The Math of Motion

Introductory Physics had the whole period set aside to practice working with the kinematics formulas on their MCAS formula sheet. As we go through the year, you'll see why organizing your work is very important for success. List your information (variable, value, unit, direction) and don't hesitate to actually write down the variable for which you'll be solving. Read the problem again for any information given in words (at rest = v_i = 0 m/s, for example) and add that to your list. Look at your formula sheet and see if there is any equation that directly lets you use your list of information to solve for your desired variable. Sometimes you get lucky, other times you don't. If there's not one equation, look for an equation that will use your current information to add more to the information list. That may crack open a formula that let's you get to the desired end point. At this level, it is not about being given numbers and just plugging them into an equation; at this level, you are expected to be able to plan an attack with what you're given to conquer the problem, regardless of how many steps you need to get to that victory. We'll go over the problems tomorrow and take more practice if it is needed. If not - on with more motion!

Physics A and B moved into the topic of vector resolution today. On Friday, we showed how two perpendicular vectors could be combined into a resultant that had both magnitude and direction; today we turned around and went backwards. Vector resolution takes a single vector with magnitude and direction and breaks it apart into two perpendicular components. We introduced the sine and cosine functions to solve for horizontal and vertical components of vectors and the practice you did with this technique, along with Friday's vector combination practice, will help you solve problems throughout the year. Tomorrow, we combine the two techniques to tackle the slightly more complex situation of non-perpendicular vectors.

Honors Physics had a great time since I wasn't in class, though why I found the remnants of balloons and llama fur in my room when I returned shall happily remain a mystery. Folks got more practice with projectiles launched at an angle and these problems were a bit more complex than the ones we worked last week. If you get stuck, check the online solutions or go back and watch yesterday's videos. We'll go over these problems tomorrow as part of our general review for Wednesday's exam.