Dawson 203-001-RE Tutoring & Exam Help

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Course overview

Dawson 203-001-RE, Remedial Activities for Secondary V Physics, covers basic mechanics and geometric optics. You can start with a concept or a question you would like help with. We’ll confirm whether we can help before you book.

Rearrange a motion equation before substituting

A cart moves along a straight track with constant acceleration. Choose right as positive. Its initial velocity is $v_i=1.0\,\mathrm{m/s}$ , its final velocity is $v_f=3.0\,\mathrm{m/s}$ , and its acceleration is $a=0.50\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$ . Let $\Delta t$ be the elapsed time and $\Delta x$ the displacement during that interval. Find both quantities. Predict whether the answer for time should be positive and whether velocity stays positive throughout.

Show a hint

Start with $v_f=v_i+a\Delta t$ . Subtract the initial velocity from both sides before dividing by acceleration. For constant acceleration, average velocity is $(v_i+v_f)/2$ .

Show the reasoning

1. Isolate the time: $v_f-v_i=a\Delta t$ , so $\Delta t=(v_f-v_i)/a$ . With the values given, $\Delta t=(3.0-1.0)/0.50=4.0\,\mathrm s$ . The units are $(\mathrm{m/s})/(\mathrm{m/s^2})=\mathrm s$ . Dividing $v_f$ alone by $a$ would ignore the initial motion.

2. Use average velocity only because acceleration is constant. The average is $(1.0+3.0)/2=2.0\,\mathrm{m/s}$ ; hence $\Delta x=2.0(4.0)=8.0\,\mathrm m$ to the right.

3. Check with another equation: $\Delta x=v_i\Delta t+\tfrac12a(\Delta t)^2=1.0(4.0)+\tfrac12(0.50)(4.0)^2=8.0\,\mathrm m$ . Velocity increases linearly between two positive values, so it never reverses; distance is also 8.0 m.

Your turn: slowing down while moving right

A new interval starts at $v_i=3.0\,\mathrm{m/s}$ and ends at $v_f=1.5\,\mathrm{m/s}$ , with constant acceleration $a=-0.75\,\mathrm{m/s^2}$ . Keep right positive. Find the elapsed time and displacement. Does negative acceleration mean the cart is moving left?

Check the signs and units

$\Delta t=(1.5-3.0)/(-0.75)=2.0\,\mathrm s$ . Both the change in velocity and the acceleration are negative, so their ratio is a positive duration.

The average velocity is $(3.0+1.5)/2=2.25\,\mathrm{m/s}$ , giving $\Delta x=2.25(2.0)=4.5\,\mathrm m$ to the right. The independent check is $3.0(2.0)+\tfrac12(-0.75)(2.0)^2=4.5\,\mathrm m$ . Velocity remains positive throughout; the cart moves right and slows down. The sign of acceleration describes the change in velocity, not the direction of motion.

Connect velocity, acceleration and displacement Review what must remain constant before choosing a motion equation.

Bring the rearranged equation before the numerical substitution. A tutor can check the subtraction, signs and units with you, then ask you to repeat the step with new values.

203-001-RE topics to review

Basic mechanicsGeometric optics

Common difficulties

Turning the situation into a model
Using vectors, signs, and units consistently
Selecting the relevant physical principle

Geometric optics: follow the light rays

Start with the normal and the angles of reflection and refraction, then build a lens image one ray at a time. This beginner lesson covers selected geometric optics topics in 203-001-RE.

How tutoring can help

Lessons follow your course materials and focus on what you want help with. Your tutor adapts to your needs and pace, explaining difficult ideas patiently, step by step. There’s time to ask questions, revisit unclear steps and practise together to build understanding and confidence.

Exam preparation for 203-001-RE

Choose a permitted practice question from your current review list and try it without its solution. Mark the first step you cannot explain. After reviewing that step, redo the question and explain why your method applies.

Use your section’s outline to choose the chapters to review. We work through permitted practice and comparable problems, without completing graded assignments or exams on your behalf.

Useful links for preparation or further study—not transfer equivalencies or a required registration sequence.

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203-001-RE · official course reference