Problems

1. {"part_id"=>"1", "title"=>"Conceptual Questions", "questions"=>[{"id"=>"q1a", "type"=>"conceptual", "prompt"=>"What is the key difference between a scalar and a vector? Provide one example of each that relates to geology (e.g., Earth's interior temperature vs. tectonic plate velocity)."}, {"id"=>"q1b", "type"=>"conceptual", "prompt"=>"In physics, what is 'net force' and why is it more important for determining an object's change in motion than any single force acting on it?"}]}
2. {"part_id"=>"2", "title"=>"1D Vector Addition (Linear Forces)", "questions"=>[{"id"=>"q2a", "type"=>"calculation", "prompt"=>"A tectonic plate is being pushed eastward by a mid-ocean ridge with a force of 8 trillion Newtons (8 x 10^12 N). At the same time, it is being pulled eastward by a subducting slab with a force of 15 trillion Newtons (15 x 10^12 N). What is the net force on the plate? (Include direction)."}, {"id"=>"q2b", "type"=>"calculation", "prompt"=>"Another plate is being pushed eastward by a ridge (6 x 10^12 N) but is resisted by friction from the continent to the west (4 x 10^12 N). What is the net force on this plate? (Include direction)."}]}
3. {"part_id"=>"3", "title"=>"2D Vector Addition (Perpendicular Forces)", "questions"=>[{"id"=>"q3a", "type"=>"diagramming", "prompt"=>"On a piece of paper, draw a simple diagram for the following scenario: A point on the Pacific Plate is being pushed North with a force of 9 units and West with a force of 12 units. Draw the two force vectors head-to-tail and draw the resultant vector (the net force)."}, {"id"=>"q3b", "type"=>"calculation", "prompt"=>"Using the Pythagorean theorem, calculate the magnitude of the net force (the length of the resultant vector) from the previous question. Show your work."}, {"id"=>"q3c", "type"=>"calculation", "prompt"=>"A small section of a plate experiences a northward 'slab pull' force of 4 x 10^12 N and an eastward 'ridge push' force of 3 x 10^12 N. What is the magnitude of the net force driving this section of the plate?"}]}
4. {"part_id"=>"4", "title"=>"Challenge — Connecting to the Phenomenon", "data_source"=>"Simplified GPS data from the Afar Triangle.", "questions"=>[{"id"=>"q4a", "type"=>"synthesis", "prompt"=>"Scientists monitoring the 2005 event in the Afar Triangle use GPS to measure crustal movement. Imagine one GPS station moves 8 meters North and 6 meters East over a decade. Calculate the total displacement (the straight-line distance it moved). How does this calculation, which represents velocity vectors, relate to the force vectors you calculated in Part 3?"}]}