Newton’s second law may be the most intuitive for students. The tutor offers some commentary. In high school, Newton’s second law is probably the most used of the three, since it’s the one with a formula: Fnet=ma where F=force (in …
Tutoring high school physics, this topic is important. The tutor introduces it. A problem that might be seen by a grade 11 physics student is the following: Imagine Isabel is reading a book in the sun on her second-floor backyard …
The tutor continues about the phenomenon of half life and one of its well-known applications. In my post from yesterday I introduced the topic of carbon dating and the principles that make it feasible. Today I’ll give a few more …
Tutoring science, and also for general interest, this topic is relevant. The tutor introduces it with an example. Most people realize that scientists can “date” animal or plant remains – that is, discover, approximately, when they died. How is it …
Tutoring physics 11, this topic comes up most years. The tutor introduces the formula that relates speed to wavelength and frequency. Most people know that what makes sounds different is that they have different frequencies. Moreover, a high pitched sound …
The tutor points out a surprise that dogged him, for a couple of minutes, with the Casio fx-260solar. For physics or chemistry calculations, scientific notation is handy. Let’s imagine you want to know what 0.8c is, in metres per second. …
Calculator hints: changing modes on the Casio fx-260solar Read more »
While giving a couple of numerical examples, the tutor reminisces about sound. When I was a kid I played baseball. In that town, there wasn’t much else to do except play it or watch it. The men played softball. I …
Tutoring physics, this is a matter of interest. The tutor discusses a topic that may also be of interest to space-philes…. On Earth, gravity is -9.8N/kg. The negative just means downward. Occasionally, as a kid, I’d see a sci-fi show …
Tutoring physics, gravity is perennial. The tutor explains the dilution of gravity that occurs on a slope. Everyone knows that a ball rolls more slowly down a slope than if it falls straight down. The gentler the slope, the more slowly …
From time to time, a tutor might get asked questions about electric circuits. In the context of tutoring or just for general interest, the maximum power transfer theorem is nice. I last studied electronics about twelve years ago. Ideas from …
Circuit analysis: The maximum power transfer theorem Read more »