- #1
MarkFarrell82
- 16
- 0
Hi,
I've been reading chapter 4 in the Feynman Lectures on the conservation of energy and I've bought a book off amazon called Exercises in Introductory Physics which accompanies the series. Having looked at some of the questions I feel well out of my depth because essentially I haven't ever really done any problem solving. I have got A-level maths but that was years ago. The question I'm stuck with is the first one on the CoE. It goes like this:
1. Use the principle of virtual work to establish the formula for an unequal-arm balance:
W2L2 = W1L1Neglect the weight of the bar.
The diagram is basically a see-saw with a weight hanging from either end of the bar. The distance to the fulcrum of L2 is > L1's.
How do people approach things like that? What are your thought processes? I thought the answer would be the formula stated and you just rearrage to find an unknown.
I think I understand the theory and when I read the notes I follow everything and understand it but as soon as I get a problem I just go blank and get frustrated!
Hope someone can help set my mind free for problem solving.
Thanks
Mark
I've been reading chapter 4 in the Feynman Lectures on the conservation of energy and I've bought a book off amazon called Exercises in Introductory Physics which accompanies the series. Having looked at some of the questions I feel well out of my depth because essentially I haven't ever really done any problem solving. I have got A-level maths but that was years ago. The question I'm stuck with is the first one on the CoE. It goes like this:
1. Use the principle of virtual work to establish the formula for an unequal-arm balance:
W2L2 = W1L1Neglect the weight of the bar.
The diagram is basically a see-saw with a weight hanging from either end of the bar. The distance to the fulcrum of L2 is > L1's.
How do people approach things like that? What are your thought processes? I thought the answer would be the formula stated and you just rearrage to find an unknown.
I think I understand the theory and when I read the notes I follow everything and understand it but as soon as I get a problem I just go blank and get frustrated!
Hope someone can help set my mind free for problem solving.
Thanks
Mark