Conceptual Physics

12th grade Christ Chapel Academy

Table of ContentsTitle Page

I. PhysicsII. About Science 8 – 13III. Linear Motion 14

Objectives Chapter 1: About Science

Explain why physics is the basic scienceOutline scientific methodDistinguish among observations, facts, hypothesis or laws and principlesDistinguish between science and technologyDistinguish among science, art and religion

Common MisconceptionsPhysics is the most difficult of the sciences.

Physics is the most basic of the living and nonliving sciences. Physics has traditionally been more demanding of students than “easier” chemistry and biology courses, because more understanding of the subject is expected in physics.

Common MisconceptionsPhysics is applied mathematics

Although mathematics is a language of physics, it is not the only way to study physics.

The Basic Science --- Physics

Science can be placed within two categories: living and nonliving things – the life sciences and the physical sciences. Life sciences include: biology, zoology, and botanyPhysical sciences include: geology, astronomy, chemistry and physics.

The Basic Science --- Physics

Physics is the basics of all the physical sciences!It’s study includes motion, forces, energy, matter, heat, sound and light. Biology addresses the WHATChemistry addresses the WHYPhysics address the HOWPhysics Chemistry Biology

Mathematics – The language of Science

Sciences, like physics, that can be expressed in mathematical terms are unambiguous.When there are findings in nature that can be expressed mathematically. They are easier to verify or disprove by experiment. Why??????

The Scientific Method

Galileo Galilee and Francis Bacon are credited as the founders of the scientific method.

Con’t The Scientific Method

The Scientific Methodis a logical procedure for choosing an answer to a question.Why is there a need for the scientific method?There are no set order activities, individuals will do these following preliminary steps.

1. Define the problem (narrow)2. Research the problem (has anyone else explored this?)3. Form the hypothesis (an educated guess)4. Perform experiments to test hypothesis5. State the outcome (hypothesis was accurate or found to be inaccurate)

The Scientific AttituteFact……. An argument made by competent observers who make a series of observations of the same phenomenon.

Is a Hypothesis a FACT?????

When hypothesis are tested over and over and are not found to be contradicted than they become laws or principles!

Continue the Scientific Attitude

Note: a Fact is not immutable and absolute! Scientists must be prepared to:

Change laws and principles when hypothesis are contracted by other evidencesChange or abandon an idea (something you imagine or picture in your head; Merriam-Webster, 2013)Accept their findings (even when hypothesis is inaccurate)

Finish Scientific AttitutesTheory is used differently in science than in normal every day speech……..A scientific Theory, is a synthesis of a large body of info that encompasses well- tested and verified hypotheses about certain aspects of the natural world. Theories can evolve over time…. Making them stronger for the science community.Scientific attitudes demand order and uniformity.

Scientific Hypotheses (Must be Testable)

Hypothesis are scientific when there is a link to general understanding of nature and follow a cardinal rule. Cardinal Rule……. IT MUST BE TESTABLE!!!!Testability is more important than Accuracy of a hypothesis.Scientific hypothesis test for proving wrongness.If there is no test for proving it’s wrong then it is not scientific.

Hypotheses that can neither be proven wrong or right are not scientific…. Even if they sound scientific!

Ex. “The alignment of planets in the sky determines the best time for making decisions.” This is speculator…. Speculation: something that cannot be proven wrong, nor can it be proven accurate. (remember the peanut butter and jelly sandwich)

Bell Work Answer:(1) Atoms are the smallest particles of matter.

- This answer is scientific because there is a test for its wrongness.

- The universe is surrounded by a second universe….. Has no test for possible wrongness and is therefore unscientific.

- Albert Einstein was the greatest physicists…. Is an assertion (opinion) that has no test for possible wrongness.

Science, Technology and Society

Misconception: science and technology are the same!Science and technology are not the same!Science is a “method” of answering questions (theoretical) Technology is the “method” of solving practical problems.

Neither are good or bad. What people chose to do with them are good …… or bad!

ReviewRead pages: 6 – 7 in your text bookWork on problems 1 – 13 on pg. 8; write the questions and your answers!!!!

Answers to review questions questions (on pg. 8)1. The concepts of physics are the foundation of

other sciences.2. Math is unambiguous; English is more familiar.3. It is a method that is effective in gaining,

organization, and applying new knowledge. 4. No scientific facts can change, given

compelling evidence5. A strength; change can nurture growth.

6. A hypothesis is outside the domain of science if it has no wrongness test.7. Science answers theoretical questions; technology solves practical problems8. Both are creative and portray a realm of experience.9. Science is the study of cosmic order; religion studies cosmic purpose.10. To give citizens more power over nature and more responsibility.

Chapter 2 Linear MotionI. Motion is Relative

I. Everything moves!!!!II. Even when we are at rest, we’re moving….. How?III. Your text book may be at rest; however it is moving

about 30 kilometers per second (km/s) relative to the sun.

IV. Relative: regarded in relation to something else.V. When we discuss the motion of something, we’re

really describing its motion relative to something else.

Cheetah’s When we say that a cheetah is the fasted land animal and can travel 200 meters per (seven) seconds; we’re really saying it’s movement in relation (relative) to the Earth or ground.When we discuss the speeds of things in our environment we mean speed with respect to the surface of the earth.

SpeedSpeed: is a measure of how fast something is moving.

Speed is the rate at which distance is coveredIt answers the questions: How long? How Fast?It’s the rate at which distance is covered

Rate: a quantity that is divided by time

Con’t Speed average speed = total distance covered (km) (m)

time interval (s), (min), (h)

Instantaneous speed: is speed at any instant

Transpose the equations!Distance = speed (x) time

Time = distance time

Solving Physics ProblemsIf a cheetah can maintain a constant speed of 25 m/ s, it will cover 25 meters every second. At this

rate, how far will it travel in 10 seconds? In 1 minute?

What is the question looking for? (clue words)How far (distance)What do I know?

Constant speed is 25 m/sWhat equation(s) will help me solve this problem?

Distance = speed (x) time

Average Speed Pyramid

d_ v/t

Distancespeed/time