We All Survived Day One

The senior class meeting at up most of the Honors Physics class period, but we did at least get to make a start with the ideas of the nature of physics and the scientific method. We’ll complete that discussion tomorrow and spend time with discussing measuring and reporting techniques. This chapter will move very quickly and we will likely be done with it by Tuesday.

Physical Science got an earful about the branches of science, the scope of physics and the steps and importance of the scientific method. Remember that the scientific method is really about common sense and taking a logical approach to problem solving. You’ll notice that as we conduct our lab investigations, the format of the lab sheets simulates the scientific method. The problem, hypothesis, experimental methodology and data analysis procedures are specified and the questions lead you make meaning of the results, i.e. reach a conclusion. B Block had no homework, but E block needs to read over that lab sheet. We will go through the setup procedure as a class, step by step, before you are turned loose to complete the procedure in your group. Reading over the protocol beforehand, however, really gives you a head start and a sense of familiarity with the investigation that will make the experiment flow far more smoothly. And you never know, some days you might be confronted with a pre-lab quiz to see if you have been doing that advanced reading (not tomorrow, though).

Physics G got their Day One materials and discussion that we skipped yesterday to do lab, and F block got their own shot at the introductory lab. Unsurprisingly, the results were very good in both classes and were concordant with each other. Groups seem pretty comfortable using the technology and that will make this year’s lab experience very enjoyable. Everyone is working on 1.2 for tonight, which should be a review for most folks. If you get stuck, that’s ok. Check the answers online and/or make sure to make the appropriate corrections tomorrow in class.

Homework: Honors Physics – None because of senior class meeting
PhysSciB: No homework
PhysSciE: Read lab investigation
Physics: 1.2 SR