Physics

Physics is a rigorous class focused on understanding the minute details, the concepts of physics well conceptually, and being able to combine it altogether with logical reasoning. We have many opportunities to work together with other classmates to review work on projects such as Rock and Balloon. Rock and Balloon was one of the first Excel Labs we did in order to get accustomed to the software. In the problem, we had to compare and contrast the accelerations, velocities, and positions of a rock and balloon over time. We also spend a lot of our time solving multistage problems that incorporate skills from many different areas. So far, we have studied Kinematics, Forces, and the principles of Energy, Momentum, and Power. There is also an option to do the Calculus version of problems when tackling tasks such as Uber. Uber problems are summative, long-term problems with a story that we solve in order to practice the skills learned in that unit. In Uber Pulley for example, we were tasked with finding the the coefficient of friction for a particular box with a passenger which was launched with a pulley system. In the Uber Rocket, we were tasked with solving for solving for the duration of a hamster in the air. in Please take a look at the following two examples to better understand Uber problems.

Uber Rocket features my work to solve a Kinematics problem while Uber Pulley features my work to solve a Pulley problem with a chain.

Uber Rocket Problem:
One calm afternoon Calculus Cam decides to launch Hamster Huey into the air using a model rocket. The rocket is launched straight up off the ground, from rest. The rocket engine is designed to burn for 5.2 seconds while producing non-constant net acceleration given by the following equation 𝑎𝑦[𝑡]=−0.7𝑡2+13. After the engine stops the rocket continues upward in free-fall. A parachute opens after the rocket falls 138 meters from its maximum height. When the parachute opens, assume the rocket instantly stops, and then increases speed to a terminal velocity given by the equation 𝑣𝑝[𝑡]=−22(1−𝑒−𝑡8). Assume the air resistance affects the rocket only during the parachute stage.

Uber Pulley Problem:
""Jerky" Jerry decided to make a jabberwocky jumper using a pulley system (see diagram). His method was to attach one end of a chain to a barrel of rocks, and the other end to the jumper. He placed the barrel and chain over a massless frictionless pulley, and then walked along a platform away from the pulley to point A (the full length of the chain). When he sat in the jumper he accelerated along the platform to point B and then launched off it while releasing the chain from the jumper and avoiding the pulley. He flew through the air as a projectile to point C, transitioning 75% of his (net) speed into the horizontal direction, and eventually slid to a stop at point D. Note: Ignore any heights of the jumper, pulley, and barrel. Ignore any frictional and normal forces of the chain.