Using Orders of Magnitude in Physics Calculations

This video tutorial explains the concept of orders of magnitude, focusing on how to express very small and large numbers using powers of 10. It covers the use of decimal prefixes for both small and large numbers, providing examples of converting units like nanometers and mega ohms. The tutorial includes two examples: calculating the speed of a wave using frequency and wavelength, and calculating electric current using charge and time. The video emphasizes the importance of understanding decimal prefixes and their corresponding multipliers for physics calculations.

What is the main purpose of using orders of magnitude in physics?

• To express numbers in terms of powers of 2

• To compare numbers using powers of 10

• To convert numbers into fractions

• To simplify numbers into whole numbers

If a current is 2.5 microamperes, how many orders of magnitude smaller is it compared to 1 ampere?

• 3 orders of magnitude

• 6 orders of magnitude

• 9 orders of magnitude

• 12 orders of magnitude

Which decimal prefix represents 10 to the power of -9?

• Pico

• Nano

• Micro

• Milli

To convert 3.7 mega ohms to ohms, by what factor should you multiply?

• 1,000

• 10,000

• 100,000

• 1,000,000

In the example of calculating wave speed, what is the frequency in Hertz after conversion?

• 1.5 * 10^9 Hertz

• 1.5 * 10^6 Hertz

• 1.5 * 10^3 Hertz

• 1.5 * 10^15 Hertz

What is the final speed of the wave in glass calculated in the example?

• 2.4 * 10^7 meters per second

• 2.4 * 10^8 meters per second

• 2.4 * 10^9 meters per second

• 2.4 * 10^6 meters per second

In the electric current example, what is the final current in standard form?

• 6.0 * 10^-5 amperes

• 6.0 * 10^-4 amperes

• 6.0 * 10^-3 amperes

• 6.0 * 10^-2 amperes