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Freshmen Learn To Add . . . Vectors

February 27, 2020

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Mr. Watt's Physical Science classes have transitioned from studying introductory chemistry to studying introductory physics.  A big part of the recent transition has been learning the difference between vector and scalar quantities.  Vectors are measurements that include a direction, such as displacement, velocity, and acceleration.  Therefore, students have learned to use the "head-to-tail" vector addition method to find the resultant of two or more vectors.

Students have also had opportunities to "graph match."  In graph matching, students are presented with a digital graph of position or speed versus time and are asked to use their own motion to match what they see on the graph.  This opportunity has allowed them to feel the very thing that they are learning about.  Such a hands-on approach has caused them to understand that the slope of a line is important because of all sorts of applications. The slope of a line on a graph can be viewed as the rate of change in motion, and in this type of activity, it is seen as "walking" motion. On a daily basis, students deal with their own motion and the motion of vehicles, such as tractors, cars, and school buses. It is important for them to be able to read and understand graphs that show displacement, velocity, and acceleration, and then to analyze data to learn how products we use every day have been designed to be efficient and safe.