I want to thank you for signing up for AP Physics B or Physics. Not every student has chooses to take Physics in high school, but perhaps they should (http://www.intuitor.com/physics/physmain.php). Throughout this year we will be exploring a wide variety of topics. Throughout the entire year as we explore concepts, we will also be applying many of the math skills that you have been working on over the past few years. The relationship between Math and Physics is a very strong one (http://www.valdosta.edu/~cbarnbau/phys_math/p1.html). Hopefully you will find that this course will help to strengthen and reinforce your math skills.
One of the biggest differences (from Math) you will encounter in class is how Physics deals with unknown quantities. In Math most of the time x, y, and z are used when identifying your unknown quantity. In Physics, we have a set list of symbols associated with physical quantities.
http://zebu.uoregon.edu/~dmason/probs/glossary/Symbols/Symbols.html
When setting up and solving a problem you would want to use one of the predetermined symbols for any unknown. You will find these symbols in the equations that we will be using. In Physics, x, y, and z mean something. They may be unknown or they may be known. It is important to break the habit of “all unknowns are x, y, or z.”
As we work on setting up and solving Physics problems throughout the year, it will be essential that you remember to not invent new symbols for any unknown quantity. If we are trying to solve for velocity, Physics gives us a symbol (v), there is no need to say v=x and then solve for x.
Stay tuned for our next blog, which will address units and unit conversions. Many times in Math you are only solving for numbers. In Physics, we are looking for quantities. What is the difference? Well quantities have units associated with the value. But more on this later…
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