F=ma Physics • 2023

This is a course at the San Diego Math Circle preparing students for the F=ma contest offered by the American Association of Physics Teachers, to select for the USA Physics Olympiad.

The course runs from 1 PM to 2:30 PM Pacific Time on numerous Sundays from November 6, 2022 to February 5, 2023:

1. November 6, 2022
2. November 13, 2022
3. November 20, 2022
4. December 4, 2022
5. December 11, 2022
6. January 8, 2023
7. January 22, 2023
8. January 29, 2023
9. February 5, 2023

The official schedule is kept in the San Diego Math Circle Master Calendar.

Whiteboards, notes and other files are kept toward the bottom of the page.

Discussed in class –

• Diagnostic exam: F=ma 2018B.
• See the F=ma Physics 2023 Diagnostic Exam file.

Homework –

• None.

Old exams –

• Linked below. Please save 2018-2022 exams for later.

Discussed in class –

• Difficult problems from F=ma 2018B: #6, 10, 13, 17, 18, 19 & 22.
• See Dimensional Analysis (from F=ma Physics 2022), Springs in Series and Parallel (from F=ma Physics 2022), and Error Propagation (from F=ma Physics 2022) notes.
• Also see Problem 11 from F=ma Physics 2020 Homework 1.

Homework –

• Solve the in-series spring system with two different spring constants. Hint: the equilibrium condition is unchanged.
• Re-solve F=ma 2018B #19 without relative uncertainties.

Discussed in class –

• Continuation of difficult problems from F=ma 2018B: #7, 11, 14, 20, 21 & 23

Homework –

• Could you determine the speed of transverse waves in a rope using only dimensional analysis and intuition? (Slide 2)
• Derive or read the derivation of the period of a physical pendulum. (Slide 5) Hints: Pendulums (from F=ma Physics 2020) and Slides 8-9 from Whiteboard Week 2 (21-12-12) on the F=ma Physics 2022 page may be helpful.
• "Optionaler": Read about AM-GM inequalities. (Slide 5).

Discussed in class –

• Special topic session: rotational dynamics.
• See Rotation (from F=ma Physics 2021) and Moments of Inertia (from F=ma Physics 2022) notes.
• Problems from F=ma 2017: #14 & 15

Homework –

• Rework the example problem on Slide 3 for an object with unknown moment of inertia factor c.

Discussed in class –

• Requested and difficult questions through F=ma 2015: #11, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23 & 25.

Homework –

• None. Enjoy your break!

Discussed in class –

• Interesting and medium-hard problems from 2019B: #3, 6, 10, 13, 15 & 23.

Homework –

• None.

No class next Sunday – MLK weekend.

Discussed in class –

• Special topic session: orbits.
• See Orbits (from F=ma Physics 2021) notes.
• Problems from F=ma 2017: #1, 18 & 25, and F=ma 2016: 4, 8 & 9.

Homework –

• Generalize Kepler's Third Law from circular to elliptical orbits. (Slide 3)
• Plot the spatiotemporal arc of non-accelerating points in Region IV. (Slide 6)

Prepare for a real practice exam next week.

Discussed in class –

• Practice exam: F=ma 2019A.
• See the F=ma Physics 2023 Practice Exam file.

Homework –

• None.

Discussed in class –

• Most missed problems from practice exam F=ma 2019A: #3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 17-20 & 25.

Homework –

• None.

Good luck on your exam!

The registration deadline for the 2023 F=ma exams is TBD, 2023.

The 2023 F=ma exam will be administered on February 9, 2023. Note there is only one exam date this year, unlike in 2022.

I am not directly involved in the administration of the exams, so all questions should be directed to the SDMC administration.