2. Thinking Like a Physicist… The delightful world of Fermi Problems!

3. “you should never solve a problem until you know the answer!” John Archibald Wheeler Estimation is a crucial skill for a physicist. Estimation is a crucial skill for a physicist. Fermi Problems (or back-of-the-envelope calculations) illustrate how “common sense” can be used to get an answer to almost any numerical problem to within a factor of 10. Fermi Problems (or back-of-the-envelope calculations) illustrate how “common sense” can be used to get an answer to almost any numerical problem to within a factor of 10. Lets try a “famous” Fermi problem… Lets try a “famous” Fermi problem…

4. How Many Piano Tuners are there in Edmonton?

5. Group 1,2? Group 3,4? Group 5,6? 9,10 Your Mission (should you choose to accept it…) How many peas would fill this room? How fast does the hair on your head grow? Express in m/s. How many cats are there in Edmonton? How many square centimeters of pizza are eaten by King’s students in 1 term? Group 7,8? How many kg of ice-cream are eaten every year in Edmonton?

6. Preparing for next class… Read Chapter 1 carefully Read Chapter 1 carefully It provides an overview of physics from pre- Newtonian times to the present It provides an overview of physics from pre- Newtonian times to the present Underlying theme and critical concept is motion and its mathematical description Underlying theme and critical concept is motion and its mathematical description