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bdavis

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Blog Entries posted by bdavis

  1. Our year has come to an end. College is in the near future and rapidly approaching with each passing hour. At the beginning of the year, I walked into physics c excited but not really sure what to expect nor was I sure how difficult the material would be. As the year progressed, I realized that the tests were hard and I needed to study harder than I ever needed to before. After I failed two out of the first four tests, I was motivated to do well on the next one. The first rotational exam came and I got the highest grade in the class. I proved to myself and my classmates that I could excel if I put the work in. The rest of the year I did decently on the remaining tests and spread my attention towards my other AP classes as well. Electrostatics and magnetism in the second half of the year was very difficult for me. I tried extremely hard to grasp the vague concepts; visualizing the actions of subatomic particles was difficult but by the time the AP exam came, I felt like I understood it better than I ever had. Going into college, I hope to take more physics courses because it intrigues me. But at the same time, I will also take the lessons I learned with me: don’t procrastinate, read the text book, ask a lot of questions, and take the initiative to study a little each night before each test so I don’t stress myself out and go into each test confident and prepared. College will be hard but I am ready to work hard in order to achieve the success I envision. I will discover the cure for cancer, buy my physics c teacher a silver Porsche, and I am ready to take the next step in education and in life.

  2. "Tag"

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 08:23 PM

    We just recently finished a game in calculus. We called the game “tag” but it really was a game of assassin where we could get people out by shooting them with water guns. We had to be very stealthy because no one was supposed to know about it. To keep up with the stealthy behavior, shooting long range squirt guns would have been really effective to get people out without them realizing what hit them. In the beginning of the year we conducted a lab with q-tips and plastic straws. That lab demonstrated the concept of velocity and the relationship between displacement and acceleration. If we had water guns that had a longer nozzle with triggering mechanisms that would apply a constant force on the water from the beginning to the end of the nozzle, then the water would be accelerated over a longer displacement. F=ma and the longer an object is accelerated, the greater its velocity. Water guns with longer nozzles would be able to shoot water out faster and over longer distances if shot with an angle of appropriate trajectory. If they weren’t that noticeable, then it could have worked to our advantage. The best assassins have a good understanding of basic physics.

  3. Relativity and String Theory!

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:38 PM

    Yesterday in class we learned about Einstien’s theory of relativity and time travel. Our physics teacher explained to us how traveling in space or being on another planet can alter the amount of time you feel and your body experiences. If someone is in Space for 70 earth years, their body doesn’t age those 70 earth years if they are far enough away from the Earth’s atomsphere. We also learned about how the speed of light is the fastest speed that can be achieved in the universe: 2.998 x 108 m/s. We discussed how no object in the universe can attain that speed because as an object moves faster, it gains mass. The more mass it gains, more force is needed to accelerate the mass to continue increasing its velocity. No matter how small the initial mass is, it will become so big that there is not enough energy in the universe to apply a force strong enough to accelerate it to the speed of light. Furthermore, we also learned about how string theory applies with electron transfer. In theory, two electrons next to each other are connected by a “string” and they have opposing spins because no two electrons can spin in the same direction when they are next to each other. When one flips, the second one is supposed to instantaneously flip as well to maintain the different directions they spin in. It has only been proven to be true at a maximum of 13 miles across a river in Russia but physicists are still working on it. I find this concept fascinating and I really would like to know more about it.

  4. Physics of Planting a flower

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:14 PM

    Now it may seem like I am running out of ideas but planting a flower incorporates an important physics concept. When removing a flower from its packaging, a proper amount of force must be applied. If too much force is applied when removing a flower from its packaging, then it will therefore accelerate too much and the roots at the bottom of the package will separate, killing the innocent flower. When actually planting the flower, after digging an appropriate sized hole, you don’t need to shove it into the ground. By gently placing the flower into the subsequent hole and covering the surface with dirt is the first step to execute. Secondly, a firm yet gentle pressure must be applied to pack the soil down on top of the flower so the roots and stem are secured. If too much pressure is applied on such a small area, it will experience a greater force, thus accelerating into the ground more and crushing the roots. The stem will therefore become unstable and fall over. The flower will then shrivel up shortly after. In gardening, a lot of finesse is required so as to not kill the flowers. These two equations (force equals pressure times area and net force equals mass times acceleration) show how and why too much applied will harm the flower.

  5. 4th quarter in Review

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:12 PM

    In light of the end of school, I want to review how my 4th quarter has been. My third quarter was slightly less than stellar taking into account my previous accomplishments and I feel like that was the “swift kick in the a**” that I needed to get right back on track. From then on in the 4th quarter, I turned things around, studied hard for my AP classes and did well on my exams. After that I focused on my other non- AP classes and increased my grades considerably. In physics, we started the Kerbal Space Program and that was a lot of fun but at the same time it was educational. We got to learn about the physics of flying a rocket and how to manage a business through our online write-ups. My partner Zach did most of the work because he thoroughly enjoyed it but I forced my way through in the end so I could get a taste of that experience. I will always regret doing these blogs late because that wasn’t fair to my family or my physics C teacher who was kind enough to accept them. Overall I feel like the 4th quarter went well but I still have some work to do before college.

  6. Kerbal Space Program!

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:08 PM

    After we took the AP physics C test, we began to experiment with a computer game known as the Kerbal Space Program. In this game, creatures called Kerbals inhabit a planet named Kerbin (surprisingly similar to Earth) and we had to fulfill many missions related to space travel. I really enjoy the Kerbal space program because at the same time it is a fun experience and it incorporates a lot of physics topics such as the incorporation of gravity and air resistance. It also introduces Orbital movement and space flight. I really enjoy the Kerbal Space Program.

    Also, I found the tutorials on YouTube very helpful in understanding how enact a lot of the maneuvers.




  7. momentum headaches!

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 03:46 PM

    In my soccer game yesterday, I experienced quite a collision. Not with anyone person. I collided with the ball. In soccer, each player is allowed only to use their feet, their body and their head, not their arms or hands. Hands and arms may not come in contact with the ball. Yesterday, I had a few head balls that demonstrate the concept of conservation of momentum. A teammate of mine kicked the ball from the sideline and I redirected it with my head towards the goal. The glancing blow off of my head sent the ball in one direction while my head recoiled and traveled in another. My head, being more massive than the ball, moved only slightly in the opposite direction while the ball flew a good 30 feet to my left. Now, momentum works at angles and the trajectory of the ball was at an angle so its path changed at another angle. My head isn’t a perfectly round surface so the balls new trajectory couldn’t be easily calculated by a normal physics c student, at least without more given information about the dimensions of my head. Needless to say, I left the game with quite a headache.

  8. Complexoty of Rocket flight

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 03:39 PM

    Rocket flight is much more difficult and requires much more calculation than it may seem to those not involved in NASA. The more fuel a rocket may have and the more powerful the engine a rocket may have doesn’t always mean it will travel the fastest or the farthest. The heavier the fuel tank, the more the rocket is affected by the pull of the planet’s gravity. Also, the more massive the rocket is, the more it is affected by the air resistance of the planet’s atmosphere. Many calculations go into finding the optimal shape and form for a rocket before constructing it. Rockets cost millions of dollars to construct and they better be able to achieve the intended mission. Also, nose cones and wings are applied to decrease the air resistance on the rocket, making it more aerodynamic.


  9. Complexoty of Rocket flight

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 03:39 PM

    Rocket flight is much more difficult and requires much more calculation than it may seem to those not involved in NASA. The more fuel a rocket may have and the more powerful the engine a rocket may have doesn’t always mean it will travel the fastest or the farthest. The heavier the fuel tank, the more the rocket is affected by the pull of the planet’s gravity. Also, the more massive the rocket is, the more it is affected by the air resistance of the planet’s atmosphere. Many calculations go into finding the optimal shape and form for a rocket before constructing it. Rockets cost millions of dollars to construct and they better be able to achieve the intended mission. Also, nose cones and wings are applied to decrease the air resistance on the rocket, making it more aerodynamic.


  10. Taking the AP Physics C test

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:42 AM

    On may 13th 2013 I sat down in my high school in the afternoon for my AP Physcis C exam. The first test I had to take was the mechanics exam: 45 minutes for the multiple choice and 45 minutes for the free response questions. The 35 question multiple choice part of the exam wasn't all that difficult but a bunch of problems took a long time to figure out. I didn't finish that part of the exam so I had to guess on the last 4 questions. The beginning of the free response section began with a air resistance question. The week before, my physics teacher suggested we review how to do air resistance because he thought there might be one question on the test where we would need that information. I didn't heed his warnings and advice so I didn't review it as much as I should have. I was able to answer most of the question but not to the extent I would have hoped to. The last two problems were very do-able and I was able to finish the mechanics free response questions.

    The electrostatics and magnetism section of the exam was a bit more difficult in my opinion. The multiple choice section required a lot of work to be calculated and figured out by hand so again, I wasn't fortunate enough to finish: I had to guess on the last 5 questions. The free response questions only got worse. The first and third free response questions were do-able and I thought I did very well overall on those two but the second one was nearly impossible beyond the second part of that question. I finished most of that part but there were definitely some aspects I didn't understand as well as I probably should have.

    The Physcis C AP was very difficult and I am very nervous in anticipation to see what my scores are.

  11. In preparation for the AP

    · bdavis · 06/11/2013 04:27 AM

    In preparation for the AP Physcis-C exam, I did a number of things that helped me to properly review the year's material.

    1.) I looked over each test and studied the questions that gave me the most trouble.

    2.) I re-read the parts of the text book that described specific properties regarding certain topics during the year such as the properties specific to conducting and non-conducting shells. Also, I looked up and reviewed kirchoff's loop rules and the properties that go along with the circuits in which those rules apply.

    3.) I wrote all of the equations down on separate sheets of paper, one for mechanics and the other for electrostatics and magnetism. And the more i wrote them, the better I recognized them when the day of the AP came.

    4.) I did a little each day and didn't stress myself out too much which helped me to go into the test confident and calm. I set myself up to think effectively and critically for however long we were given for the tests.

    I felt the way I prepared myself for the test was well thought out and it worked pretty well. I probably could have studied the multiple rules and properties better but in the future I know what methods of studying work for me: repetition is the key to my success.

  12. Goals for the rest of the year

    · bdavis · 04/01/2013 06:06 AM

    We are now entering our last quarter as seniors in high school. I want to rebound from an uncharacteristically bad academic performance in the third quarter and finish strong in the last quarter. This is now a prime time to start reviewing for the AP test that is looming in the very near future. I for one am quite a bit nervous but I have a plan to follow that will get me prepared for the day of the test:
    1. do 1 blog post a week
    2. Read text book a little bit each night
    3. do webassigns a little bit each night
    4. Read in my review book a little bit each night, reviewing previous units.
    5. get sleep
    6. eat a bagel with peanut butter everyday (got that one!)

    If I do this and take the initiative to begin studying now, I will be able to properly locate my weaknesses, other than the ones I already identified, and I will work to improve them for the day of the test. I will be prepared when I walk in there that fateful day in may. I guarantee i won't look like this:

    and if my pants are down, it will be out of my own accord!

  13. The problem with u (mew)

    · bdavis · 04/01/2013 05:39 AM

    In both physics and chemistry, u, stands for a lot of things. u is the coefficient of friction, with subscripts indicating kinetic or static friction. It is the permeability of free space. It represents a magnetic moment. It indicates a micro unit (10^-6). It represents linear density. In chemistry, it represents velocity. u is also used to represent values in music, pharmaceutical sciences, computer science, software design, meat science and linguistics. Understanding each and every representation of u can be very difficult and many of the values produced do not require units so to an untrained eye, the value of u could mean many different things. Thus it could be interpreted in the wrong way. There are many other Greek letters that can be used to represent values in all fields of study so instead of overusing u, other unused Greek letters should be incorporated. As a student who has to discern between five different representations of u, it becomes difficult at times if the topic at hand isn't 100% clear. So i believe u shouldn't be used as much and other Greek symbols should be incorporated into these diverse fields of study.

  14. maximizing pitching speed

    · bdavis · 04/01/2013 04:52 AM

    As a baseball player well below average height, I need to maximize every aspect of my game to be the best player I can possibly be. One aspect I have tirelessly worked on is my arm strength and throwing mechanics in order to maximize the velocity of throwing a baseball. Velocity is equal to displacement divided by time. Therefore, if there was more displacement over the same period of time, the velocity would be greater. I throw over the top which means that i have more of a windmill throwing motion rather than having a lower trajectory. There is virtually no time difference between the beginning of my throwing motion to when i release it at a 3/4 arm angle (a lower trajectory) or over the top. But by throwing over the top, my arm travels a little bit further and is therefore displaced more. If I apply that same force over the longer displacement during the same time span, then the resulting velocity of the ball when I release it will be greater from my over-the-top motion rather than a 3/4 motion. So I am trying to maximize every part of my game so I make the best of each day of baseball. So basically what I am saying is... come out to support the baseball team! The first game is home against Greece Athena at 4:30pm! Be there!

  15. The Cross Product

    · bdavis · 04/01/2013 04:22 AM

    At the beginning of the school year, we learned the two forms of vector multiplication: the dot product and the cross product. The more intricate of the two, the cross product, comes into play in many equations to provide very useful information. For example, in magnetism, F=I(BXL). This means the magnetic force is a vector cross product of the vector of the magnetic field crossed with the length of the object multiplied by the current flowing through that object. The resulting force will have values in the X, Y, and Z directions, indicating which plane the force is in relative to the length and the magnetic field. The Cross product is very helpful in revealing the direction and magnitude of the vector in that direction. It also helps to visualize where the other vectors (that influence the value of the resultant vector) are and what direction they are traveling in. Unlike most of my classmates, I like the cross product and although I don't have a firm understanding of it yet, I will continue to work on it so I can use it to better understand physics concepts as I take higher level physics courses.
  16. du= -F(dl)
    dv=(du/q)
    dv=(-E)(dl)
    delta V= -integral (E)(dl)
    U=qV
    1eV=1.6X10^-19
    U=K(q1)(Q2)/r
    V=KQ/Square root((x^2) + a^2)) (V=0 at abs(X) = infinity
    For a spherical shell of charge:
    V= KQ/r, r>R (V=0 at r=infinity)
    V=KQ/R r
    For an infinite line charge V= 2k(lamda)ln(R_ref/R) for (V=0 at r=R_ref)
    Charge on a Nonspherical conductor:
    On a conductor of arbitraty shape, the surface charge density, (sigma), is greatest at points where the radius of curvature is smallest.
    Dielectric Breakdown:
    The amount of charge that can be placed on a conductor is limited by the fact that molecules of the surrounding medium undergo dielectric breakdown at very high electric fields, causing the medium to become a conductor.
    Dielectric Strength:
    The dielectric strength is the magnitude of the electric field at which dielectric breakdown occurs. The dielectric strength of air is E_max = 3 x 10^6 V/m = 3MV/m

    Not all of the equations are listed because some are required to be derived as parts on the AP test so by knowing the basic relationships and equations, deriving the rest of them become understandable and simple.

  17. Dive Vs. Cannonball!

    · bdavis · 03/30/2013 11:36 PM

    What our dear friend charles merie eckert never mentioned in his series of swimming blog posts was the difference between a cannonball and an actual dive. When asked to visually show another person the difference between a cannonball and a dive, virtually anyone can demonstrate that. But when asked to explain what makes a cannon ball produce a bigger splash than a dive, few people can provide a sufficient response. The reason a cannonball produces a bigger splash than a dive is a greater amount of surface area of a person exposed when he/she hits the water. If the same person jumps off the board with an equal force and reaches the same height, that person will reach the surface of the water with the same acceleration and therefore the same force. But the cannonball causes that same force to be spread over a greater surface area. Therefore the greater amount of water affected by the force will exert an equal force, according to Newton's third law, which produces the splash. In a dive, that force is more concentrated over a smaller area therefore making the resulting splash smaller due to the smaller area affected by the applied force. Now Charles is going to say "well swimming and diving are two different things." He may be right in the technical sense but here we are physicists and that information provides no significant value to what i am explaining. So yes that is the technical explanation as to why a dive is different than a cannonball.

  18. Equation Dump for Electostatics

    · bdavis · 03/30/2013 02:20 AM

    Here are some of the necessary equations, values, and laws that one must memorize or quickly derive in order to achieve success on the AP-Physics C E & M exam:
    K=(1/(4(pi)(epsilon not)))
    F=(K(q1)(q2))/(r^2)
    E=F/q
    E=(Kq)/(r^2)
    E=(K/r^2)(integral from v to infinity of dq)
    Gauss's Law: Net flux= integral over the closed surface of EdA = Q/(epsilon not)
    V=w/q
    V=Kq/r
    e=1.6X10^-19 C
    a= (qE)/m
    Coulomb's Law:
    The force exerted by one point charge on another acts along the line between the charges. It varies inversely as the square of the distance separating the charges and is proportional to the product of the charges. The force is repulsive if the charges have the same sign and attractive if the charges have opposite signs.
    Rules for Electric Fields:
    1. Electric field lines begin on positive charges (or at infinity) and end on negative charges (or at infinity).
    2. The lines are drawn uniformly spaced entering or leaving an isolated point charge.
    3. The number of lines leaving a positive charge or entering a negative charge is proportional to the magnitude of the charge.
    4. The density of the lines (the number of lines per unit area perpendicular to the lines) at any point is proportional to the magnitude of the field at that point.
    5. At large distances from a system of charges with a net charge, the field lines are equally spaced and radial, as if they came from a single point charge equal to the net charge of the system.
    6. Field lines do not cross. (If two field lines crossed, that would indicate two directions for E at the point of intersection.)

    Depending on the conductor, if it is a shell, solid or hollow, different values of E will be obtained by the properties of the conductor and the radius given in the problem.

    That is the condensed version of the necessary things to know for electrostatics.

  19. My Third Quarter

    · bdavis · 03/30/2013 01:46 AM

    Well I started this third quarter off on a really bad foot when i got an atrocious test grade on the electric potential test. We followed that test with an independent unit in circuits and although my test grade in that unit wasn't anything special, it was a significant improvement. Then we got the magnetism independent unit. In AP-physics B, my understanding of the magnetism unit wasn't very strong but I felt like i had a better grasp of it by the end of last year. However, with an increase in difficulty of the problems and more complex concepts with magnetic monopoles, my mind was blown. I like the freedom we get with the independent units but with freedom comes great responsibility to get it done promptly. I envy my classmates who had took the initiative and got the unit done on time with a better understanding because that is what I should have done. Learning on my own, structuring my schedual, and managing my time is something I must improve as I move on towards higher education.
  20. One of the simplest baseball drills that only requires one person, a glove, a ball and a wall exhibits one of the basic yet essential physics concepts: Newtons third law. Newton's third law states that if something applies a force on an object, that object will apply a force of equal magnitude in the opposite direction.

    So when training for baseball, someone can throw a baseball against a wall with a certain force and the ball will come off the wall with the initial magnitude it first hit the wall with, but in the opposite direction. Newton's third law didn't take into account friction so the ball will be subjected to air resistance and won't make it back to the person with the same velocity but for the instances it strikes the wall and comes off the wall, air resistance is negligible. Therefore, Newton's third law can be observed.

  21. The class so far

    · bdavis · 01/22/2013 04:05 AM

    So far for me, Physics C has been a challenge. There is a lot of information to learn and a lot of abstract ideas that I have difficulty wrapping my head around. Despite the many difficulties, that i know most of my fellow classmates are experiencing simultaneously, i find this class extremely rewarding. I have learned so much not only about physics but how to properly study and learn complex information accurately and effectively. I also find the content very interesting. So many things happen all around us everyday and i find it very interesting that we can find out how and why things happen. I am a very inquisitive person so i value this information. However frustrated i may get with the difficulties, i know that nothing in life that is worth learning comes easy and properly studying is a skill i will take with me through my travels to higher education. So i am excited to continue this course into the next semester.

  22. The class so far

    · bdavis · 01/22/2013 04:04 AM

    So far for me, Physics C has been a challenge. There is a lot of information to learn and a lot of abstract ideas that I have difficulty wrapping my head around. Despite the many difficulties, that i know most of my fellow classmates are experiencing simultaneously, i find this class extremely rewarding. I have learned so much not only about physics but how to properly study and learn complex information accurately and effectively. I also find the content very interesting. So many things happen all around us everyday and i find it very interesting that we can find out how and why things happen. I am a very inquisitive person so i value this information. However frustrated i may get with the difficulties, i know that nothing in life that is worth learning comes easy and properly studying is a skill i will take with me through my travels to higher education. So i am excited to continue this course into the next semester.

  23. Spitballin

    · bdavis · 01/22/2013 03:55 AM

    So when my family goes out to restaurants, my mom and i take the straws they give us, rip off the top part of the paper and shoot them at each other. We also make spitballs and fire them at each other at will before we receive our food. This relates to a lab we conducted in our Physics C class. We blew projectiles from straws and then blew those same projectiles through straws that are connected to other straws. Those projectiles traveled faster and farther. Velocity is calculated by dividing the displacement by the time the projectile traveled that certain distance. (V= (disp/time)) Also, the longer the straws were, the longer the constant force was applied to the projectile. The longer a force is applied on an object, the faster it will go and therefore the farther it will travel. That is how my mom and i make it interesting: we put many straws together to make the spitballs go faster at each other. Physics is clearly involved in even the most immature behaviors.

  24. Equation Dump!

    · bdavis · 01/22/2013 12:02 AM

    So lately, our physics C teacher has been making us to equation dumps at the beginning of each class. He would give us 4 minutes to write down as many equations as we could, thus seeing how much we had already memorized and how prepared we were for the upcoming exam. To put down as many equations in those 4 minutes not only requires raw knowledge but also strategy involving.... wait for it... PHYSICS!!!:apple: So, the goal in those 4 minutes was to write down 50 equations. That means you would have to average 12.5 equations per minute. That doesn't sound too bad but writing fast helps. Pressing down hard with the pencil increases the normal force which increases the force of friction, thus slowing down the speed at which you are writing your equations. (F=N(mew)) Friction also takes away energy that could be used to maintain a good pace. The work due to friction (w= Fdcos(180) = -Fd) can be minimized if you don't press down hard and lightly glaze over the paper, making sure your equations are down and that you still have enough energy to write more. Thus, you will attain an optimal number of equations, proving to yourself you are prepared if you know your equations. :banghead)

  25. Shocking!

    · bdavis · 01/21/2013 11:28 PM

    Last year, i was blow-drying my little sister's hair and when i put the blow-dryer into the outlet, i got shocked. When i inserted the plug into the outlet, i accidentally put my finger too close to where the circuit was completed. I then realized that i completed a circuit when i plugged in the hair dryer. I did a little more research. I found out that the voltage of an outlet in a home is 120 Volts. Then i did research to find out the resistance in the blow-dryer. The blow-dryer i used had a resistance of 6 ohms. Using the equation I= (V/R) (I being the current, V being the voltage, and R being the resistance in Ohms), i found out that i was shocked with 20 amps of current. I went further to calculate that the Power generated in that circuit, from the equation P=(I*V) was 2400 W of power.
    Curcuits can be simple or complicated and they can generate a lot of current and power. I am glad that i wasn't hurt because if the voltage was greater and the resistance was smaller, i could have been in quite the predicament.

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