I am going to ask a set of 30 conceptual questions. They will get harder and harder. If anyone can get all 30, they are a true MASTER! Some of these questions are true stumpers.
Let's kick it off with the basics: Dimensional Analysis.
#1. The height of a horse is sometimes given in the units of "hands." Why is this a poor standard of length?
Originally posted by Ramned I am going to ask a set of 30 conceptual questions. They will get harder and harder. If anyone can get all 30, they are a true MASTER! Some of these questions are true stumpers.
Let's kick it off with the basics: Dimensional Analysis.
[b]#1. The height of a horse is sometimes given in the units of "hands." Why is this a poor standard of length?[/b]
Sometimes? In UK a horse's height is measured in hands.
1 hand = 4 inches.
The inch being defined as 1/12 of a yard.
The yard being defined as EXACTLY 0.9144 metres (since 1956)
Originally posted by wolfgang59 Sometimes? In UK a horse's height is measured in hands.
1 hand = 4 inches.
The inch being defined as 1/12 of a yard.
The yard being defined as EXACTLY 0.9144 metres (since 1956)
I cannot see any problem! (And why physics?)
PS Cant wait for next 29 ..................
:'(
No...I'll explain if people continue to miss this, which I really plead won't happen. You're thinking way too deep. This is only a fundamental of physics: the idea of precision.
No...I'll explain if people continue to miss this, which I really plead won't happen. You're thinking way too deep. This is only a fundamental of physics: the idea of precision.
Originally posted by Ramned I am going to ask a set of 30 conceptual questions. They will get harder and harder. If anyone can get all 30, they are a true MASTER! Some of these questions are true stumpers.
Let's kick it off with the basics: Dimensional Analysis.
[b]#1. The height of a horse is sometimes given in the units of "hands." Why is this a poor standard of length?[/b]
Dimensionally speaking the standard unit for length is the meter, so perhaps Ramned is meaning that the "hand" is based in imperial units (4 inches), so it is awkward to use in standard (SI) units. However, this is not really a fundamental problem.
I suspect that the reason "hands" are not a very appropiate unit of measure is to do with the resolution of the hand system. Usually the height of a horse is measured to the nearest whole hand (i think?), which means it could be as inacurate as +/- 2 inchs. This is a fundamental problem with the resolution of the hand scale and will be a source of a significant error if precise height measurements are required.
Originally posted by MattP Dimensionally speaking the standard unit for length is the meter, so perhaps Ramned is meaning that the "hand" is based in imperial units (4 inches), so it is awkward to use in standard (SI) units. However, this is not really a fundamental problem.
I suspect that the reason "hands" are not a very appropiate unit of measure is to do with the resolution of th ...[text shortened]... ale and will be a source of a significant error if precise height measurements are required.
You are correct. Hands vary in size = not precise as, say, a meter. The length of a hand varies from person to person, so it isn't a useful standard of length.
A harder one on motion...this is still basic though.
Two Dimensional Motion
3. A wrench is dropped from the top of a 10-m mast on a sailing ship while the ship is traveling in a straight line at 20 knots. Where will the wrench hit the deck?
Originally posted by Ramned A harder one on motion...this is still basic though.
Two Dimensional Motion
[b]3. A wrench is dropped from the top of a 10-m mast on a sailing ship while the ship is traveling in a straight line at 20 knots. Where will the wrench hit the deck?[/b]
Near the bottom of the mast. Because at the beginning of the motion it already has a speed of 20 knots in the horizontal direction.
Originally posted by kbaumen Near the bottom of the mast. Because at the beginning of the motion it already has a speed of 20 knots in the horizontal direction.
Motion continuing...hope they're not too hard for ya yet 😉
Laws of Motion
4. A large crate is placed on the bed of a truck. (A) As the truck accelerates forward, the crate remains at rest relative to it...what force causes the crate to accelerate forward? (B) If the driver slams on the brakes, what could happen to it?
Anyone a Master of Physics?
18 Sep '07 19:562 edits
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