QA3

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course Phys201

6/11@3:00 pm

003. Velocity Relationships*********************************************

Question: `q001. Note that there are 13 questions in this assignment.

vAve = `ds / `dt, which is the definition of average velocity and which fits well with our intuition about this concept.

• If displacement `ds is measured in meters and the time interval `dt is measured in seconds, in what units will vAve be obtained?

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Your solution:

confidence rating #$&*:

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Given Solution:

vAve = `ds / `dt.

The units of `ds are m and the units of `dt are sec, so the units of `ds / `dt must be m / sec.

Thus vAve is in m/s.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

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Self-critique rating:

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Question: `q002. If the equation vAve = `ds / `dt is to be solved for `ds we multiply both sides of the equation by `dt to obtain `ds = vAve * `dt. If vAve is measured in cm / sec and `dt in sec, then in what units must `ds be measured?

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Your solution:

centimeters

confidence rating #$&*:

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3

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Given Solution:

Since vAve is in cm/sec and `dt in sec, `ds = vAve * `dt must be in units of cm / sec * sec = cm.

STUDENT QUESTION

I don’t get how sec and sec would cancel each other out

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

cm / s * s means

(cm/s) * s, which is the same as

(cm / s) * (s / 1). Multiplying numerators and denominators we have

(cm * s) / (s * 1) or just

(cm * s) / s, which is the same as

cm * (s / s) = cm * 1 = cm.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

OK

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Self-critique rating:

OK

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Question: `q003. Explain the algebra of multiplying the unit cm / sec by the unit sec.

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Your solution:

You would mutiply (cm/sec)* (sec*1)=centimeters

confidence rating #$&*:

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3

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Given Solution:

When we multiply cm/sec by sec we are multiplying the fractions cm / sec and sec / 1. When we multiply fractions we will multiply numerators and denominators. We obtain cm * sec / ( sec * 1). This can be rearranged as (sec / sec) * (cm / 1), which is the same as 1 * cm / 1. Since multiplication or division by 1 doesn't change a quantity, this is just equal to cm.

STUDENT RESPONSE:

For some reason this question just isn't making sense to me.

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE:

In a self-critique you need to address the given solution in detail. A general statement such as yours gives me no information on what you understand. I need this information as a basis for helping you with what you don't understand.

In order to give me the information I need you should be addressing each statement, and each phrase, to show me what you do and do not understand.

The given solution can be broken into individual statements:

1. When we multiply cm/sec by sec we are multiplying the fractions cm / sec and sec / 1.

2. When we multiply fractions we will multiply numerators and denominators.

3. We obtain cm * sec / ( sec * 1).

4. This can be rearranged as (sec / sec) * (cm / 1), which is the same as 1 * cm / 1. Since multiplication or division by 1 doesn't change a quantity, this is just equal to cm.

Do you understand Statement 1?

If not, have you written out the expressions cm/sec and sec/1 in standard form? (You might want to review the link given at the end of the Typewriter Notation exercise from Orientation, which should be posted at your access page).

As best you can communicate it, what do you and do you not understand about this statement?

Do you understand Statement 2? If not, what do you and do you not understand about this statement?

Do you understand Statement 3? If not, have you written out the multiplication of cm/sec and sec/1 on paper? The multiplication is (cm / sec) * (sec / 1). Again, if you aren't sure how to write this out, refer to the link at the end of the Typewriter Notation exercise.

Do you understand Statemet 4? If not do you understand that (sec / sec) * (cm / 1) is equal to sec * cm / (sec * 1), which is in turn equal to (cm * sec) / (sec * 1)? If not, specifically what do you and do you not understand?

If you don't understand anything, then you should start with a review of basic fractions, a topic which is very much neglected in the typical curriculum in U.S. schools. Then you should return to these questions and give your best answers.

A good link, current as of Sept. 2010:

http://www.themathpage.com/arith/multiply-fractions-divide-fractions.htm

You should submit a copy of question `q003, your solution, the given solution and this note. Insert your answers and/or additional specific questions and mark with &&&& before and after each insertion, then submit using the Submit Work Form.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

OK

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Self-critique rating:

OK

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Question: `q004. If the definition vAve = `ds / `dt is to be solved for `dt we multiply both sides of the equation by `dt to obtain vAve * `dt = `ds, then divide both sides by vAve to get `dt = `ds / vAve. If vAve is measured in km / sec and `ds in km, then in what units must `dt be measured?

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Your solution:

Seconds, because you multiply (km/sec)*(km/1)=seconds

confidence rating #$&*:

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3

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Given Solution:

Since `dt = `ds / vAve and `ds is in km and vAve in km/sec, `ds / vAve will be in km / (km / sec) = seconds.

STUDENT SOLUTION LACKING DOCUMENTATION

seconds

INSTRUCTOR RESPONSE

You should show the reasoning; we know in advance that `dt will be in seconds, but be sure you understand how to get there from the given units.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

OK

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Self-critique rating: