PHYSICS IN EVERYDAY LIFE
One concept from General Physics 1 would be projectile motion. This is described as a combination of both free fall and horizontal motion, as the projectile or object launched also moves horizontally as it falls. Along with that, in projectile motion, one must also always take note of the projectile’s launch angle, as there are specific relationships with regards to such, and the projectile’s displacement in either the vertical or horizontal direction. Knowing more about this particular concept is integral, as projectile motion can actually be helpful in various daily situations. Going into further detail, in the context of sports such as basketball, one must make sure to shoot the ball or projectile at an optimal angle, so that it may go inside the ring. Furthermore, when one is partaking in javelin-throwing, they must also take into consideration their launch angle for the javelin, so that it may have a long horizontal displacement.
Having said all that, I also believe that projectile motion can serve as a reminder about encountering difficulties in life. To be more specific, there may be times wherein we are unable to go over the “walls” or challenges in our life, but we should not let that stop us from trying to overcome such challenges again. We have to remember to adjust our “angle” or the way that we address the aforementioned challenges, and doing so will help us overcome those challenges eventually.
Another concept from the course would be Newton’s First Law of Motion, or the Law of Inertia. This concept is often seen in the topic of forces, and this particular law states that an object will continue staying in motion or at rest, until an external force acts upon it. This concept can be applied in numerous real-life scenarios, such as when one is riding a train. This is because as the train moves forward, we will also feel as if we are moving forward, due to the force being provided by the train. However, through the use of the handrails present in the train, there will be another external force that keeps us grounded, and allows us to maintain our position.
In applying this concept in real life, we can remember to also have other things or “forces” that serve as a “counter” to some of our activities, so that we do not “constantly move” or do so such in excess. An example of this would be when we are constantly studying for a subject that we have difficulty in. If we constantly continue to study without taking any breaks, we will eventually get burnt out and unable to absorb information. Having said that, we have to make sure to have an “opposite force,” which could be taking a break or resting, in order for us to “recharge” and work more efficiently, later on.
