Introduction

My name is Adjin K.M. Watson.  I entered Kamehameha Schools in 9th grade, and i'm from Hawaii Kai.  My interests include playing soccer, surfing, skating, and hanging out with my friends.  So far, I've completed BSCS Biology with Mrs. Forster and Chems Chemistry with Kuba.  Currently, I am taking College Algebra with ma boy Mr. Del Prado.  As a result of completing Physics, I hope to gain a better understanding of why things around me happen.  I believe that almost everything going on in this world has some connection to Physics.  The photo below is a picture of me skating at the Hawaii Kai skatepark.  PC goes out to my friend Carter.  This photo represents me not only because I am featured in it, but because it shows that I enjoy having a good time.

Acceleration

This week in physics, we learned more about kinematics.  More specifically, we covered the topic of acceleration.  Acceleration is represented by the slope of a Velocity vs. Time graph and can be found by the equation a = ∆ v / ∆ t.  Acceleration is usually measured in meters per seconds squared (m/s^2).  The most practical example of acceleration is a car.  The accelerator or gas pedal is pushed to accelerate the car.  The car accelerates at different rates depending on how hard the accelerator is pushed.  If the car accelerates at a constant rate, the graph will be linear.  However, the graph will differ if the car is not accelerating at a constant rate.  The photo below shows a captured image of the trail of light left behind when a car accelerates.  The more acceleration the car has, the more blurred the light trial will be.

Acceleration and Velocity
This week in physics, we learned more about Kinematics and motion.  We touched more upon acceleration and velocity.   Velocity, measured in meters per seconds squared (m/s^2), is found by taking the slope of a position vs. time graph.  Acceleration, measured in meters per second (m/s), is found by taking the slope of a velocity vs. time graph.  The picture below represents both acceleration and velocity because as the skater pushes off the ground he increases his acceleration.  When he coasts down a hill or maintains a certain speed while skating the streets, his velocity is constant.  When doing speed checks (as shown below) a skater is able to manipulate his velocity.  Physics never fails to explain everyday occurrences.

Position vs. Time

In this picture, we see a local skater doing an air out of a bowl.  Whats appealing to the eye has a
greater meaning.  With a "Physics Mentality" we see position vs time.  As the skater drops into the bowl, he accelerates down the ramp to generate speed.  As time goes on, he maintains this speed in order to air off the other side of the ramp.  Displacement is also a factor in this case.  If the skater decides not to do an air, he would turn around and go up the initial ramp he went down.  When the skater returns to his starting point, he displaces the area he covered going down the ramp.

Kinematics:
Kinematics is the study of motion.  From common knowledge, it is easy to say that anything and everything can either move on its own or be manipulated to move.

One thing that is not so commonly known is that "all motion is RELATIVE".  The first question that comes to mind is "relative to what?'

Above is an example of motion.  Not only is there a surfer moving along the face of the wave, but the white water behind him is also moving.  The surfer is moving relative to the wave as he carves up and down and relative to the people in the water and on shore.

The wave is moving as well.  When a surfer goes straight across the face of the wave it seems like the wave is not moving because they are both traveling at the same speed.  Relative to the surfer, the wave is not moving.  But, it is easily seen from shore and in the water that the wave is in fact moving.  Therefore, relative to the other surfers and spectators on shore, the wave is moving.

As the wave brings the surfer closer to shore, the surfer sees the shore approaching him.  We all know that the shore isn't actually moving itself closer to the shore, but it appears this way.  The shore is moving closer relative to the surfer just as the line-up is moving further away relative to the surfer.

This example justifies that all motion in relative.