PHYSICAL QUANTITIES, VECTORS

AND 2D MOTION
PHYS 1112
Lecture 1

L2 Professor Kirill Prokofiev

 Practical details 1112 L2
Schedule of lectures: Monday 1:30 pm to 2:50 pm and Friday 9:00 am to 10:20 am.

Each time we will have 1h20 mins.

Venue: LTG (132)

Training questions and problems. Every so often in lecture slides you will meet small
problems we can (time allows!) solve and discuss together in class.

These are NOT graded. Try to defend your solution! The correct answers are typically given
on the last slide of the lecture.

Questions: Please, do ask questions, do not hesitate! Either in class or in private, asking
questions is crucial for your understanding and learning.

Write me an e-mail, come to my office, etc..

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 Practical details 1112 L2
Slides location in Canvas:
../Lecture Notes/L2 Lecture Notes/Slides for L2/

Visualizer scans: ../Lecture Notes/L2 Lecture Notes/Whiteboards for L2/

All lectures are automatically video-recorded and posted on Canvas.

Fixed-focus camera: In-class demos and visualizer writing may be absent from the record.

Office hours for informal discussions Q&A etc.: Tuesday afternoon 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm.
Department of Physics 4414.

My e-mail address for any questions you would like to ask (please ask questions!!):
kprok@ust.hk

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 Practical details 1112 L2

Grading structure:

Tutorial (5%) Homework (10%) Midterm (35%) Final Exam (50%)

Homework (10%)

To be done on MasteringPhysics (need to register with access code from textbook).

There will be eleven graded Homework sets (HW1 – HW11).

Two of the lowest Homework scores will be dropped.

Homework Solutions can be found in Canvas: ../Files/HW Solutions/

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 Practical details 1112 L2

Other important items on MasteringPhysics:

Adaptive follow-up (optional) – Questions follow up to each homework set based on your
performance in the HW set.

Supplementary Exercise (optional) – more problems on the topics.

Dynamic Study Module (bonus) – helps strengthen key concepts and counts as bonus
towards Homework category.

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 Practical details 1112 L2
Midterm (35%) in-person exam

Tentatively: March 23 (Saturday) - Mark it on calendar!!!

Time: 1 pm – 3 pm (2 hours)
Venue: TBA
A sample of the questions and formula sheet are in the Canvas: ../Files/Exams/Midterm/

Final (50%) in-person exam

Date, time and venue will be announced by the University

Content: Everything (see syllabus on Canvas for details)
A sample of the questions and formula sheet are in the Canvas: ../Files/Exams/Final/
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 Intended Learning Outcome
After this lecture you will learn:

1. Meanings of theories and models in physics.

2. How to define units for fundamental physical quantities.

3. How to use significant figures (self-study topic).

4. Vectors and their algebraic operations: addition and subtraction.

5. Displacement, velocity and acceleration in vector notation.

6. To predict the trajectory of projectile motion.

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 What is physics?
Physics is an experimental natural science.

Physics is based on the observation of natural phenomena.

The phenomena which exist independently of us and our opinion about them or our relation
to them.

For instance, the gravitation is a natural phenomenon.

It exists independently of us. We can study it and use it to our profit. Our opinion, however,
will not change the phenomenon itself.

Physics tries to find patterns relating these phenomena. The description of these patterns we
call scientific theories, laws or principles.

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 Theories and models

Theory is an explanation or a description of natural phenomena based on observation and

accepted fundamental principles.

For instance, the Newton’s theory of gravity is based on

multiple observations and accepted principles.

In natural science, theories should be scientific:

it should be possible to verify their predictions by an experiment.

(And to correct or to drop the theory in case of apparent contradiction).

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 Theories and models
Theory of gravity allows to predict the time required for an apple to fall off a tree.

This can be measured.

It is a scientific theory.

If the result is different from prediction the theory needs adjustment.

Model is a simplified version (description) of a physical system that would be too complicated
to analyze in full detail. page 10
 Building a model
Suppose, we would like to analyze the flight of a baseball, in order to predict its trajectory.

Important parameters to consider:

Size: Bigger it is, bigger is the air resistance.

Shape: Air resistance and rotation.

Mass distribution: Is it homogenous?

Initial rotation: Does it have any? Which?

The problem becomes complicated very quickly. But are all these factors equally important?
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 Building a model
Ignoring all the secondary effects,
keeping only the the primary ones.

We have just described a physics

object with a model.

Now we can use a theory to make

predictions about it.

We should be very careful: make the problem manageable, yet to keep the essential features.

For instance, if we measure the distance of flight of our baseball with a common ruler in cm, it
does not worth to account for the effects which give corrections less than 0.5 cm.
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 Standards and Units
Physics is an experimental science. It deals with measured quantities.

For the measurements we use numbers. We say: the mass is 𝑋 tons or the time is 𝑌 seconds.

When doing so, we compare the observed quantities with some pre-defined measures (or a
gauge). Thus, before measuring, we need to define such measures.

In other words, we should agree on:

What is a unit of time? What is a unit of length? What is a unit of mass? Etc..

Commonly used in physics is SI (Système International) system of units. Its basic units are:

Kilogram, meter, second. But how are they defined?

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 Time (second)

Definition by taking a natural process as a reference.

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 Length (meter)

Definition by taking a natural process as a reference.

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Mass (kilogram)

Definition by comparing to the mass of a

fixed “etalon” object.

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 Uncertainty
Each measurement has an uncertainty, reflecting the precision with which this measurement
was made.

Depending on the measurement method, the result is reliable only up to a certain limit. A
ruler with the lowest grade of 1 mm will have an uncertainty of 0.5 mm. Half of the lowest
grade.

If we measure with it 10 cm 8 mm, we would not know if it is 10 cm 7.5 mm or 10 cm 8.5 mm.

We would say then: 108.0 ± 0.5 mm.

±0.5 mm (or 1 mm in total) is the accuracy of our measurement.

0.5 mm is the measurement uncertainty.

Performing the same measurement with micrometer we would get a more precise result. Say
108.456 ± 0.002 mm. Accuracy depends on measurement method or device. page 17
 Uncertainty and significant figures

See self-study material for more on:

Uncertainty

Significant figures

Uncertainty propagation

Scientific notation

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 Vectors
Vectors are mathematical objects that have a magnitude (modulus) and a direction in space.
They can be represented as “arrows” in space.

y
𝑨
𝑨= 𝑨𝟐𝒙 + 𝑨𝟐𝒚
r 𝐴
, o
𝑨
d e y-projection, (Pythagoras theorem)
i t u
g n 𝐴& = 𝐴 sin 𝜃
a
M 𝑨𝒚
𝐭𝐚𝐧 𝜽 =
𝜃 𝑨𝒙

x
x-component, 𝐴% = 𝐴 cos 𝜃
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Addition

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Subtraction

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 Unit vectors
The vector of unit length is called the unit vector. It is often useful to express vectors in terms
of the unit vectors chosen along the coordinate axes.
= along 𝑥, 𝑦, and 𝑧 directions in Cartesian coordinates.
For instance, 𝚤,̂ 𝚥,̂ and 𝑘,

This makes addition and multiplication easy and intuitively understandable (later).
2D: 3D:

𝑨 = 𝐴 % 𝚤̂ + 𝐴 & 𝚥 ̂ 𝑨 = 𝐴% 𝚤̂ + 𝐴& 𝚥̂ + 𝐴' 𝑘=

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1.1
A. 𝐸𝑥 = 𝐸 cos 𝑏, 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐸 sin 𝑏

B. 𝐸𝑥 = 𝐸 sin 𝑏, 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐸 cos 𝑏

C. 𝐸𝑥 = – 𝐸 cos 𝑏, 𝐸𝑦 = – 𝐸 sin 𝑏

D. 𝐸𝑥 = – 𝐸 sin 𝑏, 𝐸𝑦 = – 𝐸 cos 𝑏

E. 𝐸𝑥 = – 𝐸 cos 𝑏, 𝐸𝑦 = 𝐸 sin 𝑏

What are the 𝑥- and 𝑦-components of the vector 𝐸?

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1.2

Which of the following statements is correct for any two vectors 𝐴⃗ and 𝐵:

A. The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 is 𝐴 + 𝐵.

B. The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 is 𝐴 – 𝐵.

C. The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 is greater than or equal to |𝐴 − 𝐵|.

D. The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 is greater than the magnitude of 𝐴⃗ − 𝐵.

E. The magnitude of 𝐴⃗ + 𝐵 is 𝐴( + 𝐵 ( .

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 The angle q is measured
1.3 counterclockwise from the positive 𝑥 -
axis as shown.

For which of these vectors is q greatest?

A. 24𝑖 + 18𝑗;

B. −24𝑖 − 18𝑗;

C. 18𝑖 − 24𝑗;

D. −18𝑖 − 24𝑗.

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 Displacement and velocity vectors
Distance and speed are scalars (numbers). Displacement and velocity are vector quantities.
The instantaneous velocity is always a tangent to the trajectory.

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 Motion in two dimensions
1.5 A bicyclist starts at point 𝑃 and travels around a
triangular path that takes her through points 𝑄 and
𝑅 before returning to point 𝑃.
P
What is the magnitude of her net displacement for the
entire round trip?
500 m
A. 100 m.
400 m
B. 200 m.

C. 600 m.
Q R
300 m D. 1200 m.

E. 0 m.
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 Vector of acceleration
Velocity is always a tangent to the trajectory. But it also can change its value and/or its
direction. Then we talk about acceleration. Acceleration is also a vector. The average
acceleration points to the same direction as the change in velocity.

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 Vector of acceleration
To find the instantaneous acceleration, we need to differentiate the velocity by time. The
instantaneous acceleration always points to the concave side of trajectory.

Acceleration is a change in velocity.

Thus, it can be:

Change of speed.

Change of direction.

Change of both. page 29

1.6 The motion diagram shows an object moving along a
curved path at constant speed. At which of the points 𝐴,
𝐶, and 𝐸 does the object has zero acceleration?

A. Point 𝐴 only.

B. Point 𝐶 only.

C. Point 𝐸 only.

D. Points 𝐴 and 𝐶 only.

E. points 𝐴, 𝐶, and 𝐸.

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 Vector of acceleration
Decomposing acceleration vector into parallel
and perpendicular components.

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 Projectile
Projectile is a body projected by external force and continuing in motion by its own inertia.

/Miriam – Webster dictionary/

In physics, a projectile is an object thrown (projected) into an air.

After the initial force that launches the object, it only experiences the force of gravity.

The motion of such object is called a “projectile motion” and its path is called a “trajectory”.

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Analysis of the motion of a projectile

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 Analysis of the motion of a projectile
At the top of the trajectory: 0 = 𝑣& = 𝑣) sin 𝛼) − 𝑔𝑇; 𝑇 = 𝑣) sin 𝛼) /𝑔.
The 𝑦 motion with uniform
downward acceleration 𝑔.

Maximal height:
= 𝑣) sin 𝛼) 𝑇 − *(𝑔𝑇 (
𝑣)( sin( 𝛼)
= .
2𝑔
The 𝑥 motion has no acceleration. The 𝑥 range = 𝑣) cos 𝛼) 2𝑇 = 2𝑣)( sin 𝛼) cos 𝛼) /𝑔.

Demonstration: a ball fired at the same instance when the monkey is dropped.

Ball always hit the monkey, AMAZING!! See textbook for a proof. page 34
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When the ball is at its highest point 𝑃, the monkey will be at:

A. Point 𝐴 (higher than 𝑃).

B. Point 𝐵 (at the same height as 𝑃).

C. Point 𝐶 (lower than 𝑃).

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1.7 A projectile is launched at a 30° angle above the horizontal. Ignore air resistance.

The projectile’s acceleration is greatest:

A. At a point between the launch point and the high point of the trajectory.

B. At the highest point of the trajectory.

C. At a point between the high point of the trajectory and where it hits the ground.

D. Misleading question—the acceleration is the same (but nonzero) at all points along the
trajectory.

E. Misleading question—the acceleration is zero at all points along the trajectory.

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 Answers
1.1 B; 1.2 C; 1.3 C; 1.4 D; 1.5 E; 1.6 B; 1.7 D

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Self-study topics

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 Uncertainty and Significant Figures
Sometimes the uncertainty is not stated explicitly. Then we talk about “significant figures” or
a number of “significant digits”, which indicate the uncertainty.

The measurement of 2.91 mm has three significant digits. Of them two are certain and the
last one is uncertain. The accuracy is about 0.01 mm (we usually take ± 0.005).

If we would be measuring the value of 𝜋 by dividing the circumference of a circle to its

diameter, we could get the following results:

3.14, which means between 3.135 and 3.145, or 3.14 ± 0.005 (three significant digits)

3.1416, which means 3.1416 ± 0.00005 (five significant digits)

22/7, which is a rational number, that usually means exact. This is misleading. Our
measurement is not exact!
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 Significant figures – how to count
A) All non-zero digits are significant.

B) Zeroes between non-zero digits are significant.

C) Zeroes to the left of the first non-zero digit are not significant.

D) Zeroes to the right of the decimal point in the number are significant.

Examples:

123 has 3 significant figures.

0.0123 has 3 significant figures (it is equivalent to 1.23×10+( ).

0.1023 has 4 significant figures.

0.10230 has 5 significant figures (the last zero indicates the precision of the measurement).
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 Uncertainty and Significant Figures
How many significant figures do we have in the following examples:

3;
3.00;
03.00?

Example of the incorrect uncertainty representation:

2.017676 ± 0.0132

Smaller that the Three decimal places. Usually,

uncertainty. Meaningless. the uncertainty is only 1 or 2
significant digits precise.

Make sure the measurement and the uncertainty have the same number of decimal places.
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 Uncertainty propagation in calculations
We often need to calculate quantities, dependent on multiple parameters known with
uncertainty. Example: velocity of an object is measured distance divided by measured time.

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Uncertainty propagation in calculations

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 Scientific notation
To isolate significant digits, we are presenting the result of our measurement in terms of
powers of 10.

What is the density (in kg/m3) of a rock of mass 1.80 kg and volume 6.0×10−4 m3?

A. 3×103 kg/m3,

B. 3.0×103 kg/m3,

C. 3.00×103 kg/m3,

D. 3.000×103 kg/m3

Hint: think which number has least significant figures. Are we multiplying or adding?

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