Physics 15a - Introductory Mechanics and Relativity

Fall 2011 - Section 1

Lecture Review

Strategies for solving problems

Do things symbolically
Consider units: LTM or m s kg
Check limiting cases
Check order of magnitude

Standards of units

Time: s, length: m, mass: kg

1-D motion
x2 x1 x
Average velocity: ~v = t2 t1 = t
x dx
Instantaneous velocity: v = limt0 t = dt
v2 v1 v
Average acceleration a = t2 t1 = t
v dv d2 x
Instantaneous acceleration: v = limt0 t = dt = dt2
Distance as area
Constant acceleration
1
x(t) = x0 + v0 t + at2
2
v(t) = v0 + at
v 2 = v02 + 2a(x x0 )

Projectile motion

Velocity

vx = v0 cos
vy = v0 sin gt

Displacement

x = v0 cos t
1
y = v0 sin t gt2
2
v02
Range, R = g sin 2, reaches maximum at = 45

Consider the x and y components individually.

1
1. Dimensional Analysis
Consider an explosion and the ensuing spherical shock wave. Assume that the radius of the
wave depends only on the energy E, the density of the air ahead of the wave, and the time
t since the explosion. How does R depend on E, and t?
2. Approximations & limiting cases
A cone frustum has base radius b, top radius a, and height h as shown. Assuming that one
of the following quantities is the volume of the frustum. Which one is it?

a4 + b4
 
h 2 h 2 h 2 h
(a + b2 ), (a + b2 ), (a + ab + b2 ), , hab
3 2 3 3 a2 + b2

3. Taylor expansion
Consider a projectile subject to a drag force F~ = m~v . If it is fired with speed v0 at an
angle , it can be shown that the height as a function of time is given by
1 g
gt
y(t) = v0 sin + 1 et

Show that this reduces to the usual projectile expression,
1
y(t) = v0 sin t gt2
2
in the limit of small .
4. 1-D Motion
A car has an initial velocity v0 when the driver sees an obstacle in the road in front of him.
His reaction time is tr and the braking deceleration of the car is a. What is the total
stoping distance?
The yellow caution light on a traffic signal should stay on long enough to allow a driver
(a) pass through intersection
(b) safely stop before reaching the intersection
A can stop if its distance from intersection is greater than the stopping distance. The yellow
light show stay on long enough to allow the cars to pass entirely through the intersection.
How long should the light stay on for an intersection of length d.
5. Projectile motion
A plane is inclined at an angle below the horizontal. A person throws a ball with speed v0
from the surface of the plane. How far down along the plane does the ball hit, if the person
throws the ball a) perpendicular to the plane? b) horizontally?