Force, mass, and acceleration

572 Pages·2005·29.66 MB·English

About the Author
Dr. Thomas C. Hsu is a nationally recognized innovator in science and math education and the founder of CPO Science
(formerly Cambridge Physics Outlet). He holds a Ph.D. in Applied Plasma Physics from the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT), and has taught students from elementary, secondary and college levels across the nation. He was
nominated for MIT’s Goodwin medal for excellence in teaching and has received numerous awards from various state
agencies for his work to improve science education. Tom has personally worked with more than 12,000 K-12 teachers and
administrators and is well known as a consultant, workshop leader and developer of curriculum and equipment for inquiry-
based learning in science and math. With CPO Science, Tom has published textbooks in physical science, integrated
science, and also written fifteen curriculum Investigation guides that accompany CPO Science equipment. Along with the
CPO Science team, Tom is always active, developing innovative new tools for teaching and learning science, including an
inquiry-based chemistry text.
Physics A First Course
Copyright 2005 CPO Science
ISBN 1-58892-141-7
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 - QWE- 08 07 06 05
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without permission in writing. For permission and other rights under
this copyright, please contact:
CPO Science
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Printed and Bound in the United States of America
Dear Student,
I am also a student. I like to learn how things work then use what I know to show others. As one
student to another, I hope you enjoy this course! I hope you learn how electricity works and how
light and color are created. I hope you learn some secrets of nature that lie deep within the tiny
atoms that make up our universe and yourself. I hope you learn what it means to accelerate and
how to apply force to cause things to stop and go. Most of all, I hope you learn how to take a
new situation and figure out how things work for yourself.
The secret to success is not in knowing the answers, but in knowing how to find the answers.
Someday, each of you will come across many problems that are not in this book or any other
book. I hope this course will teach you how to begin solving any problem involving the man-
made or natural world. My knowledge of physics has allowed me to solve problems as simple as
why my car will not start, and as complex as making a nuclear fusion reactor work.
I love learning new things. From one student to another, I hope you have fun in this course and
that you will also come to love learning new things about the wonderful universe we live in.
CPO Science Staff
Editorial Art, Design Illustration
Curriculum Consultants
Lynda Pennell–Educational Products, Executive Polly Crisman–Graphic Manager; Designer and
Stacy Kissel–Principal Writer
Vice President Illustrator
B.S., Civil and Environmental Engineering,
B.A., English, M.Ed., Administration, Reading B.F.A., University of New Hampshire
Carnegie Mellon University; M.Ed., Physics
Disabilities, Northeastern University; CAGS Media,
Education, Boston College
University of Massachusetts, Boston Graphic artist with expertise in advertising and
marketing design, freelance illustrating, and
Nine years teaching experience physics, math and
Nationally known in high school restructuring and caricature art.
integrated science.
for integrating academic and career education.
Served as the director of an urban school with 17 Bruce Holloway–Senior Creative Designer Laine Ives –Principal Writer
years teaching/ administrative experience.
Pratt Institute, N.Y.; Boston Museum School of Fine B.A., English, Gordon College; graduate work,
Arts biology, Cornell University, Wheelock College
Contributing Writers
Expertise in product design, advertising, and three- Experience teaching middle and high school, here
Scott Eddleman–Project Manager and Principal dimensional exhibit design. Commissioned for the and abroad; expertise in developing middle school
Writer New Hampshire Duck Stamp for 1999 and 2003. curriculum and hands-on activities.
B.S., Biology, Southern Illinois University; M.Ed., Sonja Taylor –Contributing Writer
Harvard University
B.S., Chemistry, Stephen F. Austin State
Equipment Design University
Taught for 13 years in urban and rural settings;
nationally known as trainer of inquiry-based science
Taught chemistry and biology for four years.
and mathematics project-based instruction; Thomas Narro–Product Design, Senior Vice
Expertise in teaching with inquiry and technology.
curriculum development consultant. President
B.S., Mechanical engineering, Rensselaer Patsy DeCoster –Contributing Writer
Mary Beth Abel Hughes–Curriculum Specialist
Polytechnic Institute
and Principal Writer B.S., Biology/Secondary education, Grove City
College; M.Ed., Tufts University
Accomplished design and manufacturing engineer;
B.S., Marine Biology, College of Charleston; M.S.,
Biological Sciences, University of Rhode Island experienced consultant in corporate reengineering Curriculum and professional development
and industrial-environmental acoustics. specialist. Taught science for 12 years. National
Taught science and math at an innovative high inquiry-based science presenter.
Dave Zucker–Industrial Designer
school; expertise in scientific research and inquiry-
based teaching methods and curriculum Mary Ann Erickson –Assessment Specialist
B.A., Physics, Brandeis University
development.
B.S., Naval Architecuture; B.S. Marine
Talented designer with a strong background in Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of
Erik Benton–Professional Development Specialist
physics and problem solving. Also contributed to Technology
and Principal Investigation Editor
several connections articles.
Twenty-five years experience in engineering and
B.F.A., University of Massachusetts
technical writing; also, contributed to many
assessment pieces, glossary, and index.
Taught for 8 years in public and private schools,
focusing on inquiry and experiential learning
environments.
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Consultants
Contributing Writers Julie Dalton–Senior Copy Editor, Journalist, and
former Sportswriter and English teacher. Special Thanks
Patricia Tremblay–Math Coach, Boston Public for their time and contributions:
B.A., English Literature,University of Iowa; M.A.,
Schools, Boston, Massachusetts
English Education, State University of New York at
B.A., Mathematics; Boston State College; M.Ed., Albany. Lotfi Merabet, OD PhD
Boston State College; Doctoral work, Curriculum, Research Scientist
Boston College Taught middle and high school English, and has
The Boston Retinal Implant Project
worked for newspapers as a writer, editor, and copy
Twenty-five years experience in the Boston Public editor for more than 25 years. She is a copy editor at the Boston, Massachusetts
Schools as a teacher, department head of mathematics, Boston Globe.
assistant headmaster, and presently as a mathematics Dr. Joseph F. Rizzo III, MD
curriculum coach. "Connections" Writers Director,CenterforInnovativeVisual
Rehabilitation
David Bliss–Physics Teacher, Mohawk Central High
William G. Fleischmann–Science Teacher, Wood Boston VA Medical Center
School, New York, New York
Hill Middle School, MA
Professor, MassachusettsEyeandEarInfirmary,
Harvard Medical School
Art, Design Illustration Edmund Hazzard–Research Associate, The
Boston, Massachusetts
Concord Consortium, MA
James Travers–Graphic designer and animator
Besides his research and development responsibilities, Dr. Juris Zarins
Associate Degree of Applied Business and Commercial experiments with hybrid cars by taking data about
Professor,DepartmentofSociologyand
Art, Akron University performance; he is also a carpenter and architect,
Anthropology
specializing in designing energy-efficient buildings.
Has held positions as graphic designer, art department Southwest Missouri State University
manager, and currently is a commissioned painter. Nick Nicastro–Physics Teacher, Wachusett Regional Springfield, Missouri
High School, MA
David Rosolko–Graphic designer and illustrator
Ronald G. Blom, Ph.D.
Thirty-two years experience teaching physics. He
B.F.A, Massachusetts College of Art developed high energy particle physics curriculum at LeadScientist,TerrestrialScienceResearch
European Center of Nuclear Research (CERN). He is a Element
Has worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, painter, and
member of the executive board for the New England DisciplineProgramManager,SolidEarth
sculptor.
Section of the American Association of Physics Science and Natural Hazards
Teachers. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Technical Support
Pasadena, California
Dr. Nicholas Benfaremo–Lecturer, Adjuct Faculty,
Tracy Morrow–Framemaker Expert, Technical and a Professional Baker, University of Southern
Editor,Technical Trainer Maine, ME Harold and Esther Edgerton Foundation
Allowed use of these Edgerton photos:
B.A., English, Texas A&M University; M.A., English, KennethRideout–Physical Science Teacher,
Milk Drop Splash Series, Densmore Shite Bends
Sam Houston State University Swampscott High School, MA
the Shaft, Newton’s Apple, and Hummingbirds.
Taught middle school in Houston, Texas, and English at Ed Wiser–Physics Teacher, Brookline High School,
Tomball College; has also worked as a technical writer MA
and trainer in many industries.
Ten years experience teaching physics.
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Content Reviewers
George Whittemore Angela Benjamin David Harris
Physics Instructor AP Physics Instructor Head of Science Department
Leominster High School, MA Woodrow Wilson Senior High School, DC Hackley School, NY
Dr. David Guerra Richard Famiglietti Sarah Segreti
Associate Professor Science Teacher Science Teacher
Department Chair Physics, Lynn Classical High School, MA Naperville North High School, IL
St. Anselm College, NH
Elizabeth A. Jensen Nick Nicastro
Ken Rideout Science Teacher Physics Teacher
Physical Science Teacher James Blair Middle School, VA Wachusett Regional High School, MA
Swampscott High School, MA
Colleen M O'Shell Cecilia A. Cherill
Brett Malas Chemistry Teacher Physical Science Teacher
National Board Certified Science Teacher Cambridge Rindge and Latin School, MA Churchill Junior High School, NJ
Naperville North High School, IL
Ian Smith Kristy Beauvais
William G. Fleischmann Physics Teacher Physics Teacher
Science Teacher Bellows Free Academy, VT Concord-Carlisle Regional High School, MA
Wood Hill Middle School, MA
Jean Lifford
Ruby Ashley Reading Coach
Project Coordinator, Georgia Southern Museum Boston Public Schools, MA
Outreach Programs, GA
Ed Wiser
Mary Jo Carabatsos PhD
Physics Teacher
Science Teacher,
Brookline High School, MA
Andover High School, MA
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