The relation of physics to Ice Hockey!

Ice Hockey is a sport in which two teams try to score the most points.  The NHL, National Hockey League, is where the best players are.  Below are two digital tools which explain more about ice hockey.

Click HERE to see our glogster


Here is a goanimate about the relation of physics and ice hockey

GoAnimate.com: physics project by jonnyboy721

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

This is what I learned about energy.  I learned that energy is a conserved substance-like quality with the capability to produce change.  I also learned that energy cannot be destroyed, it can only be transferred from object to object.  Energy can be displayed using an energy flow diagrams and bar graphs.  I have also learned that work is a measure of the amount of change that a force produces when it acts on a body.  The equation for force is W=Fx or if there is an angle, W-Fx cos theta.  The unit of work is a joule.  Power is the rate at which work is done by a force.  The equation for power equals P=Fv.  There are four types of energy.  The first type is kinetic energy which is the energy a body has by virtue of its motion.  The equation is KE=1/2mv^2.  The second type of energy is Potential energy, which is the gravitational potential energy of a body.  The equation for it is PE=mgh.  The third type of energy is elastic potential energy, which is associated with elastic materials.  The equation is PEe=1/2kx^2.  The last type of energy is mechanical energy, which is the sum of kinetic energy and all forms of potential energy.  Its equation is ME=PE+KE.

What I have found difficult about what I have studied is the energy flow diagrams.  At first I did not understand how they are qualitative, not quantitative, but now, I understand the energy flow diagrams.  Another confusing thing about this subject is the concepts of energy.  I really did not understand how energy could be transferred at first, but now all of the concepts come easily to me.

My problem-solving skills are fine for this subject.  At first, I did not understand how to solve the equations with power, but then realized Fg was the force they were looking for.  Also, the problems with elastic energy were difficult at first.  I now realize how to do the problems

Can you make any connection(s) between what we studied and everyday life, history, situations in the world, any other subject you are studying or your own experiences? 

Yes. If you move, hit, or push anything, there is a transfer of energy happening.  When playing basketball, when the ball hits the floor, the floor will hit the ball back up to you.  Also, in football, when a head on collision happens, the player who delivers the most power will knock the other one down on the field 

My project is about Newton's Third Law and the action-reaction pairs that apply to baseball.  I have a glog that will go into depth about my idea and i have a video from GoAnimate which is for your viewing pleasure. 

GoAnimate.com: Physics of Baseball by jonnyboy721

Like it? Create your own at GoAnimate.com. It's free and fun!

Circular Motion and Gravitation

This is what I learned about Circular Motion and Gravitation. I learned that when moving in a circle, an object travels at a distance around the perimeter of the circle so that when the car moves at 5 m/s, the car would travel 5 meters along the perimeter in one second. This is the period T to get one complete rotation and it is given in seconds. The frequency is the number of rotations per second. In the case of circular motion when an object is accelerating, the acceleration is centripetal, meaning towards the center of the circle. I have also learned about Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, which states every object is attracted to every other object in the universe.

What I have found difficult about what I have studied is figuring out what the centripetal force is. At first, I had no idea how to find it but now I realize the Centripetal force is the force pointing towards the center of the circle in the FBD. The Centripetal force is provided by the force which keeps the object in circular motion.  I have also found it difficult when the coefficient of friction is added to the problems. I did not know where the equation of mu times mg was from but then I learned where it was made from and how to convert it into my problems.


My problem solving skills are growing. With each mistake, I see how to apply every equation to solve any problem. I am doing well with the FBD's and knowing what provides the centripetal force. An area of concern is I am not sure what exactly the force to maintain the car's circular motion is. But for now, my problem solving skills are fine.

Newton's Second Law

This is what I learned about Newton's Second Law.  I learned it says that for a particular force, the acceleration of an object is proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object. The direction of the force is the same as the acceleration.

What I have found difficult about what I have studied is solving problems with the coefficient of friction.  At first, the problem seemed unsolvable but if you kept working the it, the answer would find its way to you.

My problem-solving skills are fine for the time being.  After I missed a few classes, the material seemed hard, but it is easy now.  I understand how to draw FBD's and after a miscalculation on our recent quiz, I realize that if the object is in Newtons, it DOES NOT have to be multiplied by 9.8.  Other than that, I fell like I am a good problem solver.

Newton's First Law

A) This is what I learned about Newton's First Law.  I learned an object at rest tends to stay at rest and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.  This is Newton's First Law and it basically means that unless stopped, an object will keep going forward.  In a frictionless plane, an object will never stop because there is no opposing force against it. 

What I have found difficult about what I have studied is the x component and y component.  I was not sure whether to put cos or sin.  I always assumed cos with the x component and y with the y component but I learned how to fix this problem.

My problem-solving skills have definitely increased since the beginning of this unit.  It was hard starting with a new teacher but I figured out how to solve the problems easier.  The subject material is now like the back of my hand.

B) Can you make any connection(s) between what we studied and everyday life, history, situations in the world, any other subject you are studying or your own life?

 In a car crash, you must always wear seat belts or you will keep moving until you hit the glass.  a hockey puck sliding along ice does not move forever; rather, it slows and eventually comes to a stop. According to Newton's first law, the puck comes to a stop because of a net external force applied in the direction opposite to its motion.

Newton's First Law

A) This is what I learned about projectile motion.  I learned that when you fire a projectile perfectly horizontally, the horizontal velocity is constant.  I also learned that the vertical velocity changes uniformly.  I learned that to best describe projectile motion, you must consider the horizontal and vertical motion separately.  This is also how to solve projectile motion problems in physics.

What I have found difficult about what I have studied is projectile motion and that is why I chose it for my blog.  Projectile motion is now my best area in physics thanks to this blog.  Learning about projectile motion in a creative way is a very effective way to look at what you are studying in physics

My problem-solving skills have definitely improved throughout this year.  My strength in problem solving is my ability to analyze what the problem is asking and how to solve.  However, over-analyzing problems is a problem for my solving problem skills.  I will try to do more than I am ask and I will get the problem wrong

B) Can you make any connection(s) between what we studied and everyday life, history, situations in the world, any other subject you are studying or your own life?

In the military, you must use all sorts of projectile motion for missiles and rockets.  In sports, such as golf, baseball, and basketball.  In hunting, you must take account the wind, and how long the shot is.