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    One of the most exciting things about learning physics is that we get to start to try to answer "why" questions: why is the sky blue? why does the Sun rise in the East? 

    Learning new and modern physics can be thrilling because of the explanatory power of the theories we read about and the experiments that have been done, but sometimes we should return to these "why" questions and really examine what it means to answer a "why."  One of my favorite physicists to read and learn from is Richard Feynman, and here's his take on why questions. He challenges us to consider how we answer a why question, and what implications this might have for us as students of physics. Enjoy!

  1. Blog darkassassin

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    all right im going to try and hyperlink this video into this if it doesnt work just cut and paste into the url. http://www.flixxy.com/golf-ball-slow-motion.htm. this is an awesome video!!! i wonder what the impulse is? i will get back to you guys with that!

  2. I saw a video on yahoo news today where a cat falls 19-stories and survives and the reporter seems stunned. If only she took physics with us she would know that is is because of the aerodynamics of a cat and the terminal velocity of their fall to be able to spread themselves out to slow themselves down.Here is the link to the video.http://news.yahoo.com/video/bostonwbz-15750588/cat-survives-19-story-fall-in-boston-28691018.html

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    blog-0430447001395113140.jpgTbh, I was not looking forward to physics at all this year. I thought it was going to be way too challenging and boring. But I actually like it....I think physics is very intersting, especially because it can be applied to basically everything. I think it is so cool to learn about and I personally love all the hands on activities we get to do in class. I'm actually really happy that I made the decision to take honors physics this year! #noregrets
  3. Blog Soccerboy2003D

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    [ATTACH=CONFIG]47[/ATTACH]

    pencil.png

  4. Colby's Blog

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    Another example of how physics applies to karate is in take-downs. This is when you use your opponent's bodyweight against them (which I know is more Judo inspired than actual karate, so just bear with me). But what I observed is with minimal brute force a person with little mass can take down an opponent with much bigger mass. This is done with speed. And as the formula for force goes, it is equal to the mass of the fist times the acceleration of the acceleration of the punch. So, short people of the world don't worry, with enough speed you can beat a much bigger opponent.

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    The user THEREWASHOMEWORK? posted on 3 17 14 about the difficulties and frustrations of trying to plan the makings of a Rube Goldberg machine. I agree that it is very difficult to plan how things will react with one another exactly, and so it is best to make the machines with an open mind and a lot of patience. I also agree that OK GO was very creative in the making of their music video, and it's clear that their team of helpers seen at the end of the video worked very hard on the giant machine, and was very happy when the filming was over and they had succeeded. I can't say I blame them, physics can be hard sometimes, but in the end it does give you a great sense of acomplishment. :D

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    fminton20
    Latest Entry

    Walter Lewin was a professor at MIT for 49 years. He became quite prestigious, not just on campus but online as well with his online video courses. In 2013 he began to create online versions of his classes for people to take as well. And in October 2014 it brought him sexual harassment charges. Immediately after said charges were brought, Lewin was fired and his videos were taken down from the internet. I don’t believe that his videos should have been taken down off the internet.

    I do understand why MIT would believe it was right to remove the videos. Lewin’s reputation was intertwined with that of the institute, once people find out about the charges it reflects negatively on MIT as a college. MIT wanted, “a complete separation from Walter,†(The Tech). if it’s found out that instead of defending Lewin, that MIT fired him and cut off all ties they had with him, it would look good for the college, because they took action against something that is frowned upon in society. So MIT’s rash decision to remove all videos and fire Lewin is completely understandable, but maybe not so well thought through. MIT was just trying to watch their own skin and are trying to prevent, “any further inappropriate behavior,†(The Tech). By removing the videos MIT is guaranteeing that there are no ties with Lewin at all, and there is almost no way to find the videos now, and will be forever deleted at the end of this semester at MIT.

    But removing the videos also may not have been a great idea for MIT to do. I understand getting rid of Lewin’s online classes. But Lewin’s videos, “have reached millions,†(The Tech). Lewin’s videos have helped not only the physics students at MIT, but people all around the world, learn physics by this brilliant man. He created demonstrations and lectures that, although I have not seen them, look as though they made it quite interesting to learn. By deleting the videos, MIT is taking away a valuable way to study and learn physics, for students who may not understand it sitting in a lecture hall. Although MIT is keeping them up till the end of this semester, what about the students who may need them later on in life? Or other students across the globe who have used Lewin’s videos to enhance their learning. Lewin’s videos have nothing to do with the sexual harassment charges, so if you delete the online classes that’s fine because that is where the charges began that’s fine and understandable, but taking away videos that were created to help students learn, is only hurting the students who may have relied on Lewin’s videos. Not only that, but Lewin is a brilliant man and MIT is deleting his work. Although what he allegedly did is wrong, it is also wrong to permanently destroy someone’s lifetime work.

    In conclusion I believe that Walter Lewin, accused of sexual harassment, should not be allowed to continue to work at MIT and give online classes, but I do not believe that his lecture videos should have been deleted. His lecture videos offer a different way for students to learn the material especially if they don’t grasp it in class. I personally know from experience that online videos to help learn actually help me learn the material so much better. Although I understand the reasoning behind MIT firing Lewin and not wanting his name associated with theirs, I also understand that Lewin is a brilliant man and his work has influenced so many lives across the globe help to learn physics from “swinging from a ball†(The Tech). Lewin’s videos should not be deleted because they help kids learn and the alleged accusations did not take place within these videos and have nothing to do with students, except for helping them learn the material that’s being taught to them.

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    ahicks15
    Latest Entry

    There's actually some cool stuff on these blogs! Velociraptor42 posted this video a while back:

    It's a really different perspective on the idea of time and human beings! go science
  5. Blog landshark69

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    Givens:

    vi= 0 m/s

    vf= 177 mph

    d= ¼ mile

    t= 7.99 sec

    m= 3,284 lbs

    Conversions: = 402.4 meters

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]83[/ATTACH]= 402.4 meters

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]84[/ATTACH] = 79.1 m/s

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]85[/ATTACH]= 1,489.6 kg

    Kinematics:

    vi= 0

    vf= 79.1 m/s

    a= ?

    d= 402.4 m

    t= 7.99 s

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]86[/ATTACH]

    Force: Fn=ma => Fn= (1,489.6kg)(9.9 m/s^2) => Fn= 14,747 N

    Work: W= Fnd => W= (14,747 N)(402.4 m) => W= 5,934,192.8 j

    Power:

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]87[/ATTACH]

    Kinetic energy:

    KE= 1/2mv^2 => KE= ½(1,489.6 kg)(79.1^2 m/s) => KE= 4,660,072.88 j

    The role of friction in this video: the friction from the rubber of the tires spinning on the asphalt creates heat and traction hich creats more grip to help enhance performance.

  6. Blog bxh8620

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    My blog post:

    [ATTACH=CONFIG]43[/ATTACH]

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    Sabrinademarco
    Latest Entry

    My sister and I were leaving the store and we decided to have a race back to the car. I told her that I could get there first and she claimed that she could. My initial velocity was 3 m/s and hers was 2 m/s. The distance was a mere 20 feet. I got to the car within 10 seconds and she got there in thirteen seconds. I, of course, won the race. Due to my starting velocity being greater than hers, although both accelerations were constant.

  7. Blog jade

    Last week in Physics we discussed motion. Motion is the ability to work gravity. From motion we started discussing how it caused Collisions & Explosions due to momentum. Dealing with momentum we learned a new formula called p=mv. We also learned that a change in momentum causes impulse.

    Learning change impulse confused me because I didnt understand the formula. Through some practicing the formula started to make a little more sense.

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    Greetings fellow physics students and/or insane persons (yes, I mean you),

    Well, so much for senioritis, eh? Taking AP Physics-C kind of prevents me from doing nothing. So why take the class if it prevents me from, well, enjoying, my last year? You know, that is a question I've asked myself multiple times, and I've narrowed it down to three answers. It may be one or a combination, but here they are:

    1) I enjoy science and math.

    2) I need physics for my major and I want to get it over with as soon as possible, and it looks great for college nevertheless.

    3) I'm out of my mind.

    I would normally gravitate (heh, get it? It's gravity, heh, physics. You know what never mind) towards that third answer there, but actually, now that I think about it, those first two seem like legitimate reasons, considering that I do want to go to college and major in neuroscience - you know, all that brainy stuff. I have always enjoyed science and math, and have always wanted answers - and precise ones - not just random riddles and nonsense (ahem). Anyway, this class will give me answers, and I'm looking forward to them, though I suspect that I will get answers to questions that I really don't want the answers to. Sure, it may not click right away, I don't expect it to, but I'm sure it will come...eventually. I also do need physics for my field of interest, and I'd rather get it over with now than in college. I'm not saying that that's my only reason and I'm forcing myself through this, but, yeah, it's up there. Lastly, I'm just simply crazy. Taking this class is definitely not the only reason, but it is one of the biggest ones. I had only heard nothing but complaints about the class and how difficult it was. Now, since I took AP-B last year, I could've decided not to take another physics class, and just relax. I actually had a choice, and for some reason I chose the hard work and the suffering over blissful sleep, and ignorance, I guess. Now that I am in the class, I realize that I am anxious about the whole class, and passing the exam. It will definitely be a great challenge, but I will push on through every challenge, like I always do. Hm, maybe that says something deep and important...nah, who am I kidding, I'm just crazy XD

    But really, in all the seriousness I can muster, I'm looking forward to this class, despite all the challenges. It will definitely enlighten me, teach me not only the material, but valuable life skills, and it will help me in the future - in college and farther still.

    So, wish me luck!

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    MrPhysics
    Latest Entry

    Well, its offically happened. I have accepted that summer is over and the days of sleeping in and golfing mid-week are over. I'm back in the swing of things. Grading papers, teasing students, harassing the chemistry teachers. I even have a new partner this year. For the first time, Eastridge now has two physics teachers! I'm enjoying having another person who understands me in the building to bounce ideas off of, and I think this will be a benefit to all students taking physics this year and beyond.

    Looking forward to using all APLUSPHYSICS.com has to offer as well. Hope everyone has a great year.

    ---END TRANSMISSION---

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    When I found out that physics involved solving many story problems, I was worried because solving story problems have always been difficult for me. In the beginning of the class, I found the story problems difficult but as the class progressed they became much easier. This video by Jesse Mason helped to show simple steps in solving any physics problem.

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    cdisalle15
    Latest Entry

    I felt the same way "hotdog" did on her first day of physics class... lost and confused.. in need of direction when learning this new language. However, I was excited to learn about the study of matter and energy. When I sat down on my first day of physics, I felt anxious and overwhelmed. SO much to learn in one semester! I'm managing the anxiety by making sure i learn the content, doing all my homework, and studying for tests but it comes back some days! For the most part I'm enjoying the class immensely. I'm a very hands-on, concrete-content person, so physics is enjoyable for me. Earlier, I got really excited because I found this erasable highlighter (who knew they existed), and the reason the highlighter gets erased is because of the friction of the eraser on the paper paper. I just found it fascinating.

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    SabrinaJV
    Latest Entry

    Two favorite games of mine, Assassin's Creed and Batman: Arkham City, are all about physics, whether readers are giving me displacements that run me into walls instead of leading me through my maps or I'm diving to the ground then pulling back up in order tocatch wind, distance, and acceleration. I have to find a way to shoot a poison dart at an angle where I won't be noticed, position myself just right to take criminals down in a sneak attack. Batman especially takes the cake when a sniper is after me and I need to "displace" his position to take him out.

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    sarabuckbee
    Latest Entry

    So as you can see from the title I have no idea what to write about this week but hey I'm gonna wing it!

    Yeah, so I have almost no clue whats going on right now because of the fact that the whole derrivative thing looks like a divide sign so I'm always thinking we have to divide things. And theres just too many of those triangle signs as well. I wish I learned some of this in Pre Calc or decided to take Math Anaysis. I think I would be much better off if I did.

    Otherwise this class is slightly interesting and not too bad with the basic kinematics sparingly weaved in. This test coming up on Friday will be the true deciding factor on whether I'm going to stay in this class or not...

    I'm gonna be a business major, it doesn't take calculus based physics to fire someone. Just saying :star:

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    Sandrae312 on 2-10-14 blogged about the different ways gymnasts use work and power. I thought this was cool because I am a gymnast and I never thought about the components of physics in gymnastics.

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    PhunPhysics
    Latest Entry

    Fezziksphysics discussed VIR charts, referenced physicsgal1's video about circuits and listed the formulas needed to solve Ohm's Law, series, and parallel circuits.

    This chapter was difficult at first, but is much easier now that I understand the VIR charts and circuit rules. Once I learned the rules for each type of circuit and learned how to solve mixed circuits, the charts came to me easily. I’m not much of a video person, but I did take the time to watch the video and I found it had a good basic explanation/review of circuits. I tend to learn better through practice problems and note-taking.

    One of the most difficult topics was solving mixed circuits. This trick is to remember to combine the parallel circuits into a single resistor, then solve the circuit as a series. Here are the VIR equations:

    Parallel:

    V1=V2=V3=VT

    IT=∑I

    RT=(R1-1+R2-1+R3-1)

    Series:

    VT=∑V

    I1=I2=I3=IT

    RT=∑R

    This website explains circuts pretty well for those people (like me) who learn well through reading:

    http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/circuits/u9l4e

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    Fezziksphysics
    Latest Entry

    On March 13, 2014,
    physicsgal1
    mentioned learning about circuits, Ohm's Law, a few formulas she learned and even referrenced a video regarding circuits.

    Now that I'm understanding circuits and how to do VIP charts I really enjoy doing them. To me, the process has become almost medative-at least once I get going. I found the video helpful as it reminded me that the electrions technically flow from the negative side to the positive. Part of me wishes I had looked for a video, like the one referrenced, earlier in the course of learning. Another part of me is glad I didn't because I got to learn the process
    (a little)
    on my own and I feel like I know the concept better now because I did the work/learning myself.

    Now maybe this is just my personality and desire to keep everything organized and together but I would not have only three equations in that post. Even if I know/knew all the equations, I'd rather put all of the ones for series (and parallel) down just in case I
    do
    end up forgetting them. Plus, doing so "proves" I know what I'm doing and leaves little room for others to doubt me but that's just how I operate.

    Ohm's Law

    V=IR

    Series

    V=ΣV=V
    1
    +V
    2
    +V
    3
    ....

    I=I
    1
    =I
    2
    =I
    3
    ...

    R
    T
    =ΣR=R
    1
    +R
    2
    +R
    3
    ...

    Parallel

    V=V
    1
    =V
    2
    =V
    3
    ....

    I=I
    1
    +I
    2
    +I
    3
    ...

    R
    T
    =(R
    1
    -1
    +R
    2
    -1
    +R
    3
    -1
    )
    -1

    or R
    T
    =(ΣR
    -1
    )
    -1

    or 1/R
    T
    =[(1/R
    1
    )+(1/R
    2
    )+(1/R
    3
    )]
    -1
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    Science4Life
    Latest Entry

    At first I didn't know what to post, but then I saw this video and thought it might be neat to share. Considering out recent work with electrostatics and circuits, as well as the STEM's work with lightbulbs, I thought this might be interesting. Enjoy!

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