Vectors and Projectile Motion

In this unit I learned about, of course, vectors and projectile motion. But what did I learn about them? First I learned all the equations needed to solve a projectile motion problem without an angle. I learned the equations to solve for time, distance, and velocity for both horizontal motion and vertical motion, as well as how to find the resultant velocity of a problem. I then learned how to apply these equations to problems involving projectile motion. Projectile motion at an angle was a little bit different. The acceleration is negative instead of positive, there's an angle that we have to deal with, and since we now have an initial vertical velocity, some of our equations have to take that into consideration. Along with projectile motion, we learned about vectors. Vectors are just the direction and magnitude of the object, so they were not that difficult to understand. Solving projectile motion problems with an angle aren't that much different from solving problems without, there are just a few more steps involved. I also learned how to add vectors. Adding vectors was one of the simpler things to do. All it is is finding the square root of Vx*2 plus Vy*2. The answer is called the resultant. The next step involves quite a bit of trigonometry. To find theta you multiply tan*-1 to the absolute value of Vy over Vx.

I found quite a few things difficult in this unit. First of all, since physics is all very new to me it takes me awhile to understand what exactly is going on. Once I do understand one problem, the next problem will have a slight twist that throws me off guard, then confuses me, then frustrates me. I usually spend a lot of time working on my homework or classwork with my dad, who understands this. Once I got the material, though, it was easier than I first thought it would be.

My problem-solving skills are a work in progress. Mrs. Gende, my physics teacher, gave us an organized plan to solving problems, which already helps me out a ton. I learn best with visuals, so in the more complex word problems I draw labeled diagrams of what is happening in the problem so that I can look at it and figure things out in relation to the picture. Sometimes I get lazy, and want to get a certain problem done faster than usual. The thing about physics though is that you have to be careful and take your time. With physics, if you rush you can make careless errors. Then I get frustrated and have to get my dad to help me. My dad teaches me lots of good study skills and easy ways to solve problems (he's the one who suggested drawing pictures for help) and writing down all the thoughts that pop into my head so that it's all on paper where I can see it, and it works.

There are lots of ways physics connects to everyday life. A huge example of this is sports, especially one where you have to kick the ball. If you know how far you're going to kick it, and you know how hard, then you can estimate at what angle you should kick the ball at. Launching a rocket is another example, because you deal with velocity, time, acceleration, distance, and angles. There are lots of things that you could apply projectile motion to in real life, with or without an angle. Projectile motion is a really important topic because of this, and learning it has shown a whole different view of everyday things, such as balls rolling off tables, bananas being launched at monkeys, and balls being kicked during a football game.

Dr. Phil Explains Physics: A Stress Free Approach to Understanding Velocity and Speed

I've developed a love and understanding for speed and velocity, a love so deep that it can only be completely portrayed by a comic strip featuring Dr. Phil. So naturally I was thrilled when my fabulous physics teacher (Mrs. Gende) assigned us to create a comic strip about either acceleration or speed and velocity. I chose speed and velocity, of course, because of my profound love for it.
Okay, now we're getting a little bit dramatic, but I hope you enjoy my comic where a young girl named after myself seeks help on her physics homework from Dr. Phil. Yes, it's a little bit random. But it makes for a catchy title. Please enjoy reading my comic with all its random plot lines.