AP PHYSICS: Rotational Kinematics

Q: A 25.0 kg grindstone disc with a 0.250 m radius ( r ) rotates with an angular speed ( ω ) of 30.0 rad/s. When power to the disc is shut off, it decelerates and comes to rest over the course of 20.0 s. When the grindstone is shut off, a speck of dustContinue reading “AP PHYSICS: Rotational Kinematics”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 1 )

Although related, voltage ( V ) and power ( P ) are fundamentally different entities. The voltage within an electrical system is a measure of how many joules ( J ) of energy each coulomb ( C ) of charge ( q ) carries with it. Power is a measure of the rate at whichContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 1 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 2 )

The number 1 can be formed via the establishment of a ratio of logically related quantities: A = A ( A / A ) = 1 A = B ( A / B ) = 1 And, ( B / A ) = 1 Furthermore, the product of any number multiplied by 1 is theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 2 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 1 )

The process by which metric prefixes are converted from one value to another is based upon the following premise: 1 x 1 = 1 This premise can be easily applied to statements of truth that involve variables: a = a ( a / a ) = 1 b = b ( b / b )Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 1 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electrical Quantities and their Corresponding SI Units

The International System ( SI ) has established internationally accepted values for physical quantities. These agreed-upon values constitute the building blocks of many scientific fields of study, including electronics. Each quantity in question is accompanied by a symbol, and each symbol can be substituted with an SI unit that gives it meaning. Consider the followingContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electrical Quantities and their Corresponding SI Units”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electrical Units and Metric Prefixes

Physical realities would be meaningless without internationally standardized definitions that quantify their existence. Within the field of electronics, there are electrical units of measure that are so common that becoming familiar with them is highly advisable for new students. It is important to note that the aforementioned electrical phenomena occur in measured quantities that areContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electrical Units and Metric Prefixes”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Scientific and Engineering Notation

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”

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”