What This Document Is
This document contains a set of physics problems designed for the first week of recitation sessions in Carnegie Mellon University’s Physics I for Engineering Students (33-106) course. These problems supplement the core lecture material and provide students with opportunities to practice applying fundamental physics concepts. The problems are drawn from the 13th edition of “University Physics” by Young & Freedman.
Why This Document Matters
This recitation problem set is crucial for engineering students enrolled in Physics I. It’s intended to be used *during* and *after* the first week of classes to reinforce understanding of introductory topics like vector components, mirror symmetry, and basic problem-solving techniques. Successfully working through these problems is a key indicator of preparedness for more advanced material. The document also includes a couple of derivation-based problems that emphasize the importance of algebraic manipulation and unit checking – skills essential for success in the course.
Common Limitations or Challenges
This document *only* presents the problems themselves. It does not include detailed solutions, explanations of concepts, or step-by-step guidance on how to solve them. Students are expected to have attended lectures, read the textbook, and actively engage with the material to attempt these problems. It’s a practice tool, not a replacement for learning.
What This Document Provides
The full document includes:
* Two conceptual questions (X.1.1 & X.1.2) exploring mirror symmetry and spring system design.
* Six quantitative problems (1.30, 1.31, 1.35, 1.38, 1.77, X.1.3 & X.1.4) covering vector components, vector addition/subtraction, force analysis, and work.
* Diagrams illustrating vector arrangements for problems 1.31, 1.35, and 1.77.
* Explicit instructions to check units in the derivation problems (X.1.2 & X.1.3).
This preview does *not* include any solutions, detailed explanations, or worked examples. It only provides a list of the problem topics covered.
