Glorious Wednesday

Honors Physics A took time to review refraction and lenses and discussed yesterday’s lab investigation. Since half of the class was absent due to a band function yesterday, time was allotted for students to share information and discuss the results of the lab with those who had conducted the lab activity. A review worksheet for lenses and refraction was distributed for students to work that will serve as part of the overall review for Monday’s exam on light, reflection and refraction. Make sure I have your lab write ups by Friday!

Physical Science B continued on with their discussion of electric current by adding the concept of resistance to the bag of knowledge. Resistance is a property of the material through which the charges move that is based on the material’s identity, temperature, length and cross-sectional area. We practiced using Ohm’s Law to solve problems about voltage, resistance and current and went over those at the end of the period. Tomorrow, we’ll take time to review the basic properties of electric current and start to talk about the structure and function of electric circuits.

Physical Science E picked up with the idea of the rate of charge flow – current. Current used in this sense refers purely to the amount of charge in coulombs flowing through a material per second and the unit of the ampere (A), can also be written as Joule/second. We then turned attention to electrical resistance and factors that affect resistance in materials. Ohm’s Law was introduced and used to evaluate relationships between voltage, current and resistance. We’ll use Ohm’s Law again when we tackle circuits, and your lab investigation on Friday will focus on ohmic and non-ohmic materials.

Physics F reviewed the concept of lenses, both converging and diverging and then turned attention to the phenomena of total internal reflection and dispersion. Demonstrations were presented for these topics so that students could better understand the general concepts. Tomorrow, you’ll get to practice working with lenses in your lab activity. Friday – review. Monday – exam.

Physics G conducted a lab investigation focused on the image forming abilities of converging and diverging lenses. Students determined the focal length of a converging and diverging lens and verified the patterns of image formation discussed in class and the use of the thin-lens and magnification formulas in problems solving. We’ll discuss the lab in class tomorrow and then explore the phenomena of total internal reflection and dispersion. Friday – review, Monday – exam.

Homework

Honors Physics A: Refraction and lenses review worksheet. Lab write ups by Friday
Physical Science B: 16.2 Section Review on page 545
Physical Science E: None
Physics F: Read lab protocol sheet and complete the 15.3 Section Review # 1, 3, 4
Physics G: Complete lab write up