ph1 query 1

course Mth 151

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Question: `qExplain in your own words how the standard deviation of a set of numbers is calculated.

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Your solution:

Standard deviation gets calculated by multiple different steps and processes. First, take a group of numbers and find the average/mean of their intervals. After that, each number is squared and the average/mean is found again. After the average/mean is found for the second time, you take the square root of that value to result in the standard deviation.

confidence rating #$&*: 2.5

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Question: Explain in your own words the process of fitting a straight line to a graph of y vs. x data, and briefly discuss the nature of the uncertainties encountered in the process. For example, you might address the question of how two different people, given the same graph, might obtain different results for the slope and the vertical intercept.

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Your solution:

To fit a straight line to a graph, we have to take estimate the location of two points and from there we calculate the rise, run, and slope. The rise is the change in y values and the run is the change in x values. The slope is then rise/run. After finding such values, we can use the equation of a line, y = mx+b where m represents the slope. Plugging in m, one of the points (the x and y value from a point) we can find out what b is. After finding b the final equation comes out to be y = Mx+B where M and B will be replaced with values that were found in the process. The biggest possibility for uncertainties in this process is the fact that we are guessing where the points are exactly when looking at a graph. Therefore, the accuracy of the points may not be on par.

confidence rating #$&*: 3

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Question: Briefly state what you think velocity is and how you think it is an example of a rate.

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Your solution:

Velocity is the distance over time. I think velocity is a rate because it is you are comparing the change in two different things which defines a rate.

confidence rating #$&*: 2.5

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Given Solution:

A rate is a change in something divided by a change in something else.

This question concerns velocity, which is the rate of change of position: change in position divided by change in clock time. **

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Self-critique (if necessary):ok

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Question: Given average speed and time interval how do you find distance moved?

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Your solution:

V = d/t so since we are given v and t, to find d we need to do v*t. Therefore just average speed * time.

Students often quote a formula like v =

d / t.  It's best to avoid this formula completely. 

The average velocity on an interval is

defined as change in position / change in clock time. 

In this course we use `d to stand for

the capital Greek symbol Delta, which universally indicates the change in a

quantity.  If we use d for distance, then the 'change in distance' would be

denoted `dd.  Very confusing to have two different d's, with two different

meanings, in the same expression.

We generally use s or x to stand for

position, so `ds or `dx would stand for change in position.  Change in

clock time would be `dt.  Thus

v_Ave = `ds / `dt

(or alternatively, if we use x for

position, v_Ave = `dx / `dt).

With this notation we can tell that we

are dividing change in position by change in clock time.

For University Physics students

(calculus-based note):

If x is the position then velocity

is dx/dt, the derivative of position with respect to clock time. This is the

limiting value of the rate of change of position with respect to clock time.

You need to think in these terms.


v stands for instantaneous velocity. v_Ave stands for the average velocity

on an interval.


If you used d for position then you would have the formula v = dd / dt. The

dd in the numerator doesn't make a lot of sense; one d indicates the

infinitesimal change in the other d.

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

** You multiply average speed * time interval to find distance moved.

For example, 50 miles / hour * 3 hours = 150 miles. **

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Self-critique (if necessary):ok

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Question: Given average speed and distance moved how do you find the corresponding time interval?

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Your solution:

Similar to the previous problem, seeing as how V = d/t. In order to find t, we would have to divide the distance by average speed.

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

** time interval = distance / average speed. For example if we travel 100 miles at 50 mph it takes 2 hours--we divide the distance by the speed.

In symbols, if `ds = vAve * `dt then `dt = `ds/vAve.

Also note that (cm/s ) / s = cm/s^2, not sec, whereas cm / (cm/s) = cm * s / cm = s, as appropriate in a calculation of `dt. **

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Self-critique (if necessary):ok

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Question: Given time interval and distance moved how do you get average speed?

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Your solution:

Velocity = d/t, therefore to get the average speed we just divide distance by time.

confidence rating #$&*:3

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Given Solution:

** Average speed = distance / change in clock time. This is the definition of average speed.

For example if we travel 300 miles in 5 hours we have been traveling at an average speed of 300 miles / 5 hours = 60 miles / hour. **

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You have the concepts, but you should note immediately that your formula v = d / t is not appropriate to the notation used in physics, especially calculus-based physics. See my note.