Overall, I found this semester of physics to be both difficult and enlightening. The equations used in physics definitely enforce mathematics, mostly algebra but also trigonometry when three-dimensional motion is involved. Since most of the physics units involved vector quantities, negative and positive values determine if the direction of an object remains the same. At times, I was not sure about how to work with certain ideas. Since I did not always understand the concepts of the unit, my ability to use them was often hindered. My most consistent problem during this semester involved confusing one definition with another. For instance, I would mistake acceleration with momentum, which made me incorrectly believe that momentum and acceleration would be conserved during a collision. In reality, when two unequally massive objects collide, they must have different accelerations in order to have the same force of impact.
Since Christmas is approaching, these pictures display a festively dressed dog perched near a staircase. One of the main principles of this course seems to be that even a mundane setting can highlight physics in some way. If the dog was pushed down the staircase's handrail, the dog will fall downwards because gravity forces objects in that direction. Since the rail lacks friction, it doesn't prevent the dog from moving. Also, as the dog travels, its potential energy turns into kinetic energy. In essence, physics is both basic and puzzling to those who are learning about it. Although physics can still perplex me, I do appreciate its relevance to the world.
