Can someone please tell me what applied uses surds have in Science?

In summary, surds have multiple applications in Science, particularly in fields such as Physics. One example is in measuring time for objects undergoing constant acceleration, where surds may appear in the calculations. Another example is in the mains AC voltage, where the amplitude waveform is represented by surds and has practical applications in lighting.
  • #1
PonderingMick
11
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Can someone please tell me what applied uses surds have in Science? Apart from Pythagoras?

Cheers,

Mick
 
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  • #2


Whenever quadratics appear, surds are likely to be present also. One example would be in Physics to measure the time it takes an object undergoing constant acceleration (say, under the influence of gravity) to complete some distance, the time is likely to be irrational.

There are many places in which surds appear.
 
  • #3


The mains AC voltage (e.g., 240v in Europe) is actually a sinewave which swings from a negative peak of sqrt(2) * 240 volts to a positive peak of sqrt(2) * 240 volts. This amplitude waveform, called 240 v RMS, makes an incandescent light bulb glow exactly as brightly as would a DC voltage of 240 volts.
 

Related to Can someone please tell me what applied uses surds have in Science?

1. What are surds and how are they used in science?

Surds are mathematical expressions that involve irrational numbers, such as square roots or cube roots. In science, surds are often used to represent quantities that cannot be expressed as a decimal. They are also used in equations and formulas to solve for unknown variables.

2. Can surds be used in real-world applications in science?

Yes, surds have many practical applications in science. They are commonly used in physics, engineering, and other fields to calculate measurements and solve problems involving complex quantities. For example, they are used in electrical engineering to calculate the impedance of a circuit.

3. How do surds relate to the concept of irrational numbers?

Surds are a type of irrational number, meaning they cannot be expressed as a simple fraction or decimal. They often arise in scientific calculations because many physical quantities, such as the length of a diagonal or the circumference of a circle, are irrational numbers.

4. What are some specific examples of how surds are used in science?

Surds can be used in a variety of scientific applications. Some examples include calculating the volume of a sphere, determining the frequency of a sound wave, and solving equations in chemistry involving molar mass and concentration. They are also used in geometric constructions and graphing.

5. Do scientists use surds in everyday research and experiments?

Yes, scientists often use surds in their research and experiments. Surds can provide more accurate and precise calculations compared to using decimal approximations. They are also used in data analysis and statistical models to represent and analyze complex data sets.

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