This is what I have learned about vectors and projectile motion:
1. Vectors are used to demonstrate the direction and magnitude of an object. Say a ball is being pulled in one direction at a certain magnitude, and the opposite direction at a different magnitude. Which way will the ball actually go and at what speed? Solving vectors answers this question.
2. Projectile motion is when an object is launched without it's own motive power. Projectiles always have a constant horizontal velocity, and a vertical velocity that changes throughout the time due to gravity. An example of this would be a bullet fired from a gun at a 0 degree angle. How far does the bullet travel? Where exactly is the bullet at any given time? What is it's final velocity? Projectile motion equations aim to answer these questions.
3. Projectile motion at an angle is the same as projectile motion, but with an angle (theta) factored in. A common occurrence of this is shooting a basketball. Projectile motion is very helpful for solving everyday problems.
What I have found difficult about what we studied is when I need to resolve the overall velocity into the separate x and y velocities. But most of all, knowing where and when to apply the correct formula was the most frustrating to me. There were so many that I couldn't keep track of them all at once.
My problem solving skills have GREATLY improved not only from studying vectors and projectile motion, but from physics class in general. When I look back at my past work in the assignment and class notebooks, everything prior to these complex problems seems so simple. Now, instead of focusing on the individual small parts of a problem, I try to look at the big picture first and see exactly what I need to do. Although I feel much more confident when solving difficult problems, I still have a little trouble knowing where to start/what to do first. However, I find that every time we start to learn a new concept, I think it will be so hard; but once I understand the overall goal of the unit, the steps start to come easier to me, and suddenly the problems from last unit that I thought were so hard now seem extremely easy.
Projectile motion and vectors are definitely a part of every day life. I bet that I see so many examples of these things everyday, but just don't realize it because they are so common. For example, today at basketball practice I was shooting free throws - I seemed to keep on getting the right horizontal distance, but the vertical velocity being too small caused the ball to keep on hitting the front edge of the rim. Thinking back, I automatically adjusted my vertical velocity by pushing upward on the basketball with more force than before without even realizing it. This is a perfect example of projectile motion.
Vectors and projectile motion can be applied to many situations in everyday circumstances.
