Introduction

to Physics
for
Engineers
WMSU Prepared by:
Engr. Joseph Tolentino

1
WHAT IS PHYSICS?
A science that deals with the structure of matter and the interactions
between the fundamental constituents of the observable universe. It is
the the BASIC PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
- Brown, L. M. and Weidner, . Richard Tilghman (2020, June 11). Physics. Encyclopedia Britannica.
https://www.britannica.com/science/physics-science

A branch of science concerned with the nature and properties of matter

and energy. The subject matter of physics, distinguished from that of
chemistry and biology, includes mechanics, heat, light and other
radiation, sound, electricity, magnetism, and the structure of atoms
- PHYSICS: Definition of physics by Oxford dictionary on LEXICO.COM . (n.d.).
https://www.lexico.com/definition/physics.

A scientific study of matter and energy and the relationships between

them, including the study of forces, heat, light, sound, electricity and the
structure of atoms.
- Physics. (n.d.). https://www.oxfordlearnersdictionaries.com/us/definition/english/physics?q=physics. 2
Purpose
“Physics is based on measurement of physical
quantities”

Measurements and comparisons are at the heart of science and engineering. Thus,
we require rules for assessing and evaluating things and even some experiments to
establish the units for those measurements and comparisons. One of physics' (and
engineering's) objectives is to design and conduct such experiments.

For example, physicists strive to develop ultra-accurate clocks that can precisely
determine and compare any time or time interval. Without accurate clocks, the
Global Positioning System (GPS), which is now critical for global
navigation, would be useless.

- Walker, J. (2014). Measurement. In Fundamentals of Physics (10th ed.). essay,

Wiley.
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SYSTEM OF UNITS
OF
MEASUREMENTS
3 Basic SI Quantities and its Units
Quantity Unit Name Unit Symbol
Length meter m
Time second s
Mass gram g
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4 Categories of System of Units Of Measurements
1. CGS System
2. MKS System
3. FPS System aka “English/British System”
4. SI System - Système International or
International System of Units
SI is the international standard for measurement.
The International Treaty of the Meter was signed in Paris on May 20,
1875 by seventeen countries, including the United States and is now
celebrated around the globe as World Metrology Day .

Reference/s:
• Chavez, I. (2021, February 8). SI Units. NIST. t.ly/9FnS.
• What are Standard Units of Measurement? Fundamental, Basic & Derived. Bright Hub Engineering. (2010, February 23).

t.ly/7ZPG .
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Units and its Conversion Factors

Reference: Young, & Freedman. (2019).

University Physics (15th ed.). Pearson. 6
Units and its Conversion Factors

Reference: Young, & Freedman. (2019).

University Physics (15th ed.). Pearson.
7
Units and its Conversion Factors

Reference: Young, & Freedman. (2019). University Physics

(15th ed.). Pearson. 8
Why do we need units of
measurements?
• To have a focus and
basis Units
• To have a clear
understanding of a
certain topic Fundamental
regardless of time or
/ Basic Units
place
• To reproduce
knowledge
• To have unity Derived
Units
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7 Fundamental/ Basic units – keyword “base”
Fundamental Quantity S.I. Unit Symbol
1 Length meter m
2 Mass kilogram kg
3 Time second s
4 Temperature kelvin K
5 Electric Current ampere A
6 Luminous Intensity candela cd
7 Amount of Substance mole mol

For more information:

More, H. (2020, March 18). System of Units: cgs, mkas, fps, SI systems of units. The Fact Factor.
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/system-of-units/9316/
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Derived Units – keyword “derived”
- Units that are
- Units that emanated from formulas (obtained from formulas)
Ex. Find the unit of velocity

Thus, the unit of velocity is

meter per second (m/s)

Reference/s:
More, H. (2020, March 18). System of Units: cgs, mkas, fps, SI systems of units. The Fact Factor.
https://thefactfactor.com/facts/pure_science/physics/system-of-units/9316/
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 Engineering prefixes
Like prefixes in English,

Prefix Meaning Example

mis- Wrong Misunderstand
Re- Again restart

In Engineering,

Prefix Symbol Meaning Example

kilo- k 1000 1 kg or 1000g
milli- m 0.001 1 ms or 0.001 s

What I intend by the word “meaning” in

Engineering is the equivalent, a factor, or
a multiplier.

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Decomposition of Derived units to Fundamental units

Example : Power = Force x velocity

Use of Eng’g Prefixes

Example :
2 165 m = 2.165 km
0.000000005 s = 5ns
110 527 000 000 000 W = 110.527 TW
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Conversion of Units
Convert : How many Convert : 5 years to
centavos are there in 97.25 seconds.
pesos ?

Since, .25 is equivalent to 25 Or

cents/ centavos, we just add 25
to 9700 centavos

Therefore, the answer is 9725

centavos.

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PHYSICAL QUANTITIES:
SCALAR AND VECTORS
What is a Scalar Quantity?
What is a Vector Quantity?

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Scalar Quantity – keyword “scale”
• Has only one characteristic Examples:
• Length
• Magnitude only
• area
• Can be represented by a line segment • volume
(has a starting point and an end) • mass
• density
• Can be solved by just basic arithmetic • Pressure
• temperature
i.e. addition, subtraction, • energy
• work
multiplication and division.
• power
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Vector Quantity
• Has two characteristics
Examples:
• Magnitude and DIRECTION • displacement
• Can be represented by an arrow (has a
• velocity
• acceleration
starting point and an arrowhead, which
• momentum
might suggest continuity) • force
• Cannot be solved by basic arithmetic. • lift
• Drag
NOTE: Direction must be considered when
• Thrust
dealing with vectors. Thus, it is called • weight
vector arithmetic. 17
Distance vs Displacement
• Distance is a scalar quantity that refers to "how much
ground an object has covered" during its motion.
• Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to "how
far out of place an object is"; it is the object's overall
change in position.

References:
• Distance versus Displacement. (2020). The Physics Classroom.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Distance-and-Displacement
• Distance vs. Displacement. (2019, August 26). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B3qWCi9gdFE&ab_channel=ThePhysicsClassroom
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Speed vs Velocity
•  Speed is a scalar quantity that refers to "how
fast an object is moving." Speed can be
thought of as the rate at which an object covers
distance.
• Velocity is a vector quantity that refers to "the
rate at which an object changes its position."

References:
• Speed versus Velocity. (2020). The Physics Classroom.
https://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/1DKin/Lesson-1/Speed-and-Velocity
• Speed vs. Velocity. (2019, August 26). [Video]. YouTube.
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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhNzEj3Or98&ab_channel=ThePhysicsClassroom
Test! Scalars Versus Vectors
Answer(s):
1. 15 meters 1. Scalar
2. 30 meters/seconds , EAST 2. Vector
3. 37 degrees Celsius 3. Scalar
4. 5 Gigabytes 4. Scalar
5. 22 kcal 5. Scalar
6. 500 Newtons, North of East 6. Vector
7. 9.81 meters per sq. sec, Downward 7. Vector

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Cartesian coordinate system
- Invented by René Descartes
- Established the first systematic
connection between Euclidean
geometry and algebra, he
revolutionized mathematics.
- Was used to described
geometric shaped in a form of
equations e.g., curves.

For example, a circle of radius 2, centered at the

origin of the plane, may be described as the set
of all points whose coordinates x and y satisfy
the equation x2 + y2 = 4.

Reference:
Cartesian coordinate system. (2021, March 27). In Wikipedia.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cartesian_coordinate_system
Cartesian Coordinate System
Remember

 Origin
 x-axis ( y = 0 )
 y-axis ( x =0 )
 Point
 x- coordinate – “abscissa”
 y- coordinate – “ordinate”
 4 Quadrants

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Polar coordinate system
- Introduced by Grégoire de Saint-
Vincent and Bonaventura Cavalieri.
- It was motivated by the circular
motion and orbital motion of planets.
- Similar to Cartesian Coordinate
System
- Was also used to described
geometric shaped in a form of polar
equations e.g., curves.

For example, a circle of radius 2 and tangent

to the y=axis, centered at the x=2, may be
described as the set of all points whose
equation is r = 4cos θ.

Reference:
Polar Coordinates System. (2021, March 17). In Wikipedia - Polar Coordinate System.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_coordinate_system
Polar Coordinate System
Terms to Remember

 Pole – reference point

 Polar axis - Reference
direction
 Radial Coordinate or
Radial Distance or radius
– “ distance from the pole”
 Polar Angle or Azimuth or
the Angular Coordinate –
“angle from the polar axis ”
Reference:
Polar Coordinates System. (2021, March 17). In Wikipedia - Polar Coordinate System.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_coordinate_system
Polar Coordinate System
Terms to Remember

 Pole – reference point

 Polar axis - Reference
direction
 Radial Coordinate or
Radial Distance or radius
– “ distance from the pole”
 Polar Angle or Azimuth or
the Angular Coordinate –
Reference:
“angle from the polar axis ”
Polar Coordinates System. (2021, March 17). In Wikipedia - Polar Coordinate System.
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https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polar_coordinate_system
Angle rotation matters!!
When measuring the angles
from a reference axis in a
coordinate system.

Positive (+) angles means

the rotation is
COUNTERCLOCKWISE.

While,

Negative (-) angles Source: Foundation, C. K.-12. (n.d.). 12 Foundation.

means the rotation is CK. https://www.ck12.org/book/ck-12-algebra-ii-with-
trigonometry-concepts/section/13.5/.
CLOCKWISE. 26
 Conversion from Polar to Rectangular Coordinates

Any polar coordinates can be

converted to cartesian/rectangular
coordinates x and y using
trigonometric functions.

Formula:

Where:

x, y = x and y coordinates in RCS

r = radial coordinate or radius in PCS
= angular coordinate in PCS

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 RCS to PCS

Similarly,
Any cartesian/rectangular coordinates can be
converted to polar coordinates x and y using
trigonometric functions, Pythagorean
theorem, and inverse trigonometric functions.

Formula:

Where:

x, y = x and y coordinates in RCS

r = radial coordinate or radius in PCS
= angular coordinate in PCS

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TRIGONOMETRIC
FUNCTIONS
-SOHCAHTOA
-Right Δ’s
-Pythagorean theorem

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SOH-CAH-TOA

More info :

SOHCAHTOA Explained (19 Step-by-Step Examples!). Calcworkshop. (2020, January 21).

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https://calcworkshop.com/triangle-trig/sohcahtoa/.
Pythagorean theorem

More info :

Pythagoras Theorem.
(2017). Math Is Fun -
Pythagoras’ Theorem.
https://www.mathsisfun
.com/pythagoras.html

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Example – Trigonometric Functions
• Suppose you have a right triangle with a
hypotenuse of 5, what are its adjacent and
opposite side given an interior angle of 30
degrees?
• Suppose you have a right triangle with a
hypotenuse of 5 and sides of 3 and 4. Find
its interior angles.

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COMPONENTS OF A
VECTOR
What is a component?
- a part, a constituent, an ingredient, an element
or a thing that constitute a totality.

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Velocity as a vector
“A velocity
vector represents the rate
of change of the position of
an object. The magnitude of
a velocity vector gives the
speed of an object while the
vector direction gives its
direction. Velocity
vectors can be added or
subtracted according to the
principles of vector
addition.” – brightstorm.com

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 Velocity as a vector

Supplementary source:
Calculating Vector Components in Physics, Part 1 (Component form of a Vector). (2018, October 16). [Video]. YouTube.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8c-Vqzp0j0&ab_channel=MathandScience
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Two acting forces and and its
components and the Resultant Vector
• A resultant is a force, velocity,
or any other vector quantity
Consider two forces of which is equivalent to the
combined effect of two or
magnitudes 5N and 10N more component vectors acting
acting on a particle, as at the same point. - Google
shown in the figure.
• Resultant vector or “resulting
vector” is a single vector that is
equivalent to all the vectors
What is the magnitude involved in a system under
and direction of the study.
resultant force?
• Keyword: “result”

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PARALLELOGRAM
LAW WARNING ! Vectors
cannot be added
-Vector Addition arithmetically, due to
-Vector Subtraction its direction
characteristic. Hence,
add it you need to add
it VECTORIALLY.

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Parallelogram law and Vector Addition
Formula:
+

Where: ,

Example/Formula:
Note: Vector Subtraction is the same
with vector addition but instead the
opposite of the given vector is added
+

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General Intuition of Vector
Addition/Subtraction
Formula:
+ + ….

Where: ,

Example/Formula:
Note: Vector Subtraction is the same
with vector addition but instead the
+
opposite of the given vector is added
+
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LAW OF COSINES
AND SINES
Due to the limitation of trigonometric functions to right
triangles, these two laws are formulated to relate ANY kind
of triangle e.g., regular, isosceles, scalene and even right
triangles.

Do not forget!!! Law of Cosines and Law of Sines uses trigonometric

functions and its idea, ratios and the fundamental idea of Pythagorean
theorem. 40
Law of Cosines
Formula:

Where: a,b,c = sides of the triangle

C = opposite angle of the side c
For convention,

Lowercase letters are used to denote the side of a

triangle while uppercase/ capital letters are used for the
interior angles. 41
Law of Sines

Formula:

Where: a, b, c = sides of the triangle

A, B, C = opposite angle of the sides a, b, c
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VECTORS:
COMPONENT
METHOD (RECALL)
Supplementary Video:

Add & Subtract Vectors Using Components, Part 1 (Calculate the Resultant Vector). (2018, October
18). [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=FVP0WI7zRt8&ab_channel=MathandScience

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Problem Solving
1. Resolve a force of 100 N acting at an angle of 37 degrees with the
horizontal and vertical components. Convert the answers in pounds
and solve for the resultant force, in pounds.
2. An object weighing 400,000 dynes rests in an inclined plane making
an angle of pi/6 radian, with the horizontal. Determine the components
parallel and perpendicular (normal ) to the plane, in Newtons.
3. Two forces of 10 N each are acting on a point. One force acts E and
the other 70̊ N of E. Find the resultant by using law of cosines and
sines.
4. Resolve a force of 100N into two equal vectors which lie on opposite
sides of the force and each of which makes an angle of pi/6 radians
with the force.
5. Two airplanes start from the same point, one traveling 250km E and
the other 180 km N. What is the vector sum of this two displacements?
What does it signify? What is the the distance between them?

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Problem Solving
1. Three cities X, Y, Z are connected by straight highways. X is 6km
from Y, Y is 4km from Z, and X is 5km from Z. Find the angle made
by the highways XY and YZ.
2. What effect do the following forces have on a point: 100N, 30̊ E of
N; 200N, 80̊̊̊S of E; 150N, 45̊S of W; 175N, 25̊W of N; 50N, due N.
3. A 20 m long rope attached at the top and the bottom of a flagpole
is pulled 2 m away from the pole by a 100-N force acting at right
angles to the pole at its midpoint. What is the tension on the
segments of the rope on each side of the 100N force?
4. An automobile which weighs 3200 lb is on a road which rises 10ft
for each 100ft of road. What force tends to move the car down the
hill?
5. Four boxes each weighing 100N are suspended from a beam.
What is the tension in each of the cables? Assuming the cables
are capable of holding the boxes without any rupture/failure.
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Problem Solving
1. A boat which can travel at 10 m/s in still water attempts to reach a
point directly across a river which there is a current of 8 m/s. At
what angle to the shore must the boat be steered to reach that
point? What is the resultant velocity of the boat travelling directly
across its initial position?
2. A train has a velocity of 150 km/h due east. A person on the train
walks toward the front of the train with a velocity 15 km/h relative
to the train. What is the velocity of the man relative to an observer
on the ground?
3. An iron sphere weights 10 N and rests in a V-shaped trough
whose sides form an angle of 60̊. What is the normal force exerted
by the sphere on each side of the trough?
4. A person who is 35 ft east of you runs north at 192 in/s. At what
angle north of east would you through a ball at 60ft/s groundspeed
in order to hit him?
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Problem Solving
1. Three men pull on ropes attached to the top of a heavy object
which is level with the ground. Man A is 6ft tall stands 6ft away, 45̊
N of E from the center of the object and exerts a force of 72 lb.
Man B is 5ft 6in tall, is 6ft away, 60̊ N of W and pulls with a force of
60lb. Man C is 5ft tall, also 6ft away, 30̊ S of E and pulls with a
force of 80lb. Assuming the ropes to be attached to their shoulders
which are two-thirds of their height from the ground. What is the
horizontal resultant of these forces on the object?

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