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. J

    Need to calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity?

    Hi, I need to calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity of the following data for projectile motion. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea where to start! Thanks please see the question here: http://i52.tinypic.com/15p0kza.png and the data here...
  2. J

    Need to calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity?

    Hi, I need to calculate the magnitude of the initial velocity of the following data for projectile motion. Any help would be greatly appreciated as I have no idea where to start! Thanks please see the question here: http://i52.tinypic.com/15p0kza.png and the data here...
  3. B

    What is the magnitude of tension in the string supporting the pulley

    If mass 1 is 5 kg, and mass 2 is 3 kg, what is the magnitude of tension in the string supporting the pulley, T1? The answer is 74 N. What I presume they did was to find tension in the string and then double that to get ~74 Newtons. My question is: why isn't T1 simply the weight of the...
  4. I

    Estimate the magnitude of the torque the large loop exerts on the smaller one.

    Homework Statement A small loop of wire of radius 1.5 cm is placed at the center of a wire loop with radius 20 cm. The planes of the loops are perpendicular to each other, and a 5.0 -A current flows in each. Estimate the magnitude of the torque the large loop exerts on the smaller one...
  5. I

    Determine the magnitude of the net force on the loop.

    Homework Statement A rectangular loop wire is placed next to a straight wire, as shown in the figure. There is a current of 3.5 A in both wire. Figure: http://www.flickr.com/photos/65980314@N06/6020832477/ Homework Equations F = ((mu(0)*I1*I2) / (2*pi*r)) * L force in terms of...
  6. N

    Finding the magnitude of an electric field at a distance from a surface charge

    Homework Statement Find the magnitude of the electric field intensity at a distance 0.15m from the axis of a long, straight conductor, which has radius 0.03m, and a charge density of 4.0 C/m. Homework Equations Eflux = E.A Eflux = q/e0 q = sigma*h The Attempt at a Solution...
  7. N

    What is the magnitude of the magnetic field?

    Homework Statement The nucleus of a Tl atom (Atomic mass = 203, element #81) has a magnetic moment of 1.611 µn. A magnetic field is applied to it and its NMR frequency determined to be 3.90 MHz. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field? Homework Equations torque = magnetic moment x...
  8. P

    Finding the magnitude of a magnetic field from a square loop

    Homework Statement A square loop, with sides of length L, carries current i. Find the magnitude of the magnetic field from the loop at the center of the loop, as a function of i and L. (Use any variable or symbol stated above along with the following as necessary: μ0.) Homework Equations...
  9. B

    Finding magnitude and direction of displacement.

    Homework Statement In wandering, a grizzly bear makes a displacement of 1563m due west, followed by a displacement of 3348m in a direction 32 degrees NW. What are the (a) the magnitude and (b) the direction of the displacement needed for the bear to return to its starting point? Specify the...
  10. Y

    Finding Magnitude & Direction of Force & Torque Exerted by B on Coil

    Homework Statement A coil of wire consisting of 40 rectangular loops, with width 16 cm and height 30 cm, is placed in a constant magnetic field given by B = 0.055Tx + 0.210T.z The coil is hinged to a fixed thin rod along the y-axis (along segment da in the figure) and is originally located in...
  11. T

    Finding the magnitude of a particle from a graph?

    Homework Statement Consider the acceleration of a particle along a straight line with an initial position of 0 m and an initial velocity of 0 m/s. 1) Calculate the magnitude of the displacement after the car travels the first 5 s. Answer in units of m. 2) How far does the car...
  12. F

    Vector Sum (Angle Theta and Magnitude)

    Homework Statement I made those illustrations up. :) We are asked to find the angle theta using the graphical method (Tail-to-Tip Method) From these examples, Vector A + Vector B + Vector C = Resultant Vector How to find angle theta of Resultant Vector? Homework Equations The Attempt...
  13. R

    Magnitude of electric field at a point problem

    Homework Statement If Q = 80 nC, a = 3.0 m, and b = 4.0 m in the figure, what is the magnitude of the electric field at point P? http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/1596/picat.jpg Homework Equations \vec{E} = k_e \frac{|q|}{r^2} \left\{\begin{matrix}\vec{E}_x=k_e...
  14. 8

    Magnitude of magnetic fields of two perpendicular wires

    Homework Statement A) Find the magnitude of the net magnetic field at point P and point Q B) Reverse the directon of the current for the wire on the x-axis Homework Equations B = μ0I/2πr The Attempt at a Solution Solution attempt attached. Only attempted part A, since I probably won't get...
  15. N

    What is the magnitude of the electric field?

    Homework Statement Three point charges, q1 = -4.19 nC, q2 = 5.41 nC and q3 = 2.51 nC are aligned along the x-axis as shown in the figure below. http://imgur.com/RaRML Assume that L1 = 0.496 m and L2 = 0.816 m. Calculate the electric field at the position (0, 2.02). Homework Equations...
  16. N

    What is the electric field magnitude at points where electric potential is zero?

    Homework Statement A -14.3 nC point charge and a +24.9 nC point charge are 17.4 cm apart on the x-axis. What is the magnitude of the electric field at the two points on the x-axis where the electric potential is zero? Homework Equations V = kq/r E = kq/r^2 The Attempt at a...
  17. L

    Finding Magnitude and Direction of Vector Addition and Subtraction

    vector A has a magnitude of 81 units and points due west, while vector B has the same magnitude and points due south. Find the magnitude and direction of (a) A + B and (b) A - B . Specify the directions relative to due west. (a) Magnitude and direction of A + B = and o (b) Magnitude and...
  18. I

    Direction when the magnitude of the instantaneous velocity is 0

    Hi guys, sorry to ask such a basic question, but I'm studying for the MCAT and need to get my fundamentals down! Anyway, my question is this: Consider an object which has been thrown straight up into the air. It will rise, then at the very top of its ascent, it changes direction and comes...
  19. K

    Finding the magnitude of the electric field from 3 charges at a point P

    Homework Statement Hi, here is the problem I'm having trouble with: Three charges Q1, Q2, and Q3, each equal to 6.4 × 10–19 C, are in a straight line. The distance between neighboring charges is 60 nm. Find the magnitude of the electric field at P, which is 80 nm from Q2 on a line at right...
  20. P

    Calculate magnitude of spring force

    Homework Statement A 2.0-kg mass (m1) and a 3.0-kg mass (m2) are on a horizontal, frictionless surface, connected by a massless spring with spring constant k = 140 N/m. A 15-N force (F) is app0lied to the larger mass, m2, as shown in the figure: |__m1__|-/-/-/-/-|____m2____| ----------> F...
  21. D

    Find the magnitude of resultant of OA, OB and OC.

    1. Find the magnitude of resultant of OA, OB and OC ( there is an arrow sign upwards of OA, OB and OC showing these are vectors.) (Sorry but i am not good at making computer drawings.)The Attempt at a Solution I tried to find the resultant of OA and OC and then the angle of resultant with OA...
  22. N

    Dimensions and relative magnitude

    Why is it that things appear smaller the farther they are away and bigger the closer they are away? It is almost as if the magnitude of their dimensions (length, width, and height)changes. But in reality it is still the same object. My cup x distance closer to me than the door may appear 1/6th...
  23. D

    Lyapunov exponent - order of magnitude

    Hello, Analyzing data from a chaotic pendulum, I calculated the Lyapunov exponent to be somewhere around 10^5 . While my gut tells me something is wrong with this number , i failed to find any information regarding the order of magnitude of Lyapunov exponents and their meaning. Can someone...
  24. O

    Finding the magnitude of impulse

    Homework Statement A proton has mass 1.7×10−27 kg. What is the magnitude of the impulse required to increase its speed from 0.991c to 0.994c? Homework Equations Impulse = mV_f{}-mV_i{} The Attempt at a Solution Impulse = mV_f{}-mV_i{} = 1.7e-27*(.994*3e8)-(1.7e-27*(.991*3e8)) =...
  25. R

    Understanding Vector Components at 120 Degrees

    Homework Statement you have a vector with a magnitude of 2400# positioned at 120 degrees in a counter clockwise from the positive "x" axis, determine the x and y components of the vector. Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution I have never had physics before and am lost on...
  26. M

    Calculating the Magnitude of the ISS

    Hi All, I have a photo of the ISS and i wanted to calculate its absolute magnitude and compare it to the predicted mag when the photo was taken I've found the pixel value for a point on ISS and i have also found the pixel value for an identified star in the background. How would I...
  27. C

    Magnitude of the induced current in the loop

    Homework Statement A rectangular conducting loop of dimensions l×w and resistance R rests in the plane of a long straight wire as shown. The closest edge of the loop is a distance a from the wire. The current in the wire is in the upward direction and increases at a constant rate from I to...
  28. T

    Help in finding the magnitude of a force

    Homework Statement a skater moves from point A to C in a circulaire path as shown in the picture C is the end of the circular path find R the force that the ground exerts on the skater at point C using Newten's second law there is no friction nor air resistance Homework Equations p-R=maThe...
  29. N

    How Do You Calculate the Average Force of Air Resistance on a Projectile?

    Homework Statement A projectile of mass 0.656 kg is shot straight up with an initial speed of 25.4 m/s. (a) How high would it go if there were no air resistance? (b) If the projectile rises to a maximum height of only 7.64 m, determine the magnitude of the average force due to air...
  30. S

    Curvilinear (n/t) motion (find magnitude of acceleration)

    pls see the attachment. so pretty much magnitude of acc would be root (at2 + an2). i figured out an by subbing it into v2/p. but i can't figure out how to calculate at! id really appreciate the help, I've been at it for 3 hours now! thanks!
  31. A

    Rotational Motion and magnitude

    Im studying for a final, there are a few questions about rotational motion that i have, can anyone please help? A 5.2 kg disk of radius 2.3 m initially rotates about its axis at 6.4 rad/s. A tangential 7.4-N frictional force is applied to the rim of the disk. How many revolutions does the...
  32. A

    Gauss's Law and electric field magnitude

    Homework Statement You have a solid, non-conducting cylinder of radius a, length L, and a total charge of Q. Concentric with this is an uncharged conducting cylindrical shell of inner radius b and outer radius c. Find the magnitude of the electric field for values of r where r < a...
  33. E

    Explaining Flight Forces: Magnitude of Lift Force for a Gliding Sugar Glider

    Homework Statement There are essentially three forces involved in flying: (i) ``lift'' Fl generated by the difference in air pressure between the top and bottom parts of a wing (or wing-like object), (ii) ``drag'' Fd due to air resistance, and (iii) ``gravity'' Fg. Note that ``lift'' is...
  34. B

    Force , Resultant Force, Magnitude & Direction

    Figure 1a shows a system of forces is pulled an object on different directions. 1a) Determine the magnitude and direction of the resultant force for the system of forces shown. 1b) Explain the changes of magnitude and direction of resultant force for the system of forces based on the...
  35. M

    Magnitude and direction of uniform magnetic field

    Homework Statement A proton, with mass 1.67*10^-27 kg and charge +1.6*10^-19C, is sent with velocity 5.0*10^4 m/s in the x-direction into a region where there is uniform electric field of magnitude 390 V/m in the y direction. What is the magnitude and direction of the uniform magnetic field in...
  36. B

    (Force x Distance) Magnitude of velocity help

    Homework Statement A 2KG mass has been graphed to increase in force after 3 meters east to 4 Newtons. it maintains 4 Newtons for 2 more meters east and then decreases back to 0 after 7 meters ..._ _/..\__...__ shape graph. I am trying to find out its magnitude of velocity at 7.4 Meters...
  37. S

    How Does the Biot-Savart Law Apply to Forces Between Wire Segments in a Loop?

    1. A circular loop of wire of radius R = 5.14 m lies in the xy-plane, centered about the origin. The loop is carrying a current of I = 6.91 A flowing in counterclockwise direction. Consider two l = 1.52 mm segments of the loop: one centered about the positive x-axis, the other centered about the...
  38. S

    Is the magnitude of the Lorentz force always the same in different inertial frames?

    Sorry if I should be posting as homework, but it's not homework anymore and I'm just curious about the answer. My question is simple and doesn't require answering the actual homework question I had. If there is a force on a charge in one inertial frame of reference, will there also be a force...
  39. I

    Magnitude of the average force of air resistance on a rocket

    Homework Statement An engine supplies an upward force of 9.00N to an initially stationary toy rocket, of mass 54.0g, for a distance of 25.0m. The rocket rises to a height of 339 meters before falling back to the ground. What was the magnitude of the average force of air resistance on the...
  40. R

    Quantum Jitter and 120 Magnitude Prediction

    Quantum Jitter is supposed to fill space with very dense energy that the cosmological constant should increase by over 120 magnitude. Yet it is not so and the worse prediction ever made by physics as they say. Could the reason this be so is because virtual particles are just figment of the...
  41. W

    Calculating magnitude and orientation of a resutanr force?

    calculating magnitude and orientation of a resutanr force? • A mass of 10 kg has 3 forces exerted against it, as shown in the diagram below. Given the information below, calculate the magnitude and orientation of the resultant force. F1 has a magnitude of 10.5 N, with θ = 15° to the horizontal...
  42. U

    Magnitude of induced voltage in conductor within AC solenoid

    Please note, I'm not in school anymore -- just a basic physics question! Homework Statement A conductor is placed inside the coil of an induction heater. Imagine that the inductor coil has radius R, number of turns N, operating frequency f [Hz], drawing current I = I0 * sin(2*pi*f*t). The...
  43. L

    Magnitude of Electric Field and Initial Proton Acceleration

    Homework Statement A particle with a charge of 3.0 µC is located at rest 5.0 meters from a proton. a) Determine the magnitude of the electric field at the proton's location created by the 3.0 µC charge. b) Determine the initial acceleration of the proton after it is released from rest...
  44. FeDeX_LaTeX

    Solving Vector Magnitude Problem: Find OC

    Hello; Homework Statement "The point C lies between A and B and is 5 units from A. OA = 2i + 3j OB = -4i - 5j Find OC." Homework Equations Pythagoras' Theorem The Attempt at a Solution This is not exactly a homework question since this is independent study, but I was...
  45. C

    In a certain region, the earth's magnetic field has a magnitude

    Homework Statement In a certain region, the Earth's magnetic field has a magnitude of 5.30e-5 T and is directed north at an angle of 57° below the horizontal. An electrically charged bullet is fired north and 11° above the horizontal, with a speed of 681 m/s. The magnetic force on the bullet...
  46. P

    Coriolis acceleration and magnitude question

    Q. An aeroplane flies at constant altitude due south over London. Its speed is 320 km/h and the latitude of London is 51 degrees North. What is the magnitude and direction of the Coriolis acceleration on the aeroplane? Do I use Coriolis acceleration = 2ω x v to find acc? Is ω = 2π /...
  47. P

    What is the magnitude of r'(t) if r'(t) is <1,2t,3t2>?

    Homework Statement whats |r'(t)| if r'(t) is <1,2t,3t2> Homework Equations The Attempt at a Solution im finding normal and binormal vectors and i need to divide r(t)/r'(t) |r'(t)| = sqrt (12+(2t)2+(3t2)2) how does that simplify down to something that can be an appropriate...
  48. Simfish

    How exactly do you measure the Richter magnitude of an earthquake?

    Supposedly, you use a certain type of seismometer. But in that case, how could a deep earthquake far away register as "higher" than a shallow earthquake that's up close? Sure, the deep earthquake may release more energy, but much of it is dissipated by the time it reaches the seismometer (and...
  49. P

    Force and acceleration given position equations. Find magnitude and angles

    Homework Statement A 0.42 kg particle moves in an xy plane according to x(t) = - 19 + 2 t - 2 t3 and y(t) = 25 + 8 t - 7 t2, with x and y in meters and t in seconds. At t = 0.6 s, what are (a) the magnitude and (b) the angle (within (-180°, 180°] interval relative to the positive direction of...
  50. ThomasMagnus

    Summing Unequal Magnitude Vectors to Reach Zero

    Hi, I'm looking for some help on how the sum of a certain number of vectors can equal zero. I know that the sum of 2 vectors with equal magnitudes but opposite directions will equal zero; 2 vectors of unequal magnitude can never have a sum equal zero; and that three vectors of unequal...
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