Perseverance/ Persistence
The topic B paper three required perseverance because it included multiple multi-step problems and was on material that we had to teach ourselves. We had to teach ourselves the latter part of topic B due to a short amount of time. The material in B is all about engineering and in no way is easy. The paper three packet included B problems that involved thermo, rotation, and forced oscillations. At first, I was struggling and was getting stumped on each problem. I took my time and went through each problem individually and slowly, and before I knew it I was done.
A goal for the future is to be more patient when I am having difficulty on a problem because sometimes I focus too much on one part of the problem and I miss the big picture of whats wrong. On multiple occasions I have spent hours stumped on what I think is wrong with the problem but in actuality my error is coming from a different part of the problem. I can't rush a tough problem; I need to be patient and make sure to review everything about the problem when I have an error, not just one part.
A goal for the future is to be more patient when I am having difficulty on a problem because sometimes I focus too much on one part of the problem and I miss the big picture of whats wrong. On multiple occasions I have spent hours stumped on what I think is wrong with the problem but in actuality my error is coming from a different part of the problem. I can't rush a tough problem; I need to be patient and make sure to review everything about the problem when I have an error, not just one part.
Collaboration
The B.4 presentation required collaboration because each of my partners were responsible for only a certain section of the chapter. Only through teamwork were we able to teach B.4 to the whole class. I was responsible for forced oscillations, Roger had Q-factor, and Aaron had viscosity and Reynolds Number. We had some issues with communication because we weren't always responding to each others messages about the project, but in the end things worked out and our presentation was done on time. Before we presented we met up with each other and taught each other about the different sections to ensure all of us knew all about topic B.4, and not just the one section of B.4 we were responsible for.
I hope to improve my communication skills in relation to collaboration. Communication is a vital part of teamwork and without it nothing can get properly planned and the chances of an error occurring increases greatly. I hope to improve my respond time as sometimes I take a while to respond as I don't always answer the message right when I see it. It is important to realize that other people are depending on me and so I need to make sure to prioritize the group and not myself.
I hope to improve my communication skills in relation to collaboration. Communication is a vital part of teamwork and without it nothing can get properly planned and the chances of an error occurring increases greatly. I hope to improve my respond time as sometimes I take a while to respond as I don't always answer the message right when I see it. It is important to realize that other people are depending on me and so I need to make sure to prioritize the group and not myself.
Connections: to the World Beyond the Book
Sankey Diagrams helped me comprehend how power plants work and helped me understand the idea of conservation of energy. These concepts relate to the world outside of physics because we rely heavily on power plants to supply our power. Personally, I think its important to have a basic understanding on how things work for example I think its important to understand the basics of a car or in this case the basics of a power plant. By understanding the process you understand how things can go wrong, the positives of a certain type of energy, and what goes into making electricity. It is also vital to understand that nothing is 100 percent efficient and energy can only degrade. Understanding the process of power plants (coal, nuclear, hydro) gives me a better idea of where my power comes from and how it truly works. Maybe if i'm ever stuck on a desert I can use this knowledge to build a basic windmill or nuclear power plant.
Some goals to aim for in relation to making connections to the world beyond the book is to realize that not every concept can be fully comprehended in physics terms for me and a basic understanding is sufficient enough. For example, I will never fully understand how a computer works but I can understand how the keyboard uses capacitance. Everyday knowledge does not require me to figure out exact values like how physics class does, and this is why qualitative knowledge is more vital. I want to be able to explain to my friends the basics of a concept and in terms that are understandable, so in depth knowledge on each concept is unnecessary.
Some goals to aim for in relation to making connections to the world beyond the book is to realize that not every concept can be fully comprehended in physics terms for me and a basic understanding is sufficient enough. For example, I will never fully understand how a computer works but I can understand how the keyboard uses capacitance. Everyday knowledge does not require me to figure out exact values like how physics class does, and this is why qualitative knowledge is more vital. I want to be able to explain to my friends the basics of a concept and in terms that are understandable, so in depth knowledge on each concept is unnecessary.
Quarter 4 Reflection
I met my quarter three goals perfectly and since have become much more adept at comprehending material faster and solo. This quarter I had to construct a presentation with friends on a topic never covered before (B.4) and essentially I had to teach myself the material. Using knowledge from previous chapters I was able to comprehend and construct a presentation explaining the new concepts that I showed to other IB classmates. The presentation went well and my classmates were able to understand the vital material that appears on the IB Paper 3. I have also broadened my horizons in relation to the people I receive/give direct help to. Since quarter three, I have made new physics friendships with other classmates that provides the opportunity for larger cooperation and teamwork. I can now rely on my classmates for help instead of the internet; this makes asking questions much easier. Since beginning IB Physics, I have developed and gained so many study/practice traits and skills. My ability to seek help is the main trait I gained; I now know what to do if I’m stuck on a hard concept or problem. I can take the proper steps to make sure I understand what needs to be understood, and this does not only apply to physics. I know this class has made me a dedicated, perseverant, and curious student; these traits I gained will assist me in my pursuit for further education and life as a whole.