Tips for Using CAPA to do the Homework

• Remember what Prof. Rajeev and the text say about units being necessary? There's a big difference between 6.2 seconds and 6.2 days! The CAPA system is flexible about what units you use to submit answers, but you do have to tell it what units you're using so it can tell if you're right or not. So, if the answer to a problem is a length, don't just type "0.645" -- that is not the correct answer, because that's not a length, just a pure number! Instead, give the units: type "0.645 m" or "64.5 cm" or "2.12 ft".
• As I said, CAPA's pretty flexible about units, but don't push it. I've found it's best just to, unless the problem is really specific, solve things and get an answer in standard units (m, s, m/s, m/s^2, kg, W, etc.).
• Unless otherwise specified, all problems that need numerical answers (and that's most of them) should be answered to three significant figures. Yes, yes, I know that this is not good scientific practice, and good for you for realizing that -- but it's a compromise to make the computer evaluation more uniform. So, if the answer works out to be "2 m", don't enter that, enter "2.00 m", and the system will be happier.
• Remember that each student has different numbers, so copying someone else's numerical answers won't work. However, you definitely should share and work together on techniques for solving the problems -- I've found that I learn more that way, especially on the tough problems!
• Some of the questions give several answers, like A,B,C,D,E, and ask you to give as your answer any and all of the choices that are correct -- so maybe A and E are right but the others are wrong, or maybe only C, etc. I think you can respond with the letters in any order, but just to be on the safe side, answer in alphabetical order (so in the first case of my example, you'd enter "AE" as the answer).
• If you use the Web access method, try to have a few answers ready to enter before you hit the "submit" link -- it'll save time.
• Don't push your time limit and try to be submitting answers right up to 9am; your watch may not be entirely correct, and the system will not accept any late submissions. You have almost a full week to do the homework, so use it! (Same with me: I won't accept manual answers late either...)