Physics 101 v1.1.5
by Praeter Software

Description

	Physics 101 allows students to quickly calculate over fifty Physics formulas, and the ability to solve for 	variables within most of those formulas. These formulas are organized in sections of Kinematics, Vectors, 	Work, Energy, Momentum, Gravitation, Center of Mass, Projectiles, and modern Physics formulas. In addition 	to formula calculation, the program also contains a resistor circuit analysis tool, a projectile motion simulator, a 	resistor color band calculator, and a unit conversion feature.

General Usage

	To use, simply fill in your empty fields of any given formula, then click calculate. If applicable, you can find any 	variable for most of the formulas. Enter in all the variables except the one you're finding, then click the aqua 	bubble (radio-button) next to the unknown value.

Special Notes on certain formulas or features

	Resistor Circuit Analysis: This feature contains a resistor circuit analysis tool that can build up to an 18 	resistor series-parallel circuit with multiple voltage sources. This tool will display voltage, amperage, and 	power used by every resistor in the circuit by means of mesh analysis.

	Projectile Motion Simulator: This feature calculates time, height max, time of height max, changed in 	distance, and so on. The program also graphs a visual representation of the projectile. Simply plug in initial 	velocity and angle of the projectile then click fire to plot the graph.  You can also set the initial vertical height of 	the projectile and landing height of the projectile.

	After the program has plotted the trajectory of a projectile, you can move the mouse horizontally over the graph 	to see X, Y, and time calculated based on the position of the mouse. 

	The program remembers the last four graphs that you have entered. To see a previous graph, simply click the 	back arrow (next to the fire button.) To return to your current graph, just click the forward button to return.

	Color Band Calculator:  Look at your resistor, enter the colors into the first, second, and the third popup 	menus. Now, to achieve a result, you must either click a gold, silver, or a none tolerance. An ideal result, and 	an upper and lower tolerances will be displayed based on which radial button was depressed.

	Unit Conversion: The user can quickly convert between units of measure, weight, and so on with this feature. 	Just fill in the quantity, select the unit, then click the unit you wish to convert it to by selecting the second popup 	menu. To recalculate another quantity to the same unit, click the "recalculate" button.

Program Functions

	Auto-Input: This feature, if enabled, will input result fields into other analogous input fields for convenience. 	For example, if you are calculating final velocity, the result of the calculation will automatically be inputted into 	the variable fields of other formulas.

	Rounding: The user can decide whether result fields should be rounded to the thousandths place, hundredths 	place, tenth place, or no rounding at all. These options are found in the preferences under rounding.

	Dynamic Info Windows: The Info Windows (the ones that show the actual formulas) can be made so that one 	is only displayed at one time. This can reduce possible window clutter if desired. This option can be accessed 	from the preferences.

Minor Notes

	To refresh an info window with the current variables, simply re-click the "?" button. This will allow you to see 	the new numerically built representation if you changed your variables in the respective formula.

	If the program crashes after quitting, this may be a result from unstuffing the program from an older version of 	Stuffit Expander. To remedy this problem, unstuff from Stuffit Expander 6.5.1 or later. (http://www.stuffit.com/)

Release History

 Version 1.1.5 (2/1/03)

	• Circuit Analysis tool rewritten, and greatly augmented
	• Projectile Simulator improved
	• Changed it so radio-buttons don't stay checked after calculation
	• Added Forum links and additional Physics link
	• Small Bug Fixes

 Version 1.1.1 (11/17/02)

	• Added Projectile Motion Simulator
	• Completely revamped the projectiles section
	• Added an option so that only one Info Window is open at a time
	• Info Windows show the formula built numerically
	• Created a momentum section
	• Streamlined the finding parallel and series resistance formula 
	• Added the Quadratic formula to the other section

 Version 1.0.2 (9/24/02)
	• Fixed some small bugs

 Version 1.0.1 (9/6/02)

     	• Added Series-Parallel resistor circuit Analysis
	• Added Unit Conversion window
	• Added three more electrical formulas
	• Added mass to energy ratio formula
	• Provided a menu of Physics website links
	• All menu options are available in any part of the program
	• Fixed Electrical Force miscalculation
	• Put in the right slope formula graphic
	• Improved the Resistance/Capacitance Formula
	• Fixed slight visual problem in Jaguar (Mac OS 10.2)
	• Fixed some minor typographical errors
	• Main Finding Distance (2) Formula calculation
	   has been corrected.

 Version 0.90 (6/11/02)

	• Added Auto-Input Feature
	• User selected rounding ability
	• Improved the Ax+Ay formula yet again
	• Added Modern Physics Formulas (4)
	• Added three more projectile formulas (3)
	• Added one more energy formula (1)
	• Added Thermo Dynamics Formulas (4)
	• Added a temperature calculation formula and Newton's first law to the "Other" 	   section.
	• Different formula display windows
	• Fixed Universal Gravitation problem
	• Fixed "Finding Theta" variable miscalculations
	• UI Tweaks

 Version 0.76 (4/28/02)

	• The millions of colors bug is no more.
	• Placed Vfy (2) Graphic.
	• Placed Percent Error Graphic.

 Version 0.75 (4/24/02)

	• The ability to solve for any variable in most formulas.
	• Added a Resistor Color Band Calculator.
	• Added Parallel Capacitance Formula, Electrical Power Formula, 
	  Gravitational Potential Energy Formula, Projectile Range (Ground) Formula,
          Percent Error Formula.
	• Finally added formula graphics to the Projectile section.
	• Merged and improved the "Ax" and "Ay" formulas.
	• The Ax, Ay, and Work formulas now use degrees, not radians.
	• Fixed Tab Order.
	• New, nicer formula graphics.
	• Fixed wrong graphic in the acceleration formula in Kinematics.

 Version 0.60 (4/12/02)

	• Fixed Center of Mass (M1, X1) error.
	• Ohm's Law now works.
	• Parallel Resistance now works.
	• Put in the right Acceleration formula in Kinematics.
	• Dressed up the Help section.
	• Added unit labels to several formulas.
	• Few UI tweaks.

 Version 0.50 (4/8/02)

	• Initial Release

Credits

	Author:
   	Matthew Jacques

	General Help:
   	Johnathon Patt
	
	Logo Concept: 
   	James Meister
	Logo Aquafication:
   	Denny Butts

	And special thanks to:
		Jamie Marshall
   	Gregg Dowdy
		Jake Mavity
		Two-Foot Tall Lighthouse 

Small Print

	Physics 101 ("the software") is provided as is. Use the software at your own risk. Matt Jacques ("the author") makes no 	warranties as to performance, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other warranties whether expressed or 	implied. No oral or written communication from or, information provided by the author shall create a warranty. Under no 	circumstances shall the author be liable for direct, indirect, special, incidental, or consequential damages resulting from the use, 	misuse, or inability to use the software, even if the author has been advised of the possibility of such damages.

	Praeter Software is providing links to Physics websites as a courtesy, and makes no representations regarding the information or 	any suitability related thereto. Any problems or questions must be directed to the applicable web site's webmaster.

	© Matthew Jacques. 2002. http://praetersoftware.mine.nu/, praetersoftware@netscape.net