AP PHYSICS 1 - SUMMER ASSIGNMENT FOR 2016-2017

Dear Student:

The AP physics course you have signed up for is designed to prepare you for a superior
performance on the AP test. To complete material in the textbook and still have fun, exciting
and educational labs and associated lab reports we must pass quickly through dimensional
analysis other basic topics.

I have included copies of chapters 1 and 2 of your textbook, a website to use and some basic
Math questions, to warm you up for the beginning of fall semester with the following summer
assignment.

No textbook is needed to complete the assignment but you are expected to have a text book on
the first day of class. This summer assignment is due on 8-10-2016 at the beginning of class. The
summer assignment is worth 100 homework points, written on a separate paper, with clear
headings and your name. I will not accept summer assignment after the beginning of the
lesson. Have it ready to hand in.

There will be a quiz on that first day of class. The text book has answers to the problems; if you
have the book you can check your answers and do corrections.

Note if insufficient work is shown because it was all done on your calculator, your calculator will
be credited with half the points for the summer assignment.

I will be available during the summer holidays at the following times June 17th till July 1st and
from August 7th; you may contact me by e-mail to make arrangements to meet if you are
having problems with the assignment. You should aim to start the assignment as soon as
possible and to complete it before July 1st.

Sincerely

Mr D. Darling

[email protected]
The Summer assignment is listed below:

DUE DATE PREPARATION ASSIGNMENT

Turned in on Go to the following web site: A. Take 1 page of notes on each
the first day http://www.aplusphysics.com/courses/ap- video. Use the ‘print screen’
of class 1/AP1_Physics.html option on your computer to
View the following videos: capture images that you want to
• Introduction What Is Physics? include.
B. Second page: The videos have
• Math Review some example problems. Write
down each question and each of
1. Significant Figures your answers. Include any
2. Scientific Notation calculations for math problems.
3. Metric System Note the web site is an excellent
4. Vectors and Scalars resource and you should use it
throughout the year.
• Mechanics ,Kinematics

1. Defining Motion
2. Graphing Motion
3. Kinematic Equations
4. Free Fall

This is your first test in fully reading directions!

Now read the box to the right on what you need
to turn in.→→→

Turned in on Complete all eight parts of the math review Show all your work. Write neatly and
the first day pages included in this packet. There are 19 clearly. Show steps.
of class pages altogether.
I have copied chapter 1 and 2 for you to use Your outlines should include key words
during the summer. You must have the with definitions, equations, units; you
Turned in on may use diagrams etc. from the book.
textbook by the first day in school.
the first day These are your notes; you are expected
of class to outline each chapter during the course.
1st read chapter 1, outline the chapter and do
When answering questions show all your
questions on pages 28 to 32: questions 3, 5, 7, work. Write neatly and clearly. Show
13, 19, 21, 23, 31, 43, 47, 61 and 65. steps. If you have the text book you will
find the solutions in the back, use the
2nd read chapter 2, outline the chapter and do solutions to check your answers. Make a
questions on pages 58 and 59 Multiple choice note of questions you are not sure about
questions 1 to 20. Page 59 conceptual even after looking at the answers; ask
about these questions in class.
questions 1, 9, 6, 12, and 16. Page 60 to 66,
questions:1,3,5,7,11,13,23,33,43,59.
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1. AP Physics – math review

PART I. SOLVING EQUATIONS

Solve the following equations for the quantity indicated.

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1. y = at 2 Solve for t
2

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2. x = vo t + at 2 Solve for vo
2

3. v = 2ax Solve for x

v f − vo
4. a = Solve for t
t

v f − vo
5. a = Solve for vf
t

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m1m2
6. F = k Solve for r
r2

m1m2
7. F = k Solve for m2
r2

L
8. T = 2π Solve for L
g

L
9. T = 2π Solve for g
g

1 1 1
10. = + Solve for di
f d o di

1 2
11. qV = mv Solve for v (not V and v are not the same quantity)
2

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PART II. SCIENTIFIC NOTATION

The following are ordinary physics problems. Write the answer in scientific notation and
simplify the units.

4.5×10-2 kg
1. Ts = 2π =
2.0×103 kg s 2

1 2
2. K =
2
( )(
6.6×10 2 kg 2.11×104 m s ) =

N ⋅ m 2  (3.2 x10−9 C)(9.6 x10−9 C) 

3. F = 9 x10−9  =
C2  (0.32 m)2 

1 1 1
4. = + Rp =
Rp 4.5 × 10 Ω 9.4 ×10 2 Ω
2

5. e=
(1.7×10 J ) - ( 3.3×10 J ) =
3 2

(1.7×10 J )
3

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6. (1.33) sin 25.0o = (1.50 ) sin θ θ=

7. K max = (6.63 × 10-34 J ⋅ s)(7.09 × 1014 s -1 ) - (2.17 × 10-19 J)=

1
8. γ = =
2.25 ×108 m s
1−
3.00 × 108 m s

PART III. FACTOR-LABEL METHOD FOR CONVERTING UNITS

A very useful method of converting one unit to an equivalent unit is called the factor-label
method of unit conversion. You may be given the speed of an object as 25 km/h and wish to
express it in m/s. To make this conversion, you must change km to m and h to s by multiplying
by a series of factors so that the units you do not want will cancel out and the units you want will
remain. Conversion: 1000 m = 1 km and 3600 s = 1 h,

 25 km   1000 m   1 h 
   =
 h   1 km   3600 s 

What is the conversion factor to convert km/h to m/s?

What is the conversion factor to convert m/s to km/h?

Carry out the following conversions using the factor-label method. Show all your work!

1. How many seconds are in a year?

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2. Convert 28 km to cm.

3. Convert 45 kg to mg.

4. Convert 85 cm/min to m/s.

5. Convert the speed of light, 3x108 m/s, to km/day.

6. Convert 823 nm to m

7. 8.8x10-8 m to mm

8. 1.5x1011 m to µm

9. 7.6 m2 to cm2

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10. 8.5 cm3 to m3

PART IV. TRIGONOMETRY AND BASIC GEOMETRY

Solve for all sides and all angles for the following triangles. Show all your work.

Example:
SOH CAH TOA

opp adj opp

sin θ = cos θ = tan θ =
hyp hyp adj

Your calculator must be in degree mode! Show all your work.

1. θ = 55o and c = 32 m, solve for a and b

2. θ = 45o and a = 15 m/s, solve for b and c.

3. b= 17.8 m and θ = 65o, solve for a and c.

4. Line B touches the circle at a single point. Line A extends through the center of the circle.

What is line B in reference to the circle?

B

How large is the angle between lines A and B?

A

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What is line C?

5. Write down the magnitude of θ

θ
º
30

6. The radius of a circle is 5.5 cm,

a. What is the circumference in meters?

b. What is its area in square meters?

7. What is the area under the curve below? Show your work and include the appropriate units.

v (m/s)
4

20 t (s)
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PART V. GRAPHING TECHNIQUES

Graph the following sets of data using proper graphing techniques.

The first column refers to the y-axis and the second column to the x-axis

1. Plot a graph for the following data recorded for an object falling from rest:

Velocity Time
(ft/s) (s)
32 1
63 2
97 3
129 4
159 5
192 6
225 7

a. What kind of curve did you obtain?

b. What is the relationship between the variables?

c. What do you expect the velocity to be after 4.5 s?

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d. How much time is required for the object to attain a speed of 100 ft/s?

2. Plot a graph showing the relationship between frequency and wavelength of electromagnetic
waves:

Frequency Wavelength
(kHz) (m)
150 2000
200 1500
300 1000
500 600
600 500
900 333

a. What kind of curve did you obtain?

b. What is the relationship between the variables?

c. What is the wavelength of an electromagnetic wave of frequency 350 Hz?

d. What is the frequency of an electromagnetic wave of wavelength 375 m?

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3. In an experiment with electric circuits the following data was recorded. Plot a graph with the
data:

Current Power
(A) (W)
1.0 1.0
2.5 6.5
4.0 16.2
5.0 25.8
7.0 50.2
8.5 72.0

a. What kind of curve did you obtain?

b. What is the relationship between the variables?

c. What is the power when the current is 3.2 A?

d. What is the current when the power is 64.8 W?

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Part VI Solving quadratic equations:

Solve each of the following quadratic equations. Obtain your answers in surd, not decimal,
form.

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Part VII Graphs

Types of graphs
Graphs are VERY important in physics because they show patterns between variables.
A straight line graph that starts from the (0,0) point is the best proof that two variables
are directly proportional.
Straight line graph
You should know from your math that the general equation for a straight line is
y = ax + b , where a is the gradient of the graph and b is the point that the line
cuts the y-axis.

b a

You must also know from your maths the equation for a hyperbola, a parabola, an
ellipse etc. Make your own table including all the graph shapes you know and their
functions. Make sure you include the logarithmic and exponential functions. Search on
line to find examples in Physics.
Function Graph Example in physics

y = ax + b

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How to choose the right graph for plotting

Although the above list is important, when it comes to finding a relationship between two
variables the only graph that can show this very clearly is the straight line graph.

EXAMPLE
Let’s say that you want to prove the relationship between the kinetic energy of an object
and its velocity. You plot velocity on the x-axis and kinetic energy on the y-axis. You will
get a curve which as you now is a parabola (since the kinetic energy is directly
proportional to the square of the velocity).
Now let’s say you do another experiment that, unknown to you, also follows the same
pattern. You will also get a curve when you plot the graph. Will you be able to recognize
that this is a parabola? What if it is a curve that is very close to a parabola but not
quite?
What can you do to be sure that you have cracked the relationship?
Think again about the example above. If instead of plotting kinetic energy against
velocity you plot kinetic energy against velocity squared what will you get? You will get
a straight line through zero! Moreover, you will be certain that the relationship is that:
the kinetic energy is directly proportional to the velocity squared.
So what have we learned so far?
ALWAYS AIM AT PLOTTING TWO VARIABLES THAT WILL GIVE
YOU A STRAIGHT LINE!
Here are some examples:
• To prove that resistance R is inversely proportional to cross sectional area A , plot
1
R against . This should give you a straight line.
A
• To prove that the square of the period T of a pendulum is directly proportional to its
2
length l plot either T against l or T against l

NOW TRY THIS!

1. The pendulum equation is:

l
T = 2π
g
a) What variables should you plot against each other in order to prove that the period of the
pendulum does not depend on its mass? What will the shape of this graph be?

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b) What variables should you plot against each other to prove that the period depends on
the gravitational field strength as shown by the equation?

2. The universal gravitational law is given by the equation:

mM
F = −G
r2
a) What variables should you plot against each other in order to prove that the attractive
force (F)is directly proportional to both masses (mM) of the objects?

b) What variables should you plot against each other in order to prove that the attractive
force is inversely proportional to the distance squared (r2) between the objects?

The significance of the gradient

During your coursework you will be asked to decide which graphs to plot in order to
show a relationship or to calculate a physical constant.
We have already noted how important it is to aim at plotting a graph that will end up
being a straight line. This gives you a definite answer about the relationship between
the two variables. But there is more to it. The gradient of this line will give you
information about a constant in your experiment.
EXAMPLE
Let’s say that you want to measure the gravitational field strength of Earth with a
2
pendulum. You vary the length and measure the period. You then decide to plot T

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against l . The graph will be a straight line. What will its gradient be? To find this,
compare the pendulum equation with the straight line equation as shown below:
2 2 l
T = 4π
g
y = ax + b
2
I hope you can see that y corresponds to T , x corresponds to l , b
2
4π
corresponds to zero, and a corresponds to . This tells you that once you
g
2
4π
measure the gradient from your graph you will know the value of and you will
g
then be able to calculate g from this as:
2
4π 4π 2
gradient = ⇒ g =
g gradient
NOW TRY THIS!
Try to find the gradient in all the situations listed below. The first three have been done
for you.

Equation Plot y against x gradient Constant

V x − axis : current gradient = R (for a fixed
R= R
I y − axis : voltage
resistor)
V x − axis : voltage 1 (for a fixed
R= gradient = R
I y − axis : current R
resistor)
F x − axis : force l
gradient =
y − axis : extension EA l
E = A E=
A × gradient
x
l
(Young’s modulus)
ρL x − axis : L gradient = ρ=
R=
A y − axis : R
(resistivity)
ρL 1 gradient = ρ=
R= x − axis :
A A
y − axis : R (resistivity)
1 2 x − axis : v 2 gradient = F=
mv = Fs
2 y − axis : s
(stopping distance- (fricition)
velocity relationship)

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xd = λ L 1 gradient = λ=
(double slit x − axis :
d
interference) y − axis : x (wavelength)
xd = λ L x − axis : L gradient = λ=
(double slit y − axis : x
interference) (wavelength)
Apart from its use as explained above, the gradient in all lines (curved or straight)
corresponds to the derivative of the function you plot. This is why if you plot time on
the x-axis and displacement on the y-axis the gradient corresponds to the velocity of the
object. If the line is curved the gradient does not stay the same, which means that it is
equal to the instantaneous velocity of the object.
For the same reason if you plot time on the x-axis and velocity on the y-axis the gradient
corresponds to the acceleration of the object. If the line is curved the gradient does not
stay the same, which means that it is equal to the instantaneous acceleration of the
object.

The significance of the area under a graph

The area between a graph of y = f(x) and the x-axis is equal to the definite integral of
the function. This formula gives a positive result for a graph above the x-axis, and a
negative result for a graph below the x-axis. [9]
This is why the area under a velocity-time graph is equal to the distance covered by the
object.
If the graph is a straight line then the area under can be calculated very precisely as the
area of a triangle or trapezium etc. If the line is a curve, the area is often estimated to a
good precision before it can give you some useful information.

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Part VIII Word problems

Have a look at these word problems and try to solve them.
Problem 1
Anna has 800 apples in baskets. Each basket holds 16 apples. How many baskets
does she have?

Problem 2
John has 147 pears in 21 baskets. How many baskets does he need for 14 pears?

Problem 3
The weight of a 50.0 kg person on the moon is 80.0N. How much would a 72.0 kg
person weigh on the moon?

Problem 4
When stereo sound information is transmitted through a cable, 32 bits are sent every
22.7µs. Calculate how many bits you can send during 2 seconds (2 s = 2 x 106 µs)

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