Warming up to Dimensional Analysis

This assignment is due before 5 AM, Thursday, January 11th, 2001.

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I received no help from anyone on this assignment.

The following three questions refer to the material you were to read in preparation to the lesson. Questions one and two require you to write a three or four sentence response. Number three is a multiple choice question. Click in the appropriate circle.

You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses, click the SUBMIT HOMEWORK button at the bottom of this page.

WarmUp assignments are worth 5 points each lecture day towards your "WWW Exercises" score.




1.


If you had a basketball that was filled with mercury, about how much would it weigh? The density of mercury is 13.6 grams per cubic centimeter. Hint: If you do not know the dimensions of a basketball, you should ESTIMATE them.



2.

A boxing match occured on a December day that the temperature was 32 degrees, but the announcers reported that heat would be a problem. Explain why this might be the case.





3.

A professor overheard a bar conversation between two Texans (true story). One claimed that the 1990 Formula 350 Firebird had a bigger engine than the 1995 5.7 L Trans Am Firebird because "back then" they didn't have to worry about fuel economy. The other argued that Pontiac increased the size from 350 cubic inches to 5.7 L in response to high sales of the 5.0 L Ford Mustang. Who is right? Do a calculation before you answer and bring your calculation to class.

The Formula 350 has a bigger engine.

The 5.7 L Trans Am has a bigger engine.

It is impossible to compare the two engines given the information given.

The engines in the two cars are identical.

People should not drive cars with such big engines.

Below is a space for your thoughts, including general comments about today's assignment. What was hard or confusing (or cool)? What would you like to spend extra time on in class? Do you see how this subject fits in with the others we have discussed?




You may change your mind as often as you wish. When you are satisfied with your responses click the SUBMIT button.

I received no help from anyone on this assignment.



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