Simple Nature - Light and Matter

It can also be handy to have a relation involving velocity and posi-

tion, eliminating time. Straightforward algebra gives

v^2 f=vo^2 + 2a∆x,

wherevf is the final velocity,vo the initial velocity, and ∆xthe
distance traveled.

.Solved problem: Dropping a rock on Mars page 49, problem 17

.Solved problem: The Dodge Viper page 50, problem 19

0.1.5 Self-evaluation

The introductory part of a book like this is hard to write, because

every student arrives at this starting point with a different prepara-

tion. One student may have grown up outside the U.S. and so may

be completely comfortable with the metric system, but may have

had an algebra course in which the instructor passed too quickly

over scientific notation. Another student may have already taken

vector calculus, but may have never learned the metric system. The

following self-evaluation is a checklist to help you figure out what

you need to study to be prepared for the rest of the course.

If you disagree with this state-

ment...

you should study this section:

I am familiar with the basic metric

units of meters, kilograms, and sec-

onds, and the most common metric

prefixes: milli- (m), kilo- (k), and

centi- (c).

subsection 0.1.6 Basic of the Metric

System

I am familiar with these less com-

mon metric prefixes: mega- (M),

micro- (μ), and nano- (n).

subsection 0.1.7 Less Common Met-

ric Prefixes

I am comfortable with scientific no-

tation.

subsection 0.1.8 Scientific Notation

I can confidently do metric conver-

sions.

subsection 0.1.9 Conversions

I understand the purpose and use of

significant figures.

subsection 0.1.10 Significant Figures

It wouldn’t hurt you to skim the sections you think you already

know about, and to do the self-checks in those sections.

Section 0.1 Introduction and review 23