PES 1110
physical theories - correct answer ✔when a phenomenon in nature is
observed and they find patterns related to it
theory - correct answer ✔an explanation of natural phenomena based on
observation and accepted fundamental principles
What is an example of a theory? - correct answer ✔evolution
Galileo Galilei - correct answer ✔dropped light and heavy objects from the
Leaning Tower of Pisa to see how they would accelerate
What did Galileo Galilei discover? - correct answer ✔That the acceleration of
a freely falling object is independent of its weight
process - correct answer ✔how we arrive at general principles that describe
how the physical universe behaves
theories are never right because - correct answer ✔you can always disprove
a theory with inconsistent behavior, but can never prove it to be right
I SEE - correct answer ✔identify, set up, execute, and evaluate
Identify - correct answer ✔1. use the physical conditions stated in the
problem to help you decide which physics concepts are relevant
2. Identify the target variables of the problem
3. Identify the known quantities
,Set up - correct answer ✔1. Choose the equations that you'll use to solve the
problem and decide how you'll use them
2. Make sure the variables in the equation line up with the variables in the
problem
3. Draw a sketch of the situation in the problem
Execute - correct answer ✔Solve the problem
Evaluate - correct answer ✔Check your answer
model - correct answer ✔a simplified version of a physical system that would
be too complicated to analyze in full detail
physical quantity - correct answer ✔any number that is used to describe a
physical phenomenon quantitatively
examples of physical quantities - correct answer ✔weight and height
operational definition - correct answer ✔can only describe them by
describing how to measure them
examples of operational definition - correct answer ✔measuring distance
with a ruler or measuring a time interval using a watch
What is another way to define physical quantity? - correct answer ✔By
describing how to calculate it from other quantities that we can measure
, time is based of an - correct answer ✔atomic clock, time required to cycle
(microwave)
length is based on - correct answer ✔distance that light travels in a vacuum
mass is based on - correct answer ✔kilogram which is the fundamental
constant of nature called Planck's constant symbol (h)
dimensionally consistent - correct answer ✔Two terms may be added or
equated only if they have the same units
error (uncertainty) - correct answer ✔indicates the maximum difference there
is likely to be between the measured value and the true value
accuracy - correct answer ✔how close it is likely to be to the true value
accuracy is also known as - correct answer ✔fractional error and percent
error
order-of-magnitude - correct answer ✔a guess that can be useful even if it is
uncertain
velocity - correct answer ✔speed and direction
force - correct answer ✔push or pull on an object
scalar quantity - correct answer ✔when a physical quantity is described by a
single number (with a unit)
physical theories - correct answer ✔when a phenomenon in nature is
observed and they find patterns related to it
theory - correct answer ✔an explanation of natural phenomena based on
observation and accepted fundamental principles
What is an example of a theory? - correct answer ✔evolution
Galileo Galilei - correct answer ✔dropped light and heavy objects from the
Leaning Tower of Pisa to see how they would accelerate
What did Galileo Galilei discover? - correct answer ✔That the acceleration of
a freely falling object is independent of its weight
process - correct answer ✔how we arrive at general principles that describe
how the physical universe behaves
theories are never right because - correct answer ✔you can always disprove
a theory with inconsistent behavior, but can never prove it to be right
I SEE - correct answer ✔identify, set up, execute, and evaluate
Identify - correct answer ✔1. use the physical conditions stated in the
problem to help you decide which physics concepts are relevant
2. Identify the target variables of the problem
3. Identify the known quantities
,Set up - correct answer ✔1. Choose the equations that you'll use to solve the
problem and decide how you'll use them
2. Make sure the variables in the equation line up with the variables in the
problem
3. Draw a sketch of the situation in the problem
Execute - correct answer ✔Solve the problem
Evaluate - correct answer ✔Check your answer
model - correct answer ✔a simplified version of a physical system that would
be too complicated to analyze in full detail
physical quantity - correct answer ✔any number that is used to describe a
physical phenomenon quantitatively
examples of physical quantities - correct answer ✔weight and height
operational definition - correct answer ✔can only describe them by
describing how to measure them
examples of operational definition - correct answer ✔measuring distance
with a ruler or measuring a time interval using a watch
What is another way to define physical quantity? - correct answer ✔By
describing how to calculate it from other quantities that we can measure
, time is based of an - correct answer ✔atomic clock, time required to cycle
(microwave)
length is based on - correct answer ✔distance that light travels in a vacuum
mass is based on - correct answer ✔kilogram which is the fundamental
constant of nature called Planck's constant symbol (h)
dimensionally consistent - correct answer ✔Two terms may be added or
equated only if they have the same units
error (uncertainty) - correct answer ✔indicates the maximum difference there
is likely to be between the measured value and the true value
accuracy - correct answer ✔how close it is likely to be to the true value
accuracy is also known as - correct answer ✔fractional error and percent
error
order-of-magnitude - correct answer ✔a guess that can be useful even if it is
uncertain
velocity - correct answer ✔speed and direction
force - correct answer ✔push or pull on an object
scalar quantity - correct answer ✔when a physical quantity is described by a
single number (with a unit)
