Austin S.

Jones
Reflective Essay
Physics 1010
David Schaffer

Looking Back
Physics really is in virtually everything. When we first received this assignment, I was
somewhat skeptical. Why are we talking about stars and craters if this is a physics assignment?
was one of my first thoughts. After having completed the assignment, I now understand a little
more clearly whats going on.
In this assignment, It connected that their really was something to what I was learning.
When asked How long it took the light from the stars to reach our planet I was able to use the
speed of light to help me calculate that. Just out of curiosity, I looked into how much Force was
created in certain impact craters we have on earth. Even when I discussed Newtons second law
of motion, f=ma, It helped me realize all of the real world applications it had. Also, the
Assignment about heat engines and 100% efficiency got some good conversations with friends,
which really applied to me seeing as how I am a mechanic. The equation being e = 1 - T(hot)/
T(cold). Now if only their were a way to produce 0 kelvin.
One Interesting Part in this Signature assignment was having to add geometry to the mix.
When We had to compare the size of the stars to our sun, I had to use the equation v = 4/3(3.14)r
squared. Not going to lie, It took me a moment to dig that equation out of the resources of my
brain but, it was really rewarding to mix the math and knowledge I learned from high school
with what Im learning now.
This assignment wasnt entirely easy though. There were a few stumbling blocks along
the way. Teaching myself About stars and the units that they measure in was by far the hardest
thing for me. Dont get me wrong though, it was also my favorite part, but for some reason I
struggled most in this area. I am grateful for the struggle because now I know a lot more about
one of my favorite topics since I was a kid. I really think this helps emphasize the growth Ive
made in this class as well. 3 months ago Id probably still be staring at pictures of the southern
cross just trying to find out what the luminosity was of Acrux, let alone figure out the rest of
what I learned. I am really glad I developed this adaptiveness trait when it comes to learning
physics.
Now seeing that the rest of my life I will be using what I learned from this class as an
animator, I am extremely grateful. Though it was hard at times, I managed to push through and
got a glimpse of the big picture that everything has to do with physics. Probably wont ever look
at the stars the same way again too.