Lab 1: Fermi Problems and Other Stuff

Winter 2004


Fermi Problems

I'm looking for order of magnitude estimates, not precise answers! You should round off with reckless abandon, and avoid using a calculator if at all possible.
  1. Estimate the speed, in mph, at which human hair grows.
  2. Estimate the average speed, in mph, at which a human grows from age 0 to 18.
  3. Estimate the total volume of all the blood of all the people in the world. Do some conversion or something that would help one picture or get a feel for how much this volume is.
  4. Estimate the number of piano tuners in Boston.


FCI

Take the force concept inventory diagnostic. Thanks.


A little brain teaser

You have a drawer containing 8 blue socks, 10 green socks, and 12 orange socks. You would like to wear a matching pair of socks. You grab socks one at a time from the draw. What is the maximum number of socks you need to draw before you have a matching pair in your hands?


Ratios

At the alternative market, $3$ pounds of lentils cost $5$ dollars. Answer the following questions using plain, everyday language. Do not use the word ``per''.
  1. What is the meaning of the number $5/3$?
  2. What is the meaning of the number $3/5$?
  3. How much do $11$ pounds of lentils cost?
  4. How many pounds of lentils can you get for $11$ dollars?



[Dave] [Physics I] [COA]

Web page maintained by dave@hornacek.coa.edu.