2. Problem Solving and Estimation

• Course Home
• Syllabus
• Introduction to Mechanics

  • 1. Units and Dimensional Analysis
  • 2. Problem Solving and Estimation
• Mathematics: The Language of Science

  • 3. Cartesian Coordinates and Vectors
• Translational Kinematics

  • 4. One-Dimensional Kinematics and Free Fall
  • 5. One-Dimensional Kinematics: Non-Constant Acceleration
  • 6. Two-Dimensional Kinematics
• Force and Newton's Laws of Motion

  • 7. Concept of Force
  • 8. Applications of Newton's Second Law
• Circular Motion

  • 9. Circular Motion Kinematics
  • 10. Circular Motion Dynamics
• Conservation of Energy

  • 11. Work and Energy
  • 12. Work and the Dot Product
  • 13. Potential Energy
  • 14. Application of Energy Conservation
  • 15. Mechanical Energy and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
• Momentum

  • 16. Momentum and Impulse
  • 17. Systems, Center of Mass, and Conservation of Momentum
  • 18. Collision Theory
  • 19. Continuous Mass Flow
• Two-Dimensional Rotational Motion

  • 20. Two-Dimensional Rotational Kinematics
  • 21. Two-Dimensional Rotational Dynamics
  • 22. Torque and the Simple Harmonic Oscillator
  • 23. Static Equilibrium
• Angular Momentum

  • 24. Angular Momentum
  • 25. Conservation of Angular Momentum
• Rotation and Translation

  • 26. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Kinematics
  • 27. Two-Dimensional Rotation and Translation Dynamics
• Central Force Motion

  • 28. Central Force Motion and the Kepler Problem
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Learning Objectives

• Be able to explain what the approximate nature of order of magnitude calculations.
• Be able to apply a methodology for solving estimation problems. In particular,
  • Be able identify a set of quantities that can be estimated or calculated.
  • Be able to identify an approximate or exact relationship between these quantities and the quantity to be estimated in the problem.

Preparation

Course Notes

Notes: Problem Solving Strategies and Estimation (PDF)

Suggested Textbook Reading (Optional)

Chapter 1.5-1.6. Young, Hugh D., Roger A. Freedman, and A. Lewis Ford. Sears and Zemansky's University Physics: with Modern Physics. 12th ed. San Francisco, CA: Addison-Wesley, 2007. ISBN: 9780805321876.

Lecture Video

Video Excerpts

Learning Activities

Guided Activities

Read through the class slides carefully. They explain all of the concepts from the module.

Slides: Problem Solving and Estimation (PDF)

Self-Assessment

Do the Concept Questions first to make sure you understand the main concepts from this module. Then, when you are ready, try the Challenge Problems. If you are struggling with the Challenge Problems, watch the Homework Help Session videos, which will give you tips on how to tackle problems of this type.

Concept Questions

Concept Questions (PDF)

Solutions (PDF)

Challenge Problems

Challenge Problems (PDF)

Solutions (PDF - 1.3MB)

Problem Solving Help

In the following video Prof. Walter Lewin explains how to approach the Challenge Problems.

Help Session

{'English - US': '/courses/physics/8-01sc-physics-i-classical-mechanics-fall-2010/introduction-to-mechanics/problem-solving-and-estimation/help-session/GqMtaYyER7s.srt'}

Related Resources

There are countless resources available online to help you learn physics. Try these:

• A Garden of Fermi Problems at Hampton University
• Play the "What order of magnitude is...?" game
• Try out Fermi Problems at the University of Maryland Fermi Problems Site
• Learn about estimation with an interactive simulation from PhET

 

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