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

I was talking about my mechanics class exam. One of their tension in two dimensions problem also requires them to assume symmetry for the horizontal components of chains attached to a suspended target, especially if they have the same angle.

The second one was a giveaway with only one vertical chain attached to the target, with two horizontal chains added for confusion, which worked for some.

The first problem, on forces in two dimensions, set up this complicated scenario with a man slipping on an oil spill in his garage and throwing out his back. He could not move to reach the cordless phone, which fell in the middle of the spill, so he summons his two dogs to fetch it for him, and they push it with their noses over the frictionless surface, requiring resultants of forces.

One major disappointment for this exam was this quiet student who was a consistent high scorer. He wrote a note in his booklet saying he’d make up for it in the next one because he still had a hangover. Honest, but maybe unnecessary. After all, he did not figure the fact that the test was that much harder intentionally from what he’s used to.

There were also those who did not attend because they were already out with their families for the Holy Week. Well, it’s the price they pay.

And speaking of prices, Joseph, unbelievably, came up to me before the exam asking if the make up exam will be more difficult if he opts not to take it.

Setting aside the fact that make up exams are supposed to be only for students under special circumstances that prevent them from taking the exam, he doesn’t seem to have been fazed by the last make up exam he took earlier this term, which he admitted was tough, if only because it is meant to discourage them from frivolously skipping tests.

And he didn’t take it, as well as his cousin and the three Korean students so I guess that prevention tactic didn’t work that time. I’ll have to make their make up exam a real ear bleeder.

Since I’m on the topic of the mechanics exam anyway, and I mentioned the cliff/hill mix up from one of the problems, these three girls also figured in another suspicious turn of events from their previous quiz.

They were included in a handful of students who were able to answer the linear equations in two variables problem for projectile motion. Only one had a complete solution.

Another had a partial answer. Unfortunately it was the later half, and I don’t know where she got the formula, which, even if it was correct, I did not give in class. And this student does not have a history of inspired bursts of brilliance.

The third one had no solution at all. Just used the correct value for the succeeding questions. Of course I didn’t give her full credit for that.

And they were all in a row again the last exam. Very intriguing.