Flying Things

In the unit I'm reflecting on, Mrs. Gende's physics class learned about vectors and projectile motion. We learned how to find any missing parts of a vector triangle using SOH CAH TOA, how to label vectors, how to resolve a vector into its x and y components using cos and sin, how to add vectors, how to find resultants using the square roots of the squares of the x and y components, and how to find any part of a projectile's motion using various formulas. Projectile motion is when a projectile is moving (duh). Projectiles have motion horizontally and vertically, the vertical velocity being positive or negative gravity. The horizontal velocity of a projectile remains constant, and the initial y velocity is always zero. Obviously, we learned a lot. And with learning comes misunderstanding. I found several of these concepts hard to grasp at first, mainly finding the time of projectile motions, because the answer has to be multiplied by two sometimes, but other times it doesn't. Which is confusing. I managed to figure out my issues with this using logic. The time being multiplied by two depends on how far the projectile is travelling (x or y).

When you usually learn things in science or math you think, 'I'm never going to need this ever.' But with vectors and projectile motion its different. The world is rife with examples of projectile motion and vectors. Now you can find the velocity of the gun Horatio uses during your favorite episode of CSI:Miami, find the range of the basketball you just threw, find the angle the of the cannon that cannon artists are being launched out of, or your friend's height using only a meter stick and a piece of string. So, knowledge of projectile motion and vectors will get you far in life.

Acceleration

In Physics, we have been working with acceleration and other elements of kinematic formulas. In order to force our minds to understand these elements in a fun way, Mrs. Gende asked us to create a Tagxedo showing some important words when dealing with kinematics, and make a Pixton cartoon explaining an important part of kinematics. I chose to explain acceleration. Acceleration is a vector quantity, with both magnitude and force, which is defined as being the change in velocity over time. Velocity is also a vector quantity, so I guess acceleration is sort of a double vector. Or not. In any case, acceleration is found by dividing velocity, m/s, by time, s, thus giving us units of m/s^2.