Within the observable universe, measurements ranging from “ very small “ to “ very large “ can be made. The rules of scientific notation enable such measurements to be expressed in convenient powers of ten. In order to express a number in scientific notation, a number that does not fall between the numbers 1 andContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Scientific and Engineering Notation”
Author Archives: George Tafari
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Direct Current ( DC ) Voltage, Current, and Resistance
An introductory discussion of electronics would be remiss without a conceptual analysis of DC voltage ( Vdc ), current ( I ), and resistance ( R ). Most students readily adapt to teaching strategies that relate new topics to familiar themes and everyday life experiences. Visual aids are of preeminent importance to new and seasonedContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Direct Current ( DC ) Voltage, Current, and Resistance”
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: The Joule
The International System of Units ( SI ) uses seven base units to describe seven fundamental quantities that can be measured by scientists: Symbol Name Base quantity second ( s ) time meter ( m ) length kilogram ( kg ) mass ampere ( A ) electric current kelvin (Continue reading “ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: The Joule”
AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation
Consider the time vs. position plots of an object in the graph below: Q: During which interval is the object moving forward with a constant velocity? Over which interval is the object accelerating, sitting still, and moving opposite to the initial direction of motion? A: We begin by designating the vertical direction as being theContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation”
AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation
Interpreting a graph of an object’s acceleration can be tricky, especially when the graph is linear: An object moving with a constant velocity moves through equal distance segments as time transpires. To the contrary, an object that is undergoing a constant acceleration has a velocity that changes as time transpires. As a consequence, plots ofContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation”
AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation
Consider the following graph: If we allow the ( y1 ) and ( x1 ) coordinates of the slope formula to be zero, a predictable slope begins to emerge as we move to the right. A steeper slope would necessitate a greater change in y-values relative to corresponding changes in x-values. Likewise, a less steepContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Graph-Slope Interpretation”
AP PHYSICS: Acceleration
An object that moves at a constant speed ( or velocity ) will continue doing so until it is acted upon by a force. Whether such an object speeds up or slows down after being impacted by a force, the change in motion is called an acceleration. Typically, a decrease in motion is referred toContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Acceleration”
AP PHYSICS: Speed and Velocity
Q: Officer Chuck, a former track star at Clemson University, is in pursuit of a suspect that is 500 meters ahead of him. The suspect runs with a speed of 5 meters per second. Conversely, Chuck is running at a speed of 30 meters per second. Assuming that both participants in this sprint run inContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Speed and Velocity”
AP PHYSICS: Average Speed
Q: A canoer crosses three-fifths the distance across a lake at speed ( v ). Unfortunately, the canoer begins to tire, and she finishes crossing the lake at one-half her initial speed. What was her average speed while crossing the lake? A: The average speed is determined by dividing the total distance traveled by theContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Average Speed”
AP PHYSICS: Average Velocity
Q: A boomerang travels 500 meters in a southward direction over the course of 90 seconds. The boomerang then makes an abrupt turn eastward and travels 300 meters in 60 seconds. What is the average velocity of the boomerang? A: In a previous problem, the average speed of an object was determined. Speed is aContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Average Velocity”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 