Physics Class Review

Physics is all around us. I was surprised when I first started noticing concepts I learned in physics class pop up in every day life. It is the science that describes how our world works. I think physics is what moves us forward. It constantly helps us discover new idea and concepts that helps improve our way of life. So, I guess I would define physics as the study of how the world/universe behaves.

In all honesty, I really enjoyed the class. Sometimes, I even felt excited before class started to learn the new concepts. The class moved at a fast, but still comfortable pace for me. I always ended the day feeling like I had learned a lot but never really felt too overwhelmed. before I started the class, I wasn't looking forward to 4 or 7 hours a day in class 5 days a week, but after finishing the class, it feels like it passed by really fast. The classes were very hands-on and interesting, rather than listening to a teacher lecture and give out worksheets.

Now that I look back, I have learned A LOT of information that I had never even dreamed of knowing before this class. We began in Unit 1 which was basically an introduction to physics. Our major focus in Unit 1 was to learn how to analyze and collect data from labs and experiments. We learned a lot about graphing and graph relationships, as well as scientific notation and SI units. Unit 2 is the start of kinematics. Kinematics is the study of motion. We focused on different types of quantities, scalar and vector, like distance, displacement, speed and velocity. We also learned the three main graphing rules for d/t graphs and v/t graphs and how to analyze them. This lesson taught us a lot about interpreting motion through words. Then, in Unit 3 we began uniform acceleration. This lesson is basically like what the title describes it to be. Acceleration is change in velocity/unit of time or m/s over s or m/s^2. Then we learned the relationship between d/t graphs, v/t graphs and a/t graphs. Acceleration is a curved distance vs. time graph and a sloped velocity vs. time graph. We also learned the three kinematic equations, DAT, VAT and VAD (d=at^2+vot, v=vo+at, and v^2=vo^2+2ad). Another important thing we learned is how to organize solving problems; we used the order of d, a, t, v, vo for the givens. Next, in Unit 4 we began projectile motion. One important idea to remember is that axes are independent. We learned that when vertical and horizontal movement is combined, it creates a parabolic motion. This is the unit with lots of word problems. We used trigonometry, like sine, cosine and tangent, to solve some of the problems. Unit 5, we did forces in equilibrium. In this unit we learned a lot about forces and how they act upon each other and other objects. Most importantly we learned the bureku technique, taught by Mr. Blake himself! We also used trigonometry in this unit to solve the diagonal problems we encountered. The bureku technique taught us to break up any diagonal into x and y vectors, and then use trigonometry on the right triangle you just created. We also learned Newton's three laws. The first law is the law of inertia, the second is the law of acceleration and the third law, is the action-reaction law. We also learned that one Newton (N) = kg*m/s^2 and weight = mg. An important thing to remember is that a normal force is the force perpendicular to the surface. This unit focused a lot on balanced and unbalanced forces. In Unit 6, we focused on friction. There are two main types of friction, static friction and kinetic friction. Force of friction is represented like this Ff which is equal to the M*N. Next, in Unit 7, we learned about momentum. Momentum (p) is mass (m) x velocity (v). The units for momentum is kg x m/s. The law of Conservation of Momentum is: In a closed system, momentum of a system is always conserved. Force = change in p/ change in t. The change in p is the force x time or the Impulse. Also, the pfinal - pintial = F x change in time. We learned concepts on how momentum is always conserved and elastic and inelastic collisions. Then, in Unit 8 we learned all about work and energy. The Law of conservation of mass is: Energy cannot be created or destroyed, it can only change forms. With this in mind, we learned different types of energy, kinetic and potential, and how to find the work. There is also spring potential energy which deals with energy of springs. We also learned some graphing rules with force vs. distance graphs. power is the rate at which work is done. The units for power is joules/sec or watts. In Unit 9, we work on waves, YAY! We determine the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves, we see how medium affects waves, and find the relationship between velocity and frequency and wavelength. We learn superposition and how waves interfere, as well as resonance and pitch. Unit 10 we learn the speed of light, which is 3x10^8 and the difference between sound an light waves. We learned opaque and transparent, and the whole spectrum of electromagnetic waves, from low frequency things like radios, to high frequency light like ultraviolet, and x-rays and gamma rays. Specular is a smooth surface and diffuse is a bumpy surface. White light is a light with all frequencies of light, ROYGBIV. We learned how to mix light colors and that objects reflect certain colors and absorb others.

I really liked this class because Mr. Blake made it a very hands-on and interactive class. I am a very visual and hands-on person, so when I get to experience the concepts of physics first hand, I really understand the concepts better and it is WAY more enjoyable for me. I liked the review sessions we had because it touched up on very important things and allowed me to ask questions that I never thought of before. It was great that they were right before the test. I also liked that Mr. Blake gave us progress reports because it let me know how I was doing in the class. I know I said that visual learning and hands-on experiences were important to me, but so was the packet. The packet was very useful for practice problems and when I needed to look back for a quick review or look back what we did. I sincerely enjoyed the class a lot more than I thought. I took this class to find out if I would be interested in these types of sciences, and I certainly am! I look forward to maybe pursuing more of this interest.

Something the class could improve on was having more field trips to places outside of Punahou. Also, I think it would be fun if we had more projects to do instead of tests, wink wink.

Thank you Mr. Blake for being so helpful. You really did make learning fun and interesting with your jokes. Your interactiveness and fun personality made it easy for me to ask questions and really get into physics, thanks! Kamehameha is really lucky to have you.