Here is a list of the basic tools you need
through 10/21/05:
The definition of velocity.
The definition of acceleration.
The equations of motion.
How to interpret a graph.
The fact that for idealized projectile
motion the vertical acceleration is g in the downward direction, the
horizontal acceleration is 0, so vertical and horizontal motion must be
analyzed separately.
Newton's Second Law F = m a.
The definition of work as F * `ds.
The acceleration of gravity near the surface
of the Earth, g = 9.8 m/s^2 = 980 cm/s^2.
The definition of weight as the force
exerted by gravity on a mass: weight = m g.
The definition of KE is 1/2 m v^2.
The work-energy theorem, which says that `dW_net
= `dKE (work done by net force = change in KE).
The definition of `dPE as the work done by a
system against a conservative force.
The fact that the change in gravitational PE
near the surface of the Earth is `dPE = m g `dy, where `dy is the change
in the vertical coordinate.
The fact that the work-energy theorem can
also be expressed as `dPE + `dKE + `dW_noncons_by = 0, where `dW_noncons_by
is the work done by the system against nonconservative forces.