Sunday, June 26, 2016

Chapter 1: Discussion Questions (Q1.1 - Q1.5)

Q1.1 How many correct experiments do we need to disprove a theory? How many to prove a theory? Explain.

Response: Only one correct experiment is needed to disprove a theory, and no finite number of correct experiments can prove a theory. However, a large amount of correct experiments can be used as evidence to support a theory within a range of validity.


Q1.2 A guidebook describes the rate of climb of a mountain rail as 120 meters per kilometer. How can you express this as a number with no units?

Response: 120 meters / 1 kilometer = 120 meters / 1000 meters = 120 meters / 1000 meters = 120 / 1000 = 0.12. This is simply the slope of the mountain.


Q1.3 Suppose you are asked to compute the tangent of 5.00 meters. Is this possible? Why or why not?

Response: This is not possible. The tangent function is a trigonometric function that takes an angle as an input. Since 5.00 meters is a quantity of length, this is not a valid input.


Q1.4 A highway contractor stated that in building a bridge deck he poured 250 yards of concrete. What do you think he meant?

Response: The contractor probably meant that he had poured 250 cubic yards of concrete. This is a measurement of volume and describes the quantity of concrete that he had poured.


Q1.5 What is your height in centimeters? What is your weight in newtons?

Response: I am 5 ft 11 inches, and I weigh 216 lbs. 5 ft 11 inches = 71 inches. 1 inch = 2.540 cm, therefore 71 inches = 71(2.540 cm) = 180 cm. 1 lb = 4.448 newtons (N), so 216 lbs = 216 (4.448 N) = 961 N.

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