060901
Dave Smith
http://vhmthphy.vhcc.edu/ > physics I > assts (this contains links to worksheets)
Go all the way to the bottom of the assignments page and there's a link entitled Fall 06
http://vhmthphy.vhcc.edu/ > physics I < info takes you to the course of study
Phy 121
Phy 201
Physics I
For Physics 121 You must have completed Algebra I and Algebra II.
For Physics 201 you must have completed, or be concurrently enrolled in, Precalculus or the equivalent.
This is a challenging course. Attend every class and figure to start on 5 hours of homework a week. You don't learn mathematics by watching someone do it. You learn by doing it yourself.
Definition of average value on a straight-line graph: On a straight-line graph of A vs. B, the average value of A between two graph points occurs at the midpoint of the corresponding segment of the graph.
On a straight-line v vs. t graph, it follows from this definition that vAve on an interval occurs at the midpoint of the interval.
From this and from the geometry of right triangles, we determine that for a ball rolling from rest, assuming a straight-line v vs. t graph, the average velocity occurs at the midpoint of the time interval which corresponds to motion from one end of the ramp to the other.
This allows us to accurately label the v and t axes of our graph.
Then using any interval we wish, most likely the interval from start to finish, we can determine the acceleration (ave accel is ave rate of change of v with respect to t, which is change in v / change in t:
aAve = `dv / `dt).
Experiment 1:
Using 2-foot ramps with 1 domino, 2 dominoes and 3 dominoes, and using a pendulum as timer, take the data you need to conduct the above analysis on each ramp.
Write up a summary of how the experiment was conducted, give your data in a table, show the details of your analysis, and list your acceleration vs. number of dominoes at the end.
Experiment 2:
Determine how far the marble travels on a 2-domino ramp, starting from rest, in 1/2 cycle, 1 cycles, 1.5 cycles, 2 cycles, ... (until you run outta ramp).
Use your data to find average velocity vs. midpoint clock time and construct the corresponding graph of velocity vs. clock time.
Write up in a manner similar to the preceding.