PHYS 2001 Lecture : Lecture 1
Document Summary
Physics predicts how nature will behave in one situation based on the results of experimental data obtained in another situation. This semester we will focus on classical mechanics big things moving slowly (wrt the speed of light) [quantum and relativity ] Next semester you will study electricity and magnetism. We measure each quantity by its own unit or by comparison with a standard. A unit is a measure of a quantity that scientists around the world can refer to. This has to be both accessible and invariable. For example: 1 meter (m) is a unit of length. Any other length can be expressed in terms of 1 meter. A variable length, such as the length of phil"s stride is not appropriate. The si system, or the international system of units, is also called the metric system. Three basic quantities are the length, time, and mass.
