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Class02 APC Physics Lesson 1

The document discusses advanced graphing techniques in AP Physics C–Mechanics, focusing on how to analyze the motion of a toy cart rolling down a ramp. It explains how to plot position vs. time squared (x vs. t²) and velocity squared vs. displacement (v² vs. ∆x) to determine acceleration, as well as applications of these techniques in other physical relationships like Snell's law and pendulum motion. The key takeaway is that these plots can reveal whether acceleration is constant and provide insights into the underlying physics.

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10 views7 pages

Class02 APC Physics Lesson 1

The document discusses advanced graphing techniques in AP Physics C–Mechanics, focusing on how to analyze the motion of a toy cart rolling down a ramp. It explains how to plot position vs. time squared (x vs. t²) and velocity squared vs. displacement (v² vs. ∆x) to determine acceleration, as well as applications of these techniques in other physical relationships like Snell's law and pendulum motion. The key takeaway is that these plots can reveal whether acceleration is constant and provide insights into the underlying physics.

Uploaded by

George Luo (洛星Timer)
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Class 2A: Advanced Graphing Techniques

AP Physics C–Mechanics

Dr. Timothy Leung


Summer 2025
Meritus Academy

1
Advanced Graphing Technique: x vs. t2

A toy cart rolls down a ramp from rest (i.e. v0 = 0).


At regular distances, time is recorded. In this case,
the acceleration of the cart should be constant. Can
we determine the car’s acceleration?

Based on the data, we can plot an x–t graph. If, instead, we plot x–t2 , the graph would
Unfortunately this graph would not be very be linear, and the slope will tell us about
helpful in determining acceleration. the acceleration.
x t x x t2 x
x0 0 x 0 0
x 1 t1 x1 t12
.. .. .. ..
. . . .
t x t 2 t2
x N tN N N
2
Advanced Graphing Technique: x vs. t2

When we plot x as a function of t2 instead of a function of t, we are essentially doing


this to the kinematic equation (from a few slide ago):
1
x = x0 + a t2
y
2 x
b
m
and turning it into a linear function in the form y = mx + b that is familiar to everyone.
1
• The slope of the x vs. t2 graph is a (or acceleration is 2 times the slope)
2
• If the x vs. t2 graph is not linear, we will know that our assumption of constant
acceleration was incorrect, and that there are other factors that we neglected

3
Advanced Graphing Technique: v2 vs. ∆x

A toy cart rolls down a ramp. At regular positions x


along the ramp, the cart’s velocity v is recorded
instead. Again, acceleration should be constant. Can
we determine the car’s acceleration from the data?

Plotting the data would give us a v–x graph. But if we plot v2 vs. ∆x, the graph would be
Unfortunately (again) this graph would not linear, and the slope will give us
help us find the acceleration. information about acceleration.
x v v
v2 ∆x v2
x0 v 0 v 0 0
x1 v1 v 1 x1 − x0
.. .. .. ..
. . . .
x v x − x0 ∆x
xN vN N N
4
Velocity Squared vs. Displacement

If velocity and position are given, then the relationship would be best expressed using
this kinematic equation (we have studied a few slide ago):

v2 = v02 + 2a (x − x0 )
y b m x

by plotting v2 vs. ∆x = x − x0 , we again have a linear function in the form of


y = mx + b.
• The slope of the graph is two times the acceleration m = 2a (i.e. acceleration is
one half of the slope).
• The square of the initial velocity (v02 ) is the y-intercept
• If our assumption was incorrect (i.e. acceleration is not constant) then the line
would not be straight
5
Graphing “Linear” Functions: Example

This concept extends to graphing other physical relationships not related to kinematics.
For example, to find the index of refraction of a material using Snell’s law, we can plot
sin θ1 vs. sin θ2 (instead than θ1 vs. θ2 ). The slope is the ratio of the indices n1 /n2 :

n1
sin θ2 = sin θ1
n2
y x
m

In an experiment, we can vary the incident angle θ1 in a medium with a known index
(n1 ), and measure the corresponding refracted angle θ2 . Once the slope of the graph
(n1 /n2 ) is known, we can find n2 .

6
Graphing “Linear” Functions: Another Example

To relate the period of oscillation (the time it takes to swing√back and forth once) of a
simple pendulum to the length of the pendulum, plot T vs. ℓ:
2π √
T=√ ℓ
y
g x
m

or alternatively, by squaring both sides of the equation to relate T 2 to ℓ:


2
4π
 
T2 = ℓ
y
g x
m

We can change the length of the pendulum ℓ and measure the period T of the
oscillation.
7

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