Unit 1: Units, Displacement, & Velocity

Major Concepts

• Understand how to use the factor label method for unit conversions ( Using these conversions: 1000 mm=1m, 100 cm=1m, 1 km=1000 m,365 days=1 year, 24 hr=1 day, 60 min=1 hour, 60 sec=1 min)

• Understand difference between position, distance, and displacement

• Understand difference between positive and negative displacement

• Understand difference between origin and starting point

• Understand difference between speed and velocity

• Understand difference between positive and negative velocity

• Understand the difference between average and instantaneous velocity

• Understand how to interpret and create position vs. time graphs (A.K.A. distance vs. time)

• Understand how to find displacement, average velocity, and instantaneous velocity from a position vs. time graph

• Understand how to solve constant velocity problems (d=vt) using the methods discussed in class

When doing homework only use these conversion factors:

1000 mm=1m, 100 cm=1m, 1 km=1000 m,365 days=1 year, 24 hr=1 day, 60 min=1 hour, 60 sec=1 min

Problem Solving

1. READ THE PROBLEM!!!

2. Read it again

3. Translate the problem

4. Write down knowns and unknowns

-------Include units and variables

5. Write down the relationship between all of the RELEVANT variables (look out for distractors)

6. Algebraically solve for your unknown without numbers

7. Plug in your numbers WITH UNITS and get your answer WITH UNITS

Calculations of velocities on the wandering physics fan graphing homework