Oftentimes in physics, distinctions must be made between phenomena that have a measurable magnitude vs. those that possess both a magnitude and direction. Things that are quantified by magnitude only are referred to as scalar quantities. A scalar quantity describes a measured quantity of something that is unaccompanied by an assigned direction of choice: Ex:Continue reading “KINEMATICS: Scalar Quantities, Vector Quantities, and Vector Addition”
Tag Archives: acceleration
AP PHYSICS: The Gravitational Constant of Acceleration
When a mass [ measured in kilograms ( kg ) ] is under the influence of balanced forces, it will either sit still with respect to an observer that is also ” at rest ” within the same frame of reference ( Ex. A television set across a room from a viewer. ), or itContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: The Gravitational Constant of Acceleration”
KINEMATICS: Total Time of Flight for a Projectile
Q: A model-rocket club is standing at the edge of a 40.0 m building. They arrange a launcher so that it is off the cliff’s edge, and they launch a rocket straight upward at an initial velocity ( v ) of 380.0 m/s. Neglecting wind resistance, how long will it take for the rocket toContinue reading “KINEMATICS: Total Time of Flight for a Projectile”
AP PHYSICS: Final Speed of a Block / Incline System
Q1 : A mass ( m1 ) of 1.20 kg is situated at the bottom of an incline that is 30o to the horizontal. At the top of the incline, there’s a 0.500 kg disk that is kept fixed by a frictionless axle. A cord is placed over the disk and used to lift aContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Final Speed of a Block / Incline System”
AP PHYSICS: Force and Deceleration
Q: A vehicle weighing ( Fw ) 17.08 kN moves at a constant velocity ( v ) of 35.8 m/s. At some point, the driver decides to let the vehicle coast in neutral, during which air drag causes it to decelerate to 22.4 m/s in 24 s. ( a ) What is the magnitude ofContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Force and Deceleration”
KINEMATICS: Matching Equations to Appropriate Circumstances ( Part 1 )
Of all the topics that cause confusion among students new to physics, kinematics is no exception to the rule. Briefly speaking, kinematics can be described as the “ architecture of motion. “ Various types of forces ( F ) and energy ( E ) can give rise to motion observed within a system, whether thatContinue reading “KINEMATICS: Matching Equations to Appropriate Circumstances ( Part 1 )”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 1 )
Although, energy and power are interrelated concepts, they possess distinct identities of their own. Consider the relatively simple task of inflating a balloon. Blowing a small puff of air into a balloon over a short time-interval will cause the balloon to expand slightly before recoiling to its previous state. Breathing more forcefully into a balloonContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 1 )”
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
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”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 