BASIC PHYSICS INTRODUCTION

Bachelor in Automation Technique

Dipl.-Ing. Dr. Oliver Werzer

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Times
• Times and places are provided in the calendar online
– Check for changes
– Typically you also get a notice via mail or moodle

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Study aids
• Every important content of the course is discussed in lecture
• Most, but not all content derive from the book:

• Additional study material will be uploaded to moodle

• Physics might be hard to understand with only one

explanation → consult additional sources (any standard
textbook, internet sources, ...)

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Exam

• Written exam on the 16.10. 2022

• Exam in written form with multiple question

of various type:
– Multiple choice
– Open questions
– Some basic calculations

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 • https://www.socrative.com/#login

• Go to room WERZER2713

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 INTRODUCTION

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Physics, why should we care?

• Most fundamental science which allows to explain all other natural sciences

• Aims to derive understanding of all phenomena present in nature

• It bases on observations and experiments

(due to limits time the observations/experiments will be provided by videos or simulations)

• Conclusions can be drawn

• Mathematical formalism helps in description

• With proper formalism predictions are possible (limitation may be at hand)

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Physics?

Physics is the most fundamental and all-

inclusive of the sciences, and has had a
profound effect on all scientific development.
Students of many fields find themselves
studying physics because of the basic role it
plays in all phenomena

(Nobel Price winner R. Feynman, 1961).

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Some history- Phyiscs in Graz
Johannes Kepler lectured in Graz from 1594 to 1600
• 1. Kepler law (elliptic trajectory)
• 2. Kepler law (Area over time is constant)
• 3. Kepler law: orbital period and distance to sun

Ernst W.J.W. Mach lectured from 1864 – 1867 in Graz

• Provided prework for theory of relativity (Einstein)
• Speed of sound (1 Mach – Unit of speed of sound in air )

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 Some history- Phyiscs in Graz

Ludwig Boltzmann lectured since 1869 at Technical University

• Thermodynamics and statistical mechanics
• S = kb *log(W) (Entropy (S) is equal to the logarithm of potential states times
the Boltzmann constant kb

Walther Nernst studied and did research in Graz

• Studied under supervision of Boltzmann
• Contributions to thermo-chemical Work resulted in Nobel prize

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 Some history- Phyiscs in Graz
Erwin Schrödinger (* 1887 in Wien, † 1961 in Wien), lectured at KF-Uni in Graz
• Discovery of new forms of atomic theory
→ Nobel prize
• Schrödinger-equation
• Schrödinger cat –
famous Gedankenexperimente

Nikola Tesla (* 1856 in Smiljan, † 1943 in NY), studied 1876-1878 at TU-Graz

• Electrical energy transmission via alternate current
• Induction motor
• Wireless transmission (Tesla coil, ….)

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Why study Physics?
Study of automation technique – why physics in curriculum?

– Basic language in science

– Basic concepts in science

– Understanding of measurements and its conclusion

– Mistrust and development of common sense – (always ask if something makes sense)

– Exact language

– Documentation
E.g:
Good Laboratory Practice (GLP): The OECD Principles of Good Laboratory Practice (GLP)
ensure the generation of high quality and reliable test data related to the safety of industrial
chemical substances and preparations. The principles have been created in the context of
harmonising testing procedures for the Mutual Acceptance of Data (MAD).

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Basic questions and what can develop
Example: cathode ray vacuum tube

Guitar amplifier Computer TV, monitor

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 Basic questions and what can develop
Example: cathode ray vacuum tube

Diffraction/scattering
X-ray image
• Absorption
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 E.g.:
• Drug distribution in pill
Further development: • Cracks in pill
Computed tomographie (mech. Instability)

• Broken bones
• Cancer identification
X-ray imaging
• …
• Absorption

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 E.g:
• Material science
• Function
biologic systems
(DNA, Proteine, …)
• …
Diffraction

• Dispersions
Scattering • Emulsions
• alloys
• ….

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 Basic questions and what can develop
Example: Transmission
electron microscopy

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The experiment

• The suitable experiment is a specific question about

nature from which a clear answer can be derived.

• A physical law combines measurable quantities. Its

elegant representation are mathematical equations.

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The theory
• A theoretical framework is always a model description
of (a part of) nature

• The limits of a physics theory needs to be proven by

experiments

More sophisticated and more accurate measurements often show limitations of

theory which requires adaption/expansion of the existing theory or even to
develop a completely new theory.

Example: Newton mechanics explains most parts of our life.

As velocity increases other effects are important (relativity effects).
GPS takes this into account.

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 • Example of spring

• https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/masses-and-springs-
basics/latest/masses-and-springs-basics_en.html

• Socrative.com

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Physics?
Example:
Term force (F)

F = m*a
F = k*x
Force is the product of mass (m)
time acceleration (a) Force F results in
displacement x
Newtons apple of coil spring of strength k
(a = gravitational
acceleration g)

m = k*x/g
Spring balance
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Physics vs. Mathematics

Mathematics is an inherent construct, which is derived from basic

considerations (axioms), i.e. there is no experiment required. New
theories and extension should only be consistent with the basics.
It is not a part of natural science, but it helps to describe many aspects.

Physical theory:
Should allow to describe and predict any experiment.
New theory include often old theories as special cases.
Physical theories might be limited.

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Physics is complex
• There exist many aspects of nature that need good explanations

• Split in many sub-areas

Experimental physics, solid state physics, Material sciences/physics, quantum
physics, theoretical physics, computational physics, physical chemistry, bio-
physics, ….

In this lecture series only basic concept will be provided. For each topic a lot of
literature exists.

• Many aspects in other sciences are understood by help of basic

physical effects (e.g. Osmosis explains requirement of isotonic
condition in blood application).

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Measurements
• Comparisons of observations
(E.g.: mass of pills, viscosity of oils,
size of nanoparticles in exhaust of car, ….)

• Measurement:
– Comparison of property with a defined scale
– Scale depends on property of interest

• Measurand = combination of numerical value and a unit

(E.g.: 8.245 °C, 30.1 V, ...)

• Without the definition/declaration of the unit,

the numerical values is meaningless!
(Similar is true for each diagram)
Calliper
• Scales needs to be defined

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Measurements

• Can be done direct or indirect

• Direct: is shown directly on scale (E.g.: distance on ruler, mass
in beam balance)
• Indirect
– Mass: spring displacement, Piezo-electric, …
– Temperature: expansion liquid, bi-metal piece, …

• Comparison with display

– Digital displace: appears more accurate, but significant needs to be
identified (given on device or in manual)
– Analog – pointer: reading error (parallax error, inertia, …),
sometimes fluctuations possible to identify .

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Calibration – gauge
• Calibration: is a technique that allows to reproducible
determine and document deviation from another setup
(norm). Important to measure correct and to be able to
achieve ISO certifications.

• “Eichung” (gauge) is mandatory check of a system if

its in error margin defined by the federal law (“Mess-
und Eichgesetz” in Austria). Only certified institutions
can do this. Every country might have its own rules!

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Basic units

• Measurements can be done in many ways

• Definition of scale is important
• History resulted in many different scale
systems (metric or imperial)
– How much is a meter?
– How much is an inch?
– Is a body temperature of 100 degree Fahrenheit
dangerous for you?

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Basic unit
• Basic units were defined on basis of exact available quantities
• E.g.: meter derives from the how far light travels in a second.

• SI unit ( french Système international d’unités) is the authority

• 7 basic unit:
– mass in kilogram (kg)
– length in meter (m)
– Time in seconds (s)
– Luminous intensity in candela (cd)
– temperature in kelvin (K)
– Amount of substance mol (mol)
– Electric current in ampere (A)

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Basic units
Historically standards were produced and shipped all over the
world (also Austria have these).

E.g.: standard kilogram standard meter (1 m)

• Both are not stable (expand on temperature, corrode, lose

atoms,...)

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 Basic units

• Standarization institutions (E.g. NIST) look for new ways

of definitions
Some times values change due to new definitions,
but the changes are small that everyday numbers are
not effected.

• Last big changes happened in 2019, so please consult

newer literature for having the actual definition

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 Basic units
• There are other definitions of basic units possible

• Some are very easy to recalculate:

MKS : Meter, Kilogram, Second, Temp. in °C
CGS: Centimeter, Gram, Second, Temp. in °C
• For us more complex:
Yard, Pound, days, Temp. in Fahrenheit

→ In terms of describing nature and it mechanism the units are irrelevant.

→ Very often calculations might simplify if proper units are used.

→ Very important: often a mixture of different units are used in literature. So make sure
to identify all units or even clarify with the supplier/customer/... what is defined. (e.g.
In 1999 a Mars orbiter missed the landing as there was a error in the conversion of
units)

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Derived units
• Combinations of basic units → derived units
– E.g: Area = length X length, Volumen = …

– E.g.: Force in Newton (kg*m/s2)

Speed (m/s)
…
• Dimension: represents the qualitative property of and is often written
in square brackets.
– Dimension length [L], Masse [M] und Zeit [T]
– Dimension Newton: [M][L]/[T]2

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 • Example of derived units from a graph

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Derived units

• Unit system defines the “scale” for measurements

and comparison
• Without unit the number value has no meaning
e.g. How heavy is a piece of machinery? Answer: 5.
Does it mean 5 tons, 5 gram, ...?
1200

1000
point of failure
• The same is true for diagrams 800

force
• What does the diagram tell?
600

400

• Nothing? 200

0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35

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Proportion
• Important for pre evaluation – common sense

• No need to learn this,

but one should be able
to tell if an electron is
smaller than the sun

• If calculations
/measurements provided
unreasonable size, then
check for errors

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orders_of_magnitude_(length)
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Order of magnitude
• The SI units are sometimes not handy when
used in real application (meter is too much
when we speak from the size of a hair)

• Definition of subunits:
– e.g. km, meter, centimeter, millimeter, ...

• Again many defnitions are used which makes

eady comparison complicated.

• Standarization institutions (SI, NIST, UPAC, ...)

aim to reduce the number of subunits

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 Question

• What is a light year?

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Order of magnitude
• Mass, length

E.g:
tablet/pill: ~100 mg – 1 g
car 1000 – 2500 kg
machinery kg – tons
Photon ???
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Measurements and its errors
accuracy:
Is it possible to achieve the proper
measurement with a given setup?

e.g: - Balance measures accurate to about

~ 100 mg
- Analytic balance can measure to
accuracy of 0.1 mg

Which one would you pick for 10 g with least

possible error?

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 Measurements and its errors

• We compare to a scale (ruler, measuring

cylinder, …)
• Each measurements has errors
• Source of errors:
– Systematic error: scale is faulty, wrong or missing
calibration, temperature effect, zero point error, parallax
error …
– Statistical error: estimation error, parallax error, too small
sample count, …

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Measurements and its errors
• For meaningful results repeat measurements and/or the entire
experiment
– “Einmal ist keinmal”
– Always question the results on sanity!
– Statistical evaluation
• Mean value, arithmetic mean
• Standard deviation

• For everyday life measurements are not always repeatable

– Make sanity check.
– Evaluate possible errors (each measurements device provides
errors considerations)
– Is it relevant for the task at hand?

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Measurements and its errors
• Nature often shows statistical variations
• Repeatable measurement important
• Increasing counting time might already average
• Often a normal distribution is present (Gauss curve)
– The real value is overestimated or underestimated, but if measurement
number is high, the real value can be guessed.

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Measurements and its errors
• Normal distribution

• For the decision on the

goodness of the measurement
the standard deviation (sigma)
is often used

• When all systematic errors are

cancelled, the probability that
a true value is found within the
interval of plus/minus sigma is
68%.

• If we allow for the 2 sigma, the

probability is already at 95%.

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 Error propagation
• Each measurement includes error (absolute meaurements are
impossible)

• If a derived quantity is a results of various errornous values, then

we need to consider error propagation.

• Error calculation:

• E.g.:
Speed of neutron?
Time (t) von 0.2 s over 10 meter (d).

v = d / t = 10 / 0.2 = 50m/s

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Error propagation
• How large is the error?

– Consider error in length (Dd)

– Consider error in time (Dt)
– Calculation a linear error propagation:

v = d / t + |d(d / t )/dd| *Dd + |d(d / t )/dt| *Dt

= d/t + 1/t *Dd – d/t2 *Dt

• Assuming: (Dd) = 0.01 m and time (Dt) =0.005 s

• Speed and its errors:
v = (50 ± 1/0.2 * 0.01 – 10/0.2^2 * 0.005)m/s =
100 ± (0.05 + 1.25) m/s

→ here the error in the time dominates uncertainty.

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Scalar and vector quantities
Scalar:
Value without a direction
E.g: time, temperatur, …
Vector
– Is given by magnitude and direction
– Its indicated in formula by: Arrow, line or bold print
F=F=F
– Absolute values is the length of vector |F|
• Information on direction is lost.

– E.g.: velocity v |v| = speed

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Fields

• In each point in space a quantity

is defined
• If quantity is a scalar →
scalar field (e.g. temperature)
• If quantity is a vector →
vector field (e.g. wind direction,
magnetic flux)

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