PHYS 121 Physics I

• In this course we will discover the scientific principles in the

everyday experiences and objects around us
• To learn some of the basic concepts of physics by observing some
of the common phenomena occurring in everyday life
• We will try to understand the physical concepts behind what
makes things work
• We will see that we can make sense of what is going on around us
in terms of a few basic principles of physics
• To appreciate the quantitative nature of physical science 
numbers matter!
What is Physics?
• Physics is the natural science that involves the study of matter and
its motion through space and time, along with the related concepts
such as energy and force.
• More broadly, it is the analysis of nature, conducted in order to
understand how the universe behaves, from the largest objects to
the smallest.
• A search for patterns or rules (laws) for the behavior of all
physical objects
• The attempt to understand the behavior of everything requires
more than one field such as Astronomy, Chemistry, Biology,
Environmental Science etc.
Physics deals with
Questions: What is matter made of? What holds it together? What
are its smallest constituents? What are the forces in nature? What is
time (Einstein)?
Laws:
• The laws of physics are based on observations
(experimentation)
• We must observe nature to understand it
• We look for patterns of behavior
• We quantify these patterns into mathematical statements –
formulas
• We continually test these “laws” to find the limits of their
applicability
• We revise the “laws” when they fail
Chapter 1
Physics and Mechanics
• Physics deals with the nature and properties of matter and energy.
Common language is mathematics. Physics is based on
experimental observations and quantitative measurements.
• The study of physics can be divided into six main areas:
− Classical mechanics – Physics I
− Electromagnetism – Physics II
− Optics
− Relativity
− Thermodynamics – Physics I
− Quantum mechanics
• Classical mechanics deals with the motion and equilibrium of
material bodies and the action of forces.
Classical Mechanics
• Classical mechanics deals with the motion of objects
• Classical Mechanics: Theory that predicts qualitatively &
quantitatively the results of experiments for objects that are NOT
− Too small: atoms and subatomic particles – Quantum Mechanics
− Too fast: objects close to the speed of light – Special Relativity
− Too dense: black holes, the early Universe – General Relativity

• Classical mechanics concerns the motion of

objects that are large relative to atoms and
move at speeds much slower than the speed of
light (i.e. nearly everything!)
Measurement
A scientific measurement requires:
(1) the definition of the physical quantity
(2) the units.
The value of a physical quantity is actually the product of a number and a unit.
How tall is Ming Yao? How about his weight?
‾ Height: 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in)
‾ Weight: 141 kg (310 lb)
The precision of the measurement result is determined by procedures used to
measure them.
Basic Measurements in the Study of Motion:
− Length: Our “How far?” question involves being able to measure the
distance between two points.
− Time: To answer the question, “How long did it take?”
− Mass: Mass is a measure of “amount of stuff.”
Standards and units
Length (L), time (T), and mass (M) are three fundamental
quantities of physics. The International System (SI for Système
International) is the most widely used system of units since
1971.
In SI units, length ----- meters
time ----- seconds
mass ----- kilograms.
Length: One meter is the distance traveled by light in a vacuum in a
time interval of 1/299 792 458 of a second
Time: One second is the duration of 9.192631770 × 109 periods of
the radiation corresponding to the transition between the two
hyperfine levels of the ground state of the cesium-133 atom.
Mass: One kilogram is the mass of a platinum-iridium cylinder of
height=diameter=39 mm) Atomic mass units
Length, Mass, Time
Dimensional Analysis
Definition: The Dimension is the qualitative nature of a
physical quantity (length, mass, time). Square brackets denote
the dimension or units of a physical quantity :
Dim of area=[A] = L 2
Idea: Dimensional analysis can be used to derive or check
formulas by treating dimensions as algebraic quantities .
Example: The distance (x) traveled by a car in a given time (t)
, starting from rest and moving with constant acceleration (a) is
given by, x = 1/2 at htiw noitauqe siht kcehc nac eW .2
:sisylana lanoisnemid
[x]= L 1/2at2=[L]/[T]2 *[T]2=[L]
Example
• Suppose A=Bn/Cm erehw ,A has dimensions LT, B has
dimensions L2T dna ,1−C has dimensions LT eht nehT .2
stnenopxen and m have the values :
A) n ;1/5 =m 3/5− =
B) n ;2 =m 3 =
C) n ;4/5 =m 1/5− =
D) n ;1/5 =m 3/5 =
E) n ;1/2 =m 1/2 =
Example
• Suppose A=Bn/Cm erehw ,A has dimensions LT, B has
dimensions L2T dna ,1−C has dimensions LT eht nehT .2
stnenopxen and m have the values :
A) n=1/5 ; m = −3/5
B) n = 2 ; m = 3 LHS: LT

C) n = 4/5 ; m = −1/5 RHS: L2nT-nLmT2m

D) n = 1/5 ; m = 3/5 2n+m=1

E) n = 1/2 ; m = 1/2 2m-n=1

n= 1/5 m=3/5
Prefixes for SI Units

10x
Prefix Symbol 10x Prefix Symbol
x=-1 deci d x=18 exa E
-2 centi c 15 peta P
-3 milli m 12 tera T
-6 micro µ 9 giga G
-9 nano n 6 mega M
-12 pico p 3 kilo k
-15 femto f 2 hecto h
-18 atto a 1 deca da
 Unit prefixes
• Prefixes can be used to create larger and smaller units for the
fundamental quantities. Some examples are:
• 1 µm = 10−6 m (size of some bacteria and living cells)
• 1 km = 103 m (a 10-minute walk)
• 1 mg = 10−6 kg (mass of a grain of salt)
• 1 g = 10−3 kg (mass of a paper clip)
• 1 ns = 10−9 s (time for light to travel 0.3 m)

The Order of magnitude of a number is the power of ten when the

number is expressed in scientific notation.
Unit consistency and conversions
• An equation must be dimensionally consistent. Terms to be
added or equated must always have the same units. (Be sure
you’re adding “apples to apples.”)
• Always carry units through calculations.
• Convert to standard units as necessary, by forming a ratio of
the same physical quantity in two different units, and using it
as a multiplier.
• For example, to find the number of seconds in 3 min, we
write:
Example
• Density of Mercury g/cm3 vs kg/m3
3
g  1 kg   100 cm  4 kg
d= 13.5 3 ×  ×
   =1 .35 × 10
cm  1000 g   1 m  m3

• Volume of a container Liter vs inch3

 1000 cm3   1 in. 3
0.473 L ×   × = . .3
.
  2.54 cm 
28 9 in
 1L
 

• Time 1.10 billion seconds vs years

1 gigasecond = 1 × 109 s. 1 day = 24 h. 1 h = 3600 s.

 1 h  1 day   1 y 
1.10 gigasecond = (1.10 × 109 s)     = 34.9 y.
 3600 s  24 h  365 days 
Examples
Write out the number 7.35 × 10-5 in full with a decimal point
and correct number of zeros.
A) 0.00000735 B) 0.0000735 C) 0.000735 D) 0.00735 E) 0.0735
If, in a parallel universe, π has the value 3.14149, express π in that
universe to four significant figures.
A) 3.141 B) 3.142 C) 3.1415 D) 3.1414
What is the value of π(8.104)2, written with the correct number of
significant figures?
A) 206.324 B) 206.323 C) 206.3 D) 206 E) 200
Examples
• Write out the number 7.35 × 10-5 in full with a decimal point
and correct number of zeros.
A) 0.00000735 B) 0.0000735 C) 0.000735 D) 0.00735 E) 0.0735
• If, in a parallel universe, π has the value 3.14149, express π in that
universe to four significant figures.
A) 3.141 B) 3.142 C) 3.1415 D) 3.1414
• What is the value of π(8.104)2, written with the correct number of
significant figures?
• A) 206.324 B) 206.323 C) 206.3 D) 206 E) 200
Uncertainty and significant figures
• The uncertainty of a measured quantity is indicated by its
number of significant figures.
Q ± ε ε:probable error
L=(1.524 ± 0.002) m. 1.522 < L <1.526
• For multiplication and division, the answer can have no more
significant figures than the smallest number of significant
figures in the factors.
• Example:Rectange with length 16mm (2 sign.fig.) and width
5.98mm (3 sig.fig.)
Area: 16x5.98=96 mm2 W/L= 5.98/ 16= 0.37
Perimeter=44mm L/W=16/5.98=2.7
Vectors and scalars
• A scalar quantity can be described by a single number.
• A vector quantity has both a magnitude and a direction in
space.
• In this book, a vector quantity is represented in boldface italic
type with an arrow over it: .
• The magnitude of is written as A or | |.
Drawing vectors
• Draw a vector as a line with an arrowhead at its tip.
• The length of the line shows the vector’s magnitude.
• The direction of the line shows the vector’s direction.
Adding two vectors graphically
Adding more than two vectors graphically
• To add several vectors, use the head-to-tail method.
• The vectors can be added in any order.

  
A+ B +C

 
A+ B
Subtracting vectors
Multiplying a vector by a scalar
• If c is a scalar, the product
c has magnitude |c|A.

• The figure illustrates

multiplication of a vector
by (a) a positive scalar
and (b) a negative scalar.
Components of a vector
• Adding vectors graphically provides limited accuracy. Vector
components provide a general method for adding vectors.
• Any vector can be represented by an x-component Ax and a
y-component Ay.

Ay=Asinθ

Ax=Acosθ
Positive and negative components
• The components of a vector may be positive or negative
numbers, as shown in the figures.

θ=0, Ax=A>0, Ay=0

θ=45°, Ax=A cos 45°>0, Ay=A sin 45°>0
Ax < 0 Ax > 0
θ=90°, Ax=0, Ay=A>0
Ay > 0 Ay > 0
θ θ=135°, Ax=A cos 135°<0, Ay=A sin 135°>0
Ax < 0 Ax > 0 θ=180°, Ax=−A<0, Ay=0
Ay < 0 Ay < 0 θ=225°, Ax=A cos 225°<0, Ay=A sin 225°<0
θ=270°, Ax=0, Ay=−A<0
θ=315°, Ax=A cos 315°<0, Ay=A sin 315°<0
 Calculations using components
• The components are the legs of the right triangle whose
hypotenuse is A

 Ax = A cos(θ )

 Ay = A sin(θ )

 A = ( A )2 + (A )2
 x y

 Ay −1 
Ay 
tan (θ ) = or θ = tan  
 Ax  Ax 
Adding Vectors Algebraically
• Consider two vectors

A = Ax iˆ + Ay ˆj

B = Bx iˆ + B y ˆj
• Then

 
A + B = ( Ax iˆ + Ay ˆj ) + ( Bx iˆ + B y ˆj )
= ( Ax + Bx )iˆ + ( Ay + B y ) ˆj
  
• If C = A + B = ( Ax + Bx )iˆ + ( Ay + B y ) ˆj
• so C x = Ax + Bx C y = Ay + B y
Unit vectors
• A unit vector has a magnitude
of 1 with no units.
• The unit vector points in the
+x-direction, points in the
+y-direction, and points in
the +z-direction.
• Any vector can be expressed
in terms of its components as
y

j i
x
k
z
The scalar product
The scalar product
The scalar product can be
positive, negative, or zero,
depending on the angle
between and .
Calculating a scalar product using
components
• In terms of components:

• The scalar product of two vectors is the sum of the products

of their respective components.
The vector product
If the vector product (“cross product”) of two vectors is
then:

The direction of the

vector product can be
found using the right-
hand rule:
 Example
1.28 Let u be the angle that the vector A makes with the +x-axis, measured
counterclockwise from that axis. Find angle u for a vector that has these components: (a)
Ax=2.00 m, Ay=-1.00 m; (b) Ax=2.00 m, Ay=1.00 m; (c) Ax=-2.00 m, Ay = 1.00 m; (d) Ax=-
2.00 m, Ay = -1.00 m.
Ay
tan θ = , for θ measured counterclockwise from the + x-axis.
Ax
Ay −1.90 m
(a) tan θ = = =−0.475. θ tan −1 (−0.475)
= = 360° − 25.4=
° 335°.
Ax 4.00 m

Ay1.40 m θ = tan −1 (0.500) = 20.7°.

(b) tan θ = = = 0.378.
Ax 3.70 m

2.40 m
Ay θ tan −1 (−0.500)
= = 180° − 58.0=
° 122°.
(c) tan θ = = =−1.600.
Ax −1.50 m

Ay −5.00 m
(d) tan θ = = = 1.042. θ tan −1 (0.500)
= = 180° + 46.2=
° 226.2°
Ax −4.80 m
 Example
You .are given two vectors 𝐴𝐴⃗ = −3𝚤𝚤̂ + 6𝚥𝚥̂ and 𝐵𝐵 = 7𝚤𝚤̂ + 2𝚥𝚥.̂ Let counterclockwise
angles be positive. (a) What angle does 𝐴𝐴⃗ make with the +x-axis? (b) What angle does
𝐵𝐵 make with the +x- axis? (c) Vector 𝐶𝐶⃗ is the sum of 𝐴𝐴⃗ and 𝐵𝐵 , 𝐶𝐶⃗ = 𝐴𝐴⃗ + 𝐵𝐵. What
angle does 𝐶𝐶⃗ make with the +x-axis ?
(a) 6.00
tan θ = Ay / Ax = θ= 117° with the +x-axis.
−3.00

(b)
2.00
tan θ = By / Bx = θ= 15.9°.
7.00
(c)First find the components of C
Cx = Ax + Bx = –3.00 + 7.00 = 4.00, 8.00
= tan θ C=
y
/ Cx = 2.00
Cy = Ay + By = 6.00 + 2.00 = 8.00 4.00

θ= 63.4°
Example
Find the magnitude and direction
of a fourth force on the stone that
will make the vector sum of the
four forces zero.

Let be the fourth force. So
D
       
A+ B+C + D = 0, D = −( A + B + C ).

Ax = + A cos30.0° = +86.6 N, Ay = + A sin 30.0° = +50.00 N.

Bx = − B sin 30.0° = −40.00 N, B y = + B cos30.0° = +69.28 N.
C x = −C cos53.0° = −24.07 N, C y = −C sin 53.0° = −31.90 N.

Then
Dx =−22.53 N, Dy =−87.34 N D = Dx2 + Dy2 =90.2 N.

tan α =
| Dy /Dx | =.
87 34/22.53. α = 75.54°. φ 180° + α
= = 256°,
Example
Vectors 𝐴𝐴⃗ and 𝐵𝐵 have scalar product -6.00, and their vector product has magnitude
+9.00. What is the angle between these two vectors?

 
The scalar product is A ⋅ B = AB cosθ and
 
the vector product is A × B = AB sin θ .
   
A ⋅ B = AB cosθ =
−7.00 A × B = AB sin θ =
+9.00.

9.00
Taking the ratio gives tan θ = , =θ 127.9°.
−7.00