Apple vs PC: Understanding Vectors - Assignment Example

Understanding Vectors Introduction Vectors might seem like a impossible concept of physics, but in reality with a little bit of explaining vectors are an easy concept. Once the physic obstacle is removed, vectors clearly come into focus. This paper will be used to help a non-mathematical audience can understand vectors. Definitions 1. Quantities-A quantity is something that can be measured. 2. Scalars-Scalars are quantities with only size. 3. Velocity-Velocity is change of direction rate. 4. Direction-Direction is defined as related to a compass. 5. Vectors-Vectors are quantities with size and direction. Description The five terms listed above, quantities, scalars, vectors, velocities, and direction might seem self explanatory to a mathematician, but for people without a math background these terms might cause confusion. Thus examples must be given for everyone to understand vectors properly. Below examples of all five definitions, this will hopefully help everyone understand vectors. Quantities are anything that can be measured. Life has many things to measure. An example would be a hot room. The temperature can be measured in this hot room. This can be written in an equation: t=100.4° Fahrenheit or 38° Celsius Temperature in this instance can be measured. Since temperature can be measured, temperature is a quantity. Scalars are quantities that can only be measured. Temperature and time are examples of a scalar. Examples of time being measured would be a child’s word per minute (wpm). Supposes Child X reads 118 wpm. The equation for this example would be: wpm=118 Another example of a scalar would be the mass of an object. An individual weighs 180lbs. The equation for this example would be: m=180 All quantities that only have measurement are scalars. Velocity is change of direction rate. Velocity is measured and does have a quantity that can be expressed. For example a velocity equation can look like this: v=17 m/s This equation states velocity equals 17 meters per second. That is the measurement of velocity, but velocity has another part. Velocity also has direction. To correctly state velocity one must state an object is travelling 17m/s South. The measurement of velocity is called speed. Thus velocity is made up of direction and speed. Velocity is a quantity that can be defined as a vector. Directions as defined in relation to vectors are as seen on a compass; North, South, West, and East. In order to be considered a vector, the object must be going a direction that can be seen on the compass. If an individual is unsure if a quantity qualifies as a scalar or vector, just question if the quantity is heading a direction that can be mapped on a compass like the one below. N | W -----+----- E | S (Vectors, Introduction) The following directions are valid when concerning vectors: North East of North East East of South South South of West West North of West The compass is separated into 360°. Right angles are between each direction (N,S,E,W). North and South are separated by 180°. Thus vectors are given a specific direction. Examples can be written two ways: d=30° North of East or d=60° East of North The easiest way to explain this concept is the 30° North of East is 30° of the arrow from the East sign to the North sign or 60° North to the East side. The directions are 90° for each four sections of the compass. Vectors are quantities that have measure and direction. A bicycle, ball, car, and other objects can be measured and follow a compass direction. Vectors are symbolized as arrows and points. Below is an example of a vector. (Feldman) Vectors must have direction and measure like the line above. The above diagram could be read as: 40° East of South or 50° South of East with a measurement of 4,-4. If a quantity can be measured and have a direction it is a vector. Directions In order vectors, an individual must ask themselves a few questions. The following steps will help determine if there is a vector or not. 1. In order to have a vector, one must have a quantity. The first question needs to be: Can I measure this item. If the answer is yes, proceed to the following step. 2. The next question needs to be: Can I measure this item and find a compass direction for this item? If no, then you have a scalar. If yes, proceed to the following step. 3. Does your quantity have a direction on a compass? If yes, proceed to the following step. 4. If your quantity can be measured and has direction on a compass, you have a vector. Conclusion Vectors are simply something that can be measured with direction that can be tracked on the compass. Vectors are extremely important in physics. Vectors can be “acceleration, force, gravitational field, torque, and electric and magnetic fields” (Vectors, Introduction). All of these concepts are used daily, unnoticed by most of the population. Not many want to stop and figure vectors for every situation. Hopefully, this small introduction to vectors will be helpful for the average individual. References Feldman, Mark. “Basic 2d Math”. 1997. http://www.geocities.com/siliconvalley/2151/math2d.html “Vectors, Introduction”. n.d. http://id.mind.net/~zona/mstm/physics/mechanics/vectors/introduction/introductionVectors.html Introduction Two major brands of computers on the market today are MacIntosh by Apple and Personal Computers (PC) using Microsoft Windows. Both Apple and PC with Microsoft Windows can perform various office and home tasks. However when compared on compatibility, cost, and market share the Apple and PC differ on every point. Since most individuals are looking for a lower priced computer with more compatible features, the PC wins hands down. The PC also has the majority of the computer market. If an average citizen goes to buy a computer, 9 out of 10 will choose a PC (Siegler). The PC is more marketable than an Apple. Analysis The analysis of the Apple and PC will be in three categories: 1. Compatibility 2. Cost 3. Market Share Compatibility Apple has a variety of products from laptops to iPhones. The Apple MacIntosh is the home computer, laptop, and notebook used by Apple. The Apple products only interact with other Apple products. An example would be the Apple MacIntosh home computer. The screen, keyboard, mouse, and printer all must be Apple. The wires, usb cables, and electric cords must be an Apple product as well. This is a good quality, if an individual has all Apple products. It is a bad quality, if an individual has only a few Apple products. PCs, on the other hand, are universally compatible with diverse companies. Dell, Compaq, Logitech, Gateway, HP, and others make interchangeable screens, hard drives, keyboards, mouses, mp3 players, and many other components. Microsoft Windows create an Operating System (OS) for PCs. Microsoft Vista, XP, and others are on PCs worldwide. Cost Cost is more important to the average American, especially in these times. That is why most Americans prefer PCs. The Apple cost twice as much as a PC. For example: One of them, a 14-inch model, the HP DV2946NR, sold for $699.99 and packed 4GB of memory and a 320GB hard drive. Capacity for both features is twice that of the $1,299 MacBook—and shared graphics is 356MB compared with a meager 144MB for the MacBook. (Schenone) More memory and hard drive space is on the PC. The Apple has half the hardware, but is twice the price. If an individual had to choose, most individuals would choose the PC in the above scenario. The same price differences apply between the Apple and PC desktops. “The ASP for Mac desktops is more than $1,000 greater than for Windows PCs, and Mac desktop ASPs were higher in June than they were two years ago” (Schenone). In this instance, the choice would once again be for the Windows PC. The bottom line is the Apple cost more than the PC. Market Share Apple computers have a smaller percentage of the computer market than the PC. Individuals want a better deal on computers, not an overpriced Apple. One reason is: The real point is that people who are shopping for computers where price is the key factor, were never going to buy Macs anyway. They never have. There is a reason Apple still has less than 10% market share. (Siegler) If Apple has 10% of the market, PCs make up the other 90%. The market share will not change as long as Apple does not change their ultimate goal of high end products. Apple is content to keep churning out its high-quality, high-margin machines, and watch the profits roll in. If it happens to gain market share as a byproduct of that, that’s great. You can’t be so naive to think that Apple doesn’t care about that at all, of course it does, but it’s clearly a secondary goal, which most people don’t seem to understand. (Siegler) Apple’s goal is not to produce affordable products. There goal is high quality. Anything else is secondary. While that is a noble goal, most individuals do not care about high quality. Individuals care about value. That is what the PC can offer. This is the reason the PC has 90% of the market share. Conclusion Most individuals, including myself prefer a PC to an Apple. PCs are more compatible, cost less, and have a great market share. Below is a chart of findings: Apple PC Compatibility Limited; only compatible with Apple products. Universal; works with most products. Cost Expensive; twice that of a PC. Inexpensive; half the price of an Apple. Market Share 10% 90% Based on the information above, my personal preference would be a PC. References Schenone, Ron. “Apple vs PC - Should You Pay Twice As Much For a Mac?” 6 Aug. 2009. The Blade. 26 Jul. 2009. http://www.lockergnome.com/blade/2008/08/06/apple-vs-pc-should-you-pay-twice-as-much-for-a-mac/ Siegler, M.G. “The Mac Versus PC Debate Has Never Been Clearer.” 23 Jul. 2009. TechCrunch. 26 Jul. 2009. http://www.techcrunch.com/2009/07/23/the-mac-versus-pc-debate-has-never-been-clearer/ Read More