Welcome to Physics


I know that you all have many strange notions about what physics is and how hard it is going to be and how much you would like to go be an office aide or something. You may even think you are going to die an awful, lingering death, but you won't ... TRUST ME! You are going to learn more than you ever thought possible. You will surprise yourself at what you are able to do! The best part is that you will have a lot of fun doing it. Who knows, you may even discover the advantages of study groups. But, just to let you know: I have never lost a student.......at least not yet.......and I don't want you to be the first one.....sooooo just don't give up!!!!!

Physics is everywhere! You have been doing physics ever since you were born. As the author of the text puts it, physics is just "nature's basic rules" and we all know what happens when we try to do something and don't know the rules. We will study about lots and lots of things and answer lots and lots of questions. Questions you used to ask but stopped asking somewhere along the line. Questions like:

* What would I find out if I put a speedometer on a falling rock?

* Can I jump higher if I am standing still or running?

* What would happen if I could throw a ball so fast it cleared the horizon?

* What do you mean the moon is falling toward the earth?

*Why are roller coasters so much fun.

*How can the floor fall out from under you and you not fall?

*What do you mean, "the faster I go the younger I get and the more there is of me"?

*Why don't deep lakes freeze over in the winter but water puddles do?

*Why does a cup of water weigh less when I stick my finger in it?

*Why should you worry when the bridge begin to dance?

*How can you make water flowing out of a faucet bend?

*Why does Ms. Yoder have all those slinkies and a bicycle wheel?

*How big a bubble can you make and why do they have all those colors?

*Why can't I touch the electric power lines? The birds do and they don't get hurt.

*Why do some sounds feel good and other don't?

*What does physics have to do with playing pool?

*Etc., etc., etc.........Enough!!

Welcome to the Physics and let's get started.