Python Physics: Modeling a Bowling Ball Landing on a Spring

YES! I made a calculator mistake at one point. It gets fixed later.
A bowling ball has a mass of 1.5 kg and is dropped from a height of 2 meters onto a vertical spring with a spring constant of 1000 N/m. How much does the spring compress during the impact? In this case, we can solve it three different ways. First, assume the compression is small compared to the drop (ignore gravitational potential during the impact). Second, don't assume a small impact. Third, model the motion using forces (and python).
Here is the code
trinket.io/glo...
I'm working through chapter summaries for introductory physics (algebra-based). I'm using the Openstax online (free) textbook College Physics. You can access this book here openstax.org/d...
Here is the playlist with all the videos and problems for this course.
• Online Physics 1 2024

[@fizixx]

LOVED the spring compression!

[@BrownMInc]

This is precisely the type of video I've been searching for. Clear, concise, but context as to why you make choices. I remember wondering why are we learning energy methods and when to use it vs Forces and this kinda made it click in that the method we use should first answer "what are we looking for / what do we care about?" Also taking time to properly define our system. Thank you.

[@tmann986]

I believe keeping the mistake is beneficial. First, evaluate your answer at the end by asking, 'Does this make sense or fall within an acceptable range?' If not, calmly review your units and check your calculator. Once you realize the mistake was due to a calculator error, it's easy to correct it. This approach isn't just for physics; learning how to THINK and ANALYZE is more important than merely solving a problem. This process mirrors the scientific method: asking a question, conducting an experiment, and evaluating the results. I didn't fully understand this until about two years after my first physics class because I was focused solely on finding a solution. BTW that Vpython program is really sick! My Physics 1 and 2 course used Vpython as well! I could not have programed that as fast as you like wow that was impressive!

[@mohammadsaleh5075]

great as usual , can you plz make a playlist of your old python videos than have some advanced topics like quantum mechanics and numerical methods of solving in physics

[@DotPhysics]

This isn't exactly what you want - but maybe good enough. Here's my classical mechanics playlist (not just python stuff though) kzbin.info/aero/PLWFlMBumSLSYSabN1STpVhYM6eCLwg_gp Here is quantum kzbin.info/aero/PLWFlMBumSLSZBNfbvG01YqX_6elLjBsVf

[@compphysgeek]

I can't give this video a thumb up. For years I've been telling my students to always write down the units as well as the numerical values. s != sqrt(0.06), but s = sqrt(0.06) m. One of the reasons I gave was that s is a length so it has units of lengths but the the right side of the "equation" there is just a number. And that can't be equal. A quantity with dimension of length, for instance, is never equal to (=) a number. Second, and more import reason, if you've made any mistakes you can check your equation using the units. Whatever is on the right must be equal to what's on the left. So write down your units and than make sure that the dimension on both sides is the same. Problems like 7:20 can easily be avoided. which is particularly important in an exam. So, videos like this destroy in 30 minutes what I try to fix for years.

[@godphysics2473]

Keep moving forward!

[@godphysics2473]

Difficult but easy!