work function
Moderators: Chem_Mod, Chem_Admin
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work function
for work function problems how do we do the math? do we just use a calculator for problems like this? (6.626x10^-34)(3x10^8)/3.61x10^-19
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Re: work function
I used a calculator for these problems. If you really wanted to, you could use exponent properties (multiplication adds the exponents of 10 and division subtracts the exponents of 10) to figure out to what power 10 will be raised to in your head. But for the other numbers, I'd use a calculator.
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Re: work function
I would definitely use my calculator when I do problems like that. Make sure to use parentheses and I think you should be set!
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Re: work function
Yeah! Scientific calculators are especially helpful. Parentheses also help a lot by keeping things organized and separating the different numbers :)
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Re: work function
I agree with everyone else! I would use a scientific/graphing calculator for those problems. I would also add parentheses to the numerator and denominator just to be sure the calculator understands the function.
Re: work function
and make sure to do the whole function at once instead of in steps! Another student and I did it in steps and it gave us a wrong output.
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Re: work function
Doing all the steps together (using parenthesis to separate and organize the problem) on a scientific calculator is ideal! And remember to not round your answers until the very end. You may find that with a phone calculator, it is much harder to keep track of complex equations, and often is not as accurate due to rounding error with each step!
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Re: work function
Yeah, I think a scientific calculator is definitely necessary for problems like this, and just remember to pay extra attention to negatives, decimal places, etc, when plugging in the numbers.
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Re: work function
Hi! I definitely agree with everyone that a graphing/scientific calculator will definitely be handy. Other than paying close attention to what you put into the calculator (so you don't mistake a number or miss a button), Lavelle suggested that we should try and predict - understandably harder for these kinds of equations - what the outcome will be. This way, if you miss something, it will hopefully be kind of obvious and you can try again/review your input.
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Re: work function
Definitely use a calculator, but also check that your result makes sense (to make sure you didn't click any wrong buttons or anything like that)! It really helps prevent careless mistakes :)
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- Posts: 89
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Re: work function
Yes, you should 100% use a calculator. A key thing that most people forget is parenthesis so don't forget!
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Re: work function
Yes, you should used a scientific or graphing calculator to solve those problems. In order to get an accurate result try putting the entire problem in the calculator and use parenthesis correctly. It is important to place the parenthesis in the correct place, to avoid getting the wrong result.
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- Posts: 127
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Re: work function
Yes, I would definitely use a calculator for problems like that! Please keep in mind that it is extremely important to use parentheses when you are solving those types of problems. It will help you get an accurate result!!
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Re: work function
Yes, I would use a calculator too! Definitely would not do by hand because there's too much room for error and would take too long.
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- Joined: Wed Sep 30, 2020 10:11 pm
Re: work function
I would use a calculator for sure! You could do it by hand for sure, but of course using the calculator saves so much more time, especially if it were on a midterm or final. Don't forget to check your parentheses when inputting the equation!
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Re: work function
I would recommend using a calculator. It is important to remember converting between appropriate units when doing so.
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