Mechanics: Vectors and Projectiles
Vectors and Projectiles: Audio Guided Solution
Problem Set VP8, Question 4:
Sasha begins her morning run. Her jog begins from her garage with a displacement of 88 m west to the street. Sasha turns on to the street and continues to the first stoplight. When at the stoplight, Sasha is 107 m away from her garage at an angle of 22.5 degree north of west.
a. What was the length (in meters) of her second displacement?
b. What was the direction (in degrees) of the second displacement? (Use the counterclockwise from east convention.)
Audio Guided Solution
Discussion of Part A:
Audio Guided Solution
Discussion of Part B:
Habits of an Effective Problem Solver
An effective problem solver by habit approaches a physics problem in a manner that reflects a collection of disciplined habits. An effective problem-solver...
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...reads the problem carefully and develops a mental picture of the physical situation. If needed, they sketch a simple diagram of the physical situation to help visualize it.
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...identifies the known and unknown quantities in an organized manner, often times recording them on the diagram iteself. They equate given values to the symbols used to represent the corresponding quantity (e.g., vox = 12.4 m/s, voy = 0.0 m/s, dx = 32.7 m, dy = ???).
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...plots a strategy for solving for the unknown quantity; the strategy will typically center around the use of physics equations be heavily dependent upon an understaning of physics principles.
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...identifies the appropriate formula(s) to use, often times writing them down. Where needed, they perform the needed conversion of quantities into the proper unit.
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...performs substitutions and algebraic manipulations in order to solve for the unknown quantity.
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