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8 Steps to Solve Physics Problems. “You won’t always have to use these, but for now you do!”. Step 1: Draw a picture. Step 2: List the knowns. Time of trip = 45 minutes (1-1:45) Distance traveled = 30,000 meters. Step 3: Identify unknowns. Cyclist’s speed = ?
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8 Steps to Solve Physics Problems “You won’t always have to use these, but for now you do!”
Step 2: List the knowns • Time of trip = 45 minutes (1-1:45) • Distance traveled = 30,000 meters
Step 3: Identify unknowns • Cyclist’s speed = ? • Units will be: meters/ minute because of the known values
Step 4: Identify physics principle • Linear motion • This will be the same for all problems until we do other types of motion such as circular motion
Step 5: Select the formula • Speed = distance/ time • Use the triangle to help! D = S * T S = D/T T = D/S D S T
Step 6: Substitute known values Speed = Distance / Time Speed = 30,000 m / 45 min. 30,000 m / 45 min. = 667 m/min.
Step 7: Write down answer • Speed = 667 m/min.
Step 8: Check your work • 30,000 / 667 = 45 minutes • Or say that this is a reasonable speed!