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”
Tag Archives: AP Physics
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: 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”
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: 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”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 