1 - Introduction: What is Physics?
Law
A general statement about how nature behaves
A hypothesis is
A preliminary or possible explanation for a set of specific observations
The Scientific Method is
A systematic approach to science, which is based on the process of making observations and gathering data to answer a question
The difference between a theory and a law is
A theory cannot be proved, only disproved, while a law can be proved, and must be validated by lots of evidence
Model
An analogy or comparison of a given phenomenon with something familiar
Theory
An explanation of how nature behaves as it does. It organizes observations, and allows us to make predictions
The steps of the Scientific Method are:
Ask a question Do background research Make a hypothesis Test it through systematic experimentation and make observations (qualitative or quantitative) Analyze the results of the experiments and draw conclusions. The validity of these conclusions must be tested Communicate your results
There are two categories of physics, which are
Classical physics and modern physics
Relative uncertainty calculations are used to
Determine the error introduced by the natural limitations of the equipment used to collect the data
Percent deviation formula
Difference from accepted value/accepted value x 100
Modern physics treats matter and energy as
Different manifestations of the same entity
Relative uncertainty formula
Estimated uncertainty/actual measurement x 100
Aristotle believed that all matter was composed of
Four elements: earth, water, fire, and air
Before Galileo, who was regarded as the foremost authority on natural science?
Greek philosopher Aristotle
How does repeating trials affect systematic error?
It will not reduce it
How does repeating trials affect random error?
It will reduce but never eliminate it
Some classical physics fields are
Kinematics, dynamics, mechanics, electricity and magnetism, fluids, heat (thermal physics), sound, and light (optics)
Percent difference formula
Maximum difference in measurements/average measurement x 100
Three types of systematic error are
Natural error, instrument-calibration error, and personal error
Yes or no: Random error is biased
No
Systematic error
Results from a consistent bias in observation
Random error
Results from small variations in measurements due to randomly changing conditions (weather, humidity, quality of equipment, level of care, etc.)
Classical physics treats matter and energy as
Separate entities and deals with objects in our everyday experience
The word "physics" is derived from
The Greek word for "nature"
Galileo's approach to disproving Aristotle became the foundation of
The Scientific Method
Mechanics
The branch of physics comprising kinematics and dynamics; the how and the why of simple motion
Accuracy
The degree to which the result of an experiment or calculation approximates the true value
Precision
The exactness and repeatability of a value or set of values
Percent deviation/percent error
The numerical amount, expressed as a percent, by which an experimental result differs from the accepted or theoretical value
Physics
The study of matter and energy, and how they interact; it is the study of how objects behave in terms of motion, forces, and energy.
Kinematics
The study of motion
Some modern physics fields are
The study of relativity, atomic structure (atomic physics), the nucleus (nuclear physics), elementary particles (elementary particle physics), and space (astrophysics)
Dynamics
The study of the forces that cause motion
Error
Uncertainty/tolerance; not the result of a mistake, but caused by the limitations of the equipment or experimenter
Quantitative observations
Use objective methods to gather data, such as statistics and measurements
Qualitative observations
Use subjective methods to gather data, such as the 5 senses and characteristics
Percent difference
When measuring values that do not have a theoretical value based on a scientific theory and finding multiple different values, it can estimate the error in your ability to measure
