4. SIGNIFICANT DIGITS AND SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
Physics requires the use of certain mathematical knowledge. Both Algebra 1-2 and Geometry must be completed with a "C" average or better to meet prerequisite requirements. Although mathematical methods and facts will be reviewed, students are mainly responsible for having a basic understanding of algebraic manipulation and right angle trigonometry.
For those Juniors unsure of whether or not they will be able to handle physics, I would suggest that they take Algebra 3-4 their Junior year and then take physics as a Senior. This is not to say that Juniors can not handle physics; in fact, most students who have done well in both first year Algebra and Geometry should have the required knowledge and practice to succeed in physics. Some students less sure of their math ability, however, will benefit by gaining the extra year of math before taking physics.
It is necessary for students to be able to isolate variables in any given equation. This will allow the students to solve real life problems when only partial information is available. In isolating variables, students need to be able to recall the steps in doing so:
1. In a polynomial equation, you must first undo any addition or subtraction.
2. You must next undo any multiplication and division.
3. Finally, you must undo anything that was inside of a parentheses.
An example of this procedure:
In the equation 4 ( Y - 3 ) + R = X in which you are trying to isolate Y, you would follow the three steps.
First subtract R from both sides:
4 ( Y - 3 ) = X - R
Next you would both sides by
4: ( Y - 3 ) = ( X - R )/4
Finally, you would add 3 to both
sides: Y = ( X - R )/4 + 3
Not all equations will have all three steps. Some equations may also involve using previous algebra knowledge involving squaring, taking the square root, and/or cross multiplication.
Students taking physics should also have a prerequisite knowledge of right angle trigonometry. This includes manipulation of both the pythagareon theorem and sine, cosine and tangent.
SIGNIFICANT DIGITS AND SCIENTIFIC NOTATION
In order for scientists to communicate effectively, it is important that there be a predetermined system for stating the value of numbers. Scientific notation will allow you to work easily with very large or small numbers and significant digits allow you to state the certainty of a measurement.
In line with scientific notation, the metric system can be used to let scientists communicate effectively with one another. To this end, we will use the metric system exclusively in this class.
One way to easily view collected data is through graphing. It is important that students are not only able to interpret graphs but are capable of graphing given sets of data in a laboratory experiment.
SAMPLE PROBLEMS
| PHYSICS TOPIC | SAMPLE QUESTIONS AND PROBLEMS | HELPFUL LINKS |
| Algebra review | . | . |
| Geometry | . | . |
| Significant digits and scientific notation | Chapter 2: pages 37-41, questions 7-10, 34-41. | . |
| The metric system | Chapter 2: pages 37-41, questions 1-6, 22-24,30-33. | . |
| Graphing | Chapter 2: pages37-41, questions 11-14, 44-47 | . |
| Miscellaneous | Chapter 2: pages 37-41, questions 15-19. | HOW THINGS WORK SITE |
| REVIEW SHEET | . | . |