http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/ 2026-04-21T08:12:16+00:00 http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/ http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/lib/tpl/bootstrap3/images/favicon.ico text/html 2014-07-08T13:20:42+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:constantv&rev=1404825642&do=diff Constant Velocity Motion Our job in mechanics is to predict motion. So, all the models and tools that we develop are aimed at achieving this goal. The simplest model of motion is for an object that moves in a straight line at constant speed. You can use this simple model to build your understanding about the basic ideas of motion, and the different ways in which you will represent that motion. At the end of these notes, you will find the position update formula, which is a useful tool for pred… text/html 2014-07-17T12:43:23+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:momentum_principle&rev=1405601003&do=diff The Momentum Principle The motion of a system is governed by the Momentum Principle. This principle describes how a system changes its motion when it experiences a net force. We observe that when objects move in a straight line at constant speed experience no net force. This observation is critical to our understanding of motion (This observation is often called $$\Delta \vec{p} = \vec{p}_f - \vec{p}_i = \vec{F}_{net} \Delta t$$$\Delta t$$\Delta t \rightarrow 0$$$\vec{F}_{net} = \dfrac{d\vec{p}… text/html 2014-07-08T12:31:05+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:momentum&rev=1404822665&do=diff Momentum A central principle of mechanics involves the relationship between momentum and force. In these notes, you will learn about the concept of momentum, and when it is ok to use the approximate form of the momentum vector. Changes in Motion When you observe an object's motion changing, you are typically paying attention to how it changes it position. The object can speed up, slow down, or change direction. Each of these changes are changes to the object's velocity. $$\vec{p} = \gamma m \… text/html 2014-07-08T12:35:23+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:motionpredict&rev=1404822923&do=diff Applying the Momentum Principle Your job in mechanics is to be able to predict or explain motion. Previously, you read about the position update formula, text/html 2014-06-19T02:33:27+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:relative_motion&rev=1403145207&do=diff Relative Motion All motion requires a frame of reference, an origin from which to make measurements of displacement, and thus velocity, and so on. In many cases, you can take the origin as fixed and make all measurements from that origin. but what happens, if you are on a plane, or a train, or in car? Below is a video made to demonstrate what happens when you compare measurements in fixed and moving reference frames.$\vec{v}_{T/G}$$\vec{v}_{B/T}$$\vec{v}_{B/G}$$\vec{v}_{B/G} = \vec{v}_{B/T} + \… text/html 2014-06-18T17:01:19+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:vectors&rev=1403110879&do=diff Scalars and Vectors Definitions Scalars: Quantities that can be represented by a single number. Typical examples include mass, volume, density, and speed. [Basic Vector Diagram] Vectors Quantities than have both a magnitude and direction. Typical examples include displacement, velocity, momentum, and force. $\vec{r}$$$ \mathbf{r} = \vec{r} = \langle r_x, r_y, r_z \rangle $$$r_x$$r_y$$r_z$$x$$y$$z$$\vec{r}$$\vec{r}$$$r = | \vec{r} | = \sqrt{r_x^2+r_y^2+r_z^2}$$$$ \hat{r} = \dfrac{\vec{r}}{|\ve… text/html 2014-06-25T15:54:57+00:00 Anonymous (anonymous@undisclosed.example.com) http://msuperl.org/wikis/pcubed/doku.php?id=course_planning:course_notes:vpython&rev=1403711697&do=diff Software for Projects In class, you will make use of VPython and PhysUtil to model the motion of different physical systems. Both bits of software have extensive documentation. Listed below are some of the things that each bit of software can do. VPython VPython is built from the Python programming language. It adds some features that were traditionally difficult to have Python do. With very little code, VPython can: