Class 1, 1/8/03

We will discuss the first two topics:

· Powers of 10, Significant Figures, and Units.
· Our Place in the Universe

Please read pages A-4 to A-12 and  pages 2 to 25 of  Cosmic Perspective, 3rd ed.

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Summary of Class 1

* We gave an overview of the subject of the course through the multimedia movie made by Chau's Davis Honor's Challenge Seminar class of 2001.

* We discussed the MKS system  (meter, kilogram, second) and their current definitions.

* Of special interest is that meter is now defined in such a way that  the speed of light (a foundamental physical phenomenon) is a specific integer number (given in class) in m/s.

* We also defined two significant figures and powers of 10 (also called scientific notation).

* We wrote speed of light in scientific notation to two significant figure.