Ch. 3: Motion in Two Dimensions: Crosswinds and Projectile Motion
Reading
Young & Geller, Ch. 3
Topics
Now we're working in 2 dimensions.
There are two main types of problems:
Labs
Young & Geller, Ch. 3
Topics
Now we're working in 2 dimensions.
There are two main types of problems:
- Crosswinds or 'cross river' type problems
- Projectile motion problems
Labs
- Projectile Motion lab
- Part II of Galileo's Inclined Plane lab
| 3._2d_motion_lecture_notes_2021.docx |
| 2._ap_vectors_lecture_notes_2021.docx |
Below: In "projectile motion" problems, we separate the 'x' and 'y' components and solve them separately using the 5 equations of motion.
Lecture outline:
Be able to use the 5 equations of motion to solve problems in 2 dimensions.
Be able to use "SOH-CAH-TOA" to solve problems
Be able to solve these classic two-dimensional Physics problems:
To solve these problems and determine the resultant vector 'R', follow this sequence:
Be able to use the 5 equations of motion to solve problems in 2 dimensions.
Be able to use "SOH-CAH-TOA" to solve problems
- Sine = opposite/hypotenuse
- Cosine = adjacent/hypotenuse
- Tangent = opposite/adjacent
Be able to solve these classic two-dimensional Physics problems:
- Flying an airplane in a crosswind
- Canoeing across a flowing river
- Projectile Motion problems, such as firing a cannon or kicking a socker ball
To solve these problems and determine the resultant vector 'R', follow this sequence:
- Draw a nice, big sketch
- Resolve the individual vectors (typically 2 or 3) into their 'x' and 'y' components
- 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.
- Determine the angle of the resultant vector 'R' using SOH-CAH-TOA
- Determine the magnitude of the resultant vector 'R' using the Pythagorean theorem.
When solving Projectile Motion problems:
Know the difference between Scalars and Vectors
- Treat the horizontal and vertical components separately
- Assume there is no horizontal acceleration once the projectile leaves the gun, or after the soccer ball is kicked (as the case may be)
- Other than that, there is nothing really 'unique' about solving projectile motion problems
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.
Surveying Lab
Outdoor surveying lab: Vectors
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.
Projectile Motion Weblab
Outdoor surveying lab: Vectors
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.
Projectile Motion Weblab
| 3._projectile_motion_weblab_2021.docx |
Homework
| 3._2-d_motion_problems_2021.docx |
