Welcome to AP Physics 1

Dave Walla 943-1800 x 8075 wallad@georgetownisd.org http://georgetownisd.org/ghs/conradt

3-Ring Binder (with sections) Tipers & Homework Notes (in spiral binder) Labs Quizzes AP-1 Test Reviews

Scientific notation A decimal number between 1 and 10. Shift decimal until it’s behind (to the right of) the first NON-ZERO # to get the coefficient. Powers of ten (i.e. 10 to an exponent; 10, 102 = 100, 103 = 1000, etc.) The # of times you shifted the decimal = your exponent

Significant Figures Defines limiting precision of measurement Zeros as place holders not significant Real numbers & 0’s after last real number that succeeds decimal are significant In calculation, limiting factor on answer is least significant number

Powers of ten

SI Units Must use SI units in all calculations that use physics formulas Mass -> Kilograms Time -> seconds Length -> meters Frequency -> Hertz

Converting units Conversions are used to change one unit to another (Ex: m to km)   Conversion factors always equal one (1) whether they’re right-side-up or upside-down. Multiplying by a conversion factor converts (i.e. changes) a quantity from one unit to another.  

Kinematics The branch of mechanics that studies the motion of a body without regard for what caused the motion.

Particle Has position and mass. Has NO size or volume. Located at one point in space.

Displacement Represented by x. x = x2 - x1 where x2 = final position x1= initial position

Distance vs Displacement B 100 m distance 50 m displacement

Average Velocity vave = ∆x ∆t Where: vave = average velocity ∆x = displacement (x2-x1) ∆t = change in time(t2-t1)

Velocity vs Speed Average speed is always positive. Average velocity can be positive or negative depending direction. Absolute value of velocity can be used for speed if the object is not changing direction.

Average Velocity B x Dx A Dt t Vave = Dx/Dt, or the slope of the line connecting A and B.

Average Velocity A x B Dx Dt t Vave = Dx/Dt; still determined by the slope of the line connecting A and B.

Instantaneous Velocity x B Determined by the slope of the tangent to a curve at a single point.

Acceleration A change in velocity is called acceleration. Acceleration can be speeding up slowing down turning

Uniformly Accelerated Motion In Physics B, we will generally assume that acceleration is constant. With this assumption we are free to use this equation: a = ∆v ∆t

Units of Acceleration The SI unit for acceleration is m/s2.

Sign of Acceleration Acceleration can be positive or negative. The sign indicates direction. .

General Rule If the sign of the velocity and the sign of the acceleration is the same, the object speeds up. If the sign of the velocity and the sign of the acceleration are different, the object slows down.

Accelerating objects… Note: each of these curves has many different slopes (many different velocities)! x t

Pick the constant velocity graph(s)… x v A C t t x v B D t t

Another accelerating object. x Another tangent. Another instantaneous velocity! t The tangent touches the curve at one point. Its slope gives the instantaneous velocity at that point.

Summary: Constant position graphs x t Position vs time v t Velocity vs time a t Acceleration vs time

Summary: Constant velocity graphs x t Position vs time v t Velocity vs time a t Acceleration vs time

Summary: Constant acceleration graphs x t Position vs time v t Velocity vs time a t Acceleration vs time

Summary v = vo + at x = xo + vot + 1/2 at2 v2 = vo2 + 2a(∆x)

Free Fall Occurs when an object falls unimpeded. Gravity accelerates the object toward the earth. Nothing affects object’s motion except gravity No motion exists in X or Y axis

Acceleration due to gravity g = -9.8 m/s2 downward. a = -g if up is positive. acceleration is down at -9.8 m/s2 when an object is in motion regardless of the direction of the object’s motion.

Summary v = vo - gt x = xo + vot - 1/2 gt2 v2 = vo2 – 2g(∆x)

Symmetry When something is thrown upward and returns to the thrower, this is very symmetric. The object spends half its time traveling up; half traveling down. Velocity when it returns to the ground is the opposite of the velocity it was thrown upward with. Acceleration is –9.8 m/s2 everywhere!

Determination of Your Reaction Time! Get in lab groups. Drop meter stick between forefinger and thumb of another person. See where the person grabs the stick. Calculate reaction time!