Oftentimes, the terms “ accuracy “ and “ precision “ are used interchangeably, but their meanings are anything but similar. Precision references the repeatability of a desired outcome, while accuracy defines how close an outcome or measurement is in reference to a standard value. Consider the diagrams below: Low Accuracy / Low Precision The bullseyeContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Accuracy and Precision”
Author Archives: George Tafari
AP PHYSICS: Conversion Fractions
If we multiply the number 1 by a unit A, we end up with one unit of A: 1 x A = A We are at liberty to substitute A with any quantity we wish: 1 x 5kg = 5kg 1 x 6s = 6s 1 x 100m = 100m Furthermore, 1 x A =Continue reading “AP PHYSICS: Conversion Fractions”
AP PHYSICS: Power of Ten Prefixes
The phrases “ several dozen “ and “ several hundred “ have meanings that are dependent upon suffixes that have been assigned to a numeral grouping of items. It is most practical, however, to have an internationally agreed upon method of assigning prefixes that denote numerical meanings to words. The Systeme International ( SI )Continue reading “AP PHYSICS: Power of Ten Prefixes”
AP PHYSICS: Scientific Notation
It would be extremely inconvenient, inefficient, cumbersome, and annoying ( if even possible ) to make measurements of submicroscopic life forms and cross-continental terrain with the same instruments. Scientific notation provides us with a condensed method of expressing both large and small quantities alike. In addition to convenience and practicality, scientific notation reduces the chancesContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Scientific Notation”
AP PHYSICS: Significant Figures
Significant digits address the issue of uncertainty in measurements. When carrying out mathematical exercises, the term with the least number of significant digits will determine how many “ sig figs “ the answer must contain. A quick summary of the rules regarding significant figures follows: All non-zero digits are significant. All digits between non-zero digitsContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Significant Figures”
THE STOCK MARKET: Options Contract Breakeven Price
Note: I am not an expert. This is information that perhaps should be learned prior to working with an expert. THE BUYING SIDE OF THE GAME Let’s say that a call options contract costs $0.40 cents per contract. Since options contracts are sold in groups of 100, the net purchase price of the contract isContinue reading “THE STOCK MARKET: Options Contract Breakeven Price”
SOUND: The Decibel Scale
One unit of ( X ) is equal to ten times one-tenth of ( X ). We are at liberty to allow ( X ) to be a quantity of anything we wish. For example, let’s allow ( X ) to be a dollar bill: 1 dollar = ( 10 )( 1 tenth dollars )Continue reading “SOUND: The Decibel Scale”
MATHEMATICS: A Review of Binary Mathematics and the Hexadecimal Counting System:
Write the numbers 8, 4, 2, and 1 in descending order. Binary numbers are formed by choosing numbers from this sequence and adding them together to form a number that is desired. The number 1 is used to choose numbers out of the ( 8, 4, 2, 1 ) sequence that are needed, and aContinue reading “MATHEMATICS: A Review of Binary Mathematics and the Hexadecimal Counting System:”
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Conservation of Linear and Angular Momentum ( Part 1 )
Q: A ( 1kg ) ball of clay moving with a velocity ( vbi ) collides and sticks to the end of a ( 120cm ) rod of uniform mass ( 2kg ). Assuming that the ball and rod are at rest upon a frictionless surface: ( a ) Where is the new center ofContinue reading “ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Conservation of Linear and Angular Momentum ( Part 1 )”
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Elastic Collision Determination ( Part 2 )
Q: An elastic collision occurs between two objects of mass ( m1 ) and ( m2 ). Prior to the collision, mass ( m2 ) is stationary and approached by ( m1 ) with a velocity ( v1 ). If only the values of ( m1 ), ( m2 ), and ( v1 ) areContinue reading “ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: Elastic Collision Determination ( Part 2 )”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 