1. Math Techniques
for
AP Physics

2. Scientific Notation Mt. Everest -- 8845 m or 8.845 x 103 m
Flu Virus m or 2.3 x 10-7 m
A valuable way to express large and small numbers
A useful way to communicate the number of significant figures in a numerical value

3. Rules for Scientific Notation
Decimal is moved so that one significant digit precedes it
Numbers are expressed as a value multiplied by a power of 10
1230 
23405 

4. Rules for Scientific Notation
When the decimal is moved to the right, the exponent is negative. When the decimal is moved left, the exponent is positive.
8463   

5. Metric System
Widely used system of measurement because of its ease of use
Base units are expressed with prefixes representing various powers of ten

6. SI (Systeme International) Units
the internationally agreed upon standard units for the metric system
Base SI units are:
Kilogram – mass
Meter – length
Second – time
Ampere – electric current

7. Other metric units derived from base units:
Newton -- kg x m/s2 (force)
Joule -- kg x m2/s2 (energy)
Volt -- kg x m2/(A x s3) (electric potential)
Tesla -- kg/(A x s2) (magnetic induction)
Converting metric to metric:
250 cm = __________ m
45 kg = ___________ g

8. Metric Prefixes

9. Unit Conversion
To change a measured value from one unit to another, you need a conversion factor.
21.5 inches = _______ cm
1 inch = 2.54 cm
Think of that factor as a fraction. The conversion factor will be set up so that the original units cancel out to give you the new units

10. The 14 tallest peaks in the world are referred to as “eight-thousanders,” meaning the summits are m above sea level. What is the elevation, in feet, of an elevation of m?
m  cm  inches  feet

11. A silicon chip has an area of 1. 25 square inches
A silicon chip has an area of 1.25 square inches. Express this area in square centimeters.
1 in = 2.54 cm
1 in2 = ______ cm2

12. Where the posted speed limit is 55 miles per hour, what is the speed in meters per second?
mi/hr  mi/s  ft/s  in/s  cm/s  m/s