1. the language of physics
Mathematics
the language of physics
Obj: Swbat use the rules of algebra to rearrange equations and solve for variables.

2. During the course of the year, we will learn approximately 70 equations that physicists use to describe the natural world.
You have to be able to rearrange any of these equations to solve for any variable in them.
Steps for isolating a variable:
Locate the variable (duh)
Using inverse operations, isolate the variable so that it is on one side of the equation and all other variables/numbers are on the other side.
Look for any variables that are being added to or subtracted from our target variable and reverse the operation
Look for any variables that are being multiplied or divided by our target variable and reverse them.
If there are any exponents, use a radical to reverse them

3. Algebra : Example #1 Solve for a
This is the key tool in finding the missing pieces to problems in physics!
Solve for a

4. Algebra : Example #2
Ex #3: Solve for vi

5. Algebra : Example #3
Ex #2: Solve for r

6. Practice on your own

7. Obj: Swbat convert large and small numbers into scientific notation.

8. Scientific Notation Format: a x 10b eg: 491,000 = 4.91 x 105
Scientists need an easy way to talk about very large and very small numbers
Mass of an electron = 9.1 x kg
Mass of the sun = 1.9 x 1030kg
Format: a x 10b
a is any number greater than or equal to 1 and less than 10
b is the exponent which represents the number of spaces we’ve move the decimal.
eg: 491,000 = 4.91 x 105

9. Scientific Notation 0.000000367 = 3.67 x 10-7
Why do we not use the last 1 in the number?
Practice with these examples
4,700 = ______________
= ____________
20,200 = _______________

10. Calculators : Order of Operations
Biggest issue is proper order of operations
Force correct order by using PARENTHESES
Avoid parentheses by using EE notation

11. Calculators : EE Notation
3,000,000
Can be entered into the calculator as:
3 x 10 ^ 6
3E6
BETTER METHOD
The calculator treats this as a
SINGLE number – no PARENTHESES
required!!!

12. Calculators : EE Notation Example
What is the product of 2.0 x 102 and 4.0 x 10-4 ?
Without EE notation:
(2.0 x 10^2) x (4.0 x 10^-4)
With EE notation:
2E2 x 4E-4
Answer:
0.08 or 8.0 x 10-2 or 8E-2

13. Scientific Notation : Review
Use when writing very SMALL numbers
Decimal moves right  DECREASE power of 10
Length of an Ant
0.004 meters
4.0 x 10-3 meters

14. Scientific Notation : Review
Use when writing very LARGE
Decimal moves left  INCREASE power of 10
Diameter of the Moon
meters
3.85 x 106 meters

15. Scientific Notation : Examples
Express each in scientific notation
Average speed of a snail
0.004 meters per second
Length of a mitochondria
meters
Mass of Eiffel Tower
9,070,000 kilograms
Earth-Sun Average Distance
150,000,000,000 meters
1.5 x 1011 m
6.0 x 10-7 m
4.0 x 10-3 m/s
9.07 x 106 kg

16. Metric System Obj: swbat... identify fundamental units
Convert between metric units by dividing and multiplying powers or ten

17. SI Units : Fundamental Units
Based on International Standards
Length
meter (m)
Time
second (s)
Mass
kilogram (kg)
Electric Current
ampere (A)

18. SI Units : Derived Units
Combinations of fundamental units
Speed
m/s
Acceleration
m/s/s
Force
kg·m/s2
Energy
kg·m2/s2
1 s
2 s
3 s
4 s
5 s
10 m

19. Common & Useful Non-SI Units
Units used in the U.S. or for convenience
mile (mi)
1610 m
inch (in) m
minute (min)
60 s
hour (hr)
3600 s

20. SI prefixes represent powers of 10
SI Prefixes : Overview
SI prefixes represent powers of 10
Prefixes for Powers of 10
Prefix
Symbol
Notation
tera T
1012
giga G
109
mega M
106
kilo k
103
deci d
10-1
centi c
10-2
milli m
10-3
micro μ
10-6
nano n
10-9
pico p
10-12
1000 g = 1 x 103 g =
1 kg
s = 1 x 10-6 s =
1 μs
0.054 m =
5.4 x 10-2 m = 5.4 cm
3.0 kJ =
3.0 x 103 J = 3000 J

21. Converting between metric prefixes
SI Prefixes : Overview
Prefix
mega
kilo
“base”
centi
milli
micro
nano
Symbol M k c m μ n
value
106
103
100
10-2
10-3
10-6
10-9
Converting between metric prefixes
In physics, we have to use certain units in our equations (meters for distance, kilograms for mass) but sometimes we won’t be given these units. In these cases, we have to convert from one prefix to another.
eg: 150 grams into kilograms
gram = 100 , kilogram = 103
0 -3 = -3  move 3 spaces to the left
eg: 1.5 seconds into nanoseconds
seconds = 100 , nanoseconds = 10-9
= 9  move 9 spaces to the right

22. Graphing
obj: swbat...
Set intervals for both axis, plot data points, determine the best fit line
Identify the 4 basic types of graph shapes

23. Steps for creating a graph
Collect your data (or it will be given to you.)
Determine the range of the data. What are the highest and lowest values for each set?
Make sure that all data points can fit on your graph, but you DO NOT need to use the entire graph.
Label your axes.
Plot your data.
Draw a “line” of best fit.

24. Polynomial Relationship
Graphs : Overview
Inverse Relationship
Polynomial Relationship
Direct Relationship

25. Graphs : Examples Sketch a graph to show the relationship between…
Fg and m in the equation:
R and A in the equation:
ac and v in the equation: Fg ac R m v A