How can dimensional analysis help with solving physics homework questions?

AI Thread Summary
Dimensional analysis is highlighted as a crucial tool for solving physics homework questions, particularly in understanding relationships between variables such as position, time, and acceleration. The discussion emphasizes the importance of correctly identifying dimensions in equations, as seen in the example where position is expressed as x=kamtn, confirming that m=1 and n=2 through dimensional analysis. Participants provide insights on calculating the U.S. national debt repayment time and the distance a tire will travel, showcasing practical applications of dimensional analysis. Additionally, the conversation touches on free-fall problems, illustrating how initial conditions affect outcomes. Overall, the thread underscores the value of dimensional analysis in simplifying complex physics problems for students.
Faiza
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Hi I am currently enrolled in PHY138Y1 and I need some major help in some homework questions.I'm a first TIME physics student and I have no idea what I'm doing. I attempted these questions, but I still don't comprehend what the question is asking for. There are some questions that I am having difficulty with. If you have any ways to help me figure it out that would be great!
Thanking You In Advance,
-Faiza Khan

Q1. The position of a particle is when moving under uniform acceleration is somefunction of the elapsed time and the acceleration. Suppose we write this position as x=kamtn, where k is a dimensionless constant. Show by dimensional analysis that this expression is satisfied if m=1 and n=2.
Can this analysis give the value of k?

Q2. At the time of a book’s printing, the U.S. national debt is
about $6 trillion.

(a) If payments were made at the rate $1000 per second, how many years would it take to pay off the debt, assuming no interest were charged?

(b) A dollar bill is about 15.5 cm long. If six trillion dollar bills were laid end to end around the earth’s equator, how many times would they encircle the earth? Take the radius of the Earth at the equator to be 6 378 km.

Q3. A pirate had buried his treasure on an island with five trees, located at the following points: (30 m, -20 m), (6 m, 8 m), (-10 m, -10m), (40 m, -30m), and (-70 m, 60m), all measured relative to some origin. His ship’s log instructs you to start at tree A and move toward tree B, but to cover only one half the distance between A and B. Then move toward tree C, covering one-third the distance between your current location and C. Next move toward D, covering one-fourth the distance between where you are and D. Finally move toward E, covering one-fifth the distance between you and E, stop and dig.

(a) Assume you have correctly determined the order in which the pirate labeled the trees as A, B, C, D, and E, as shown in the figure. What are the coordinates of the point where his treasure is buried?

(b) Now rearrange the order of the trees [e.g., B (30 m, -20 m), A (60 m, 80 m), E (-10 m, -10 m), C (40 m, -30 m) and D (-70 m, 60 m)], and repeat the calculations to show that the answer does not depend on the order in which the trees are labeled.

Q4. An automobile tire is rated to last for 50 000 miles. To an order of magnitude, through how many revolutions will it turn? In your solution, state the quantities you measure or estimate and the values you take for them.
 
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in the first question, what do x, a and t stand for?
 
a denotes the acceleration
t denotes the time
x is the position or distance? :(
 
Someone Please Help Me This Is Due Tomorrow :'(
 
I don't have much time, but I'll try and help U with the first one. The equation works if m and n are exponents. Are they?
 
I will provide help more than i should but this is the last time u will receive this kind of help and the mentors may feel i am to generous and remove my posts and they may be wrong becasue I am going very quickly
Q2. a 6 *10 ^ 9/1000
then convert into days
b. (6 *10 ^ 9 * 15.5/10000)/6 378
 
Q3.
A (30 m, -20 m),
B (6 m, 8 m),
C (-10 m, -10m),
D (40 m, -30m),
E (-70 m, 60m),

(30+6)/2 (-20+8)/2 this will give you half way between A and B then
use this as your new cordinates and use the same method to get all your new points
 
Q4. C=pie*d
find a estimation for d being diameter
then find out the circumference of a tire
then take mile/circumfernce (in miles)
then multiply by 50,000
 
Thanks christinono & Tom McCurdy, I appreciate it! You've given me much to think about. I was able to solve the problems :)
 
  • #10
I need some remedial help lol!

*FREE FALLING OBJECTS*

Q. A boy stands at the edge of a bridge 20.0 m above a river
and throws a stone straight down with a speed of 12.0 m/s.
He throws another pebble straight upward with the same
speed so that it misses the edge of the bridge on the way
back down and falls into the river. For each stone find (a)
the velocity as it reaches the water and (b) the average
velocity while it is in flight.

Note: Ignore the affects of air resistance.
:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: I'm so lost, i read about free fall acceleration :frown: can't get this one!
 
  • #11
I can help with part a:
suppose the boy threw the first stone straight down with speed v.
now if the second stone is thrown verically upward at the same speed v(speed not velocity)from the bridge, on its domnward path when it passes the bridge it will have the same speed it was thrown up with ie, v. Now the second stone has speed v and direction towards the water, this is similar to motion of stone 1.
Thus they both hit the water at the same speed.
 
  • #12
For 2a i got approx. 190 years, but i did this very quickly so i might be wrong.
 
  • #13
I can't believe people wait until the last minute.
I do it sometimes, but I sure don't rely on some guy online to help me out.
 
  • #14
I don't usually procrastinate, a friend recommeded this forum and i thought maybe someone could help me out
 
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