Anthropology of Subsistence and Social Organization
Humanity has practiced all kinds of ways of subsistence, or getting food. This table shows different modes of subsistence and the affects they've had on social organization. [more…]
Anthropology For Dummies Cheat Sheet
The study of humanity, or anthropology, starts with the origin and evolution of man. Other elements key to the study of anthropology are human modernity [more…]
What’s the Difference between a Strain, a Sprain, and a Fracture?
You jumped high and came down hard, but you got the interception. Unfortunately, you also got a very sore and swollen ankle. Now you’re left wondering if you’ve got a strain, a sprain, or fracture. [more…]
Metric System Unit Prefixes
For building circuits or other electronics, a system of prefixes is used to make managing and reading metric easier. Use this chart to learn the metric prefix, its symbol, and the decimal value. [more…]
Statics: How to Calculate a Force's Moment
In statics, moments are effects (of a force) that cause rotation. When computing equilibrium, you must be able to calculate a moment for every force on your free-body diagram. To determine a force's moment [more…]
Checklist for Solving Statics Problems
Solving statics problems can be complicated; each problem requires a list of items to account for and equations to create and solve. Solve statics problems with ease by using this checklist: [more…]
Statics: Computing Submerged Surface Pressures
When working submerged surface problems in statics, remember that all submerged surfaces have a fluid acting upon them, causing pressure. You must compute two pressures: the hydrostatic pressure resultant [more…]
Calculating a Region or Load's Center of Area: Centroids
The centroid or center of area of a geometric region is the geometric center of an object's shape. Centroid calculations are very common in statics, whether you're calculating the location of a distributed [more…]
Statics: Developing Shear and Moment Diagrams
Shear and moment diagrams are a statics tool that engineers create to determine the internal shear force and moments at all locations within an object. Start by locating the critical points and then sketching [more…]
Cartesian Vector Formulas for Solving Statics Problems
In many statics problems, you must be able to quickly and efficiently create vectors in the Cartesian plane. Luckily, you can accomplish your Cartesian vector creations easily with the handy vector formulas [more…]
Statics For Dummies Cheat Sheet
As with any branch of physics, solving statics problems requires you to remember all sorts of calculations, diagrams, and formulas. The key to statics success, then, is keeping your shear and moment diagrams [more…]
Finding Your Way around Your Body
When you develop a new health problem in a particular area of your body, it can help to know which structures are beneath your skin. The following diagrams give you some clues. [more…]
How to Name a Chemical Compound
Someone who doesn't know chemistry might think that compounds should already have names, but you know differently. The following steps take you through the process of building a chemical name, using compound [more…]
How to Balance a Chemical Equation
When you balance equations in chemistry, you change only the coefficients in front of the chemical symbols. Never everchange the subscripts in the chemical compounds. The following steps show the balancing [more…]
Basic Exponential and Scientific Notation for Chemistry
In chemistry, you often use exponential notation, which is simply using exponents to express a number. Scientific notation is a specific form of exponential notation that uses powers of 10, and numbers [more…]
Analyzing Atomic Structure for Chemistry
Chemistry deals with atoms, which are composed of subatomic particles, which differ in mass and charge. Altering the numbers of these particles can alter the element or isotope identity of an atom. The [more…]
Key Chemistry Formulas
In chemistry, you deal with all sorts of substances in all sorts of stages — solid, liquid, and gas. The following list offers some key equivalencies and often-used chemistry formulas: [more…]
Chemistry Workbook For Dummies Cheat Sheet
Getting through a chemistry class involves using a range of different science skills and procedures: You analyze atomic structure, work with formulas, name compounds, use scientific notation, and balance [more…]
Types of GIS Output
You know that your GIS (geographic information system) provides maps — that's its basic function and probably the reason you bought it. But a GIS offers more than maps, and the following list includes [more…]
What You Can Do with GIS
With GIS (geographic information system) you can do all sorts of geography-related stuff — find places, of course, but also find the best place to locate your business, among other things. The following [more…]
Grid-Based GIS Map Functions
If your GIS (geographic information system) is grid-based, you have access to some cool, algebra-based functions. The following table shows the functions, where they work, and what you can do with each [more…]
GIS Map Characteristics to Keep in Mind
Your GIS (geographic information system) is very handy and a great navigation tool, but what you see on the GIS screen isn't necessarily what the actual terrain looks like. As you use your GIS, remember [more…]
GIS For Dummies Cheat Sheet
A GIS (geographical information system) is a fun and functional piece of equipment that offers maps, and so much more! You can analyze terrain and compare maps, keeping in mind the fact that the map you [more…]
Key Weather Words Defined
If you want to talk about the weather, it helps to know the lingo. The following list contains words both common and uncommon you need to know to discuss weather and weather conditions knowledgably: [more…]
Types of Cloud
Clouds play a large role in discussing, predicting, and watching the weather — not to mention providing scope for daydreams and flights of fancy. The following list describes the common cloud types that [more…]
