THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF MALAWI

DEPARTMENT OF BASIC SCIENCES

GENERAL PHYSICS 1A (PHY 1101N)

FIRST ASSIGNMENT (45 Marks)

Due Date: 4th April, 2021 (16:00)

Instructions

 All sketches and drawings should be well labeled

 In the reference section, use at least three of published (prescribed or recommended texts)
plus two from any other sources, for example electronic, academic journals etc.

QUESTIONS
1. Using traditional method of converting units, perform the following:
a. 5.80 μg to kg
b. 38.9 ha to km2
c. 450000 mm2 to hectare
d. 33.5 mm3 to m3
e. 57800cm3 to Mega Litres
2. Perform the following operations:
a. Express the following numbers into scientific notation
i. 30578000
ii. 0.000000000000789
b. Express the following as regular decimal numbers
i. 1.27 x 105
ii. 2.54 x 10-8
c. Add 2.3 x 106 to 5.1 x 107 and express the result in scientific notation
 d. Subtract 2.5 x 10-12 from 7.5 x 10-11 and express the answer in scientific notation
e. Divide 9.6 x 10-6 by 1.8 x 10-10
3. Calculate:
a. The x-component and y-component of a vector A in the xy plane if its direction is
250 ° counterclockwise from the positive direction of the x-axis and its magnitude
is 7.3 m
b. The distance travelled by a ship and direction it should sail to reach its original
destination, if it sets out to sail to a point 120 km due north. However, unexpected
storm blows the ship to a point 100 km due east of its starting point