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PHYS-2010: General Physics I Course Lecture Notes Section II

This document provides lecture notes on mathematical techniques for a general physics course, including: - Dimensional analysis to determine units of variables - Algebraic review of concepts like cross multiplication, factoring, and exponents - Basic trigonometry including right triangles, generic triangles, and trigonometric identities - Distinguishing between scalars, which have only magnitude, and vectors, which have both magnitude and direction

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Manoj Kr
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42 views

PHYS-2010: General Physics I Course Lecture Notes Section II

This document provides lecture notes on mathematical techniques for a general physics course, including: - Dimensional analysis to determine units of variables - Algebraic review of concepts like cross multiplication, factoring, and exponents - Basic trigonometry including right triangles, generic triangles, and trigonometric identities - Distinguishing between scalars, which have only magnitude, and vectors, which have both magnitude and direction

Uploaded by

Manoj Kr
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PHYS-2010: General Physics I Course Lecture Notes Section II

Dr. Donald G. Luttermoser East Tennessee State University

Edition 2.3

Abstract

These class notes are designed for use of the instructor and students of the course PHYS-2010: General Physics I taught by Dr. Donald Luttermoser at East Tennessee State University. These notes make reference to the College Physics, 7th Edition (2005) textbook by Serway and Faughn.

II.

Mathematical Techniques

A. Dimensional Analysis. 1. Always make sure that all terms in an equation have the same dimensions (i.e., units). 2. Then try to reduce a parameter in an equation to a combination of the three basic concepts: length [L], mass [M], and time [T]. 3. For example, the acceleration of a body in a gravitational eld is proportional to the mass of the primary body and inversely proportional to the square of the distance: a=G M , r2

where G is a constant. From this formula, nd the dimensions of G. [a] = L T2 [M] = M [r] = L , where L represents length, M represents mass, and T represents time. Then ar 2 G= M = [a] [r]2 L T2 L2 [G] = = = L3 M1 T2 [M] M

or the dimensions of G are m3 /kg/s2 . 4. When a symbol or variable has square brackets around it, this means: what are the dimensions (i.e., units) of this symbol or variable?

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PHYS-2010: General Physics I

B. Algebra Review. 1. Cross multiplication: mx = ny n x = . y m

2. Factoring: y = mx + mb y = m(x + b) . 3. Powers & Roots: a) a a a a a a a = a7 or a a (m times) a = am a is raised to the mth power. b) c) d) a1/m = m a = mth root of a.

a0 1 (note that the symbol means dened to be). am =


m

1 . am
m m

e) (ab) = a b ,
m n m+n

a b

am = m = am bm . b

am f) a a = a , = amn . n a g) (am )n = amn , n am = am/n . 4. Exponentials and Logarithms: y = ax (base a to power x) x = log a y (the exponent of a that yields y) a) Product: log a (xy) = log a x + log a y . b) c) Quotient: log a x = log a x log a y . y

Power: log a (y n ) = n log a y .

Donald G. Luttermoser, ETSU

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d)

Two common bases: i) Base 10 common logarithms: log a = log 10 log

x = log y ii)

y = 10x .

Base e = 2.71828... natural logarithms: log a = log e ln

x = ln y C. Basic Trigonometry.

y = ex .

1. Right-angle triangle relationships:

c a

b a sin a sin = , cos = , tan = = c c b cos 2 2 2 2 2 a +b =c or sin + cos = 1 radians. + = 90 = 2

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PHYS-2010: General Physics I

2. Generic triangle relationships:


b C A

a c

a) Law of sines: sin C sin A sin B = = . a b c b) Law of cosines: a2 = b2 + c2 2bc cos A , b2 = a2 + c2 2ac cos B , c2 = a2 + b2 2ab cos C . 3. Additional useful trigonometric identities. a) Angle-sum and angle-dierence relations: sin( + ) = sin cos + cos sin sin( ) = sin cos cos sin cos( + ) = cos cos sin sin cos( ) = cos cos + sin sin tan + tan tan( + ) = 1 tan tan tan tan tan( ) = 1 + tan tan

Donald G. Luttermoser, ETSU

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b)

Double-angle relations: 2 tan 1 + tan2 cos 2 = cos2 sin2 = 2 cos2 1 = 1 2 sin2 1 tan2 = 1 + tan2 2 tan tan 2 = 1 tan2 sin 2 = 2 sin cos =

D. Scalars and Vectors. 1. A scalar has magnitude but no directional information (e.g., c is a scalar). a) 4 kg and 600 K are scalars. b) 420 km/s is a scalar (i.e., speed).

2. A vector has both magnitude and directional information (e.g., c is a vector). a) 420 km/s to the NW is a vector (i.e., velocity). b) c) 420 km/s NW is not equal to 420 km/s SE! Note that in these course notes I will always represent a vector with an arrow over the variable letter (e.g., A), whereas your textbook indicates a vector with a boldface letter (e.g., A). Vector arthimetic will be described in IV of the notes.

d)

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