Test Prep Day!

Honors Physics A completed their brief introduction to atomic physics and then reviewed over basic ideas about nuclear structure and stability. The chapter on quantum physics was brief and somewhat shallow, but that’s really about all that could be presented in this course, which a survey of physics topics. Also, the math is really horrifying and no one wants that. However, the whole field is fascinating and still at the cutting edge of physics theory – interested folks should take time to pick up a book or two and read up on the subject. As for nuclear physics, most of what we went over today was review from last year’s chemistry curriculum and a lot of the remainder of the chapter will be also. We’ll put more of a physics spin on things, but you should definitely be good to go on this material come exam time.

Physical Science B reviewed for tomorrow’s exam on magnetism. Remember to stop by before school tomorrow if you need additional help or email me tonight. On Friday, most folks will be gone for the band trip, so we’ll have clowns and cupcakes instead of learning anything.

Physical Science E conducted their lab investigation on magnetism. The first piece focused on permanent magnets and the fields they created. Students documented that distance greatly affected field strength and that the both the north and south pole of the magnet had filed lines that were opposite in their orientation. Then, students studied the effect of winding number on the strength of an electromagnet. As more winds of wire wrapped around the nail, the stronger was the measured field strength. Rapping the nail sharply on a desktop reduced its magnetic field strength significantly, as the magnetic domains went from aligned to non-aligned. The write up for this lab will not be due until Friday, or Monday if you are going on the band trip. After the data was collected for the lab investigations, tine was spent reviewing the material of tomorrow’s exam. As for B Block, make time to contact me if you need any additional help with the material.

Physics F reviewed for tomorrow’s exam and Physics G completed the material and also reviewed for tomorrow’s exam. Email me tonight if you have any last-minute questions or stop by tomorrow morning if you need help.

Homework

Honors Physics A: Chapter Review items #29 – 39, 42
Physical Science B and E: Study for exam
Physics F and G: Study for exam