Journal 6: Momentum is Masked.  Momentum can be found everywhere around us as most of physics can. This principle/ concept of physics is a vector quantity of motion as is defined as an object's mass times its velocity and is represent by the small letter p.  Thus the equation for momentum stands as p=mv, its units in kilgram times mass divided by time; kgm/s.  This concept can be found in moving cars, pool balls, actually generally anything moving.  Now, although seen with the example of the clicky-clack balls as Mr.Kohara stated this automatically reminded me of them.  My brother created this bola to throw and trap my brother in, though it is too small to do its intended purpose.  So when he threw it at me I easily caught it at the black handle and I saw the green and red ball hit each other and the clicky-clack balls came to mind.  Now these balls just as this bola exhibit the law of conservation of momentum, basically none of the momentum is lost.  In a real clicky-clack ball set up, the metal balls would continue swinging for quite awhile, however, the balls in the bola would swing for only less of the time.  Although the green ball may look bigger I confirmed with my brother he used the same amount of clay, just that the green one was smashed a little bit.  In this example, kinetic energy is also conserved and the energy remains constant throughout the system.  So the clicky-clack balls and the bola are basically the same physics example of momentum hiding where you would least expect it. -Seriously anyone know how to get the pictures up? Blogger continues to show the "uploading images" screen and I've waited fifteen minutes...-

Work and the Wonderful World of Physics

Currently, in Physics we are learning about potential energy, kinetic energy, and work.  In this simple example of lifting a calculator, we can see work and energy in action. Anybody recognize which problem on the weekend's homework it is?  As I exert force on the calculator and move it in the direction that the force is exerted, I am doing work.  This definition shows that by simply holding an object in place, no work is being performed.  The force I exert is in an upward motion and is the same for the direction the force is pushed in.  This is kinetic energy in effect or the energy of something in motion.  This also exhibits potential energy or the energy an object has relative to the a set point when not moving.  If we set the ground as our reference point of zero, and for this example say I am exerting 10 joules of kinetic energy in my work.  This 10 joules will later transfer to all potential energy when I hold the calculator in place above my head.  There will be no kinetic energy at this point, as there is no movement.  In relation to the ground, if I hold the calculator above my head without moving it there will only be potential energy.  Likewise, if i set the calculator on the ground and move it horizontally there will only be kinetic energy.  However, any combination of horizontal and vertical movement will result in the object having potential energy (PE) and kinetic energy (KE).  Kinetic energy for those of you who have for some mysterious reason have not realized it yet relate to kinematics thus movement.  Potential energy is the "potential" for the object to move.  Through these mundane examples of lifting a box or a bag up or throwing a ball or riding a roller coaster, we see that PE and KE are in effect and that work is applied to all of them, except riding a roller coaster.  SORRY FOR SOME REASON BLOGGER ISN'T UPLOADING MY IMAGES.  How do yours' work?