[HOME][PHY221][Course Information][ASSIGNMENT]

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Overview

Purpose

Measurement is a skill that is required in practically all of mans activities
in one way or another. Even in pre-history one could imagine cave-dwellers
pacing off the size of their caves to compare one cave with another. In science
and technology it is extremely important to perform consistent, accurate, and
precise measurements -- you would not want the filings in your teeth to
"almost fit" !! You must also be able to communicate just how accurate and
precise you are or need to be. To accomplish this, we have sets of rules that
we use to maintain the information about the accuracy and precision of our
measurements and calculations. In this module you will perform the steps
necessary to communicate the accuracy, precision, uncertainties, units of
measurements and calculations. The rest of the module will develop and/or
review some of the mathematical tools necessary for successful completion
of the course.

Prerequisites
o successfully complete the math pre-test

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Target Learning Outcomes
 

Target Competency
1. Apply the concepts of measurement and vectors to physical problems
Linked Core Abilities
B. solve problems
C. demonstrate effective written communication
E. demonstrate essential computer skills

Performance Standards
You will demonstrate your competence:
o by applying the concepts of measurement to physical problems
o by applying the concepts of vectors to physical problems
o by successfully completing online quiz
o by using text and notes
o by using a scientific calculator
o without a "partner"
o by successfully completing in-class assessments (conditions with appropriate assessments)


Your performance will be successful when:
o you identify the correct number of significant figures in numbers
o you use appropriate rounding rules
o you round off to the correct number of significant figures when performing calculations
o you can perform up or down conversion in the S.I. system of measurement
o you recognize S.I. prefixes
o you can explain the difference between between accuracy and precision
o you use scientific notation in problem solving
o you use engineering notation in problem solving
o you distinguish between a vector quantity and a scalar quantity
o you solve problems involving length, area, density, and volume
o you transform vectors from polar to unit vector or unit vector to polar
o you add or subtract vectors
o you distinguish between a standard of measure and a measure

Learning Objectives
This learning plan addresses the following learning objectives to help you master the competency:
a. recite base units of S.I. and C.S. of units
b. Identify power of 10 with prefixes
c. perform metric conversions
d. apply rules of rounding to calculations
e. apply rules of significant figures to calculations
f. perform metric to English, English to metric conversions
g. perform unit analysis in algebraic/mathemtical solutions
h. explain the concept of measurement uncertainties
i. define length, area, density, and volume
j. recite the units for length, area, and volume
k. distinguish between a standard of measure and a measure
l. recite rules for significant figures and rounding off
m. define vector quantity
n. define scalar quantity
o. calculate the components of a vector given in polar form
p. calculate the magnitude and direction of a vector given the components
q. convert back and forth between decimal and scientific notation
r. convert back and forth between decimal and engineering notation
s. write a vector in unit vector form from its components;

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Learning Activities
_____1.
READ couse information/assignment schedule

_____2.
COMPLETE online orientation

_____3.
PARTICIPATE in class discussions

_____4.
READ text chps 1

_____5.
be able to REPRODUCE and EXPLAIN soutions to examples

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SOLVE assigned prob cht 1-text

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READ ch 2.1-2.5 BAIRD

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READ chp 3 in text

_____9.
be able to REPRODUCE and EXPLAIN soutions to examples chpt 3 of text

_____10.
SOLVE assigned prob chp3 in text

_____11.
SUBMIT answers to selected problems cpts 1 & 3 text

_____12.
COMPLETE quiz one

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Assessment Activities
_____1.
Complete quiz one- online (70% or better)*

*See instructor if a quiz is less than 70%.
_____2.
Submit selected homework problems

_____3.
Participate in class discussions

_____4.
Submit Graphical analysis lab

_____5.
Submit position vectors & frames of reference lab

hfish@kvcc.edu
8/23/04