What is Magnitude: Definition and 1000 Discussions

An order of magnitude is an approximation of the logarithm of a value relative to some contextually understood reference value, usually ten, interpreted as the base of the logarithm and the representative of values of magnitude one. Logarithmic distributions are common in nature and
considering the order of magnitude of values sampled from such a distribution can be more intuitive. When the reference value is ten, the order of magnitude can be understood as the number of digits in the base-10 representation of the value. Similarly, if the reference value is one of certain powers of two, the magnitude can be understood as the amount of computer memory needed to store the exact integer value.
Differences in order of magnitude can be measured on a base-10 logarithmic scale in “decades” (i.e., factors of ten). Examples of numbers of different magnitudes can be found at Orders of magnitude (numbers).

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  1. T

    What is the magnitude of an electric field at a certain time?

    The figure (http://tinypic.com/r/vo5ssm/6) shows the time variation of the magnitude of the electric field of an electromagnetic wave produced by a wire antenna. What is the magnitude of the electric field at t = 3.34 × 10−10 s? What is the magnitude of the magnetic field at t = 6.0 × 10−9 s...
  2. 1

    Finding acceleration of box- given mass of box and magnitude of frict

    Finding acceleration of box-- given mass of box and magnitude of frict Doing homework and stuck on this question. A student pushes a 10kg box and let's it slide across the floor. The magnitude of the frictional force acting on the box is 40 N. What is the acceleration of the box? Relative...
  3. C

    What happens to the gravitational field strength's magnitude if

    Homework Statement What happens to the gravitational field strength's magnitude if a) r decreases by a factor of 4? b) r increases by factor of 2 Homework Equations i'm not sure which equation they are referring to? it may be g ∝ 1/r^2The Attempt at a Solution I tried to do this: 1/ (r-4)^2...
  4. W

    Magnitude of the Electric Force on q

    1. If a = 3.0 mm, b = 4.0 mm, Q1 = -60 nC, Q2 = 80 nC, and q = 30 nC in the Figure Q1, what is the magnitude of the electric force on q? 2. F = kq1q2/r^2 Coulomb’s Law 3. Answer is F=1.0N I'm a beginner in electrical study, i stuck on the net force. My steps are: F1=kQ1Q2/a^2 , F2= kQ2q/r^2
  5. M

    Finding Terminal Velocity given Mass and magnitude

    I'm in physics 1 in college and reviewing for an up comming exam, ran into this problem and can't seem to figure out how to solve it. A 70 kg skydiver experiences a drag force as a function of velocity (in m/s), opposite the direction of motion, whose magnitude is given Fd(v)=0.19v^2...
  6. S

    Also, what is your question? What do you want to know?

    Homework Statement what is the magnitude of the electric field intensity at a pont in the field where an electron expeeriences a 1.0 Newton force? Homework Equations F = q*E The Attempt at a Solution 1.602*10λ-19 * 1.0 1.602*10λ-19
  7. S

    HR diagram: magnitude - luminosity relation

    Hey PF, I'm just being stupid today, because I can't figure out the way HR diagram is constructed, hope you guys can help. So suppose that you complete an observation in several different filters, and you need to work out the luminosity and temperature for each object in your field of view...
  8. N

    Magnitude of Fissile Element at the Order of a Neutron.

    Consider a fissile element whose magnitude is at the order of a neutron. In this situation, how can we derive the point kinetic equations? Thanks everyone.
  9. V

    Find the vector and find the magnitude of the vector

    Homework Statement Vectors A and B are shown in the figure. Vector C is given by C=B-A. The magnitude of vector A is 15.0 units, and the magnitude of Vector B is 5.00 units. Part a) Find the vector C? Part b) What is the magnitude of vector C? Homework Equations SOHCAHTOA...
  10. A

    Magnitude of Potential Difference Between Two Points

    1. Homework Statement [/b] So I found this problem online, and I really do not know how to go about solving it! My professor has done similar problems in class, but it's still a little confusing. A current of 1.2 A flows from A to B. Therefore, the magnitude of the potential difference...
  11. Sneakatone

    How to find magnitude of initial displacement?

    A mass of 130 g is held by a horizontal spring constant 22 N/m. It is displaced from its equilibrium position and released from the rest. As it passes through its equilibrium position, its speed is 4.2 m/s. a) find work done on the spring. w=1/2mv^2 1/2(.13kg)(4.2)^2= 1.14 (correct) b)...
  12. L

    Finding Omega and Zeta from a Magnitude and Phase Plot

    Homework Statement I've been asked to estimate ωn and ζ from the magnitude and phase plot of an atomic force microscope. The magnitude and phase plot is attached. Does anyone know how to solve for these values?
  13. P

    Is Voltage Across Always a Magnitude?

    "Voltage across" a magnitude? If a problem says to find the "voltage across" a resistor, is that always a magnitude?
  14. D

    Calculating Force for Spark Plug Installation

    You are installing a new spark plug in your car, and the manual specifies that it be tightened to a torque that has a magnitude of 45.0 N*m. Using the data in the figure below (L = 0.300 m and ? = 52.6°), determine the magnitude F of the force that you must exert on the wrench. Relevant...
  15. S

    Magnitude and Direction of Electric Fields

    Hey yall. This is a question from my homework but it's so basic that it's just to help with the concept for me. So the question is this: A small object A, electrically charged, creates an electric field. At a point P located 0.250 directly north of A, the field has a value of 40.0 directed to...
  16. A

    Finding magnitude of x-component Electric Field due to a Line Charge

    Homework Statement A rod lies on the x-axis with one end at the origin and another at x=2. The linear charge density is given by λ(x)=C(x^(3) + 3x^(2)). Find the x-component of the electric field Ex at the origin in terms of q. Homework Equations Ex = ƩdEx ||dE||= (k|dq|/r^(2)) (z/r)...
  17. N

    Find the Magnitude of the Normal Force on the Slider and v'

    Homework Statement A 2.4-lb slider is propelled upward at A along the fixed curved bar which lies in a vertical plane. If the slider is observed to have a speed of 11.3 ft/sec as it passes position B, determine (a) the magnitude N of the force exerted by the fixed rod on the slider and (b) the...
  18. P

    Finding the Magnitude and Direction of Magnetic Field of 2 parallel wi

    Homework Statement Two long, parallel wires carry currents of I1 = 2.78 A and I2 = 4.80 A in the direction indicated in the figure below. (Choose the line running from wire 1 to wire 2 as the positive x-direction and the line running upward as the positive y-direction.) a) Find the magnitude...
  19. F

    Finding Magnitude of Unkown Force on Rough Horizontal Surface

    Homework Statement A block of mass 100g is at rest on a rough horizontal plane. It has a massless rope attached to one end inclined at 20° above the horizontal. When the tension in the string is 0.5N the object is found to be in limiting equilibrium. Part A: Find the coeffecient of static...
  20. T

    Finding the magnitude and direction in a electric field.

    Three point charges are placed at the vertices of an equilateral triangle (of side .2m). The triangle is setup on an X-Y plain. On the top of the triangle on the Y-axis the charge is q7= -7μC, the positive X-axis the charge is q3= 3μC, and on the -X-axis the charge is q2= 2μC. Part A). What...
  21. G

    Question on aperture and magnitude.

    Homework Statement A telescope with aperture 10 times the human eye could see stars down to magnitude? Homework Equations I was not given an equation with the question but I have found the following but I do not know if it is correct. M=Log(2.51188)*(A2/A1)^2 The Attempt at a Solution A1=...
  22. B

    Finding Electric Field of A Sheet Infinite In Magnitude

    Homework Statement A large, flat, horizontal sheet of charge has a charge per unit area of 3.15 µC/m2. Find the electric field just above the middle of the sheet.Homework Equations dq = \sigma dA \oint \vec{E} \cdot d\vec{A} = \frac{q_enc}{\epsilon_0} \epsilon_0 = \frac{1}{4 \pi k_e} The...
  23. H

    Color Indices and Absolute and Apparent Bolometric Magnitude

    Homework Statement Given: Spherical blackbody with surface temperature of 30000K radius of 6.0 x 10^9 m located 123pc from earth Homework Equations Find the absolute and apparent bolometric magnitudes The Attempt at a Solution My camera needs batteries so I cannot post my work...
  24. D

    Magnitude of Initial velocity of Spacecraft

    On a spacecraft two engines fire for a time of 572 s. One gives the craft an acceleration in the x direction of ax = 5.15 m/s2, while the other produces an acceleration in the y direction of ay = 7.41 m/s2. At the end of the firing period, the craft has velocity components of vx = 3782 m/s and...
  25. G

    Determine the magnitude of the charge on the inner and outter surface of sphere

    Homework Statement A hollow conducting spherical shell has an inner radius of 8 cm and an outer radius of 10 cm. The electric field at the inner surface of the shell, Ei, has a magnitude of 90 N/C and points toward the centre of the sphere, and the electric field at the outer surface, Eo...
  26. M

    Find magnitude of acceleration on a Ca ion, given electric field.

    Homework Statement The electric field strength across a typical cell membrane is about 107 N/C. Given this information, find the magnitude of the acceleration of a single charged Ca+1 ion as it penetrated throught the cell wall. Ignore any resistive forces. One atomic mass unit is 1.66 x...
  27. N

    Determine the Velocity and Magnitude of Acceleration on the Wheel

    [b]1. A bicycle is placed on a service rack with its wheels hanging free. As part of a bearing test, the front wheel is spun at the rate of N = 59 rev/min. Assume that this rate is constant, and determine the speed v and magnitude a of the acceleration of point A. I have attached an image...
  28. N

    Deriving the number of stars as a function of flux and bolometric magnitude.

    QUESTION A star of bolometric luminosity L at a distance r will exhibit a bolometric energy flux F given by F = L/4πr2 in the absence of obscurity. A. Assume that all stars have the same bolometric luminosity L and that stars are uniformly distributed in space with a number density n...
  29. D

    Hv(jω) Magnitude Calculation in non-standard circuits.

    I was wondering how to calculate the magnitude and phase response of any circuit that is neither Low-Pass,High Pass nor Band-Pass. I am asking this because i haven't found anything relevant in any textbooks so far , since the only use standard filters. e.g an AC circuit consisting of an AC...
  30. J

    Proving Magnitude & Phase of H(e^jw)

    Homework Statement H(e^jw) = (1-1.25e^(-jw))/(1-0.8e^(-jw)) Prove |H(e^jw)|^2 = G^2, and what is G Find Magnitude & Phase Homework Equations H(e^jw) = (e^(jw)-1.25)/(e^(jw)-0.8) H(e^jw) = 1 - (0.45e^(-jw))/(1-0.8e^(-jw)) H(e^jw) = 1 - 0.45/(e^(jw)-0.8) The Attempt at a...
  31. D

    Help finding the magnitude of the net force

    Three students converge on the last textbook in the store. All three grab it and begin to pull in the directions shown in the above figure. Student A exerts a force of 61.88 N, student B pulls with a force of 31.92 N, and student C pulls with a force of 104.20 N at an angle θ(theta)=80.8 degrees...
  32. alexmahone

    Change in magnitude of radial acceleration

    Homework Statement A wheel changes its angular velocity with a constant angular acceleration while rotating about a fixed axis through its center. Show that the change in the magnitude of the radial acceleration during any time interval of a point on the wheel is twice the product of the...
  33. L

    Spring Forces: Equal Magnitude or Not?

    1. Are the spring forces at both ends of a spring always equal in magnitude? 2. If yes, then the external forces at both ends are also the same in magnitude, aren't they? (Based on Newton's third law) If no, how to find the two different spring forces at each of the end? 3. If the...
  34. I

    Finding magnitude and direction of net torque on a dipole

    Homework Statement For the dipole shown, the charges are ± 3.0 micro coulombs separated by a distance of 3.20 nm and oriented so that the theta is 35.0 degrees. If the electric field has a magnitude of 8000 N/C, find the magnitude and direction (clockwise/counterclockwise) of the net torque...
  35. A

    Determining Current Magnitude & Direction for Stationary Bar on Inclined Plane

    Homework Statement A conducting bar of length is placed on a frictionless inclined plane which is tilted at an angle θ from the horizontal, as shown in annexed figure. A uniform magnetic field is applied in the vertical direction. To prevent the bar from sliding down, a voltage source is...
  36. B

    Magnitude and direction of Vectors using head to tail rule

    Homework Statement Homework Equations F = \sqrt{F_x^2 + F_y^2} tan\theta = F_y / F_x The Attempt at a Solution Page 1 : http://i49.tinypic.com/vfw74k.jpg Page 2 : http://i50.tinypic.com/2qspamr.jpg Page 3 : http://i49.tinypic.com/24zgl6x.jpg is it correct?
  37. A

    Magnitude and Direction, Canoe on River

    Homework Statement A canoe has a velocity of 0.35 m/s southwest relative to the earth. The canoe is on a river that is flowing 0.65 m/s east relative to the earth. Find the velocity (magnitude and direction) of the canoe relative to the river. The Attempt at a Solution 0.930985 is the...
  38. L

    Finding the magnitude and direction of current thro Kirchhoff law

    Homework Statement Revered Members, Please go through my attachment. I have been asked to find the magnitude and direction of current through the 10 ohm resistor. The answer that is given in the book is 1/23 Ampere from A to B. But i solved as given in the attachment but i got the answer...
  39. J

    On solving for a variable in the magnitude of a complex number

    All, I've been beating my head up on this equation, so I thought I'd try here to see if someone could help me. In the equation (sqrt{32}(2x-d))^-4 = (-d/2 - 1/2 )^2 + sqrt{(1+d)^2 + d/4}/4 Where the right hand side is my attempt to solve for d out of the magnitude |z| of a complex...
  40. A

    How to find the magnitude of the electric field?

    I will keep working on this while waiting for someone here to respond... Homework Statement A ball m= 0.0024kg is electrically charged when 1E11 electrons are added. The ball falls with a=3.13m/s2 in an electric field. Find magnitude and direction of field. Homework Equations q= Ne The...
  41. P

    How Can the Sum of Vectors P and Q Exceed the Magnitude of Vector F?

    A force F of magnitude 12 N, Please help! A force F of magnitude 12 N has componenets P and Q. The sum of the magnitudes of P and Q is 18 N. The direction of Q is at right angles to F. Find the magnitude of Q. I am not able to visualize the drawing. My question is this. I know the sum of two...
  42. R

    Efficiently calculating the magnitude of gravitational force

    I am reading Kolenkow and Kleppner's Classical Mechanics and they have tried to calculate the gravitational force between a uniform thin spherical shell of mass M and a particle of mass m located at a distance r from the center. The shell has been divided into narrow rings.R has been...
  43. S

    How can I calculate the visual magnitude of a star with only its flux data?

    How to calculate the visual magnitude of a star having only the flux of such star? The equation involves 2 magnitudes and 2 fluxes, corresponding to 2 objects a and b: ma-mb= -2.5log10\left( \frac{F_a}{F_b}\right) but I just have Fa and I have to obtain ma. Is it valid to take...
  44. S

    Handwaving to match orders of magnitude

    Hello This is my first post here. Although I've often read posts in Physics Forums, I've never actually contributed anything - so here goes! I always enjoy a good hand-waving argument on orders of magnitude; when I first started my astrophysics degree, one homework question was "estimate...
  45. A

    What Is the Speed of the Center of Mass for Two Cars Traveling Perpendicularly?

    Homework Statement Two cars leave the same point at the same time, each traveling at the same constant speed of 89.0 km/h and each having the same mass. However, the first car drives directly east, while the second car heads directly south. At what speed (the magnitude of the velocity) is the...
  46. R

    Quick help need with finding the MAGNITUDE of the TORQUE of this wrench

    I tried using Frsin θ (270.756)(46 cm)sin (68) but I got 11547.86 And got it wrong... And then I tried doing. 101.426982807+251.040591727 = 352.4 N*m but I got it wrong. ^ I don't remember how I did that but it was saved in my notes. Help?
  47. C

    Torque problem - Direction and Magnitude of force exerted on socket

    Homework Statement A 23-kg sign is suspended from the end of a 7-kg pole that is 4m long. The pole is partially supported by a cable that is attached at a point 3m up along the pole from the socket. The angle between the pole and the vertical wall is 60°, and the angle between the cable and...
  48. U

    Newbie needs basic help with magnitude slope

    Homework Statement I have done an experiment where every 10 seconds I had to say my instantaneous speed while drivng a car and my co-passenger would record the time (we carried this out over 20 minutes). I then plotted this out on a graph with time (s) on the X axis and km/h on the Y axis...
  49. N

    A Unit Amplitude Polarized EM Wave Solution?

    A "unit magnitude" EM Wave? Homework Statement Write down the solution of Maxwell's equations corresponding to a plane polarised EM wave of unit amplitude and wavelength λ=2∏m, polarised in the zy plane and traveling in vacuo in the minus y direction.Homework Equations ∇.E = 0 ∇.B = 0 ∇xE =...
  50. D

    What is Order of Magnitude and Significant figures in any measurement?

    In any physical measurement we often refer to two terms... 1.'Order of Magnitude' of certain quantity 2.the number of 'Significant figures' What they actually mean?
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