General Physics I

PH101

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 Why we study physics

Computer science sits somewhere between physics and mathematics... we rely on mathematics for
sure. Clearly, the way that computer hardware works is in the realm of electronics—which is to the left
of physics... 2
 Why we study physics
If you take several physics classes and you’re good at it, that opens some
doors for you.

• Energy labs and industry hire developers for doing simulations of models.

• Expand your knowledge and capabilities in term of algorithms and

mathematical model designs.

• Quantum computing.

You will primarily need to know Quantum Mechanics. 3

University study mechanism

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 Outlines
Course Description
Learning outcomes
Chapter1: Measurements and Vectors
Chapter 2: Motion in one and two dimensions
Chapter 3: Force and Laws of Motion
Chapter 4: Work and Energy
Chapter 5: Uniform Circular Motion And Gravitation

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Course learning outcomes

Understand

Apply

Interpret

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Lecture 1
 Chapter (1)
Measurements and Vectors

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 Units
The measurement
of any quantity

relative to a
numerical value particular
of the quantity standard or unit

• We can measure length in units such as inches, feet, or miles, or

• In the metric system in centimeters, meters, or kilometers.
• Saying the bar length is 4.5 is meaningless.
• The value/unit clearly describe the length , 4.5 meters is very different from
4.5 centimeters. 9
 Units Matter: A Bad Day on Mars !!!!!

1999: Mars Climate Orbiter ($125m) entered Mars atmosphere by

mistake & was destroyed.

Root cause: Both English & SI units were used without conversion. 10
 Standards
• For any unit we use, such as the meter for distance, we need
to define a standard which defines exactly how long one
meter is.
• It is important that standards be chosen that are readily
reproducible.
National Institute of Standards (NIS Egypt)

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 Units of Length, Mass, and Time
in Different System

Systems Length Mass Time

Kilogram
SI Meter (m) Second (s)
(kg)
Gram
cgs Centimeter (cm) Second (s)
(gm)

British Foot (ft) pound Second (s)

• In mechanics, the three basic quantities are length (L), mass (M), and time (T).
• Several systems of units are used for these three quantities:
❑ The most common system among them is the System International (French for
International system) abbreviated SI.
❑ The other systems are the cgs system and the British engineering system.
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Physical quantities with big /small Numbers

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 Prefixes
• Sometimes the numerical value of our physical quantities is too large or in the
contrary is too small.
• The mean radius of earth is 637000000 meter.
• It is better prefixes, which are abbreviations come in front of the units to make
them handy.

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 Scientific Notation Make it easy!!!!
Tsunami Warnings
The entire ocean (top to bottom) participates.
Speed 𝑣 = 2𝑔ℎ
g = 9.8 m / s 2 K.E P.E : Hint

Depth of water h =

𝑣= 2 ∗ (9.8 𝑚/𝑠 2 )(3.0 ∗ 103 𝑚)

 m   1 km   3.6 10 s 
3
= 1.7
𝑣 = 3.4 ∗ 1022
  3 
10 𝑚/𝑠 
 
s 10 m  1 hr 

𝑣 = 12.2 ∗ 102 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟

𝑣 = 1220 𝑘𝑚/ℎ𝑟
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 Dimensional analysis

Dimension in physics denotes the physical nature of a quantity

Basic dimensions [length] = L ; [mass] = M ; [time] = T
All other quantities are derivable from these quantities.

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Basic physical quantities

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 Dimensions and Units of
some Physical Quantities

Quantity Dimension Unit (SI, cgs, British)

Area L2 M2, cm2, ft2
Volume L3 M3, cm3, ft3
Velocity L/T m/s, cm/s , ft/s
Acceleration L/T2 m/s2, cm/s2, ft/s2
Momentum ML/T Kgm/s, gcm/s , slug ft/s
Force ML/S Netwon(N), dyne, pound (Ib)
Energy ML2/T2 Joul (J), erg, ft.Ib
Power ML2/T3 Watt(W), erg/s, hosepower (hp)

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Example 1: 1 2
Show that the equation ( x = v 0 t + at ) is dimensionally
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correct, where x is the displacement, v0 is an initial velocity, a is the acceleration, and t
is the time.

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Example 2 :
Suppose we are told that the acceleration a of a particle moving
with uniform speed v in a circle of radius r is proportional to
some power of r, say r n, and some power of v say v m . Determine
the values of n and m and write the simplest form of an equation
for the acceleration.
Solution:
Let us take a to be
𝑎 = 𝑘. 𝑟 𝑛 . 𝑣 𝑚

Where k is a dimensionless constant of proportionality

knowing the dimensions of a , r, and v.
Since a  = 2L , v  =
L
, r  = L
T T

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Equation the powers of the left hand side units to the right
hand side units, gives;
Ln + m
M
n L 
= (L ) 
L
 =
T 
2
T TM

n+m=1 , and m = 2
therefore,
so, we can write the acceleration expression as
n + 2 = 1  n = −1

2
−1 v
a = kr v = k 2

r
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Vector and Scalar Quantities

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 Vector and Scalar Quantities
• The vector quantity will be distinguished from the scalar quantity by typing it
in boldface, like A.
• It can be written with an arrow over the symbol, such as, .
• The magnitude of the vector a will be denoted |A|, or simply the italic type A.
• The magnitude of a vector has physical units, such as meters for displacement
or meters per second for velocity.
• The magnitude of a vector is always a positive number.

Quick Quiz 1:
• Which of the following are vector quantities and which are scalar quantities?
(a) your age (b) acceleration (c) velocity (d) speed (e) mass

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