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”
Tag Archives: Pythagorean Theorem
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 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”
FORCE AND ACCELERATION: 3-4-5 Right-Triangle Mathematics
Q: Two men attempt to pull a box in the diagram below: What is the resultant force in Newtons ( N ) exerted on the box? A: This is a classic question involving a 3-4-5 right triangle. Trigonometry and the Pythagorean Theorem enable us to solve the problem using the numbers 3, 4, and 5.Continue reading “FORCE AND ACCELERATION: 3-4-5 Right-Triangle Mathematics”
ELECTROSTATICS: Electric Field at the Center of an Equilateral Triangle
Q: Three point charges located at the corners of an imaginary equilateral triangle carry charges of +8 µC, +3 µC, and -5 µC, respectively. A distance of 0.5 m separates the charges from one another. What net electric field ( E-field ) will a positive test charge experience when placed at the triangle’s center? A:Continue reading “ELECTROSTATICS: Electric Field at the Center of an Equilateral Triangle”
ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: A Windy Day at the Lake
Q: Wind blows a 43.0 kg raft across a lake at 1.1 m/s northward relative to the water underneath. It carries a passenger whose mass is 38.0 kg. The passenger begins to walk westward at 0.71 m/s. What is the final velocity of the raft relative to the water? A: We first determine the momentumContinue reading “ENERGY AND MOMENTUM: A Windy Day at the Lake”
ELECTROSTATICS: Unit Vector Analysis of a Two-Charge System ( Part 1 )
Q: Two subatomic particles have a charge ( q1 = q2 = 10-6 C ), and they are located on the x-axis at coordinates ( -1m, 0m ) and ( 1m, 0m ). Please calculate the following: The electric field due to the charges when a positive test charge ( P ) has x/y-coordinates ofContinue reading “ELECTROSTATICS: Unit Vector Analysis of a Two-Charge System ( Part 1 )”
RENAISSANCE PHYSICS 