equations of motion – worked examples

I’ve had a request to post some worked examples of the equations of motion. I’ve done these quickly as handwritten examples with red pen down the side to explain what I have done at each step. I’ll post them as 5 different blog entries so that iTunes will pick up all the pdf files – you only get one file per blog post on iTunes.

If you want any extra practice at these, you have the P&N problem booklet at home. Alternatively, you could be adventurous and look at the blue text book end of chapter questions or even a past paper – you have completed Unit 1 after all!

Higher HW download has been fixed

Sara pointed out this afternoon that there was a problem with the iTunes HW I put online last night.  I think the file was currupted when I uploaded it because it wouldn’t work for me either!

I have sent it up to the server again and it seems to work on both mac and pc.  Can you delete the old one from your iTunes library if you downloaded it last night or this morning and try again.  Please leave a comment if it still won’t work for you.

Higher HW questions for Wed 12 November

Here is your homework for next Wednesday (12th November).  I have taken these questions from a SQA source to illustrate the various formats used for examination questions at Higher.  You should attempt all 7 questions.

The first 5 questions are a selection of different styles of multiple choice question.  I have chosen questions to test aspects of unit 1 that we have already covered.  You should show all of your working for these questions, do not answer by simply writing a letter A-E.  

The next 2 questions demonstrate the longer exam style.  These are representative of the questions you may meet in a NAB or Section B of an exam.  Again, show all working.

significant figures

In our discussions yesterday, one of the things that cropped up was that we need to revise the material covered before the summer holidays.  I thought I would make a start on this by looking at significant figures.  

You might have heard me referring to “calculator vomit” in class.  This is an expression I use whenever people simply write down the answer provided by their calculator, without thinking about whether or not the number of decimal places reported is appropriate.  In Physics, we can avoid “calculator vomit” by using significant figures.  I’ve provided some links below to direct you to sites that explain what significant figures are and how to use them. 

http://www.ausetute.com.au/sigfig.html

http://www.chem.sc.edu/faculty/morgan/resources/sigfigs/index.html

http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/numbers/numsig.html

http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~mb55/msc/maths/sigfig.htm

 

If you’ve read through some of those pages and feel that you are ready for a test, you can try your luck at

http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/applist/sigfig/sig.htm

Note: these links might also be useful for AH pupils analysing their investigation data.