Physics forms the foundation of all of the natural sciences. A model that is developed in chemistry, biology, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering or any other scientific disipline must obey the laws of physics. This course explains the physics of particle motion, work and energy, electrostatics, magnetostatics, waves, and optics. In addition to discussing physics laws, you will develop problem solving skills that are useful beyond the physics classroom. The first chapter is devoted to problem solving skills.
Scientific E-notation - Large numbers numbers like $6.023\times 10^{23}=$ 6.023E23 and small numbers like $1.6022\times 10^{-19}=$ 1.6022E-19 are written with scientific E-notation because there would otherwise be too many zeros to write out.
Differentiation and Integration - It is expected that you can differentiate and integrate functions such as $\exp(x)$, $\sin(x)$, $\cos(x)$, and polynomials $x^n$, $1/x^n$. You should also be able to use computer algebra programs like Wolfram Alpha to integrate and differentiate functions. If the computer algebra programs can't find a solution, you should know how to perform integration and differentiation numerically.
Dimensional analysis - By checking the units on the left side and right side of an equation it is possible to determine if a mistake has been made in a derivation. If the units don't match, there is a mistake.
Graphical solutions - You can solve any equation of a single variable such as $\sqrt{5^{\sin(x)}} = \cos(\sqrt{|x|})$. There are various numerical methods for doing this but a fairly robust method is to plot the left and right sides of the equation and see where the lines cross.
Working with tables of data - Sometimes you have to evaluate tables of data. You should know how to import the data into a spreadsheet program and to manipulate the data.
Vectors - Many physical quantities like a force or a velocity are vectors. You need to be able to add and subtract vectors and be familiar with the vector inner product and vector cross product.
Scripts - Many numerical problems that can be solved with a pocket calculator can be solved more easily with a script. A script is a short piece of computer code that is used to perform a calculation. In a script, variables can be defined and mathematical operations can be performed on these variables.
Each topic in this chapter includes at least one online question that you can use to test your knowledge.
