Phys2425 University Physics IJared StensonEmail: stenson@rice.edu

IntroductionWho am I?Who are you?What are we doing here?How do we do it?

Syllabus Quiz• Reading questions• In-class activities• Labs• Online HW• Portfolio Project• Exams• Questions?

Simple Questions

What color is 3 o’clock? (group work)

If you knew everything about my shirt, would you know everything about everything?

If you knew everything about the homework, would you know everything about the exam?

Ch1

Simpler Questions

What color is 3 o’clock? (group work)

If you knew everything about my shirt, would you know everything about everything?

If you knew everything about the homework, would you know everything about the exam?

Ch1

Ch1What Affects This Course?

KNOWLEDGE OF DATA, FACTS, AND FIGURES

BELIEFS AND EXPECTATIONS

“IMAGINATION (BELIEF) IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN KNOWLEDGE”

LOOK TO THEPHYSICAL SITUATION

Look at the Numbers or Go to the Physical Situation?

Is Phys2425 Fall the same as Phys2425 Summer?

Regular Physics Course:96 contact hrs, 19 chs, 4 credits

Summer Physics Course:96 contact hrs, 19 chs, 4 credits

45.5760° N, 122.1154° W

Look at the Numbers or Go to the Physical Situation?

Box Score: Coronado Thunderbirds 55Franklin Cougars 40

Place: 31.85°N 106.4°WLast Basket scored by #24Question: Who is the winner and who is the loser?

The Physical Situation

Nature of ScienceWhat is science?What is science like?How do you learn it?How do you do it?

Ch1

Nature of ScienceWhat is science?What is science like?How do you learn it?How do you do it?Science is any human process relating concepts and experience in a way that seeks to besystematic, unambiguous, and communicable in order to understand the universe.

Concepts Experience

Generalize experiences to form a systematic, unambiguous, and

communicable conceptual structure

Apply conceptual structure to create, explain, or predict experiences

Ch1

Nature of ScienceWhat is science?What is science like?How do you learn it?How do you do it?Math?Engineering?Philosophy?Art?Religion?Magic?

Concepts Experience

Generalize experiences to form a systematic, unambiguous, and

communicable conceptual structure

Apply conceptual structure to create, explain, or predict experiences

Ch1

Nature of ScienceWhat is science?What is science like?How do you learn it?How do you do it?

Concepts Experience

Generalize experiences to form a systematic, unambiguous, and

communicable conceptual structure

Apply conceptual structure to create, explain, or predict experiencesBe honest.

Work hard.Seek learning.Take time – SUMMER!!!!!!Think deep.

“A little learning is a dangerous thing. Drink deep, or touch not the…spring.” --Alexander Pope

Ch1

Nature of ScienceWhat is science?What is science like?How do you learn it?How do you do it?

Solution Physical Situation

Representation: Use words, pictures, mathematics

Interpretation

Ch1

Ch1Nature of Science: The UpshotMath doesn’t mean anything until you give it an interpretation.The aim of science is insight, not truth.Failure can move us forward.A major role of science is to form

and use stories and modelsthat help us understand experience.

Lab1Measurement, Units, Uncertainty

Lab 1: What to do• Do the activity• Have the discussion• Record the data• Do the write-up• Turn in the next day

1. Over time, science gets closer and closer to the truth

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2. Science and its methods can answer all significant questions

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3. A scientist should not allow preconceived ideas guide observation and experimentation

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4. Careful observation gives us truth about the world around us

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5. Facts are the most valuable commodity in scientific

discourse.

6. There is a universal scientific method in which hypotheses

become theories, and theories become laws.

7. Science is exceptionally logical.

8. Science is more like math than it is like art.

9. A claim is “scientific” only if it is testable – or, better yet, falsifiable

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10. Experiment and observation are the principle routes to

scientific knowledge.

11. Science does not tell us about how

the world really is but only about how we perceive it

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12. All scientific work is independently

reviewed and replicated.

13. Science makes no claims when results are uncertain

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14. Scientific concepts are invented, as

opposed to discovered.

15. Mathematics governs nature, nature doesn’t govern mathematics.

16. What scientists choose to study reflects the social values and views of the time

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17. Once a working scientific explanation has been given, there is no need to look for other explanations

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18. Historically, science has been dominated by white Europeans and North American

males.

19. Theories change when new conceptualizations account for anomalous data

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20. The use of evidence (not consensus or belief) distinguishes science from non-science

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The Nature of Science1. Consider the following statements. On your own piece of paper record each one as either “Agree” or “Disagree.”2. After you have considered your own thoughts get together with at least 3 other people.3. Discuss each statement and circle the ones on which your entire group agrees.

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Physics vs. Engineering vs. Math

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Stages of KnowingHow do you answer a difficult question?

“Why does the bike tire do?” Released from rest?Release while spinning?

Stages of KnowingHow do you answer a difficult question?

“Why does the bike tire do?”

0) Relying on no one1) Relying on experts2) Relying on self3) Relying on a procedure (men and women)4) Relying on principles

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Problem Solving ChiasmAlways defer to the Physical Situation

Identify goalsMust choose and build effective conceptual, visual, and mathematical Representations

Set up frameworkExecute the Solution

Identify resultsInterpret results in light of the chosen representation

Evaluate in terms of goals Enjoy insight into the Physical Situation

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