There are four basic equations that describe the motion of an object in terms of time (t), velocity (vf: final velocity; vi: initial velocity), acceleration (a), and displacement (d). These are known as the kinematic equations and can be rearranged in various ways to solve for the desired variable. Being able to derive these equations on your own will solidify your understanding of these concepts.  Recreate some basic physics labs at home and try to derive the equations from the data you have collected. The basic kinematics equations are:  d = vit + ½at2  vf2 =  vi2 + 2ad vf = vi + at d = (vi + vf)/2 * t A vector is a quantity commonly used in math and physics that has both a magnitude and a direction. The magnitude defines the “length” of the motion. When talking about velocity, the magnitude is the speed the object is moving. The direction the object moves defines the second component of the vector, direction. When objects are in motion they generally move in one direction at a specific rate. They may be moving at a constant velocity or accelerating, but in either case, the motion is said to have both a magnitude and direction; therefore, its motion is a vector. Physics can be very abstract, but the best way to get to the root of the problem is to draw it out. Sketch a basic picture of what’s happening in the problem described and then add in all of the forces that exist.  Forces are vectors so remember to draw them using an arrow with both a magnitude and direction. Don’t forget about unseen forces such as the force of gravity, the friction force, and the normal force (the force that acts against an object resting on it). The best way to learn something is to dive right in. Try your hand at some basic problems to check your understanding. To solve any problem draw the diagram, write the givens, determine what you’re solving for and apply the correct equation to solve for your unknown.  For example: Find the distance it takes for a car traveling at 25 m/s to stop using an acceleration of -9 m/s2. Sketch a picture of the car, drawing arrows to represent the direction of travel. Write down the knowns: vf = 0 m/s, vi = 25 m/s, a = -9 m/s2, d = ? Identify the relevant equation: vf2 =  vi2 + 2ad Plug in the knowns: 02 = 252 + 2(-9)(d) Solve for d: d = (02 - 252)/-18 = 34.72 m The car traveled 34.72 meters before stopping.

Summary: Study the derivation of the basic equations. Define a vector. Draw diagrams of the problem. Practice with some examples.


Sometimes you can figure out what's causing your dog's allergic reaction simply by identifying where the itchy rash develops. The condition of your dog's skin and fur also give you an idea of how severe the reaction is.  For example, if your dog has a rash around its paws, it may be allergic to grass or something else it comes into contact with when walking outside. A rash around your dog's rump may indicate that your dog is allergic to fleas. These areas are where fleas tend to bite most often. If you suspect your dog has allergic dermatitis, a veterinarian can help you ensure that your pet gets proper treatment. While it is possible to treat allergic dermatitis at home, it's still important to have a vet examine your dog for other health issues or secondary infections. The veterinarian will also rule out any other potential causes of your dog's rash, apart from a possible allergy. The veterinarian will need to know as much as possible about your dog's food and environment so they can figure out potential causes of your dog's rash.  If your dog has had problems with rashes or itching in the past, let the veterinarian know. If you found a treatment that worked to eliminate a rash or itching in the past, tell the veterinarian what you did. Also, consider if there is a pattern to when your dog tends to have symptoms, such as if the itching is worse in the summer and improves during the winter. Once the veterinarian has a good idea what's causing your dog's allergic dermatitis, they may want to do a blood or skin test to confirm their diagnosis. While allergy tests can be expensive, they can help you better determine the proper treatment options for your dog.  Allergy tests sometimes give false positives. Most veterinarians won't rely on an allergy test exclusively to make a diagnosis. However, an allergy test can confirm a diagnosis a veterinarian is already fairly confident of. Keep in mind that your vet will likely need to run additional tests to rule out other causes of itchiness, such as parasitic disease.

Summary: Evaluate the locations of itching or hair loss on your dog. Take your dog to the veterinarian for an examination. Provide information about your dog's medical history to the veterinarian. Get allergy tests for your dog to confirm the cause.


Chances are, if you stumbled across someone’s profile on Facebook, you have a friend or 2 in common with them. Click the “Add Friend” button on their profile to connect with them if you’re interested.  Sometimes, people won’t accept friend requests from people they don’t know, even if you have friends in common. If you don’t hear from them, don’t be offended. You can try asking your mutual friends about that person to see if you can all hang out together at some point. If you’ve met them in person, try to send them a friend request within 1-2 days so they remember who you are. If they update their photo or post a new status, use the like button to show that you saw it and are paying attention to their posts. This is a great way to get yourself on their radar and to get them to notice you on Facebook.  Don’t like more than 2-3 statuses or photos at once, since this can flood their phone with notifications and make you seem annoying. You can like a recent post as soon as you become friends with someone, which will let them know that you looked at their profile and enjoy their posts. The person you’re interested in might be pretty active on Facebook, so take the time to comment on any status updates with kind, supportive sentiments. This will show them that you’re paying attention to their posts and can open up a more private conversation in the future.  For instance, if they post a picture of their food, you can say something like, “Wow! That looks so yummy!” If they post a life update, like a move or a new job, feel free to comment with a “Congratulations” or “Good luck!” This is a great way to show someone who you have a crush on in real life that you’re thinking about them. You can tag them by typing their name and selecting it, or you can send the post to them in Messenger by clicking the “Share” button. Try not to tag people who you’ve never met in real life or who you don’t know very well. This can come off as annoying or even creepy if you’ve never really had a conversation. Try not to seem too overtly flirty on their posts since Facebook is a public forum and they’re likely friends with their family members and coworkers. Keep your comments positive and friendly, and remember to stay polite when you’re ready to send them a message. As a general rule, try not to make comments about their appearance, as this can be embarrassing. Instead, focus on being kind and friendly so that you can eventually send them a message to continue the conversation.
Summary: Send them a friend request if you have mutual friends. Like someone’s photo or status to show your support and interest. Comment on their status updates and pictures to interact with them. Tag them in a funny post if you’re friends in real life. Be polite in all of your interactions.