Physics test 1

What is physics?

The study of the physical world

Goal of Physics

to use a small number of basic concepts, equation, and assumptions to describe the physical world

Mechanics

motion & its causes

Thermodynamic

Heat & temperature

Vibrations & Wave phenomena

Specific types of repetitive motion

Optics

light

Electromagnetism

electricity, magnetism, & light

relativity

particles moving at any speed; including very high speed

Quantum Mechanics

behavior of submicroscopic particles

Scientific Method - Step 1

state the problem

Scientific Method - Step 2

gather information

Scientific Method - Step 3

form a hypothesis

Scientific Method - Step 4

test the hypothesis

Scientific Method - Step 5

analyze the data

Scientific Method - Step 6

draw conclusion

Scientific Method - Step 7

Determine whether hypothesis is supported or not

model

a replica or description designed to show the workings of an object, system or concept.

System

a set of items or interactions considered a distinct physical entity for the purpose of study

Hypothesis

a reasonable explanation for observations that can be tested with controlled experiments

bias

when a scientist expectations affect how the results are analyzed

for it to be science….

it has to be able to be tested

Metric system

uses SI units

Fundamental Units

Measured by something physical; a phenomena

Unit of length

meter

unit of mass

kilograms

unit of time

second

Unit of electric current

AMP/ampere

Unit of thermodynamic temperature

kelvin

Unit for amount of substance

mole

Unit of luminous intensity

candela

Dimensional Analysis

a procedure where dimensions can be used as algebraic quantities

Uncertainty

the imperfection of a measurement

• instrument error

• method error

• instrument read differently

• limitation inherent to the measuring device

Accuracy

the closeness of a measurement to the accepted value for a specific physical quantity

Absolute Error

the actual difference between the measured value and the accepted value

precision

the agreement among several measurements that have been made in the same way

Could also be described as the degree of exactness of a measurement

tolerance

indicates the limits of an instrument gives the degree of precision obtainable

Absolute Deviation

the difference between a single measured value and the average of several measurements made in the same way

Sig Figs

those digits in a number that are known with certainty plus the first digit that is uncertain or estimated

Independent variable

factor that is manipulated during the experiment

dependant variable

depends on the independent

extrapolation

making estimates beyond the known data points

interpolation

making estimates between the known data points