Maybe I shouldn't have started this blog now, not with everything that's been going on.

Returning to the second meeting of my mechanics lectures for the fifth week of classes: After giving them the problem solving techniques for constant velocity up to questions dealing with forces in one dimension I asked them for one-eighth sheets of paper with their names that I used for the random board work recitation and review.

There were still some people who kept raising their hands to volunteer though, knowing that – just like the tests I give – the easy topics come first.

I specifically gave three problems that I had not shown them before: the one wherein the quadratic formula had to be used to solve for time using the formula with degree two, where the velocity is not zero.

For horizontal motion, one of the values of time will usually be negative and disregarded. For vertical motion, usually the two values are positive, and the two instances when the projectile is at the same height, on its way up, and down.

The second problem I gave was one where they had to prove that the time a projectile is at its maximum height is half the total time it is up when the object returns to its original height. In other words, in that case, the duration going up is the same as the one going down.

Right now I can’t recall the third, and the book is with one of the students for review so I can’t look it up. I’ll just have to come back to that when I find out.

There were also some people who were asking if the exact same worded problems will be coming out in the exam. I said no, because what I wanted them to look at was the analysis of the use of the equations behind the problems.

Now, on to our student assistants. We have six new ones, including David’s brother Daniel.

Another one, Mon (yes, the same one of Innovation Week fame) was (re)hired despite not being able to reach the grade point requirement because he had already worked as a student assistant in the Registrar’s Office before the grade requirement was implemented.

Not all are assigned to the various computer laboratories. Two alternate with being in Student Affairs Director Ronnie’s office, and can thus be tasked to do the various menial bits of labor we sometimes neglect.

This includes typing non-confidential papers, printing them, photocopying them and posting those that need to be put up.

I’ve also already queued one up to make phone reservations for me – on school related matters, of course.

It’s a wonder we’ve never thought of having one before. They can definitely be given more generic tasks than the ones assigned to certain research groups for academic credit hours. Those can only be asked to file or arrange the library of book-bound theses or clean up the lab.

I have news about the Band Fest, which will be for next time, as well as my start of sixth week classes. For now, class dismissed.