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  • Home
  • About
  • Classes
    • Biology
    • Chemistry
    • Physics
    • Algebra Series
    • Pre-calculus & Calculus
    • Principles of Engineering
    • Civil Engineering & Architecture
    • Economics (2022-2023)
    • Business & Entrepreneurship
  • SCHEDULE
  • CLASS FEES
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  • Contact

Ch. 1: Models, Measurements and Vectors

Reading
Young & Geller, Ch. 1
​
Topics
  • Working with vectors
  • Measurements and significant figures

Labs
  • ​Measurements and Sig Figs lab (Air problem)
  • Surveying lab
1._sig_figs_and_vectors_lecture_notes_2022.docx
File Size: 5941 kb
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Homework
See Canvas. 
2._physics_lecture_-_vectors_2021.docx
File Size: 8716 kb
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AP_lecture_vectors.docx
File Size: 10154 kb
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Lecture outline:
Use "SOH-CAH-TOA" to solve these problems
  • Sine = opposite/hypotenuse
  • Cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse
  • Tangent = opposite/adjacent

To solve these problems and determine the resultant vector 'R', follow this sequence:
  1. Draw a nice, big sketch
  2. Resolve the individual vectors (typically 2 or 3) into their 'x' and 'y' components
  3. Then, to solve for the 'x' and 'y' components of the resultant vector, add the 'x' and 'y' components of the individual vectors together. BE CAREFUL OF SIGNAGE HERE.
  4. Determine the angle of the resultant vector 'R' using SOH-CAH-TOA
  5. Determine the magnitude of the resultant vector 'R' using the Pythagorean theorem.

​Know the difference between Scalars and Vectors
  • A scalar quantity has "magnitude" only. Examples: 1) an airplane flies at 50 m/s... 2) a man walks at 1.5 m/s.
  • A vector has magnitude AND direction. Examples: 1) an airplane flies due north at 50 m/s... 2) a naval gun fires at a horizontal angle of 20 degrees and a muzzle velocity of 800 m/s.
Measurements and Sig Figs lab (Air problem)
1._measurement_and_sig_figs_lab__air_problem_.docx
File Size: 35 kb
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1._measurement_handout__with_4_tables_.docx
File Size: 262 kb
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Surveying lab
We will use commercial surveying equipment (transit-level) to determine the distance of a far-away object (more than 1 mile away) using nothing but angles and vector measurements.
Then we will compare our calculated distance with Google Earth to see how close we came.
If we do this carefully, you may be surprised at how close we come to the 'actual' distance.

Lab Extension assignment
3._surveying_for_a_bridge.pdf
File Size: 1868 kb
File Type: pdf
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