Assignment 01

In this assignment you will learn and apply the definition of rate (as defined in Seed Question 1.1), and use the definition of rate to formalize and generalize the idea of average velocity. 

You will learn some simple conventions for formatting data in the various formats requested in the labs. 

In the Error Analysis lab you will learn to calculate and begin to interpret the mean and standard deviation of a set of data. 

You will continue to work on assigned text problems, and will complete a q_a-style exercise on calculating areas.

As you work through these questions and exercises you will continue to develop your skills with

• Interpreting graphs.
• Making inferences from graphs.
• Understanding precision and accuracy of observations.
• Quantifying and combining uncertainties.
• Dimensional analysis and the algebra of units.

What you should know

At the beginning of this assignment you are expected to be familiar with:

• Relationships among displacement, time interval and average velocity.
• Development of velocity with respect to clock time.
• Distinction between clock time and time interval.
• Relationship between frequency and period.
• Use of units.

What you will learn

• Calculation of mean and standard deviation.
• Definition of average rate.
• Application of definition of average rate to displacement, average velocity, time interval.
• Calculation of percent uncertainty.
• The concept and calculation of area.

Ideas that will likely take time for you to develop:

• Interpretation and application of mean and standard deviation.
• Appropriate formatting and reporting of data.
• Quantifying and combining uncertainties.
• Use and interpretation of units.