Murky Monday

Physical Science sat through NOVA’s Magnetic Storm video that examined the nature of Earth’s magnetic field, its importance for protecting the earth from solar and cosmic radiation and how we might have to without it for a little while (just a couple of thousand years or so) until it reverses direction as it has done oh-so-many times in the past. Finish up those video questions and be ready to discuss them in class tomorrow. We’ll then continue on with our examination of electromagnetism. On Wednesday, a lab on making electromagnets is on the docket.

Physics concluded their discussion of electrical resistance and Ohm’s Law and began to move through the basics of electric circuits. We are skipping over capacitors due to time constraints and that material will not be on Thursday’s exam. Between tomorrow and Wednesday, we will conclude our discussion of circuits and electric power. Since Wednesday is a long block, we will also have time to review for Thursday’s exam.

Honors Physics were presented with information about series and parallel circuits and the patterns for voltage, current and resistance for the entire circuit and for individual loads for each circuit type. Tomorrow’s lab will allow you to validate these relationships and get practice wiring series and parallel circuits. Even though you will be using the Vernier circuit boards and the lab sheets will give you a general, labeled schematic diagram for each experimental configuration, not all details will be present in the diagram. For instance, they might show you that a parallel connection is called for, but they won’t show you exactly how to physically construct that connection with the resistors, voltage probe and alligator clips. That’s for you to work out….Wednesday, a discussion of the lab and the completion of the material for the unit. Thursday, exam. Friday, next Tuesday and Wednesday – review for the final exam.