Honors Physics Summer Assignment

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Nelson Barber
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1 Honors Physics Summer Assignment Dear future Honors Physics students, I m very excited to have you in Honors Physics next year! In this class we will study the world around us, delving into questions like what causes rainbows?, how does a roller coaster work?, and why is the sky blue? (just to name a few!) To get you ready for our year together, it s time to brush up on some math. While physics is different from math (and much more interesting in my opinion ) it will be a very useful tool to our studies. In order for you to succeed in Honors Physics, you ll need to be able to express and manipulate your thoughts in mathematical terms. To help you brush up on your math skills, I ve created the following document that reviews the skills necessary for a successful year in Honors Physics. All of the math included here should be familiar to you from your previous math courses. At the end of this review document is a worksheet you are required to complete and turn in on the first day of class. Please complete this worksheet on a separate sheet of paper, and make sure to show your work!!! In the fall, I will expect that you ll know how to tackle these problems and we can focus our energy on physics. Enjoy your summer! You can contact me via at mnunez@ursulineacademy.org if you have any questions.

2 Algebra Skills Skill #1: Solve an equation for any variable. Throughout the year, we ll be rearranging formulas and equations to solve for the variable we want to know. Refresh your algebra skills with the following example problems: Example #1: Suppose we want to know the height, h, in the following formula: Step 1: Divide by sides of the equation by : Step 2: Reduce the fraction: Result: Example #2: Suppose we want to know the radius, r, in the following equation: Step 1: Multiply both sides of the equation by r: Step 2: Reduce the fraction: Step 3: Divide both sides of the equation by to isolate r: Step 4: Reduce the fraction: Result: Example #3: Given the equation, solve for the initial velocity, Step 1: Subtract from both sides of the equation: Step 2: Take the square root of both sides of the equation: Result:

3 Example #4: Solve for the angle given the equation Step 1: Divide both sides to isolate : Step 2: Reduce the fraction: Step 3: Take the inverse sine (sin -1 ) of both sides of the equation: Result: Skill #2: Be able to take a multiplicative expression to a power Example #1: Example #2: Example #3: Science Skills Skill #3: Convert a number into scientific notation, as well as from scientific notation into standard form. Example #1: 12,345 m/s = x 10 4 m/s Example #2: m = 1.5 x 10 7 m Example #3: 1/1000 s = 1 x 10-3 s Example #4: x 10 5 Hz = 1,343,000 Hz Example #5: 6.24 x 10-7 N = N Skill #4: Know the unit prefixes!!! You need to memorize the following chart: Prefix Abbreviation Power Pico- p Nano- n 10-9 Micro- µ 10-6 Milli- m 10-3 Centi- c 10-2 Kilo- k 10 3 Mega- M 10 6 Giga- G 10 9

4 Skill #5: Be able to convert between prefixes. Example #1: Convert 37 km to m: Example #2: Convert 1.6 ns to s: Example #3: Convert 420 µg to kg: Example #4: Convert 21.2 km/hr to m/s: Example #5: Convert 203 km 2 to m 2 : ***Pay close attention to examples #4 & 5 above they re the most commonly missed types!!!*** Geometry/Trigonometry Skills Skill #6: Know sin, cos & tan and how to apply them to find the side of right triangle Example #1: Given the following right triangle, find x and y with the information given. y x 12 m 55 o Example #2: Given the following right triangle, find the value of. 15 θ 75

5 Practice Problems These problems are due on the first day of school. Please complete them on a separate piece of paper as they will be turned in and graded. Make sure you show your work! You will also be quizzed on your knowledge of these important skills. For problems #1 15, please use scientific notation in your answer if the exponent is <-3 or >3 (i.e. if your number is or larger or or smaller) g = kg nm = m 3. 5 µm = mm pm = nm cm 2 = m Gm = pm Ms = µs 8. 8 Mm = Gm km/h = m/s 10. A human hair is approximately 50 µm in diameter. Express this diameter in meters. 11. If a radio wave has a period of 1 µs, what is the wave s period in seconds? 12. A Hydrogen atom has a diameter of about 10 nm. a. Express this diameter in meters. b. Express this diameter in millimeters. c. Express this diameter in micrometers. 13. The distance between the sun and Earth is about 1.5 x m. Express this distance in kilometers. 14. The average mass of an automobile in the United States is about x 10 6 g. Express this mass in kilograms. 15. From UA, the nearest Starbucks is 1.9 miles. (1 mile = km) a. How many meters away is that? b. (Bonus) If you drove an average of 35 miles/hour from UA to get to Starbucks, how long would it take you? For #16 20, solve for the unknown variable, making sure to show your work for each step! 16. Given solve for a. 17. Given solve for v. 18. Given solve for r. 19. Given solve for m. 20. Given solve for θ. For #21 & 22, simplify the expression

6 For #23& 24, find the unknown for the given triangle N y x 25 o m R 3 m θ 25. Use the internet or any other resource available to you to answer the following questions: a. What is the standard unit for length? b. What is the standard unit for time? c. What is the standard unit for mass?

Name: Class: Date: individually OFFICIAL USE ONLY Total Grade

Name: Class: Date: individually OFFICIAL USE ONLY Total Grade Name: Class: Date: Welcome to AP Physics 1! It is a college level Physics course that is fun, interesting and challenging on a level you ve not yet experienced. This summer assignment will review all of