Essential Physics

Chapter study guide

Three fundamental quantities in physics are mass, distance, and time. All quantities are measured with both a value and its units. The units of the International System (SI) are used as the standard units for quantities such as the kilogram, meter, and second. Quantities can be converted from one set of units to another by using conversion factors. Scientific notation is useful for expressing quantities from microscopic to macroscopic scales. All measurements are expressed in a way that conveys their precision and uncertainty. When performing calculations, the precision of the result can never be better than that of the least precise quantity that contributes to the calculation. Physics often requires creating models—including equations and graphs—as representations to fit observational data. Algebra is a useful tool for constructing mathematical models of physical data.

By the end of this chapter you should be able to
	distinguish between fundamental and derived quantities;
	distinguish among mass, inertia, and weight;
	calculate surface area, volume, and density;
	use scientific notation and algebra to solve problems;
	convert units for fundamental and derived quantities;
	use the appropriate number of significant figures and decimal places when performing calculations;
	describe several causes and effects of uncertainties on measured data; and
	draw a graph of a set of data points, identify the dependent and independent variables, and measure the slope of the graph.

2A: Indirect measurement, estimation, and scale
2B: Graphical relationships
2C: Algebraic relationships

38	Describing the physical universe
39	Measurements and units
40	Matter and mass
41	Inertia, weight, and mass
42	Space and length
43	Surface area, volume, and density
44	Macroscopic and microscopic scales
45	Scientific notation
46	Time
47	Section 1 review
48	Measurements
49	Significant figures
50	2A: Indirect measurement, estimation, and scale
51	Causes and effects of uncertainties
52	Safety in investigations
53	Section 2 review
54	Mathematical tools
55	Visualizing data
56	Models and equations
57	2B: Graphical relationships
58	Problem–solving steps
59	Algebra
60	2C: Algebraic relationships
61	Section 3 review
62	Chapter review

ρ = \frac{m}{V}

S = 2 a b + 2 b c + 2 a c

S = 4 π r^{2}

S = 2 π r h + 2 π r^{2}

S = π r^{2} + π r \sqrt{r^{2} + h^{2}}

V = a b c

V = \frac{4}{3} π r^{3}

V = π r^{2} h

V = \frac{1}{3} π r^{2} h

measurement	matter	mass
inertia	length	surface area
volume	density	scale
macroscopic	microscopic	temperature
scientific notation	exponent	accuracy
precision	decimal places	significant figures
conversion factor	dependent variable	independent variable
variable	model


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