PHYS

1121, 1131, 1141.

Please dont leave spaces in rows of seats. The theatre will be ~ full.
Meanwhile, introduce yourself to your neighbours.

Text. Halliday, Resnick & Walker: Fundamentals of Physics (10th or any recent edition)

You need to have access to a textbook (own, library, share; HR&W or a different one)

If you buy the on-line version, you don't need Wiley Plus (we shan't use it).

Lab manual and homework book: either buy from UNSW Bookshop or else download
and print
All important information is on the UNSW Moodle site

You can ask physics and administrative questions there.

Regarding enrolments, see Student Central or (for this subject) the First Year Physics Office.
Lecturers: Joe Wolfe and Michael Burton. Course authority is Krystna Wilk

Contact us (first) via the Discussion Forum on the Moodle site.

This lecture: we begin Mechanics (weeks 1-6).

Revise some high school kinematics. Converting units. Estimates.

PHYS1121/1131/1141:

Three questions

Question: Why are you studying physics? (Discuss with your neighbours.)

x
L

water

water
container
tap

Challenge question. A tank (mass M) on a frictionless surface

contains water (mass m). L is distance from centre of mass of
container to pipe. The pipe is small compared to the tank. It is
stationary when you open the tap, then water flows out.
i) When all the water has left, where is the tank (x = ?) and
which way is it moving? (v = ?) Show a clear, quantitative
derivation, (no fluid dynamics required).
ii) Explain your answer in terms of forces on the tank.
A difficult problem, so a chocolate prize for the first clear
answer.

frictionless contact
ice

(If the lecture goes too slowly for you, work on this problem.)

Fundamental question.
Consider F = ma
i) Is this a law of physics?
ii) Is it a definition of force? (If not, what is?)
iii) Is it a definition of inertial mass? (If not, what is?)
Can it be more than one of these?

Assumed mathematical knowledge:

Plotting and reading graphs
Appropriate use of significant figures
Solving quadratic equations
Exponential and log
Solving simultaneous equations
Trigonometric functions and some identities
Differentiation and integration
Solving simple differential equations
The following sections will be very rapid
Introduction to vector addition and subtraction
Vector components and resolving vectors

Assumed physics knowledge:
Officially none. However, we'll go quickly through parts of mechanics (eg projectiles)


Labs. Run and marked independently from lecture syllabus. (Don't ask Joe)
Labs start in week 2 but do the safety induction on line in week 1
Assessment:

See the Moodle site for the official document

Labs + fortnightly quizzes + end-of-session exam
How to do well in the exam? We'll discuss this later.

Learning resources for the lecture component of 1131/1121

Lectures are here, see your timetable.

Download lecture notes from Moodle (use mine, Prof Webb's or Wiley's).

If you miss, recordings are on UNSW Lectopia

Homework classes. Large classes to review homework problems

from week 1 for 1121 & 1131, week 2 for 1141.

Teaching assistants. Personal assistance with problems.

Room 5, OMB

Resources on line

Physclips (requires Flash). Search Physclips or www.animations.physics.unsw.edu.au

We expect you to study ahead using Physclips or the text book.

Outline of physics in first year

PHYS 1121-1131-1141

PHYS 1221-1231-1241

Mechanics

Electricity and magnetism

Thermal

Physical optics

Waves & sound

Intro to quantum and solid state

(this session)

(next session)

_________________________________
PHYS 1121-1131 Mechanics (weeks 1-6)
Kinematics describing motion

(vectors)

Dynamics: forces

Newton's explanation of motion

work and energy

Gravity & planetary mechanics

Momentum and collisions
Rotation

~ Hamilton's explanation

Learning outcomes
By the end of this course, you will understand the important principles of classical mechanics,
thermal physics and waves, and you will be able
-

to interpret problems in classical mechanics, thermal physics and waves

to analyse and to quantify them, invoking appropriate principles and making

appropriate approximations

to solve such problems and to interpret the solutions

Lecture and homework components

-

to plan an experimental investigation

to make careful measurements

to analyse experimental results, to test hypotheses and to discuss their implications

lab component

What sort of things will we be able to do?

Why?

Questions for you to discuss with your neighbours

Question a: I drop a mass from height L, another from 2L. Does the second ball take

less than twice as long to fall

twice as long

more than twice as long

Question b: Explain your answer qualitatively, without equations or values

Question c: (only after you've answered the above): How much longer does the second ball
take to fall.

Question d: I have a string with masses at heights 0, L, 2L, 3L, 4L. I drop the string.
What will the soundtrack look like?

Question e: How do I space the weights so as to get equal times?

Question e: I have a string with masses at heights

0,

12L, 22L,

32L,

42L.

0,

L, 4L,

9L,

16L.

15 cm

135 cm

240 cm

60 cm

where L = 0.15 m

I drop the string. What will the soundtrack look like?

Remember

s = ut + at 2

For y direction

(y y0) = v0yt + ayt2

y = y0 + v0yt + ayt2 Important equation: we'll need it for projectiles

y0 = n2L.

When it lands, y = 0. v0y = 0.

Substitute:

0 = n2L gt2

ay = g (negative because y is up)

n2L = gt2
t =

2L
n
g

or t = nT where T =

2L

g

We could plot t vs n and get g

Rearrange:

g = 2L(n/t)2 = 2L/T2

where we define T = t/n = t1/1, t2/2, t3/3, t4/4 = time between landings

g = 2L/T2

so do a rough experiment

too tricky? what to do?

Question: What is the density of the galaxy, galaxy? Definition: =

mass

volume

Give your answer in kg.m3 and in mproton.m3

The answer depends on shape and where y
ou draw the boundary but:

1.9 x 1011 Ms is located within 25 kpc of the centre. (Ruben, (1993) PNAS, 90, 4814).
Ms means Msun = 1.99 x 1030 kg

kiloparsec = kpc = 3.1 1019 metres

mp = 1.67 10-27 kg.

Converting units: multiply by 1

Question: What is the density of the universe, universe? Definition: =

mass

volume

Give your answer in kg.m3 and in mproton.m3

the boundary but:
The answer depends on shape and where you draw

1.9 x 1011 Ms is located within 25 kpc of the centre. (Ruben, (1993) PNAS, 90, 4814).
Ms means Msun = 1.99 x 1030 kg

kiloparsec = kpc = 3.1 1019 metres

mp = 1.67 10-27 kg.

average density of a sphere with radius 25 kpc (rather less than the disc).
Conversion using the 'multiply by 1' technique, e.g. Msun/1.99 x 1030 kg = 1

(2 1011 suns)(2 10 30 kg/sun)

mass
nM s
3nM s
3
density =
=
~
~
19
volume
4r 3
4r 3
4 ((25 kpc)(3 10 m/kpc))
~ 2 10-22 kg.m-3
~ 105 proton masses/m3.

Value depends on geometry and scale.