Physics 101.1 Activity 1: On Measurement

On November 17, 2010, we had our discussion on Activities 1 and 2.
Activity 1 was entitled, On Measurement. Somehow, it was a recall from what I had in high school. We discussed Significant Figures, Scientific Notations, and orders of approximation. I was a bit confused with the sigfi’s of the final answer when it came from a combination of multiple operations. Good thing it was discussed in the lab class and I was able to get it right. It was the first time I encountered the term “best estimates”. Soon enough, I learned how to do it.
Here are some insights of the first activity:
1. Measurement is IMPORTANT in every scientific endeavor because without it, no theory or law could be proven right.
2. Measuring has a limit, and the exact calibrations that one can take determine the significant figures.
3. Sometimes, when it is just casual talk, it is more convenient to use approximations.
4. Scientific Notations are used for “compressing” very large or very small numbers so that it would be easy to write them.
5. Zeroth Order of Approximation is the same as the order of magnitude. It is known for answering Fermi Questions and is also called back-of-the-envelope-calculations.
6. First Order of Approximation is based on Significant Figures.
7. Second Order of Approximation is also called “best estimates”. It was the average +/- the uncertainty.
8. Third Order of Approximation is on Statistical Treatment. We haven’t discussed this much because there are integrals which we haven’t had in our math subjects.
and that was Activity 1.