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”
Category Archives: AP Physics
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”
AP PHYSICS: Average Speed
Q: A distance runner has just finished her race. During the first 3 kilometers, she ran with a constant speed of 5 meters per second. During the latter 7 kilometers, she ran with a constant speed of 14.4 kilometers per hour. What is her average speed for the race? A: First, take note that theContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Average Speed”
AP PHYSICS: Finding The Equilibrant Vector
An equilibrant vector is a vector that is the exact opposite of some other vector in both magnitude and direction. The simplest example of an equilibrant vector involves a single vector paired with its opposite: If the vector pair above represents two opposing forces, the net effect of being paired together is a cancellation thatContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Finding The Equilibrant Vector”
AP PHYSICS: Vector Addition
Q: An ant travels long distances each day in search of food. On one such occasion, the ant travels 3.0 meters at an angle of 300 north of east. Afterward, the ant travels 2.0 meters to the north. Finally, the ant finds food after traveling 2.0 meters at an angle of 600 south of west.Continue reading “AP PHYSICS: Vector Addition”
AP PHYSICS: Trigonometry vs The Pythagorean Theorem
Q: A football is kicked with a velocity of 8.5 m/s at an angle of 350 with respect to the football field: At the moment of takeoff, the football has a vertical component of motion of 4.9 m/s. What is the horizontal component of motion? A: Since an angle and a diagonal vector have beenContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Trigonometry vs The Pythagorean Theorem”
AP PHYSICS: Vector Components
Q: A projectile flies with a velocity of 750 km per hour at a 300 angle south of east: What is the magnitude of the eastward component of motion? A: The projectile is moving both eastward and south simultaneously. The eastward component of motion is determined by using an appropriate trigonometric function that relates theContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Vector Components”
AP PHYSICS: Vector Components
When vectors are oriented away from the ( x ) and ( y ) axes, they can be evaluated using ( x ) and ( y ) components. These components can be linked together in a tip-to-tail fashion which yields the same results as the primary vector in question: It is useful to imagine theContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Vector Components”
AP PHYSICS: Vector Addition and Subtraction
A scalar quantity is one that is dimensionless in terms of direction and is expressed in terms that communicate their magnitude. Energy and time are two great examples of such. On the other hand, there are vectors. Unlike scalar quantities, vectors possess both magnitude and direction. For example, an object can be considered to travelContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Vector Addition and Subtraction”
AP PHYSICS: The Pythagorean Theorem
Trigonometric functions establish useful relationships between the sides of a right triangle that exists within the perimeter ( circumference ) of a unit circle. We are now ready to see how the Pythagorean Theorem does this as well. In the right triangle below, the “ legs “ around the right angle are equal in length,Continue reading “AP PHYSICS: The Pythagorean Theorem”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 