PHYS 1301: Exam 1: Ch 1-3

Physics

Study of fundamental laws of nature

SI Units

Standardized units for measurement in science

Meter

SI unit of length (l)

Kilogram, Gram

SI unit of mass (m)

Second

SI unit of time (s)

Dimensional Analysis

Technique to verify equation correctness

Distance Formula

Distance (d or [L]) = velocity ([L]/[T]) x time (t)

Velocity ([L]/[T]) = Acceleration ([L]/[T^2]) x time (t)

Significant Figures

the number of digits in a quantity that are known with certainty

Scientific Notation

Method to express large or small numbers compactly

Round-Off Error

Error from rounding numbers incorrectly in calculations

Conversion Factor

Ratio to convert between different units

Scalar

A numerical value with magnitude only; May be positive or

negative

Vector

Quantity with magnitude and direction

Order-of-Magnitude Calculation

Estimation using powers of 10

Precision

Consistency of repeated measurements

Velocity

Rate of change of position over time

Velocity ([L]/[T]) = Acceleration ([L]/[T^2]) x time (t)

Acceleration

Rate of change of velocity over time

Energy

Capacity to do work, measured in joules (J)

Energy ([M]x[L^2]/[T^2]) = mass (m) x (Velocity ([L]/[T]))^2

Mass of Cylinder

Defined mass standard of 1 Kg kept at the International Bureau of Weights and Standards, Sèvres, France

Definition of second

the time that it takes the radiation from a Cesium-133 atom to complete 9,192,631,770 cycles of oscillation

Light Speed

Speed of light in vacuum, 299,792,458 m/s

Area Calculation

Length x Width

Oscillation Cycles

Number of complete cycles in a time period

Micro (µ or mc)

Metric prefix for 10^-6.

Significant Figures Rule

Last retained digit is raised by 1 if needed.

Density Formula

Density is mass over volume

Transistor Size

Average size in 2000 was 250 nanometers

Human Hair Diameter

Approximately 70 micrometers

Conversion from Feet to Meters

1 m equals 3.281 ft.

Seconds in a Year

1 year = 3.154 x 10^7 seconds

Significant Figures in Multiplication

Result must match the least accurate quantity.

Leading Zeroes

Do not count as significant figures

Trailing Zeroes

Count as significant only if after decimal

Metric Prefix for One Thousand

Kilo (10^3)

Metric Prefix for One Thousandth

Milli (10^-3)

Dimensions of A, B, C

A is distance, B is distance/time, C is distance/time^2.

Area Conversion

1 m^2 = 10^4 cm^2.

Average Heart Beats per year

Approximately 4 x 10^7 beats

Least Accurate Quantity

Quantity with the fewest significant digits

Mass Measurement

Mass recorded by different scales

Instantaneous Velocity

Velocity at a specific moment in time

V = lim DeltaT - 0 DeltaX/DeltaT

Motion with Constant Acceleration

Motion where acceleration remains unchanged

V = V0 + a x t

Free Fall

Objects falling under the influence of gravity

Height of Gateway Arch

Approximately 633 feet tall.

Average Heart Beats in Lifetime

Approximately 3 × 10^9 beats

Earth Rotations in Lifetime

Approximately 3 × 10^7 rotations

Vector Quantity

Specified by using numerical value and direction

Adding Quantities Rule

Result's decimal places equal least accurate

Dividing Quantities Rule

Result's significant figures equal most accurate

Precision of Scale

Determined by the number of significant figures.

Distance

Total length of the path traveled

Displacement

Change in position; DeltaX = Xf - Xi

Coordinate System

Framework to define origin and direction

Linear Motion

Motion along a straight line

Average Velocity

Displacement over elapsed time

Vav = DeltaX/DeltaT = Xf - Xi/Tf - Ti

Vav = 1/2(V0 + V)

SI Unit of Speed

meters per second (m/s)

Slope of x-t Graph

Represents average velocity over time interval

Total Distance

Sum of all distances traveled during motion

Negative Displacement

Indicates movement in the opposite direction

Elapsed Time

Total time taken for a journey

Speedometer

Device indicating instantaneous speed of a vehicle

Position vs. Time Graph

Visual representation of an object's position over time

Tangent Line

Line that touches a curve at one point

Instantaneous Speed

Speed at a specific instant, magnitude of velocity

Path Length

Total distance traveled regardless of direction

U-shaped Motion

Motion shown in a non-linear path on a graph

Average Acceleration

Change in velocity over time taken

Average Speed

Calculated as total distance over elapsed time

Sav = D/T

Deceleration

Negative acceleration; speed decreases over time

Constant Acceleration

Acceleration that does not change over time

Velocity vs. Time Graph

Slope indicates average acceleration between two points

Distance Traveled

Area under the velocity-time curve

Acceleration due to Gravity

Constant downward acceleration, g = approximately 9.81 m/s²

Initial Velocity (v0)

Velocity of an object at the start of motion

Time to Reach Highest Position

Calculated as t = v0/g for upward motion

Equation of Motion

Describes position, velocity, and acceleration relationships

Velocity as a Function of Position

Describes how velocity changes with position

Position as a Function of Time

Describes how position changes with time

Slope of Velocity Graph

Indicates average acceleration over a time interval

Deceleration Calculation

Determined by final velocity, initial velocity, and distance

Free Fall Cases

Different scenarios based on initial velocity direction

Air Resistance

Opposing force acting on falling objects

Characteristic Curve

Graphical representation of position vs. time relationship

Positive Direction

Upward direction is considered positive in motion

Acceleration (a)

Rate of change of velocity, here -9.81 m/s²

Maximum Height

The highest point reached by an object in motion

Slope of Position vs. Time Graph

Represents average velocity between two points

Tangent Line Slope

Indicates instantaneous velocity at a specific time

Kinematic Equations

Formulas used to describe motion under constant acceleration

Time to Maximum Height

Duration to reach peak height from launch

Object Thrown Upwards

Initial motion directed against gravitational pull