Measurement and uncertainties

Aims

  • Introduce the realm of physics
  • Use models
  • Define and put into context position and time
  • Define a scale and a fixed point
  • Measure length and mass
  • Find volume and derived units
  • Calculate density
  • Know the fundamental quantities

TOK

  • What is the meaning of Time, if nothing ever changed would there be time.
  • Is there an absolute zero of position?
  • What zero do we use in the measurement of time?
  • How do we know that the length of a meter rod is constant?
  • Why is the speed of light so important?

NOS

  • Observation, the first steps in the scientific method.
  • How we use quantities to model the universe.
  • The whole thing about trying to make some sense of the observable universe.
  • Using our senses to make observations.

Utilisations

  • To replicate any building or machine requires careful measurement.
  • Until Vernier invented the vernier caliper engineers had to copy components from the original.

International Mindedness

  • The SI system of measurement.

Notes

Students think its strange that we start from such basic concepts but it is important that everyone understands what we are talking about. Some students have never studied physics before and most of those who have haven't studied in English.

Vocabulary list

Define, definition
Position
Time
Constant
Unit
Observe, observation
Model
Universe
Quantity, quantitative
Magnitude

Quizlet

Resources

Basic stuff around the lab, ruler pendulum etc.

Photo of stars useful for talking about position etc. I cover one star with black and make it flash on the SMART board by using undo button. This is to get the idea of time.

Labs

Difficult to do labs before doing any theory but could do something basic like the one measuring a ball of plasticine described in the book

Videos

SIXTΨ SγMBΦLS

Mass

This is a nice introduction to the idea of mass, including introduction to the Higg's Boson but only in a simple way.

Density

The focus here is on astrophysics but not too advanced. Nice comparism of densities in terms of elephants per teaspoon.

Infinity

How physicists differ from mathematicians in their idea of infinity.

Quizlet

Sizes Quizlet

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