Problem Solving Methodology

Read problem carefully

Draw a diagram, labeling everything you can
(cartoon, x-t, v-t diagram) Note: This is where you
make your choice of coordinates
Write down knowns and desired unknowns
Consider which concepts apply and unearth
corresponding equations (kinematics only here)
Kinematics: pick eqn based on knowns and wanted vs

Solve and voila!

Check units! And other sanity checks

Conceptual Questions
1) You are traveling in the +x-direction and start with a
speed of 10 km/hr and end up with a speed of 5 km/hr.
What is the sign of the acceleration?
positive
negative
zero
2) You are traveling in the +x-direction with initial
speed 5 km/hr and final speed 10 km/hr. What is the
sign of the acceleration?
positive
negative
zero
3) Traveling in x-direction with initial speed 5 km/hr
and final speed 10 km/hr. What is sign of acceleration?
positive
negative
zero

Conceptual Questions
4) A person on a rooftop tosses a coin straight
up and another straight down at the same initial
speed. Which coin hits the ground with greater
speed?
a) the one tossed up;
b) the one tossed down;
c) neitherthey hit with the same speed.

Conceptual Questions
5) Cop and speeder example:
a) Which of the following is true:
i) Both have same velocity at
ii) Both speed up all the time
iii) Both have same velocity at some time
before
iv) Both have same acceleration somewhere
on the graph

speeder

cop

b) The acceleration of the cop is

positive
negative

zero

Conceptual Questions
6) You throw an object upwards. Define up as positive.
Which of the following is a correct statement about its
motion at the top of its trajectory (highest point
reached)?
a) the velocity is zero and acceleration is zero
b) the velocity is negative and acceleration is negative
c) the velocity is zero and its acceleration changes from
positive to negative
d) the velocity is zero and acceleration is negative
e) velocity is positive and acceleration is negative

Answers
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)

negative
positive
negative
c)same speed
Cop and speeder
a) iii) both have same at some time before
b) positive

6) d) = 0, =