Relative Motion (Pt. 2)
All motion is relative, but relative to what?
Motion is different for everyone and everything in all situations.  For example, take an airplane.  relative to the pilot and passengers, the plane is not moving.  But, relative to the buildings and people on the ground, the plane moves at 500 mph.  Relative to planes flying in the opposite direction, the plane could appear to be flying close to 1,000 mph.

In this hilarious photo of my friend, Mario, he displays relative motion without breaking himself in the shore break at Sandy's.  Relative to the board he was using, he is not moving.  This is because he is moving at the same speed as the board.  Relative to the people on the beach, he is moving toward them because the force of the wave has pushed him closer to the shore.  Relative to the shallow sandy bottom, he is moving closer (at a rate of 9.8 m/s).

Projectiles
This week in Physics, we learned about projectiles.  Any object upon which the only force is gravity is considered a projectile.  Projectiles may be represented by a parabolic graph because they have a constant speed on the x-axis, but a changing speed in the y-axis (fast-slow-stop-slow-fast).  In a projectile, the x-axis usually remains at a constant velocity while the y-axis velocity slows down then increases again because of gravity's affect.  This is known as 2-D kinematics.

The picture below features a construction-worker having re-living his childhood memories or perhaps blowing off some steam from a frustrating day of work at the Hawaii Kai skatepark.  He is not considered a projectile yet because his wheels are still on the ground.  But, as soon as he airs the bowl, he will become a projectile and move on the x-axis with a constant speed, and the only force affecting him will be gravity.

Vectors
This week in Physics, we learned about Vectors.  Vectors are quantities that deal with both direction and magnitude (amount).  During a lab we did during class, we were able to conclude that an example of everyday vectors is football plays.  As the receivers make runs and cuts, they act as vectors.  We also learned how to add vectors.  Vectors may be added by connecting the tail of one vector, to the tip of the other.  A "Resultant" vector is the answer or the measurement from the tail of the first vector to the tip of the last vector.  The picture below is a fireworks show in Waikiki.  I believe its an example of a vector because it shoots up in to the sky then bursts into numerous embers.  Its resultant can be measured from where it is shot all the way to where its fire runs out.

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PC: Mario K.

End of 1st Quarter

As the first quarter of school goes by, I realized that I've already learned so much about Physics.  We have been focusing mainly on motion, also known as "Kinematics".  We've also learned a lot about velocity and acceleration.  The Graph Matching and Ball Toss labs have really helped to better our understandings on the material being covered during class.  I think i’ve already learned a bunch of new things that I can apply to my everyday life.  This class is helping me to understand why things happen and how they relate to Physics.  So far, I am enjoying this class and the knowledge it provides for me.  The photo below was taken by me and is of my friend Chance.  It illustrates kinematics.