Leah here
from leah4sci.com/MCAT and in this video
we’ll start with discussion on Translational Motion with a quick
introduction to dimensions, vectors
and the concept of Kinematics. And before you think
oh this is too simple, let me jump ahead to the rest of the videos. Take a moment
listen to what I have to say and make a promise to yourself that you will follow what I
tell you to do
You see the concept of dimensions, vectors and kinematics
even though they tend to be more simple compared to the other MCAT topics
eventhough they tend to be simpler, these will serve as a foundation
to how you study and everything that you learn so don't just learn this
information
make sure that you really understand what's going on. You're solid with the equations
and most of all you know how to derive equation to equation and unit to unit
because later on you will find yourself looking at formulas that have units
equaling the kinematics for example you’ll see Force, you’ll see motion, you’ll
see distance
and you have to know how to go back and forth between them quickly.
You can find this entire series on my website at http://leah4sci.com/MCATPHYSICS
In working with MCAT tutoring clients I often get the question on
DIMENSIONS
so I wanna make sure you're clear. When we’re talking about Dimensions, For the MCAT
we're only looking at
one dimension or two dimension. If I have an object
moving in a straight line for example in the x-direction
or in the y-direction this object is set to be moving
in just one dimension. It's not that X is 1 and Y is 2
X is one dimension, Y is one dimension
when they're independent of each other. However, if I have an object moving
in a direction that crosses both the X and
Y components. As we can see with this vector we have a component in the
x-direction
here we have another component in the Y direction. This object is set to
be moving
in two directions. if I had an object moving
in both the X, Y and Z. direction for example the object here
in addition to going slightly upwards it's also coming out of the page
or into the page that is said to be moving in
three dimensions. But on the MCAT you only have to know calculations for one
and two dimensions
so we won't focus on the concept of the Z dimension.
The traditional way to set this up is positive X
horizontal to the right negative x horizontal to the left
positive Y goes up negative Y goes down
but you don't have to stick with this you can take these dimensions
rotate them relabel any way you want as long as you're consistent
in fact you've probably seen a problem where X&Y components
are not as expected. If you have an object on an inclined plane
you've probably learned to set it up so that's a downward direction
is negative X the upward direction is positive X
and then the positive Y is perpendicular to the object up
negative Y is perpendicular to the object down.We'll discuss this in more
detail when we're talking about objects on an inclined plane
but for now just recognize that as long as you have your
X and why perpendicular to each other and you're in two dimensions you're good
to go
Another important concept to know for this topic
is the difference between a Vector and a Scalar
If you'll look in the dictionary you'll see that a vector is something that has a
magnitude and a direction
and Scalar is something that has a magnitude. But now it's explain it in simple
terms
so that it makes sense and you can apply it to questions. A vector has a magnitude
which is simply
a size but it also tells you which direction that thing is going
A Scalar only has size but it does not give you a direction
These can represent the same thing but the way you say it or write it
will make a big difference. So for example if I tell you
that I went for a walk today and I walked three miles. Great I walked three
miles
in what direction? So three miles is the size
it's the magnitude but I have no idea of the direction
and therefore it is only a Scalar. If I tell you
that I walked for three miles in a Northwest
direction I have a magnitude which is three miles
I have a direction Northwest and that makes it a vector
On the MCAT you'll be given a lot of numbers
that are inherently vectors but they may appear to be a scalar
so you can treat them the same way and larger problems for example if your
calculating velocity, acceleration
motion in general just recognize that the concept
exists but we're focusing just on the math and
the bigger picture calculations. Now that we have the basics
visit my website at leah4sci.com/MCATPhysics
scroll down to the series on Translational Motion and that's where
we'll continue
with vectors and how to find their components
how to add Vectors and then we'll go into the Kinematics Equations
Velocity, Acceleration and Free Fall.
This topic also requires a basic knowledge of how to do math shortcuts
because there will be a lot of calculations
you also have to be very confident with your trigonometry
and sin, cosin values. If you're not fully confident with this
go back to my MCAT Math series which you can find at leah4sci.com/MCATMath
leah4sci.com/MCATMath
jump to the trigonometry video and I show you the tricks and shortcuts for
quickly coming up with solutions
so your time and energy can be invested in finding the answer
rather than wasting time on tricky math
Are you stuck on a specific MCAT topic? I offer private
online tutoring where I focus on your needs to strengthen
your individual weakness. Tutoring details can be found using the link
below
or by visiting my website leah4sci.com/MCATTutor
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