Website “Textbooks”

4. The Metric System Based on powers of 10. 10 9 = 1 billion 10 6 = 1 million 10 3 = 1 thousand 10 2 = 1 hundred 10 -2 = 1 / 100 10 -3 = 1 / 1000 10 -6 = 1 / 1 000 000 10 -9 = 1 / 1 000 000 000

5. Powers of Ten 10 3 seems almost as large as 10 4. It’s NOT! 10 4 is 10 times larger than 10 3. Be careful when considering large numbers.

6. mks vs cgs mks = meter-kilogram-second Length meas. in meters. Mass meas. in kilograms. Time meas. in seconds. We’ll use this set of units most frequently. cgs = centimeter-gram-second Length meas. in centimeters. Mass meas. in grams.

7. Prefixes Giga (G)  x 10 9 Mega (M)  x 10 6 kilo (k)  x 10 3 centi (c)  x 10 -2 milli (m)  x 10 -3 micro (  )  x 10 -6 nano (n)  x 10 -9

8. Understanding Metric Scale The MegaPenny Project

9. Significant Figures Important in reporting answers accurately and precisely. A fig. is sig. if it is known or estimated.

10. Rule 1: All non-zero figs. are sig. 123 has 3 SF. 1.23 also has 3 SF. Rule 2: “Sandwich” zeroes are sig. 103 has 3 SF. 2.002 has 4 SF.

11. Significant Figures Rule 3: Trailing zeroes are sig. IF the value contains a decimal. 100 has 1 SF. 10.0 has 3 SF. 100. has 3 SF. 2020 has 3 SF. 202.0 has 4 SF.

12. Significant Figures Rule 4: Leading zeroes are NEVER sig. 0.0020 has 2 SF. 0.0154 has 3 SF. 0.0101 has 3 SF. 0.0003 has 1 SF.

13. Significant Figures Rule 5: If a number is written in sci. not., only the figs. in the base are sig. 1.05 x 10 5 has 3 SF. 2.0 x 10 32 has 2 SF. 1.6000 x 10 -8 has 5 SF.

14. Significant Figures Multiplying or Dividing Using SF. Answer has same number of SF as least precise number being multiplied/divided. EX: 2.05 grams / 1.1 mL Calculator gives: 1.863636... g/mL Round to 2 SF: 1.9 g/mL EX: 15.0 cm x 205.5 cm Calculator gives: 3082.5 cm 3 Round to 3 SF: 3080 cm 3

15. Adding or Subtracting Using SF. Answer has the same number of decimal places as the least precise number being added/subtracted. EX: 2.15 m + 1.0 m Calculator gives: 3.15 m Round to 1 d.p.: 3.2 m EX: 4.49 s – 3.048 s Calculator gives: 1.442 s Round to 2 d.p.: 1.44 s