Physics 1 exam

What is the scientific method?

systemic approach to investigating natural phenomena characterized by careful observation, precise measurement, controlled experimentation and the formation, testing and refinement of a hypothesis

How long has the scientific method been a cornerstone of natural science?

since the 17th century

What does physics study?

nature and properties of matter and energy

Physic laws encompass a wide range of phenomena, from formation of ________ to interactions of _________________ within __________

galaxies, subatomic particles, atomic nuclei

Physics uses experimental data to do what?

predict and explain how nature behaves

Who were some of the scientists that introduced laws of physics?

Galileo, Kepler, Newton, Maxwell, Planck, and Einstein

What is the definition of energy?

the ability to do work

What are the three most popular systems of units?

SI, CGS and British Engineering System of Units

What are the units for SI?

meter (m), kilogram (kg), and seconds (s)

What is the standard unit of time?

seconds (s)

What is the standard unit of length?

meters (m)

What is the standard unit of mass?

kilogram (kg)

Quantities in physics can be divided into two different categories, what are those categories?

based and derived

What is the base category?

a quantity that is defined in terms of a standard

ex: length= meter mass=kilogram time=seconds

What consists of the derived category?

a quantity that is defined using base quantities

ex: newton (N) is a derived quantity due to its formula 1kg*m/s²

Standard unit of electric current?

ampere (A)

Standard unit for temperature?

kelvin (K)

Standard unit for amount of substance?

mole (mol)

standard unit for luminous intensity?

candela (cd)

What is dimensional analysis?

method used to identify relationships between physical quantities by comparing their units

What does dimensions of a quantity refer to?

the type of base units or base quantities that make it up

ex: time [T], mass [M], length [L]

What is the dimensional analysis of time?

v=L/T or m/s

What is a period defined as?

the time required to complete one full oscilation

What is rule one for identifying sig figs?

all non zeros are significant

ex: 111 has 3 sig figs

What is rule two for identifying sig figs?

zeros between 2 sig figs are significant

ex: 101 has 3 sig figs

What is rule 3 for identifying sig figs?

final zeros in the decimal portion are significant

ex: 1.010 has 4 sig figs

In multiplication and division, the result should have ______ sig figs than the number with the _______ sig figs

NO MORE, fewest

In addition and subtraction, the result should have ________ digits to the right of the decimal point that the number with the _______ digits

NO MORE, fewest such

What is accuracy?

the closeness of a measured value to a standard or known value

What is precision?

the closeness of two or more measurements to each other

What is tool precision?

the eye degree of exactness a measuring instrument can provide

What is tool precision defined by?

the smallest value that the tool can reliably measure

Why is mathematics used in physics?

it is a fundamental tool used by scientists to describe how the physical universe behaves

What are the two types of categories quantities can be classified in?

scalar quantities and vector quantities

What is a scalar

described by a single value, its magnitudem along with a unit

T/F Scalars have direction

FALSE; scalars do NOT have direction

What is a vector?

described by both magnitude and direction

ex: displacement, velocity, acceleration, force