Vectors Unit Summary

We started out the unit learning about trigonometry. We used SOHCAHTOA to solve angles and sides in triangles. This was a review for me because I've already learned this in my math classes. Next we learned about vector components. I learned that you can find the two components (x and y) using R and cosine or sine. I think that I picked this up pretty easily, but I had trouble knowing when to subtract the angle from 180 based on the quadrant. Where I really struggled was when the vector was no longer at a right angle. It took me a long time to understand this. I had to rework a lot of the problems over and over again, but with the help of my classmates and the wonderful Mrs. Gende, I think I have a better grasp on the concept. Then, we learned about projectile motion. We learned that the horizontal velocity is constant and that the vertical velocity changes uniformly. I understood this pretty well, but again, when we stepped it up a level to projectile motion on an angle, all the formulas changed and I was confused all over again. Then, I figured out that they weren't really changing, it was just a different way of looking at them. Overall, I feel like I have a good grasp on this unit.
Learning about Projectile Motion isn't just important for class but for cheerleading too. In certain tosses, we need to know exactly where the flyer is going to land so we can catch her. Using projectile motion, we can figure this out.

Physics Man and Me

To wrap up the kinematics unit, our class was given three tasks. It would help us to summarize the unit and to introduce us to different technologies. We had to create an avatar, a tagxedo, and a pixton comic. A tagxedo is an image that uses words to create a picture. Our tagxedo was to use the terms from the unit to show off what we learned. Pixton is a really cool website with all sorts of tools for creating comics online. For our pixton comic, we had to pick one or two main topics from our unit to explain in a comic. I chose acceleration and used the scenario of a movie star stuck on an island, needing to get back home, to explain the concept. Overall, I am very proud of  my work for this project.

This is my tagxedo. It's in the shape of an apple.

This is my Pixton...Starring PHYSICS MAN!