Unit Summary

Unit Summary

-A-

 

In this Units a learnt:

 

1. Net force: The overall forces acting on a object (gravity, weight, friction) and is measured in Newton's. If an object has a netforce of 0N then it is at Equilibrium.

2. Equilibrium: The stage where the net force on the object adds up to 0N, so the object would either be at rest, or moving at a constant Velocity.

3. Velocity: Velocity is basically speed but in a specific direction, and formulas for getting speed are,

                            v = at,    or v = d/t

Adding to these formulas we also had to differentiate between graphs that had increase decrease or constant acceleration

4. Speed: Speed is the distance an object travels at a specific time but in any direction.

5. Acceleration: Acceleration is the increase of Velocity overtime. Formulas are:

                                             d=1/2at^2,       a = change in v/t

If an object is accelerating it can never have a constant velocity vise versa. The different graphs showing increase, decrease and constant acceleration are one of the more challenging things we learnt

6. Problem solving questions: I learnt the basics to solving a problem that we either still didn't learn or exceeded our difficulty, this helped me a lot, with other algebra 2 questions as well.

 

B-

The experiments we did with the hovercraft really helped me visualize the topic and helped me remember it in the test. Every time I throw a ball in the air I remember the experiment when it stated that there is no force making the ball move upwards.

The car video, which showed that a person in the car will continue to move when the car slows down as it was already moving, this was another, thing that helped me visualize the experiment in the test.

hovercraft blog post

Hovercraft Blog Post

Riding the hovercraft felt a bit weird and cool at the same time. It is definitely a great experience but the concept of it moving without any forces acting on it is pretty nice, for the people that have not tried it yet, you are up for a surprise. Its different than riding on a sledge or skateboarding as you are hovering, so you move without any forces acting on you while not touching the ground. 

From this experiment i managed to learn that it is possible for an object to be moving without any forces being acting on it, this refers to newtons first law which states, An object in motion or at rest stays in rest or in motion unless acted on by an outside force. So the hovercraft kept moving as it was moving in the first place and there are no forces affecting it. 

Acceleration always depends on forces affecting a certain object, so if the net force of an object is not 0 then there is an acceleration going on. Which occurred at the push and stopping parts of the hovercraft experiment. 

Constant velocity is when an object is moving at a constant speed in a certain direction. Relating it to our experiment, after the person on the hovercraft was pushed, there wasn't any forces acting on the object (Net force = 0) so it moved at constant velocity (equilibrium) until it reached the stopping point the force of the person stopping it made it stop. 

Some members were harder to stop than others as they weighed more, so you had to put in the same effort to move them (push them) and to stop them, so because they weigh more the amount of force you have to put it to start and stop them is much more.

Inertia

This video states clearly Newton's law of inertia, and shows an example by using the car and the seat belt. The video states that if you do not have a seat belt on and the car crashes, the car will suddenly stop due to the crash force, but you would continue to move forward causing you to hit the windscreen. But if you have the belt on a force is acting on the car and on you, so you both stop, it also explains the use of the head rest in the same way.

Introduction to physics

Ali Saeed

Why Physics

This year in Physics, I expect to learn:

• How to workout the speed height or time in which an item is dropped from.
• How to workout the acceleration of a moving object.
• What circuits are and how they work. 
• The basic rules and laws of physics
• Know how to set up and prove most basic experiments

Why is physics important?

I think that physics is the number one source that explains to people why certain objects act the way they do, it explains every single movement, acceleration, drop, to as simple as a equation. It is the problem solver of the universe, It indicated what is possible and what is impossible. All of the current day technology and development have been possible only through physics, without physics there would be no technology no light no entertainment. 

 

What do you think problem solving is?

 

I believe that problem solving is the process of getting the solution of a certain complex problem through a series of experiments, calculations and observations. Repetition is also key to problem solving as it assures the reliability of the solution.

 

What questions do you have about physics?

 

The questions that I have constantly been getting confused about is:

• The difference between energy and power?
• An explanation of what dark matter is, or what its place in the universe is?

 

What goals do you have for yourself in physics this year?

 

In physics I plan to be interacted with whatever the class is doing at all times, and to be fully aware and understand what is going on in class, rather than just copying or effortlessly doing work. I am also a great lover of physics so I would hopefully want to get a clearer idea of what physics section I mostly feel comfortable in, which will also hopefully lead to me knowing what I want to major in University.