EXPECTATIONS -- Before we start this unit you should be able to:

• determine the appropriate number of significant figures in a mathematical expression
• demonstrate the ability to accurately measure an angle between vectors using a protractor (either online or a plastic tool in my classroom or at home)
• demonstrate a mastery of scientific notation (including estimating)
• demonstrate ability to convert between data types using 'railroad tracks' method

UNIT I LEARNING GOALS -- At the conclusion of this part of the unit, I will be able to:

PART I

1) demonstrate understanding of motion vectors by drawing component vectors for an object's displacement or velocity by hand or by using tools available on Google Slides

2) further demonstrate understanding of vectors by adding basic component vectors together to build a resulting vector OR use a resulting vector to find component vectors by hand or by using tools available on Google Slides

3) find the component vectors of an initial vector given the length of the initial vector and an interior angle using trigonometry

4) Calculate an object's velocity or speed using 4 part FULL WOLGEMUTHIAN system

5) Graph an object's velocity on a displacement vs time graph

6) Graph an object's speed on a distance vs time graph

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PART II

2) demonstrate understanding of and calculations for an objects' position, displacement, distance, velocity, speed and acceleration in one dimension using appropriate formulae:

For horizontal motion in one dimension:

(v)(t) = x

v_f = v_i +at

v_avg = (v_i + v_f)/2

x_f = x_i + v_it + 1/2at²

v_f² - v_i² = 2a∆x

For vertical motion in one dimension:

(v)(t) = y

v_f = v_i +at

v_avg = (v_i + v_f)/2

y_f = y_i + v_it + 1/2at²

v_f² - v_i² = 2a∆y

3) demonstrate understanding of and calculations for an objects' position, displacement, distance, velocity, speed and acceleration in two dimensions using the above formulae in combination

4) demonstrate understanding of and calculations for an objects' position, displacement, distance, velocity and speed and acceleration by analyzing displacement vs time, velocity vs time, or acceleration vs time graphs

A note on subscripts: It is REALLY important in physics to keep track of such things as the initial value for a term and the final value for that same term.

Physicists often use subscripts to assist:

For example: To label an object's final velocity physicists often write: v_f

That is pronounced "vee sub f" meaning final velocity.

When working with two dimensions, sometimes it is helpful to keep track of which dimension we're working in. Therefore the initial velocity in the x direction is often written: v_fx and is pronounced "vee sub fx" or "vee sub f in the x direction"

Which is an important distinction because falling objects (y direction) behave much differently. So, we might see one of our equations of motion written thusly:

v_fy² - v_iy² = 2a∆y

While the horizontal equation of motion would be written:

v_fx² - v_ix² = 2a∆x

NOTE on Lab Report Writing:

It's kinduva thing for me: Please use subscripts and superscripts appropriately when typing your lab reports. x², v_i (for example) are REALLY easy to type in Microsoft Word and Google Docs (follow those links to learn how to do that here).

Therefore I will INSIST that you do so.

NEVER, EVER type x^2 when you mean x² (ever!)