Αα Alpha
Ββ Beta
Γγ Gamma
Δδ Delta
Εε Epsilon
Ζζ Zeta
Ηη Eta
Θθ Theta
Ιι Iota
Κκ Kappa
Λλ Lambda
Μμ Mu
Νν Nu
Ξξ Xi
Οο Omicron
Ππ Pi
Ρρ Rho
Σσς Sigma
Ττ Tau
Υυ Upsilon
Φφ Phi
Χχ Chi
Ψψ Psi
Ωω Omega
√ ≠ ≥ ≤ ≈ ± ∥ ∩ ∪ ∈ ⇒ ∴ ∫ ∮ ⋅ ÷ ∞
https://www.rapidtables.com/math/symbols/Basic_Math_Symbols.html
In seeking to understand the universe we build models. All the formulas we use in Physics are mathematical models someone built to explain how something works. The process is pretty simple, and we call this process the "Scientific Method":
notice something and wonder how it works
make a preliminary guess about how factors influence it
get some data to establish connections between contributing factors and the result
build a mathematical model
test it
Math models are simplifications of real life, but that are close enough to help us understand reality.
In the spirit of science we want to build our own math models to show how something works.
Assignment:
With your team of two to three people, pick a real-life problem and use math to model it. The trickiest part is picking a problem. It should:
be something real,
have a couple measurable variables,
be something you're interested in,
show how something works
AND be simple enough to complete.
Here are three suggested topics:
When you microwave water, what's the relationship between amount of water, time in the mwave and the resulting temperature of the water?
Does the height of a tree depend on it's diameter?
Finding a model to predict how many cars will be in the parking lot at different times.
If you'd like to do something else, talk to me about it and we'll find a way to make it happen.
Collect data throughout the semester to build, confirm and refine the model. The data could be data you measure and record, or it could be historical information you look up or acquire from a source.
Make an interactive spreadsheet of your model
Produce a (semi)scientific paper in pdf format to post on this site which presents your data, your model and how well you think your model fits reality. Below is a template to use when doing your paper in MSword format, which you should be able to open with any word processor.
Present your model to the class near the end of the semester
Other example problems:
How long will car tires last?
How fast will a plant (or hair, or trees or a pet or a kid) grow?
What factors will improve gas mileage in a car?
What power source should we be planning on using for the future?
What percent of students remain in class by week? How can we increase retention/student completion here at MTC?
How much is monthly water or electricity bill depending on season?
How does the number of letters the Post Office handles per week differ?
Can we better understand weather/climate change/temperature/rain/hurricane patterns?
What businesses are successful? What percent of capacity is a particular restaurant or business running?
What is the maximum height of a tree based on tree diameter?
What is driving the increase of school/mass shootings?
Model the historical balance of political power?
Why has CSX train company had a growing number of accidents last/this year?
What is the growing cost and effect of the opioid addiction problem?
How does gerrymandering shape politics?
How far and fast will different bike gear ratios take you with a 1 rev/sec turn of the pedals?
What is the best investment to make?
How can college be more affordable?
What college major is the best in terms of job opportunity?
Anything else you're interested in...
Tips:
Your team will need to pick an issue and zoom in on one question regarding that issue. Most of the issues above are enormously complicated. Remember, a model is a simplification of a real event. You need to simplify the problem down to something you can approach with the level of mathematics you have.
Sample Paper - I'm finishing up my project. Data has been collected and graphed, model built but not tested or refined. This is to let you see what I'm thinking about.Bending Wood.pdf
Paper Template - Here's a template to use when doing your paper in MSword format, which you should be able to open and edit with any word processor.Model Project Template (1).docx
Haiku written about "What is Physics?" during the 2018 SP semester.
Email yours to craigl@midlandstech.edu
Energy, matter -
forget what it all means.
How does it all work?
- L.Craig
What on Earth is this?
Physics is everywhere.
Not impossible
- J.Christensen
Physics is forces.
It is a few equations,
Solving everything.
- M.Sims
Physics is kinda sorta the best,
Physics really gives no rest,
and I really don't know how I did on this test ...
- K.Willingham
sum of the forces
of all the things around me
which makes the world work
- N.Aline
Physics is awesome
It teaches you about life
What fun it is, Physics!
- M.Carter
Forces in motion
Always acting together
Stop when acted on
-N.Rowell
Physics measures wind
Tensions and forces put in
To see what's within.
-C.Emory
Physics is light
Physics is bright
It is heavy for some
It is light for others
Some tests are static
Some tests are dense
-N.Victoria
It is how you move
How the world moves around you
We learn this, Physics
-C.Reamer
I am only here
Physics is all around me
My world is Physics
-N.Kaufman
How does stuff behave?
Maybe Newton can help us.
Gravity is key.
-J.Putnam
What defines Physics?
It combines time, speed, distance.
It's the Universe.
-B.Rauch
Physics applies to solid, liquid and rock
Using kinematics, statics, buoyancy and rotation
Physics can help you find the tension in a shock
-T.Sandrapaty
The study of all
things matter and energy
related, in science
-K.Hilliard
What is not physics?
Everything is physics, right?
I don't even know.
-T.Pan
I learned alot by
studying physics in class.
Now the world makes sense.
-D.Cooper
Physics is insane.
How can we learn everything?
Questions will remain...
-O.Conner
Cool, extra credit!
The study of everything
and how it all works.
-A.Tapia
Physics finds a way
to explain the universe,
The answers of life.
-A.Reeser
Physics seems, to me atleast,
to be the study of shiny things
lenses, mirrors, rays of light.
-Z.Ponds
A string of math
to study known processes
to learn of the world.
-A.McKay
Physics we study
To learn everything we can.
Physics, oh what fun!
-T.Wise
Physics isn't bad.
Physics explains how things act
Using lots of math.
-C.Gunter
studying, learning
thermo, light, magnets, optics
for fun and good grades
-M.Burch
Physics is your world
Physics makes the world go round
Physics is movement
-B.Golden
The study of how
everything in the world works
with a lot of math
-W.Wilson
Physics is bondage
Everything has matter, yes
Air is oxygen!
-A.Steenberg
Physics up and down
Physics spins the world around
Physics everywhere.
-C.Faulkenberry
Physics is science
Physics is drawing pictures
Physics is awesome!
-J,Gutherie
Physics makes the world
Physics partakes in the world
Physics breaks the world
-C.Mann
Physics is the world
of forces and mechanics
in and around us.
-H.Ortiz
Too much fun for me
And too much fun for you too
How did I do, sir?
Physics is easy
If you know your equations.
If not, then it's hard.
-J.Bedenbaugh
Physics is the best science
Others have the least amount of fun
Physics is fun and great
-Z.Stokes
Physics is around us
Physics is you, too.
It's everything
-A.Adams
Physics is everything
The study of how the world works
Physics is everything
-C.Chigua
Physics is hard work
Physics is how the world works
Newton is father
-A.Metts
Physics describes life
From sight to sound to your car
Physics rules the world
-I.Wallace
Lets make sense of stuff
Using many formulas
To explain the world
-S.Campbell
Physics studies us
Us, able to ponder life,
will keep studying
-J.Hawkins
It might seem simple
but one step can mean an "F"
durn conversions, man!
-J.Fuller
The study of how things
operate with each other
to move all matter
-N.Burch
How the whole world moves
and reacts to everything
all in one green book!
-R.Williams
describing the world
observing phenomena
bringing math to life
-H.Crutfield
Physics is hard.
Physics is sometimes fun,
but not often.
-G.Elstad
The math and science,
reason and logic combine -
how everything works!
-J.Calatrava
Physics two twenty one?
Physics is awesome and fun!
Physics is the best!
-D.McClure
Gravity and mass
Pressure, volume and forces
This is how things work
-W.Oliff
This is a science
Studying motion and force
to understand life
-J.O'neal
Many questions asked
The study of how things work
is known as physics
-M.Smith
Physics is matter and energy
Together matter and energy benefit our lives
Without them, time would stop
-F.Hamilton
Welcome to physics
where objects move due to force
push, pull, kick, punch, hit
-N.Carter
Physics is a math
That has given me hard times
But now I am done!
-T.Davis
It studies motion.
Whether it moves or does not,
We can measure it.
-K.Kinsey
Tear down the unknown
Rearrange the known
Save it piece by piece
-W.Anderson
Forces all around us
It keeps our feet on the ground
Its all formulas.
-B.Dawson