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Handout - Probform

The document discusses problem solving in a physics class, providing guidelines for solving problems including showing work, using proper symbols and units, and explaining why it is important. It also provides an example of solving a physics problem step-by-step and responds to a question about dividing by zero.

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Cory Cain
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28 views

Handout - Probform

The document discusses problem solving in a physics class, providing guidelines for solving problems including showing work, using proper symbols and units, and explaining why it is important. It also provides an example of solving a physics problem step-by-step and responds to a question about dividing by zero.

Uploaded by

Cory Cain
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Physics 12 - Problem Solving

As you may have dreaded, physics will involve a good deal of problem solving. You will become a master problem
solver, which will, of course, bring you great success in physics, but the utility of problem solving is not limited to
science classes. It is of tremendous value in leading what you call your basic day-to-day life.

In this class, a good solid problem assault is more important than the actual answer. Let us look at a hypothetical
situation: you are solving a problem and have figured out a way to use the data, some equations, and everything is so
cool, except, you make a mistake (hey, it could happen!). One of your clumsy fingers hits the divide key instead of the
multiply key on your trusty calculator, so that you divide by 10 instead of multiplying by 10. You are off by a factor of
100! This is pretty bad - I mean you aren’t even close! But, in this class, if your method is correct, and I can see what
you were doing, you will suffer only a minor deduction in points for the problem.

Let us now imagine that you don’t show your work but have the right answer. This sounds outrageous, but the Institute
requires that your instructor deduct half the points! If your answer is wrong, then you will lose all points for the problem.
It is, therefore, in your best interest to learn how to use this problem solving format.

Problem Solving Guidelines:

1. Read the problem carefully at least twice.


2. Draw a diagram with labels.
3. Imagine a movie in your mind of what happens in the problem.
4. Identify basic physics principles, list knowns and unknowns.
5. Write down or develop equation (s) needed. Symbolically solve for unknown.
6. Substitute given values.
7. Get answer with proper units - questions to ask self:
 Do units match?
 Is answer reasonable?
 Is plus or minus sign proper or meaningful?

The Little Stuff: Science has conventions in which certain physical quantities are given specific letters or symbols to
represent them in equations. Velocity is "v" for example while volume is "V". Acceleration is always "a", the
acceleration of gravity on earth, being somewhat special, is given its own symbol, "g". In a math class when you solve a
problem, you could use any letter you wanted to represent the different things in the problem, but in physics, you should
use the proper agreed upon symbol. There are some symbols that aren’t agreed upon and the I will point these out. For
example, many sources use “d” for distance, the lovely AP pholks use “x”, sometimes “y”, sometimes “s”, and
occasionally an “r”. What a world.
You must show your work on all labs, tests, homework assignments . . . . in short, on everything.

On a test, there will be an automatic 2 point deduction for failure to have proper units. 2 points will be deducted for
improper significant figures. 2 points will be deducted for not using dimensional analysis. 2 points for not canceling
units. These points could add up! It is very frustrating to have done some work and gotten all the answers correct, but
because the work was not shown properly, the assigned grade is a "C" (or worse). Don't let this happen to you!

For each problem you solve, you must:

1. Write down the formulas that you will use.


2. Make a list of the knowns, unknowns, and constants appropriate to the problem.
3. Many problems have multiple parts – (a), (b), (c), etc. Organize your work the same way the problem is problem set
up.
4. Solve for the unknown (if necessary) using the terms in the formula. (This means manipulating the symbols in the
equation.)
5. Plug in the known values into the solved equation. Include all units and show how they cancel (if they do).
6. Write down your answer - make sure it has the correct units!
7. Make sure your answer has the correct number of significant figures.
8. Draw a circle or square or something around the final answer. This will be the answer that I will look at.
Every time that you write down a measurement (a number that represents some real physical thing) you should include
the units, you will lose valuable points for “neked" numbers.

Example: Here’s a simple chemistry problem. A gas occupies a volume of 2.50 L at a pressure of 1.25 atm. If the
pressure is changed to 5.75 atm what is the new volume?

1. Write down the equation (this would be Boyle’s law):

2. Write down the knowns and unknowns:

3. Now you must solve the equation for V2, the new volume:

note that no numbers have been used thus far.

3. Next, plug in the values for the data: (This is known as pluggin' and chuggin'.)

(Don't forget to cancel the units!)

4. Write down the answer:

5. It needs to have the proper number of significant figures, but this has been taken care of, so make a circle around it or
make a square around it or something:

That's all there is to it.

This is the way that the class is. This is the way you must solve problems. Things will not change. I do not want to hear
any whining about this. Accept it, learn it, adopt it, and make use of it. Do not cry about it. Students will be heard
saying things like: "How come I lost so many points? I got the right answer!" In a most indgnant voice. The answer is
simple.

I am amazingly good at finding little errors. The odd unit that wasn’t cancelled, the failure to have a unit on some
obscure number, the wrong number of significant figures, etc. There is not appeal from any of this, so learn how to solve
the problems properly and get on with your life.

Dear Doctor Science,


Why can't you divide by zero?
-- Kitty Evans, Des Moines, Iowa

Dr. Science responds:


I can and often do divide by zero, but only after I've made the necessary preparations. First of all,
I fast for 48 hours, consuming during that time only mildly fluoridated water. Next I do my
special Teflon division-by-zero suit. Then I put on my digitally recorded
compact disc of Gregorian chants and begin with dividing very small numbers by other very
small numbers. As the numbers get smaller, the sparks begin to fly. If all goes well, I take a deep
breath and divide a very small number by zero. There's a flash of light, a muffled roar, and when
I regain consciousness, the lab is filled with smoke and the
scent of burning Mylar. So, you see, you can by divide by zero if you really want to. Chances
are....you just don't want to badly enough.

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