TEACHING DOCUMENT

Teaching guide document 1

PHYS161-11
Teaching Asistant: LE Hoang Anh1
1
Quantum Control Lab 502, Asan Science Hall, Department of Physics, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea

Nota bene

Please notice that the student final orientation (10th June) will be held at Science Annex Building 306.

1. Introduction

I observed that during your attempt on solving experiment report 1.3, many of you made similar mistakes
which probably result from the misunderstanding between instantaneous and average velocities. Also, the the-
oretical part numbered (3) at experiment 1.4 used both of them to derive the important formula of moment of
inertia. Therefore I write this note with the intention of clarifying these two quantities and to help you avoid
making the same mistakes in the future.

2. Instantaneous velocity vs average velocity

2.1. Definition
∆x
Velocity, whose mathematical expression is usually written as (displacement over time), in general is a
∆t
physical quantity measuring how fast the motion is. The instantaneous velocity of an object, as its name indicates,
refers to how fast that objects moves at a specific moment. For that reason, in comparison with average velocity,
the formula of instantaneous velocity has one more restriction of of time, which could be expressed as
∆x
vins = . (1)
∆t
To illustrate the above definition, I list some examples as follows.

• At the 2009 World Championship, Usain Bolt ran 100 meters in 9.58 seconds, that means his average
velocity was 10.44 m/s. Indeed, during the run, his maximum velocity was 12.27 m/s [1]. Such data surely
was recorded in a very short period of time so that velocity is the instantaneous one.

• At experiment 1.3, the velocity that was indirectly computed by length of glider divided by photogate time
was actually considered as average velocity.
1 1
• Let consider the kinetic energy theorem for one-dimensional motion: mvf2inal − mvinitial
2 = A where A
2 2
denotes total work done. Here both vf inal and vinitial are instantaneous velocities.

In addition, there is a useful relation between average velocity, initial and final (instantaneous) velocities in
constant acceleration motion that I urge you to prove it by your own
vf inal − vinitial
vaverage = (a = constant) . (2)
2

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2.2. Common mistake of the experiment report 1.3

Question (3) Assume that the air track is the inclined plane and has the surface without friction.
In elastic collision, estimate the angle θ of the air track by using difference between theoretical
value and experimental value v2f

Here the best (most nearly correct) answer of one student is reinterpreted whereby I point out the mistake.
The student used the kinetic energy theorem and hence wrote as follows

1 2 1 2
mv2f − mv2t = mgL sin θ, (3)
2 2

where he/she was right that L must the length of the glider (many reports incorrectly implied that it was the
air track’s length). However, I say again, v2f in the box was equivalent to average velocity where the Eq. (3)
requires instantaneous velocity. My hint given to you is to use Eq. (2) to find out the right formula.

Question (4) Assume that the air track is the horizontal plane and has the surface with friction. In
elastic collision, estimate the coefficient of kinetic friction µk of the air track by using the difference
between theoretical value and experiment value of v2f

All of you made same mistake of writing the equation

1 2 1 2
mv2f − mv2t = µk mgL, (4)
2 2

where v2f must be the instantaneous velocity. My explanation and hint are the same with one presented at
question (3).

References
[1] How fast is Usain Bolt? http://www.planet-science.com/categories/over-11s/human-body/2012/
06/how-fast-is-usain-bolt.aspx.