Thankful for Physics

The topic for this weeks blog in honor of Thanksgiving, is what we are thankful for in physics. After a while trying to decide what I am thankful for I finally decided that the number one thing that I am truly thankful for in physics is gravity. There really is a lot to be thankful for in physics because physics is really what makes our world function the way it does. Gravity is what basically keeps us firm right on the ground and not floating around. Gravity is also equal to 9.8 m/s2. I am truly thankful for gravity because that is what makes Earth so special. In all honestly I rather be flat on the ground then floating around. Gravity is what allows us humans to do such amazing things like throw a ball, or kick a rock, or even do crazy flips. In life there are many things to be thankful for, but honestly gravity is what makes life possible and allows things to happen on this Earth.

Understanding Momentum

This week in class we learned about momentum and how it works. First and foremost I would like to explain what exactly momentum is. Momentum is a measure of motion. The equation based on momentum goes as follows: ΔP=mass*velocity. This basic equation can be used to solve the momentum of an object in motion. A conceptual way of explaining momentum is the force that something gets when it is being hit by another object exerting force. As there is conservation of mass, there is such thing known as conservation of momentum. Basically momentum cannot be created nor destroyed. It is just simply based on. Another aspect of physics that goes hand in hand with momentum is impulse. Impulse is the change in momentum. The equation for this goes as follows: I=ΔP (Pf-Pi). In class we used the example of a simple punch to further understand how impulse and momentum work. For a punch to have more momentum it must have more mass and more velocity. And if there is more momentum then there will be more impulse because impulse is just the change in momentum. Physics is all around and we can use it in everyday life.

Newtonʻs Second Law of Motion

In class this week we did an experiment to analyze Newton's second law of motion. Which has to do with the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration. We did a number of trials which included changing the mass and then changing the force. This was a very successful lab that helped to further explain the law. To understand this concept we must remember that force is at equilibrium. But the equation for force goes as follows: F net= (mass)*(acceleration). So when you look at the equation if the mass is larger then the acceleration must be less because it has to equal that certain value. This experiment really enhanced my understanding of this law.

Newtonʻs First Law

This week in class we discussed and learned about Newtonʻs Laws of Motion. There are three laws:

1. Law of Inertia: objects in motion (rest) tend to stay in motion (rest) unless acted upon by outside unbalanced force.

2. Law of Acceleration: Acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force on the object.

3. Action Reaction Law: For every action, there is an equal or opposite action. For every force, there is an equal or opposite force. Equal in magnitude, opposite in direction.

In class the one we focused on the most was the first law. The law of inertia. We did an experiment analyzing inertia using a frictionless disk. We pushed it across the floor to analyze how it will forever continue to stay in motion until something affects it. One example that Mr. Blake discussed that was actually very funny was in relation to us teenagers. He said an excuse to not do anything was to tell your parents about the first law of inertia. How an object at rest stays at rest. Therefore since I am an object at rest I will tend to stay at rest. I honestly thought that, that was a very funny example of physics in everyday life. Everyday I learn that there is physics more and more in everyday life. 

Predicting Landing Point

This week in physics we learned how to use formulas like d, a, t, and v, a, t, and d, v, t to solve for where an object would land coming off of a cliff or ledge. For example I could use certain givens like the height of the bed and acceleration of earth to calculate where the calculator would land on the x-axis. To me this is a pretty cool skill because it allows a person to make predictions and find out where something would land. A skill like this could be used for stuntman to determine if they could make a certain jump. Because we had a problem that modeled how certain velocities can affect the outcome of a distance. Therefore it is important to know where things will land.