That Big Orb in the Sky is the Sun

...in case you've forgotten...

Honors Physics worked with lenses in today’s lab investigation. Both converging and diverging lenses were examined and the images formed with objects at different distances from the focal length were investigated. The thin lens equation was pretty well verified and folks were able to experimentally determine the focal length of a diverging lens, so everyone went home happy. Tomorrow, we’ll go over the lab in more detail and spend time tidying up loose ends with lenses.

Physical Science B discussed yesterday’s lab investigation and effort was taken to make sure that everyone was able to thoroughly explain the results for each of the mini-activities. Attention was then turned to electric current. We contrasted static electricity and electric current and emphasized the role of electrical potential energy difference (voltage) in the generation of electric current. The structure and function of batteries was explained and dry and wet cells were contrasted. Tomorrow, we’ll review these ideas and push further into current with a more thorough discussion of amperage and resistance.

Physical Science E started the period by going over the Coulomb’s Law worksheet. Make sure that you can work these problems forwards and backwards. The skills you practice will also reinforce your ability to solve problems for gravitational forces. We then picked up the thread of electric current. The motion of charges due to a difference in electric potential energy between two locations is electric current and we examined how this potential difference (voltage) could be generated by batteries. Tomorrow, we’ll add more pieces to the current puzzle with amperage and electrical resistance.

Physics F and G reviewed over basic notions about refraction and then marched into lenses. Converging and diverging lenses were contrasted and the types of images formed by each was explored. The lab for this unit (on which G block will work tomorrow) centers around image formation by these lenses, so keep the book-learning in mind as you work through the experiments.

Homework

Honors Physics A: Complete lab write up
Physical Science B and E: None
Physics F: Complete Chapter Review items #15-19, 20, 23, 25, 26
Physics G: Read lab protocol sheet and complete Chapter Review items #15-19, 20, 23, 25, 26 for Thursday