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Solution

(1) Calculate the volume of a stack of 100 bills. The dimensions of a single bill are approximately 3 in. by 6 in. A stack of 100 of these is about 0.5 in. thick. So the total volume of a stack of 100 bills is:

volume of stack = length × width × height, volume of stack = 6 in . × 3 in . × 0 . 5 in . , volume of stack = 9 in . 3 . alignl { stack { size 12{"volume of stack"="length" times "width" times "height,"} {} #size 12{"volume of stack"="6 in" "." times "3 in" "." times 0 "." "5 in" "." ,} {} # size 12{"volume of stack"="9 in" "." rSup { size 8{3} } "." } {}} } {}

(2) Calculate the number of stacks. Note that a trillion dollars is equal to $ 1 × 10 12 , size 12{$1 times "10" rSup { size 8{"12"} } } {} and a stack of one-hundred $ 100 size 12{$"100"} {} bills is equal to $ 10 , 000 , size 12{$"10","000",} {} or $ 1 × 10 4 size 12{$1 times "10" rSup { size 8{4} } } {} . The number of stacks you will have is:

$ 1 × 10 12 ( a trillion dollars ) / $1 × 10 4 per stack = 1 × 10 8 stacks. size 12{$1 times "10" rSup { size 8{"12"} } \( "a trillion dollars" \) " / $1" times "10" rSup { size 8{4} } " per stack"=1 times "10""" lSup { size 8{8} } " stacks"} {}

(3) Calculate the area of a football field in square inches. The area of a football field is 100 yd × 50 yd, which gives 5, 000 yd 2 . size 12{5,"000 yd" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} Because we are working in inches, we need to convert square yards to square inches:

Area = 5,000 yd 2 × 3 ft 1 yd × 3 ft 1 yd × 12 in . 1 ft × 12 in . 1 ft = 6, 480 , 000 in . 2 , Area ≈ 6 × 10 6 in . 2 . alignl { stack { size 12{"Area"="5,000 yd" rSup { size 8{2} } times { {3" ft"} over {"1yd"} } times { {3" ft"} over {"1yd"} } times { {"12"" in" "." } over {"1 foot"} } times { {"12"" in" "." } over {"1 foot"} } =6,"480","000"" in" "." rSup { size 8{2} } ,} {} #"Area" approx 6 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } " in" "." rSup { size 8{2} } "." {} } } {}

This conversion gives us 6 × 10 6 in . 2 size 12{6 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } `"in" "." rSup { size 8{2} } } {} for the area of the field. (Note that we are using only one significant figure in these calculations.)

(4) Calculate the total volume of the bills. The volume of all the $ 100 size 12{$"100"} {} -bill stacks is 9 in . 3 / stack × 10 8  stacks = 9 × 10 8 in . 3 . size 12{9" in" "." rSup { size 8{3} } /"stack" times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } "stacks"=9 times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } " in" "." rSup { size 8{3} } } {}

(5) Calculate the height. To determine the height of the bills, use the equation:

volume of bills = area of field × height of money: Height of money = volume of bills area of field , Height of money = 9 × 10 8 in . 3 6 × 10 6 in. 2 = 1.33 × 10 2 in., Height of money ≈ 1 × 10 2 in. = 100 in. alignl { stack { size 12{"volume of bills"="area of field" times "height of money:"} {} #size 12{"Height of money"= { {"volume of bills"} over {"area of field"} } ,} {} # size 12{"Height of money"= { {9 times "10" rSup { size 8{8} } " in" "." rSup { size 8{3} } } over {6 times "10" rSup { size 8{6} } " in" "." rSup { size 8{2} } } } =1 "." "33" times "10" rSup { size 8{2} } " in" "." ,} {} #"Height of money" approx 1 times "10" rSup { size 8{2} } " in" "." ="100 in" "." {} } } {}

The height of the money will be about 100 in. high. Converting this value to feet gives

100 in . × 1 ft 12 in . = 8 . 33 ft ≈ 8 ft. size 12{"100 in" "." times { {"1ft"} over {"12 in" "." } } =8 "." "33 ft" approx "8 ft"} {}

Discussion

The final approximate value is much higher than the early estimate of 3 in., but the other early estimate of 10 ft (120 in.) was roughly correct. How did the approximation measure up to your first guess? What can this exercise tell you in terms of rough “guesstimates” versus carefully calculated approximations?

Using mental math and your understanding of fundamental units, approximate the area of a regulation basketball court. Describe the process you used to arrive at your final approximation.

An average male is about two meters tall. It would take approximately 15 men laid out end to end to cover the length, and about 7 to cover the width. That gives an approximate area of 420  m 2 size 12{"420"" m" rSup { size 8{2} } } {} .

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Summary

Scientists often approximate the values of quantities to perform calculations and analyze systems.

Problems&Exercises

How many heartbeats are there in a lifetime?

Sample answer: 2 × 10 9 size 12{2 times "10" rSup { size 8{9} } } {} heartbeats

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A generation is about one-third of a lifetime. Approximately how many generations have passed since the year 0 AD?

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How many times longer than the mean life of an extremely unstable atomic nucleus is the lifetime of a human? (Hint: The lifetime of an unstable atomic nucleus is on the order of 10 − 22  s size 12{"10" rSup { size 8{ - "22"} } " s"} {} .)

Sample answer: 2 × 10 31 size 12{2 times "10" rSup { size 8{"31"} } } {} if an average human lifetime is taken to be about 70 years.

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Calculate the approximate number of atoms in a bacterium. Assume that the average mass of an atom in the bacterium is ten times the mass of a hydrogen atom. (Hint: The mass of a hydrogen atom is on the order of 10 − 27  kg size 12{"10" rSup { size 8{ - "27"} } " kg"} {} and the mass of a bacterium is on the order of 10 − 15  kg. size 12{"10" rSup { size 8{ - "15"} } "kg"} {} )

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A magnified image of the bacterium Salmonella attacking a human cell. The bacterium is rod shaped and about zero point seven to one point five micrometers in diameter and two to five micrometers in length.
This color-enhanced photo shows Salmonella typhimurium (red) attacking human cells. These bacteria are commonly known for causing foodborne illness. Can you estimate the number of atoms in each bacterium? (credit: Rocky Mountain Laboratories, NIAID, NIH)

Approximately how many atoms thick is a cell membrane, assuming all atoms there average about twice the size of a hydrogen atom?

Sample answer: 50 atoms

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(a) What fraction of Earth’s diameter is the greatest ocean depth? (b) The greatest mountain height?

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(a) Calculate the number of cells in a hummingbird assuming the mass of an average cell is ten times the mass of a bacterium. (b) Making the same assumption, how many cells are there in a human?

Sample answers:

(a) 10 12 size 12{"10" rSup { size 8{"12"} } } {} cells/hummingbird

(b) 10 16 size 12{"10" rSup { size 8{"16"} } } {} cells/human

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Assuming one nerve impulse must end before another can begin, what is the maximum firing rate of a nerve in impulses per second?

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Questions & Answers

Three charges q_{1}=+3\mu C, q_{2}=+6\mu C and q_{3}=+8\mu C are located at (2,0)m (0,0)m and (0,3) coordinates respectively. Find the magnitude and direction acted upon q_{2} by the two other charges.Draw the correct graphical illustration of the problem above showing the direction of all forces.
Kate Reply
To solve this problem, we need to first find the net force acting on charge q_{2}. The magnitude of the force exerted by q_{1} on q_{2} is given by F=\frac{kq_{1}q_{2}}{r^{2}} where k is the Coulomb constant, q_{1} and q_{2} are the charges of the particles, and r is the distance between them.
Muhammed
What is the direction and net electric force on q_{1}= 5µC located at (0,4)r due to charges q_{2}=7mu located at (0,0)m and q_{3}=3\mu C located at (4,0)m?
Kate Reply
what is the change in momentum of a body?
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what is a capacitor?
Raymond Reply
Capacitor is a separation of opposite charges using an insulator of very small dimension between them. Capacitor is used for allowing an AC (alternating current) to pass while a DC (direct current) is blocked.
Gautam
A motor travelling at 72km/m on sighting a stop sign applying the breaks such that under constant deaccelerate in the meters of 50 metres what is the magnitude of the accelerate
Maria Reply
please solve
Sharon
8m/s²
Aishat
What is Thermodynamics
Muordit
velocity can be 72 km/h in question. 72 km/h=20 m/s, v^2=2.a.x , 20^2=2.a.50, a=4 m/s^2.
Mehmet
A boat travels due east at a speed of 40meter per seconds across a river flowing due south at 30meter per seconds. what is the resultant speed of the boat
Saheed Reply
50 m/s due south east
Someone
which has a higher temperature, 1cup of boiling water or 1teapot of boiling water which can transfer more heat 1cup of boiling water or 1 teapot of boiling water explain your . answer
Ramon Reply
I believe temperature being an intensive property does not change for any amount of boiling water whereas heat being an extensive property changes with amount/size of the system.
Someone
Scratch that
Someone
temperature for any amount of water to boil at ntp is 100⁰C (it is a state function and and intensive property) and it depends both will give same amount of heat because the surface available for heat transfer is greater in case of the kettle as well as the heat stored in it but if you talk.....
Someone
about the amount of heat stored in the system then in that case since the mass of water in the kettle is greater so more energy is required to raise the temperature b/c more molecules of water are present in the kettle
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definitely of physics
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physics, biology and chemistry this is my Field
ALIYU
field is a region of space under the influence of some physical properties
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what is ogarnic chemistry
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Another formula for Acceleration
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a=v/t. a=f/m a
IHUMA
innocent
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No. According to Isac Newtons law. this two bodies maybe you and the wall beside you. Attracting depends on the mass och each body and distance between them.
Dlovan
Are you really asking if two bodies have to be charged to be influenced by Coulombs Law?
Robert
like charges repel while unlike charges atttact
Raymond
What is specific heat capacity
Destiny Reply
Specific heat capacity is a measure of the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius (or Kelvin). It is measured in Joules per kilogram per degree Celsius (J/kg°C).
AI-Robot
specific heat capacity is the amount of energy needed to raise the temperature of a substance by one degree Celsius or kelvin
ROKEEB
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Source:  OpenStax, College physics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 27, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
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