Physics 1010 Reflective Essay

Physics is all around me and yet I did not fully realize it. Of course, I still dont fully
realize all the workings of energy and matter that surround me, few, if any, really do. However,
during this course I have gained a greater understanding and awareness of what physics is and
how it relates to me. This is a fascinating subject that explains so much from the microscopic
atom to the infinite universe. The work throughout the course allowed me to understand and
grasp individual concepts, laws, and theories and the signature project helped bring it all together
to help me think of physics in a way I never had before.
One of the most interesting aspects of the signature project was part of the equation
analysis section involving d = gt^2/2 and v = gt. These equations deal with the acceleration of
gravity at the Earths surface, velocity, distance, and time. To me, it is intuitive to think that
heavy objects always fall at a greater speed than light objects. It makes sense and that is what I
have always observed in my life without giving it a second thought until I started hearing about
physics later on in life. The Galileo hammer feather experiment amazes me. To actually see two
objects with vastly different weights get dropped and fall at nearly the same rate is astounding.
Since the latter part of high school and in my college hears I have heard that such was the case,
without air resistance all objects fall that the same rate, however, until this project, I had never
before witnessed it.
Another favorite concept of mine that I learned about during this project is Fermis Paradox. As
one who has always believed in life on other planets I found this paradox quite interesting and
had never before considered the grand contradiction that exists. Even after seeing the Hubble
Telescopes most important image ever taken which is a still image of deep space that features

billions of galaxies it still didnt sink in that the odds are highly in favor of contact with extra
terrestrials. It is said that every spec of light in that image is its own galaxy, each galaxy
harboring billions of stars within itself. The numbers are unfathomable, yet, I pose the same
question as Enrico Fermi, Where is everybody?
Although there were enjoyable parts in completing this project, it was not without its
difficulties. I found that the most difficult part had to deal with the equation analysis section, in
particular the questions involving e = 1 Tcold/Thot. This is one of the equations that I had not
mastered throughout the semester so it did halt my progress for a time in the completion of this
assignment. I am glad, however, that this showed up as it gave me an opportunity to look into it
more deeply and figure it out. I had to search the textbook and the internet and read over the
concepts and work out a few problems using the equation before it sunk in. It finally did sink it a
little more deeply and I now have a greater understanding of heat engines.
During the semester the burden of balancing work, school, and a personal life weighs
heavy at times. The homework seems daunting especially in a class such as this where a quick
skim of the material is insufficient. This is a class that calls for undivided attention, something
that can be hard to come by at times. However, as I sit and ponder the past 3 months and
simultaneously contemplate the short amount of time I have left in this class, I feel fulfilled and
appreciative of the knowledge gained throughout this course. I can, with certainty, say that this
class did increase my level of interest in physics. I now have a desire to learn these concepts and
more in greater detail in the future. It is also interesting to note that it seems that this and so
many of my other classes coincide regarding the information delivered. I can draw many
parallels between physics, biology, geology, astronomy, and history just to name a few. I enjoyed

learning that although particular disciplines are unique to themselves they all do merge together
and create a greater picture of knowledge itself.