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Questions and Answers
What is the speed of Andy Green's jet-engine car, Thrust SSC, in meters per second if its land speed record is 763.0 mi/h?
341.0 m/s
What is the volume of the largest cut diamond, the First Star of Africa, in cubic centimeters if its volume is 1.84 cubic inches?
30.16 cm^3
What is the mass of oxygen in kilograms if its atomic mass is 16 atomic mass units?
2.66 x 10^-25 kg
How many gigameters (Gm) away from Earth is Alpha Centauri if it is approximately 4.37 light-years away?
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What is physics?
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Which branch of physics uses mathematical models to explain natural phenomena?
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Models are always accurate representations of reality.
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The law of gravity states that every time you drop an apple, it will fall to the ______.
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Match the contributor with their discovery:
- Galileo Galilei
- Benjamin Franklin
- Michael Faraday
- Albert Einstein
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What is the fundamental unit of mass in the International System of Units?
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Which physical quantity is measured in Candela?
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Define the second as a unit of measurement.
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1 BTU is equal to ______ Joules.
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Study Notes
Introduction to Physics
- Physics is a natural science that studies matter, its motion through space and time, and related concepts like energy and force.
- It aims to describe the function of everything around us, from tiny charged particles to the motion of people, cars, and spaceships.
Model, Theory, and Law
- A model is a representation of something that is often too difficult to display directly.
- A model is justified with experimental proof, but it is only accurate under limited situations.
- A law is an observation, while a theory is an explanation for that observation.
- Example: The law of gravity states that every time you drop an apple, it will fall to the ground. The theory of gravity is the explanation as to why the apple falls to the ground.
Branches of Physics
- Theoretical Physics: employs mathematical models and abstractions to rationalize, explain, and predict natural phenomena.
- Experimental Physics: uses methods of observation and experimentation to study physical phenomena and test the predictions of theoretical physics.
- Applied Physics: applies physical theories to problem-solving and achieving practical goals.
Main Categories of Physics
- Mechanics: studies the motion of bodies under the action of forces.
- Electromagnetism: deals with the electromagnetic force that occurs between electrically charged particles.
- Optics: studies electromagnetic radiation (e.g., light and infrared radiation), its interactions with matter, and instruments used to gather information.
- Acoustics: deals with the study of mechanical waves in gases, liquids, and solids, including vibration, sound, ultrasound, and infrasound.
- Thermodynamics: studies heat, work, and temperature, and their relation to energy, entropy, and the physical properties of matter and radiation.
Famous Contributors to Physics
- Galileo Galilei: performed fundamental observations, experiments, and mathematical analyses in astronomy and physics.
- William Gilbert: discovered that the Earth has two magnetic poles and defined them correctly.
- Benjamin Franklin: characterized two kinds of electric charge (positive and negative) and invented the lightning rod.
- Sir Isaac Newton: developed theories of gravitation and mechanics and invented differential calculus.
- Michael Faraday: discovered electromagnetic induction and devised the first electrical transformer.
- Henry Cavendish: discovered and studied hydrogen, measured Newton's gravitational constant, and calculated the mass and mean density of the Earth.
- Nikola Tesla: developed the alternating-current power system and pioneered radio communication.
- Max Planck: discovered the quantum of action (Planck's constant) and introduced the concept of quanta.
Physical Quantities and Units of Measurement
- Seven fundamental physical quantities: length, mass, time, temperature, amount of substance, electric current, and luminous intensity.
- International System of Units (SI units): meter (m), kilogram (kg), second (s), Kelvin (K), mole (mol), ampere (A), and candela (cd).
- Derived units and unit prefixes (e.g., millimeter, kilometer, megahertz).
Conversion of Units
- Examples of converting units: miles to kilometers, pounds to kilograms, Celsius to Kelvin, etc.
- Importance of unit conversions in physics and engineering applications.
Useful Unit Conversions
- 1 minute = 60 seconds
- 1 foot = 0.3048 meters
- 1 mile = 1609.344 meters = 1.60934 kilometers
- 1 deg.Celsius = 274.15 Kelvins
- 1 kilogram = 2.205 pounds (lbs)
Examples of Unit Conversions
- Convert 7 miles/hour to km/s
- Convert 8000 nanometers to micrometers
- Convert 7400 kP to MP
- Convert 45 in2 to ft2
- Convert the mass of an electron from kilograms to milligrams
- Convert the speed of 763.0 mi/h to meters per second
- Convert the volume of the First Star of Africa from cubic inches to cubic centimeters and cubic meters
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Description
This quiz covers the basics of physics, including its definition, main categories, and famous physicists. Test your knowledge of the foundation of physics.
