Introductory Physics with Algebra as a Second Language: Mastering Problem-Solving

Many students find it difficult to master the fundamental skills that are essential to succeeding in physics. Now with this helpful book, they'll quickly learn how to break physics down into basic steps. Author Stuart Loucks presents the material in a way that will motivate and empower them. He offers clear explanations of key concepts while examining the fundamental topics and approaches needed to solve algebra-based physics problems. Understand the basic language of physics Introductory Physics with Algebra as a Second Language™ will help you make sense of your textbook and class notes so that you can use them more effectively. The text explains key topics in algebra-based physics in clear, easy-to-understand language. Break problems down into simple steps Introductory Physics with Algebra as a Second Language™ teaches you to recognize details that tell you how to begin new problems. You will learn how to effectively organize the information, decide on the correct equations, and ultimately solve the problem. Learn how to tackle unfamiliar physics problems Stuart Loucks coaches you in the fundamental concepts and approaches needed to set up and solve the major problem types. As you learn how to deal with these kinds of problems, you will be better equipped to tackle problems you have never seen before. Improve your problem-solving skills You’ll learn timesaving problem-solving strategies that will help you focus your efforts and avoid potential pitfalls.

Table of Contents:
CHAPTER 1 THE BOTTOM LINE FOR SOLVING PHYSICS PROBLEMS 1 CHAPTER 2 LINEAR VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION 3 2.1 Linear Motion Equations 3 2.2 The Idea Behind How to Use Motion Equations 4 2.3 Constant/Average Speed or Velocity Problems 5 2.4 Constant/Average Speed or Velocity—Two Intervals, Same Direction 6 2.5 Constant/Average Speed or Velocity—Two Intervals, Direction Change 10 2.6 Constant/Average Speed or Velocity—Two Objects 13 2.7 How to Set Up Constant/Average Speed or Velocity Problems 15 2.8 Constant/Average Acceleration Problems 16 2.9 Constant/Average Acceleration—One Interval 17 2.10 Constant/Average Acceleration—Multiple Intervals 20 2.11 Constant/Average Acceleration—“Free-Fall” 22 2.12 Constant/Average Acceleration—Two Objects 27 2.13 How to Set Up Constant/Average Acceleration Problems 29 CHAPTER 3 VECTORS 31 3.1 Magnitude and Direction, and x- and y-Components 31 3.2 Vectors along One Axis 37 3.3 Vector Addition 38 3.4 How to Set Up Vector Problems 42 3.5 “Back Where You Started”—When Vectors Add to Zero 42 3.6 Subtracting Vectors, OR, When One of the Added Vectors Is Unknown 45 CHAPTER 4 PROJECTILE MOTION 49 4.1 Projectile Motion: Combining Three Basic Concepts 49 4.2 When Initial Velocity Is Horizontal 50 4.3 How to Set Up Projectile Motion Problems 55 4.4 When Final Velocity Is Horizontal (at Maximum Height) 56 4.5 When Initial and Final Heights Are Equal 61 4.6 When Both Initial and Final Velocities Are at Angles 62 CHAPTER 5 FORCE AND NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION 69 5.1 How to Draw a Free-Body Diagram (FBD) 70 5.2 Forces in 1D 72 5.3 How to Set Up Force Problems 75 5.4 Motion Intervals in Force Problems 76 5.5 Objects Connected by Strings, Ropes, and so on 80 5.6 Forces in 2D 83 5.7 Sliding—Kinetic Friction 86 5.8 “Just about to Slip”—Maximum Static Friction 90 5.9 Inclines or Ramps 93 5.10 Objects Pushing on Each Other 97 CHAPTER 6 CIRCULAR MOTION AND CENTRIPETAL FORCE 100 6.1 Tangential Speed and Centripetal Acceleration 100 6.2 Comparing Circular Motion at Two Different Radii 101 6.3 Comparing Circular Motion at Two Different Speeds 102 6.4 How to Set Up Circular Motion Comparison Problems 103 6.5 How to Think about Centripetal Force Problems 104 6.6 Circular Motion with a Horizontal String 105 6.7 How to Set Up Centripetal Force Problems 107 6.8 Circular Motion with a String at an Angle 107 6.9 Circular Motion on an Unbanked Road with Friction 111 6.10 Circular Motion on a Banked Road without Friction 113 6.11 Vertical Circular Motion—Lowest Point 117 6.12 Vertical Circular Motion—Highest Point, Upside-Down 118 6.13 Vertical Circular Motion—Highest Point, Right-Side-Up 121 CHAPTER 7 GRAVITATION AND ORBITS 123 7.1 Weight and g at a Planet’s Surface 123 7.2 Adding Gravitational Force Vectors 125 7.3 Circular Orbit Problems 129 7.4 Circular Orbit Equations 133 7.5 Comparing Orbits at Two Different Radii 134 CHAPTER 8 WORK AND ENERGY 136 8.1 Work Done by a Constant/Average Force 136 8.2 Work Problems—with Two or More Forces 137 8.3 Work Problems—when Forces Are Not Given 140 8.4 How to Set Up Work Problems 147 8.5 The Work-Energy Theorem—KE Only 148 8.6 How to Set Up Work-Energy Problems—KE only 153 8.7 Potential Energy, Conservative and Nonconservative Forces 154 8.8 The Work-Energy Theorem—KE and PE 155 8.9 How to Set Up Work-Energy Problems—KE and PE 161 8.10 Conservation of Energy—When Wnc = 0 162 8.11 How to Set Up Conservation of Energy Problems 166 8.12 How to Split Up a Difficult Problem 166 CHAPTER 9 IMPULSE, MOMENTUM, AND CENTER OF MASS 170 9.1 The Impulse-Momentum Theorem 170 9.2 1D Impulse and Momentum 172 9.3 2D Impulse and Momentum 174 9.4 How to Set Up Impulse and Momentum Problems 178 9.5 Conservation of Momentum 179 9.6 1D Collisions—Objects Coming Together 181 9.7 1D Explosions—Objects Pushing Apart 183 9.8 1D Elastic Collisions 185 9.9 2D Collisions 189 9.10 How to Set Up Conservation of Momentum Problems 195 9.11 Center of Mass 196 9.12 1D Center of Mass 196 9.13 2D Center of Mass 198 9.14 How to Set Up Center of Mass Problems 201 CHAPTER 10 ANGULAR VELOCITY AND ACCELERATION 202 10.1 How to Relate Angular and Tangential or Linear Quantities 202 10.2 Two-Object, Two-Circle Problems 204 10.3 How to Set up two-Object, Two-Circle Problems 208 10.4 Constant/Average Angular Velocity 209 10.5 How to Set Up Constant/Average Angular Velocity Problems 212 10.6 Constant/Average Angular Acceleration 212 10.7 Constant/Average Angular Acceleration—Multiple Intervals 215 10.8 Constant/Average Angular Acceleration—with Tangential or Linear Acceleration 218 10.9 Constant/Average Angular Acceleration—with Centripetal Acceleration 223 10.10 Summary of Angular Velocity and Acceleration Equations 226 10.11 How to Set Up Constant/Average Angular Acceleration Problems 227 CHAPTER 11 TORQUE AND EQUILIBRIUM 228 11.1 Torque 228 11.2 How to Set Up Torque Problems 231 11.3 Equilibrium for “Rigid” Bodies 232 11.4 Equilibrium—With Only 90° Angles 232 11.5 Equilibrium—With Non-90° Angles 245 11.6 How to Set Up Equilibrium Problems 251 CHAPTER 12 MORE ANGULAR MOTION 252 12.1 Moment of Inertia 252 12.2 Torque and Angular Acceleration Problems 254 12.3 How to Set Up Torque and Angular Acceleration Problems 259 12.4 Rotational Kinetic Energy and Conservation of Energy 259 12.5 Conservation of Angular Momentum 264 12.6 Conservation of Angular Momentum Problems—First Type 265 12.7 Conservation of Angular Momentum Problems—Second Type 268 12.8 How to Set Up Conservation of Angular Momentum Problems 271 INDEX 273

About the Author :
Stuart Loucks is a Professor of Physics at American River College in Sacramento, California.