19 March 2010

Graphing the sin(theta) and cos(theta) using the Unit Circle

The Unit Circle is a circle with a radius of 1, and which is centered at the origin (0,0).
Its equation is: x2 + y2 = 1.
Its equation is also: x = cos(theta), y = sin(theta).
HOMEWORK part one: PROVE  to yourself that x2 + y2 = 1
for every point  in the following diagram. 

For example,
(1,0) ==> x = 1 and y = 0 ==>
          x^2 = 1 and y^2 = 0 ==> 1 + 0 = 1    check
(√3/2, 1/2) ==> x = √3/2 and y = 1/2 ==>
          x^2 = 3/4 and y^2 = 1/4 ==> 3/4 + 1/4 = 1   check
(√2/2, √2/2) ==> x = √2/2 and y = √2/2 ==>
          x^2 = 2/4 and y^2 = 2/4 ==> 2/4 + 2/4 = 1  check
and so on for all the points around the circle.
HOMEWORK part two: PLAY with the following applets
for the sin(theta) 
http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/trig/graphSinX/graphSinX.html
and cos(theta) http://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/trig/graphCosX/graphCosX.html

and PROVE that sin(theta) = y and cos(theta) = x, for all the points
in the unit circle. Note, Don't forget to rotate the cos(theta) applet
after you have drawn it !

08 March 2010

Ten minute TRIG from Victoria University (Australia)

Review the following formulas, write them out, and solve the problems on the following link:
http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/trig/ratios.html

Review the Pythagorean theorem again, and solve the problems on the following website: http://www.worsleyschool.net/science/files/pythagoras/pythagoreantheorem2.html

ENDOTHERMIC vs EXOTHERMIC chemical reactions


In endothermic reactions, the products have more energy than the reactants. Heat is absorbed from the surroundings (e.g., a cold pack).
In exothermic reactions, the products have less energy than the reactants. Heat is released to the surroundings (e.g., a heat pack).
Both reactions require some activation energy to begin the reaction.
Read the following section of Chemistry for Dummies, and write a summary of it: http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ARNbGsVH1evCZGQ5MjluM2dfNzRxam13cXJuZw&hl=en , and make a diagram of an exothermic and an endothermic reaction.









Here is an example of the potential energy diagram for the following, exothermic chemical reaction:
CO + NO2 --> CO2 + NO

02 March 2010

Decomposing vectors using TRIG

How can you decompose vectors into their components?
See this website to find out more:
http://www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/physics/chapter4section5.rhtml

Solve the problems on this website for homework:
http://www.physics247.com/physics-homework-help/vector-components.php