Style Guide for Homeworks

There are multiple ways to earn full credit on your assignments. Along with a correct value, answers are expected to include units and to be in a reasonable notation. Reasonable notation would be an answer that does not have infinite digits (e.g. cannot equal 12389243.9343 joules, but must be written as 12.4 megajoules or 1.2e6 joules)

Calculations

Explicitly show how you calculate your numbers. To make your calculations using python make sure your units are defined in a variable name (e.g. speed_in_km, time_hour, energy_density_joule_per_kg). The computer may output a long answer full of digits that don't need to be displayed. Make your answer into a reasonable notation by explaining it in a text (markdown) cell at the bottom of your work

Showing your work

Handwritten

You may turn in handwritten equations that show your mathematical reasoning and intention. Handwritten assignments with an image of the work done uploaded onto sagemathcloud. Handwriting must be legible and include units.

Advanced/Optional

Some of you may want to use advanced options for your work. You may use these tools, but we can't provide lots of help or support on these either in this class.

Optional: Code with the pint library

  • Using the pint library is completely optional when working on assignments.
  • This allows the units to be multiplied and divided with the resulting units being carried out into the answer.
  • This is helpful yet advanced tool, to learn more check out the pint tutorial

Optional style: LaTeX

  • If you decide to use markdown/LaTeX for your calculations, do not stress about the alignment. It doesn't have to look perfect, your work and understanding is more important than how it looks.
  • This form of showing work is advanced and completely optional.
  • You can learn more in [th

Question 1: Unit conversion

Please show the details of your work to answer these questions.

a) If you drive 20 miles, how many kilometers is that?

1 mile= 1.61 kilometers 20 miles * 1.61 kilometers = 32.2 kilometers

b) My car is traveling at 30 miles per hour, how many meters per second is that?

1 mile= 1.61 kilometers 30 miles 1.61 kilometers = 48.3 kilometers You are traveling 48.3 kilometers_per_hour 1 kilometer = 1000 meters 48.3 kilometers 1000 meters = 483000 meters You are traveling 483000 meters_per_hour or 48.3e4 1 hour= 60 minutes 1 minute= 60 seconds 60 min * 60 sec = 3600 seconds There are 3600 seconds in 1 hour 48.3e4 meters / 3600 seconds = 13.42 meters_per_second

Question 2: Scientific notation

Convert the following numbers to scientific notation.

Perform the following operations using scientific notation.

  1. Write out 3.5 trillion in scientific notation 3.5e12
  2. Write out 2.4 kJ in joules 2.4e3
  3. How many GW is 14 TW? 1.4e4

Question 3: Exponential Growth

If the energy use in a country is increasing at 3 percent per year, by what fraction will it increase in 10 years? 1+.03^10 1.34 - 1= .34 or 34 percent increase

Question 4: Linear Growth

The amount of gasoline that a car uses is linearly related to the distance it travels. Write an equation for this relationship for a 2015 Honda Civic. If this car is driven 1000 miles, how much gasoline will it use? gallons_of_gas= miles_driven / miles_per_gallon gallons_of_gas= 1000 * miles_per_gallon 2015 honda civic drives 40 miles_per_gallon gallons_of_gas= 1000 / 40 25 gallons_of_gas