Q-001

course PHY 231

6/30 20:47

ph1 query 1*********************************************

Question: `qExplain in your own words how the standard deviation of a set of

numbers is calculated.

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Your solution:

The standard deviation is similar to the average amount that each number

deviates from (distance from) the mean. It is slightly more accurate than the

average deviation because you square each number before you add it, then take

the square root of the final mean.

confidence rating #$&* 2

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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 change in distance over the change time. It is an example of a

rate because it fits the definition of a rate. Rates are the change in A with

respect to B with A being distance and B being the time.

confidence rating #$&* 3

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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. **

NOTE ON NOTATION

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.

The symbol d doesn't look like a change in anything, nor does the symbol t.

And the symbol v doesn't distinguish between initial velocity, final velocity,

average velocity, change in velocity and instantaneous velocity, all of which

are important concepts that need to be associated with distinct symbols.

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.

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Self-critique (if necessary):

I noticed more things the connect to calculus through this example. I also

noticed the need to be more specific in my notation.

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

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Your solution:

Simple algebra

V_ave = 'dx/'dt, we want to find 'dx, multiply both sides by 'dt

We get: V_ave * 'dt = 'dx

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:

Similarly, if V_ave = 'dx / 'dt then we multiply each side by 'dt to get it at

the top of a rational then divide both sides by V_ave:

So we get:

v_ave * 'dt = 'dx

'dt = 'dx / V_ave

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:

Just use the formula V_ave = 'dx/'dt

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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Self-critique (if necessary): OK

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Question: A ball rolls from rest down a book, off that book and onto another

book, where it picks up speed before rolling off the end of that book. Consider

the interval that begins when the ball first encounters the second book, and

ends when it rolls of the end of the book.

For this interval, place in order the quantities initial velocity (which we

denote v_0), and final velocity (which we denote v_f), average velocity (which

we denote v_Ave).

During this interval, the ball's velocity changes. It is possible for the

change in its velocity to exceed the three quantities you just listed? Is it

possible for all three of these quantities to exceed the change in the ball's

velocity? Explain.

Note that the change in the ball's velocity is denoted `dv.

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Your solution:

v_0, v_ave, v_f

Yes, the change will exceed both the initial velocity and the average velocity,

but probably not the final velocity.

confidence rating #$&* 2

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Question: If the velocity at the beginning of an interval is 4 m/s and at the

end of the interval it is 10 m/s, then what is the average of these velocities,

and what is the change in velocity?

List the four quantities initial velocity, final velocity, average of initial

and final velocities, and change in velocity, in order from least to greatest.

Give an example of positive initial and final velocities for which the order of

the four quantities would be different.

For positive initial and final velocities, is it possible for the change in

velocity to exceed the other three quanities?

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Your solution:

The average is (4m/s + 10m/s)/2 = 7m/s

The difference is |10m/s - 4m/s| = 6m/s

initial velocity, change in velocity, average veolicity, and final velocity

confidence rating #$&* 3

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Question: If the position of an object changes by 5.2 meters, with an

uncertainty of +-4%, during a time interval of 1.3 seconds, with an uncertainty

of +-2%, then

What is the uncertainty in the change in position in meters>

What is the uncertainty in the time interval in seconds?

What is the average velocity of the object, and what do you think ia the

uncertainty in the average velocity?

(this last question is required of University Physics students only, but other

are welcome to answer): What is the percent uncertainty in the average velocity

of the object, and what is the uncertainty as given in units of velocity?

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Your solution:

0.208m uncertainty in change of position

0.026sec uncertainty in the change of time

V_ave = 'dx/'dt = 5.2m/1.3sec = 4m/sec

The uncertainty in the average velocity is 1 m/sec.

(1m/sec) / (4m/sec) = .25 * 100% = 25% uncertainty with a given unit of 1m/sec

confidence rating #$&* 1

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I think I understand the percent uncertainty but I don't know until I can see it

worked out in an example.

&#This looks very good. Let me know if you have any questions. &#

#$&*