Tag Archives: physics for scientists and engineers

Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.33


Estimate the average speed with which the hair on your head grows. Give your answer in both m/s and µm/hour. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.32


Estimate the average speed with which you go from home to campus via whatever mode of transportation you use most commonly. Give your answer in both mph and m/s. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.31


Estimate the height of a telephone pole. Give your answer in both feet and meters. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.30


Estimate (don’t measure!) the length of a typical car. Give your answer in both feet and meters. Briefly describe how you arrived at this estimate.


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.29


Compute the following numbers, applying the significant figure rule adopted in this textbook.

a. \displaystyle 12.5^3

b. \displaystyle 12.5\times 5.21

c. \displaystyle \sqrt{12.5}-1.2

d. \displaystyle 12.5^{-1}


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.28


Compute the following numbers, applying the significant figure rule adopted in this textbook.

a. \displaystyle 33.3\times 25.4

b. \displaystyle 33.3-25.4

c. \displaystyle \sqrt{33.3}

d. \displaystyle 333.3\div 25.4


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.27


Using the approximate conversion factors in Table 1.5, convert the following to SI units to English units without using your calculator.

a. 30 cm

b. 25 m/s

c. 5 km

d. 0.5 cm


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.26


Using the approximate conversion factors in Table 1.5, convert the following to SI units without using your calculator.

a. 20 ft

b. 60 mi

c. 60 mph

d. 8 in


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.25


Convert the following to SI units:

a) 3 hours

b) 2 days

c) 1 year

d) 215 ft/s


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Physics for Scientists and Engineers 3E by R. Knight, P1.24


Convert the following to SI units:

a) 8.0 in

b) 66 ft/s

c) 60 mph

d) 14 in2


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