Introduction

Introduction
• Why study Physics?
Physical Modeling
– Physics is the foundation of every
science (astronomy, biology,
Concepts: Why study Physics chemistry…).
Measurement
Significant Figure • Is this a true statement?
Uncertainty
Order of magnitude a. Yes
Estimation b. No
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction
• Why study Physics?
–Whether you study biology,
architecture, music, medicine,
chemistry or art, there are principles
of physics that are relevant to your
field.
• Is this a true statement?
a.Yes
b.No
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• What is Physics?
–Physics is the study of the
fundamental laws of nature.
– Physics describes matter, energy,
space, and time.
–Physics is the activity of trying to find
the rules by which nature plays.
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

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 Introduction Introduction
• Application of Physics: • Application of Physics:

–Physics contributes directly to other
branches of science, such as:
• Chemistry: deals with the interactions
of molecules and atoms
• Architecture: deals with structural
stability, acoustics, heating, lighting and
cooling of buildings.
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
–In biology and medicine, such as:
• Membrane (as the boundaries of living
cells) properties
• Heat and energy associated with the
body
–Medical diagnostic and medical
therapy
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Structure of Matter
• An Example of Biophysical System:
Matter Molecule Atom Nucleus Baryon Quark
–Human Heart: a multicellular organs,
(Hadron)

producing a cyclic process necessary u

for life
10-2m 10-9m 10-10m 10-14m 10-15m <10-19m
• Cardiac muscle cells are not replaced Condensed matter/Nano-Science/Chemistry protons, neutrons,
mesons, etc.
top, bottom,
charm, strange,
Atomic Physics
and do not divide π,Ω,Λ... up, down

Nuclear
Electron
Physics
• These permanent cells contract roughly (Lepton)

three billion times in a typical life, <10-18m

circulating blood through the body. High Energy Physics

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 Introduction
• Studying Physics:
–will help you develop good thinking
skills and good problem solving skills
• In some way learning physics may
seems much simpler than learning
biology or chemistry.
– How is it possible?
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• To repeat:
– physics is NOT about memorizing a lot of
complicated equations
• if you do this, you will do poorly
– physics is about understanding a very
small number of simple natural laws and
learning to apply them to a wide variety of
problems
– we will encounter perhaps ten fundamental
laws over the term; all the others are
derived from these
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Studying Physics:
–Why complain that introductory
physics is harder to learn than other
sciences?
• Physics is not a mess of separate
equations to be memorized.
– Learn the basic laws, fundamental
relationships, and the skill in applying them
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• The goal of Physics:
– describe the physical universe
• gather knowledge about it
• discover the physical laws that rule it
• How to accomplish the goal?
–through observation and measurement
of the physical quantity
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 Introduction
• Observation, Measurement
–Observation is essential for figuring
out a law or a rule things follow.
–Observation is the cornerstone of
discovering natural laws.
–Observations should be quantitative,
having numerical value.
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Observation, Measurement, Model
– Based on our observation we make
model
–A model is a mental image to objects
or phenomena that we experience
directly.
• Like: the planetary model of the
atom
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Observation, Measurement
–Something that has numerical value is
a “quantity” (as opposed to a “quality”).
–Physical quantity is a quantity in
physics that can be measured.
• Like mass, volume, length, time,
electric current and temperature
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Models in Physics
– Real objects and problems are complex
– We simplify complex phenomena or
problems by modeling them in terms of
things we are familiar with
• By excluding all but the important part of
the phenomena
ƒ Example: The Particle model of motion
»Simplifying the motion of a complex
object as a motion of a single point
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
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 Introduction Introduction
• Measurement, Physical quantity • Measurement

– A physical quantity is defined either by: – The process of measurement is

• specifying how it is measured directly.
–e.g. distance and time
• stating how it is calculated by from
other measurement.
–e.g. average speed = (distance/time)
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
essentially a comparison
– Numerical measurements is made
relative to some standard, or unit
• Establish a standard (unit)
• Compare the quantity to be
measured with the proper standard.
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Units • SI (system International) units
– Fundamental (base) units – Length: meter (m)
• The units in which fundamental physical – Mass: kilogram (kg)
quantity are measured
– Time: second (s)
–Some fundamental physics quantities
– Charge: coulomb (C)
• Length, mass, time and charge

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 Introduction Introduction
Prefix Abbreviation Power of Ten
• Typical Distances:
• SI Prefixes peta P 1015
tera T 1012
giga G 109
mega M 106
kilo k 103
hecto h 102
deka da 101
deci d 10–1
centi c 10–2
milli m 10–3
micro μ 10–6
nano n 10–9
pico p 10–12
femto f 10–15
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Introduction Introduction
• Typical Masses: • Typical Times

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 Introduction Introduction
• Other systems of units • Derived or compound units
–Cgs – Composed of combinations of base unit
• Length centimetre (cm)
• Energy: joule ( j )
• Mass gram (gr)
• Time second (s) 1 joule = 1 kg m2/s2

– British
• Length foot (ft) derived unit base units

• Mass slug (slug)

• Time second (s)
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Introduction Introduction
• Unit conversion • Unit conversion
–Converting units from a system of – Example:
units to another by multiplying by a – 1 km = 1000 m
conversion factor. • Converting meter to kilometre
–Converting unit from one type of unit –Conversion factor (the ratio):
to another » 1 = 1 km / 1000m
• Conversion Factor • Converting kilometre to metre
–is equivalence statement expressed in –Conversion factor (the ratio):
the form of ratio » 1 = 1000 m / 1 km
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 Introduction Introduction
• Example, Unit conversion • Dimensions
– How many meter is 65 inches? – Dimensions are basic types of quantity,
regardless of the unit in which those
– 1 in = 0.0254 m quantities are measured.
–Conversion factor (the ratio of m/in):
• Distance in any unit (m, cm, foot, yard)
» 1 = 0.0254 m /1 in has dimension of length
0.0254 m – Such as:
– 65 in = 65 in × ( ) = 1.65 m
1 in • Length [L] The square brackets are
14243 referring to dimensions not
1 • Mass [M] units.
• Time [T]
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Dimensions of some Physical Quantities
• Dimensional analysis
Quantity Symbol Dimenssion

Area A L2 –A useful procedure to drive an

Volume V L3 equation or check its correctness
Speed v L/T
Acceleration a L/T2
• Dimensions can be treated as algebraic
Force F ML/T2
equations
Pressure (F/A) p M/LT2
ρ
Density (M/V) M/L3
• The dimensions of an equation do not
ML2/T2
Energy E
change on opposite sides of the equal
Power (E/t) P ML2/T3
sign
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 Introduction Introduction
Example: dimensional analysis
• Example, dimensional analysis • Use dimensional analysis to determine how
the period of a pendulum depends on the
–show that { v = v0 + at } is
mass, the length of the pendulum and the
dimensionally correct acceleration due to gravity (its unit is
L distance/time2)
x L v T L
– v= ≡ and a= = = 2 – Mass of the pendulum [M]
t T t T T – Length of the pendulum [L]
– Acceleration of gravity [L/T2]
L L L L L L
– T = T + T2 ×T = T + T = T – The period of a pendulum is how long it take to
complete 1 swing
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
Example: dimensional analysis Example: dimensional analysis
– Period has dimensions of time, [ T ] – Period has dimensions of time, [ T ]
– How can we arrange the dimensions of the
given quantities to get the dimension of – So, from try 2: [ L ( L T 2 ) = T , the period
period? of a pendulum can probably be written as:
L
– Try 1: = T 2 wrong
L T2
lenth
period ∝
– Try 2: L right { L /(L/T2)}1/2 = [ T ] acceleration due to gravity
=T
L T2

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 Introduction Introduction
Example, dimensional analysis Example, dimensional analysis
• The pressure in a fluid in motion depends on – Divide the dimension of pressure [ ML/T2 ]
its density ρ and its speed v. Find a simple by those of density [M/L3] :
combination of density and speed that gives
the correct dimensions of pressure – [ p] = [M LT ] = ⎡ L ⎤ = ⎡ L ⎤
2 2 2

[ρ ] [M L ] ⎢⎣T ⎥⎦ ⎢⎣T ⎥⎦
3 2

– Density [M / L3] – The result has a dimension of speed square, so:

– Speed [L / T]
– [ p] = ⎡ L ⎤ = v 2
2

⇒ [ p ] = [ρ ][v ]
2
– Pressure [M / LT2] ⎢ ⎥
[ρ ] ⎣T ⎦
• So, we have to find a relationship ⎡M ⎤ ⎡L⎤
2
⎡ M ⎤
between these three! – p = ρv2 ⇒ [ p] = ⎢ 3 ⎥ ⎢ ⎥ = ⎢ 2 ⎥
⎣ L ⎦ ⎣T ⎦ ⎣ LT ⎦
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction
• Uncertainty
– No physical measurement is done with
complete accuracy
– There is uncertainty or inaccuracy in any
measurement
– All measurements have uncertainties in
them
– The uncertainty in a measurement is an
estimate of the amount it can be off from
the “true” value
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Uncertainty
– It is important to know how to measure
and account for uncertainties
– For example, if you ask three people to
measure your height with a tape
measure; they might come up with
measurements like: 150.5 cm, 151 cm
and 151.5 cm
– Who is right?
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

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 Introduction Introduction
• Uncertainty • Uncertainty
– No one is “right” (the previous example). The – Uncertainty (absolute)
measurement technique has some inherent
• If the result of a measurement is expressed as:
uncertainty
151.0 ± 0.5
– We can quantify uncertainty by stating a
• The uncertainty is 0.5 cm
measurement with an associated range of
possible values in which it could lie. – So: 151.0 ± o.5
– For the previous example, we might say: the measurement the uncertainty
– Presenting in symbols: A ± ΔA
height = 151.0 ± 0.5
• Where A is the measurement and ΔA is the
The measurement The uncertainty
uncertainty.
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Types of Uncertainties • Scientific Notation
– Absolute uncertainty: – A shorthand way of writing very large and/or
very small numbers, as a product of a
• Example: t ± Δt = (9.84 ± 0.05) s
number between 1 and 10 and a power of 10
• Means that the actual time can be anything
between 7.79 s to 9.89 s • Example
– The radius of the sun is 700000 km
– Percent (or “relative”) Uncertainty • Write as: 7.0 × 105 km
• % unc = (ΔA / A) × 100 = (relative) × 100 Properly written, it is between 1.0 and 10.0

• Example: t = 9.84 s ± 0.5% – The radius of a hydrogen atom:

– (0.05/9.84) × 100 = 0.5% • 0.0000000000529 m = 5.29 × 10–11 m
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 Introduction
• Significant Figures
– For any measurement, only certain digits
are “significant”
• Measuring the length of a football field by a 30
cm ruler and reporting it to be 150.000000000
m long; Surely Not all of these zeros actually
mean anything!
– All digits up to the first (uncertain)
doubtful digit are called “significant
figures” .
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Rules: how many Significant Figures:
–Non–zero digits are always significant
• 345.23 (5 sig figs) , 56 (2 sig figs)
–Any zeros between two significant
digits are significant
• 505 (3 sig figs) , 1008 (4 sig figs) ,
54.0209 (6 sig figs)
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Example
– The results of measuring a sheet of paper
by several people are:
• 27.90 cm, 27.92 cm, 27.96 cm, 27.95 cm
– Everyone agrees as to the 3 first digits and
the forth one is a doubtful
– This measurement has 4 significant figures,
the last of which is uncertain
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Introduction
• Rules: how many Significant Figures
–Final zeros to the right of decimal are
significant
• 5.6290 (5 sig figs) , 340. (3 sig figs)
–The other zeros, placeholders, are not
significant
• 0.00873 (3 sig figs) , 0.00380 (3 sig figs)
,340 (2 sig figs)
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 Introduction Introduction
• Example: Significant Figures • Calculations with Significant Figures
26.38 (4 sig figs), 27 (2 sig figs) –When adding or subtracting, the
answer can have no more places after
0.00500 (3 sig figs),
the decimal than the least of the
0.03040 (4 sig figs) numbers.
3.0880 (5 sig figs), • Example
0.00418 2.54 cm +1.2 cm = ? = 3.7 cm (Not 3.74)
(3 sig figs),
3208800 = 3.2088×106 (5 sig figs) 7.432 cm + 2 cm = ? = 9 cm (Not 9.432)
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Calculations with Significant Figures
• Example: Find the sum of 104.0 and
–When multiplying or dividing, the 0.21342.
answer can have no more significant
figures than the least reliable
104.0 + 0.21342 = 104.21342
measurement.

• Example 1 5 ?
56.78 cm × 2.45 cm = ?
104.0 + 0.21342 = 104.2
= 139 cm2 (Not 139.111) cm2
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 Introduction Introduction
• Approximations, Order of Magnitude
• Example: A tortoise races a rabbit by
walking with a constant speed of 2.51 –For many problems, knowing the
cm/s for 12.23 s. How much distance approximate value of a quantity, within
does the tortoise cover? a factor of 10, is sufficient

–An order of magnitude calculation is

d = (speed) × (time) a rough estimate, being accurate to
within a factor of 10
d = (25.1cm)×(12.23s)= 30.7cm • Purpose: to give a quick idea
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Order of Magnitude • Approximations, Order of Magnitude
–For many problems, knowing the
approximate value of a quantity, within
a factor of 10, is sufficient

–An order of magnitude calculation is

a rough estimate, being accurate to
within a factor of 10
• Purpose: to give a quick idea
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 Introduction Introduction
• Estimation • Example, Order of Magnitude
– The technique of gaining useful results –Estimate the number of times a human
through careful (scientific) assumption
heart beats during its lifetime
– Fermi Problems
• A typical heartbeat = 60 times/minute
• Class of estimation problems
• Average life time = 75 years
• Purpose: to give a quick idea
• Yield interesting results by making (
60 beats 60 min utes 24 hours 365 days 75 years
)( )( )( )( )
reasonable assumption about quantities that 1 min ute 1 hour 1 day 1 year 1lifetime
are not known exactly = 2.4 ×109 beats / lifetime ≈ 109 beats / lifetime
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Example, Estimation • Example, Estimation
–Estimate the mass of your brain and Volume of brain: 10cm×10cm×10cm = 103 cm3

number of cell it contains. (103 cm3)×(1 m3/ 106 cm3) = 10–3 m3

• A head = 15 cm wide
• A Brain = 10 cm wide
• Brain cell ≅ Blood cell ≅ 10–5 m
• May assume brain density = 1 gr/cm3
• Assume a cubic brain???
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
Mass = (density)×(volume)
Mass of brain = (1gr/cm3)×(1000 cm3) = 1000 gr
= 1000 gr ×(1k/1000 gr) = 1 kg
Volume of cell = (10–5 m)3 = 10–15 m3
Number of cell = (10–3 m3 / 10–15 m3 )
= 1021 cell/brain
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 Introduction Introduction
• Example, Estimation • Example, Estimation
a. How many dentists are practicing in the a. How many dentists are practicing in the
Canada? Canada?
Assumptions:
Canada’s population = 33 million people
b. How many dentists are practicing in the Regular visit = half of population
United States? Number of visit per year = 3 (on average)
Time spend = 1/2 hour

PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Example, Estimation
• Example, Estimation
Total time people spend for dentist: – What thickness of rubber tread is worn off
the tire of an automobile as it travels 1 km?.
Total time = (3.3 ×10 7×.5 people)×(3
visit/person) ×(o.5 hour/visit) = 2.5× 10 7 • The tread thickness of a new tire = 1 cm
total dentist working time: • The tread is completely worn off = 60000 km
dentist time = (40 h/week)(50 weeks) = 2000 h
• The rate of wear = 1 cm/60000 km
Number of dentist = • Wear out = (1/60000) cm/Km = 1.7x10-5 cm/km
2.5×10 7 /2000 = 1.2×10 4 dentists • Wear out ≅10-5cm/km = 10-5cm/kmx104μm/m
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat
• Wear out ≅ 10-1 μm/km of travel
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 Introduction
• Example: A warehouse is 20.0 yards long,
10.0 yards wide, and 15.0 ft high. What is its
volume in cubic meter?
Where 1 yd = 3 ft, and 1 m = 3.281 ft
Introduction
• Example: continue
L = (20.0 yd)(3 ft /1yd)(1m/3.281 ft)= 18.3 m
W = (20.0 yd)(3 ft /1yd)(1m/3.281 ft)=9.14 m
H = (15.0)(1 m /3.281 ft)=4.57 m

V=L×W×H V=L×W×H
1 = (3 ft /1 yd) V = (18.3 m) × (9.14 m) × (4.57 m)=764 m3
1 = (1 m /3.281 ft)
V ≠ 764.3873 m3 (significant figure ??)
PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat PHYS 1L03, Fall 2009, McMaster University, R.Nejat

Introduction Introduction
• Example: Blood in the human aorta can • Example:
attain speeds of 35.0 cm/s. How fast is this Where 1 m = 3.281 ft, and 1 m = 100 cm
in ft/s?
Where:
35.0 cm/s = (35.0 cm/s)×(1m/100 cm)
1 m = 3.281 ft,
× (3.281 ft/ 1m) = 1.148 ft/s
1 m = 100 cm

35.0 cm/s = 0.15 ft /s

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