Introduction Physics comes from the ancient Greek word

Introduction � “Physics” comes from the ancient Greek word for nature � Physics is defined as the study of matter, energy, and the interactions between them; in other words, it’s the study of everything � All other sciences rely on the fundamental ideas of physics

What do we do in physics? � Physics is an organized way of looking at nature � Physicists ask how and why questions about nature ØHow does an object behave as it falls? Ø Why does an object exhibit this behavior as it falls? � They look for predictable patterns as they explore these questions � Turn these patterns into mathematical models (equations) that then be applied to any situation

Two Main Classifications � Classical Physics - Deals with the behavior of objects that are neither too large nor too small, which move at relatively slow speeds - Main players Galileo and Newton � Modern Physics - Studies the very small or very large or objects traveling at speeds close to the speed of light - Most notable players Einstein, Bohr, de. Broglie, Heisenberg, Schroedinger

In this class � We will study classical physics � The branches we will focus on are - Kinematics: description of motion - Dynamics: causes of motion - Waves: movement of energy - Sound: what sound is - Electricity: what electricity is and how it behaves

Course Notables � Grades are based on tests (~75%), labs (~15%), and homework (~10%)

Website � http: //www. lusd. org/

Behavior � Be respectful � Be prepared � Follow all safety rules and teacher directions

Materials Needed � Textbook � Calculator � Pen and pencil � Notebook with paper

How is it done? � Physics looks for relationships in natural observations and represents those relationships mathematically � This can be done by graphically representing data that is collected and finding a mathematical function that can represent the data � A function is a math equation that shows how two variable ( x and y) relate to one another

The Foot Equation � What is a mathematical relationship between foot size and height?

Collect the data � Collect data from a number of individuals on their foot size and their height � When collecting data make sure to limit as many other variables as is possible � Record the data in a data table

Graph It � Plot a graph of foot size vs. height � Do not connect the dots � Place the independent variable on the x-axis

Model It � Use a “best fit line” for the data – also known as a regression line � Calculator will be used to find this line

Use it � What do you predict the shoe size of a 68” person to be? � How tall would you predict a person with an shoe size of 7 to be?