Solving Physics Problems
9/20/13
Bellwork
• Which of the following is not a vector?
– Displacement, Time, Acceleration or
Velocity
The RIDGES Strategy
• R – Read
• I – Identify & Information
• D – Draw
• G – Generate
• E – Evaluate & Equation(s)
• S – Solve
The RIDGES Strategy with
T-Charts
• R – Read the problem carefully!
• I – Identify what you are looking for and
•
•
•
•
the Information that is given.
(1 & 2 in T-Chart)
D – Draw a picture of the problem.
G – Generate a plan (T-Chart)
E – Evaluate the Equation(s) that can help
solve the problem (3 T-Chart)
S – Solve the problem and answer with the
appropriate units (4 & 5 in T-Chart)
What Equation Do I Use?
• The “I” in RIDGES and boxes 1 and 2
in the T-Chart answers this question!
• You need to know what you are
looking for and what is given to
determine the equation.
• Sometimes the variable you are
looking for will not be isolated
(i.e.) it is on the right side in the
equation
Key Words and Clues
• Time – How long, duration, etc.
look for units (s, min, hr, ms)
• Distance/Displacement – How far,
what height, depth, length,
dimensions, etc.
look for units (m, cm, km, miles)
Key Words and Clues
• Velocity – How fast, what speed,
traveling, going, etc.
look for units (m/s, km/hr, ft/s, mph)
• Acceleration – Speeds up, slows down
look for units (m/s2, ft/s2)
Due Dates and Calendar
• Tues. (9/24): S.G. #169-176 and
Free Fall Problems
• Wed. (9/25): Linear Motion Review
• Thurs. (9/26): Test - Part 1
– Multiple Choice, Short Answer, Vectors
and Scaling
• Friday (9/27): Test - Part 2
– Velocity, Acceleration and Free Fall
Problems
Monday?
• There is a lot due next week for this
class
• If you are using you time wisely then
I’ll give you time to work on Monday
• If you are not work on my
assignment then I’ll move onto
projectile motion on Monday
Examples
• EX 1) A car is traveling at 24.1 m/s along
•
•
the highway when it enters a construction
zone where it slows down to 8.75 m/s in
5.21 s. What is the cars acceleration?
EX 2) On the Moon, a feather is dropped
from a height of 1.44 m, and takes 1.31
seconds to hit the ground. Determine the
acceleration of gravity on the Moon.
EX 3) At what speed will a softball hit the
ground if it is dropped from the bleachers
that are at a height of 6.7 m?