September 3rd, 2015

Ms Perez
August Summary and Study Guide
During this month we focused on Basic Mechanics which covered weight, volume, density,
velocity and acceleration, force, work and power. We learned about the differences between
velocity, speed and acceleration, and the differences between matter, mass and weight. We also
talked about the three Laws of Newton (the law of inertia, the law of Action and Reaction and
the law of Gravitational Force) and we put a lot of attention to the SI system and MKS and CGS
system of units.
When talking about density we learned that density equals mass over volume:

(If given a longer problem)

Ex. A brick of salt measuring 10.0 cm x 10.0 cm x 2.0 cm weighs 433 grams. What is its density?
Density is the amount of mass per unit volume, or:
Density = mass/Volume
If we have a shorter problem:

Step 1: Calculate Volume

Volume = length x width x thickness
Volume = 10.0 cm x 10.0 cm x 2.0 cm
Volume = 200.0 cm3
Step 2: Determine density

Mass = 3.9 grams

Volume= 60 cm3
Density= mass / volume
Density= 3.9 g / 60 cm3
Density = 0.065 g/cm3

Density = mass/Volume
Density = 433 g/200.0 cm3
Density = 2.165 g/cm3
Answer: The density of the salt brick is 2.165 g/cm3.

Also when talking about velocity we learned that the rate at

which an object changes its position, speed is refers to "how fast
an object is moving and acceleration refers to the rate at which
an object changes its velocity. We also made a difference
between constant velocity and constant acceleration. Constant
velocity is the velocity that doesnt change with time while
Constant acceleration is when the velocity is changing in a
constant amount each time.
Ex. ( see the panel to the left)

Calculating Velocity:
For example: If you traveled 50 miles in 1 hour going west, then your velocity would be 50 miles/ 1 hour
westwards, or 50 mph westwards.

And if the velocity problem is given in long form or asks for another measurement like for
example distance or time? You just play with the formula.
Ex. Polar bears are extremely good swimmers and can travel as long as 10 hours without
resting. If a polar bear is swimming with an average speed of 2.6 m/s, how far will it have
traveled after 10.0 hours?
Step 1. List the given and unknown values.
Given:
speed, v = 2.6 m/s
time, t = 10.0 h = 10.0 h 3600 s/h = 3600 s
Unknown: distance, d = ? m
Step 2. Rearrange the velocity equation to solve for distance.
velocity =distance / time
v=d/t
d = vt
Step 3. Substitute speed and time values into the equation, and solve.
d = 2 6. m/s (3600 s)
d = 9360m

Calculating acceleration:
Ex. Determine the acceleration of a coaster which moves with a velocity of 10 m/s, after 2s its velocity
is increases to 26 m/s.
Solution:
The given data is:
vf = 26m/s ,
vi = 10 m/s ,
a = (vfvi) / t
a = (2610)/ 2 = 16/2 = 8 m/s2

t=2s

What will happen if:

I need final velocity?

I need initial velocity?

I need time?
Time = (final velocity initial velocity ) / acceleration

Forces applied:
When moving an object you apply the force of friction
Force of friction = (coefficient of friction) x (normal force)
Force of friction = (coefficient of friction) x (mass x gravity)
Ex. A large block of ice is being pulled across a frozen lake. The block of ice has a mass of 250 kg. The
coefficient of friction between two ice surfaces is small: k = 0.05. What is the force of friction that is
acting on the block of ice?
Answer: On a flat surface, the normal force on an object is = mg. Using this, the formula can be used
to find the force of friction:
Ff =
Ff= force of friction
Ff = mg
= coefficient of friction
Fk = (0.05)(250 kg)(9.8 m/s2)
= normal force
Fk = 122.5 kgm/s2
Fk = 122.5 N

Practice:
1. A roller coaster car rapidly picks up speed as it rolls down a slope. As it starts down the slope, its
speed is 4 m/s. But 3 seconds later, at the bottom of the slope, its speed is 22 m/s. What is its average
acceleration?
2. A cyclist accelerates from 0 m/s to 8 m/s in 3 seconds. What is his acceleration? Is this
acceleration higher than that of a car which accelerates from 0 to 30 m/s in 8 seconds?
3. A car advertisement states that a certain car can accelerate from rest to 70 km/h in 7 seconds. Find
the cars average acceleration.
4. A lizard accelerates from 2 m/s to 10 m/s in 4 seconds. What is the lizards average acceleration?
5. A runner covers the last straight stretch of a race in 4 s. During that time, he speeds up from 5 m/s
to 9 m/s. What is the runners acceleration in this part of the race?
6. You are traveling in a car that is moving at a velocity of 20 m/s. Suddenly, a car 10 meters in front of
you slams on its brakes. At that moment, you also slam on your brakes and slow to 5 m/s. Calculate the
acceleration if it took 2 seconds to slow your car down.
7. What is the mass of a 350 cm3 sample of pure silicon with a density of 2.336 g/cm3 ?
8. A student finds a rock on the way to school. In the laboratory he determines that the volume of the
rock is 22.7 cm3 , and the mass is 39.943 g. What is the density of the rock?
9. The density of lead is 11.342 g/cm3 . What would be the volume of a 200.0 g sample of this metal?
10. The density of silver is 10.49 g/cm3 . If a sample of pure silver has a volume of 12.993 cm3, what
would the mass be?
11. A dustbin of mass 12 kg standing on horizontal ground is pushed by a horizontal force of 40 N. If the
coefficient of friction is 0.4. What is the Force of friction?