Honors Physics conducted a lab investigation that had students graphically analyze vector combination. Using spring scales and a known mass, precisely-drawn vector diagrams were used to demonstrate that adding the force vectors measured by the spring scales summed to the vector describing the object's weight. Further combinations verified that vectors can be added in any order and allowed students some practice with vector subtraction. We'll discuss the lab tomorrow before beginning our lecture unit on forces. Note: you don't need to do a lab synopsis for today's investigation.
Physics B and F began a discussion of forces, inertia and acceleration. We delved a little into the history of the concept of inertia and how inertia determines an object's acceleration (based on applied net force) and will expand on this tomorrow in a more quantitative fashion.
Physical Science reviewed their vector and acceleration worksheet before taking their quiz. After the quiz, the concept of forces was introduced. We'll spend an entire chapter on forces soon, but this preface serves to identify some common forces, highlight the vocabulary terms net force, balanced force and unbalanced force and give a hint as to the nature of forces' ability to affect motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete Adding Force Vectors lab questions
Physics B and F: Complete Chapter 4 Chapter Review items #1-8, 12
Physical Science: Complete Chapter 10 Chapter Review items #17-20
9/29/10
Let the Sunshine In
At least for today. Tomorrow, we're back into the wet and rainy...
Honors Physics took their Chapter 3 exam and the results were interesting. For all of the turmoil about the mathematics part, where some folks didn't fare well was in the basic information. Make sure that when you prepare for a physics test that you budget time for both the content and the mathematics. The test will always have both and one cannot be neglected for the other. Tomorrow, we take up a new topic - Forces!
Physics B and F endured their Projectile Motion exams, then looked ahead towards our work with forces. We've just been concentrating on describing motion; now we tackle the bit of nature that starts, stops and changes the direction of motion. We'll look at various specific forces during the year like gravity, friction, electric force, etc., and you'll they all boil down to pushes or pulls that affect matter's motion.
Physical Science spent time looking at graphs that presented accelerated motion. For a position-time graph, you'd see a curve. For an velocity-time graph, we'd expect a linear relationship for constant acceleration. A velocity-time graph gives me the ability, as well, to calculate the value for that acceleration (the slope of the line) and the displacement (the area under the curve). We'll go over this sheet tomorrow before you take your velocity and acceleration quiz.
Homework:
Honors Physics, Physics B and Physics F: Read 4.1 and complete #1-3, 5, 6 of the 4.1 Section Review
Physical Science: Complete the Velocity and Acceleration worksheet
Honors Physics took their Chapter 3 exam and the results were interesting. For all of the turmoil about the mathematics part, where some folks didn't fare well was in the basic information. Make sure that when you prepare for a physics test that you budget time for both the content and the mathematics. The test will always have both and one cannot be neglected for the other. Tomorrow, we take up a new topic - Forces!
Physics B and F endured their Projectile Motion exams, then looked ahead towards our work with forces. We've just been concentrating on describing motion; now we tackle the bit of nature that starts, stops and changes the direction of motion. We'll look at various specific forces during the year like gravity, friction, electric force, etc., and you'll they all boil down to pushes or pulls that affect matter's motion.
Physical Science spent time looking at graphs that presented accelerated motion. For a position-time graph, you'd see a curve. For an velocity-time graph, we'd expect a linear relationship for constant acceleration. A velocity-time graph gives me the ability, as well, to calculate the value for that acceleration (the slope of the line) and the displacement (the area under the curve). We'll go over this sheet tomorrow before you take your velocity and acceleration quiz.
Homework:
Honors Physics, Physics B and Physics F: Read 4.1 and complete #1-3, 5, 6 of the 4.1 Section Review
Physical Science: Complete the Velocity and Acceleration worksheet
9/28/10
Prepping for Tests
Honors Physics, Physics B and Physics F all worked on review material for their exams. Then, we all move into forces and begin to explore how all of these changes in motion we've been observing quantifying are being promoted.
Physical Science reviewed their acceleration problems before taking an introductory look at graphs of accelerated motion. You should be able to interpret position-time and velocity-time graphs for accelerated motion and calculate the acceleration and displacement from velocity-time graphs. We'll be practicing this tomorrow and do a spot check on the mathematics of velocity and acceleration with a quiz on Thursday.
Homework
Honors Physics, Physics B, Physics F: Prepare exam
Physical Science: None
Physical Science reviewed their acceleration problems before taking an introductory look at graphs of accelerated motion. You should be able to interpret position-time and velocity-time graphs for accelerated motion and calculate the acceleration and displacement from velocity-time graphs. We'll be practicing this tomorrow and do a spot check on the mathematics of velocity and acceleration with a quiz on Thursday.
Homework
Honors Physics, Physics B, Physics F: Prepare exam
Physical Science: None
9/27/10
Monday + Rain = Yuck
Everyone was either cranky, sleepy or both. And the whole week looks to be the same...
Honors Physics reviewed their projectile problems and were given time to brainstorm solutions for those they had missed. Remember that if you get stuck while working, check the worked-out solutions provided on the course website. Sometimes just a little help with one step open the rest of the problem right up.
Physics B began their review for Wednesday's exam. We walked through the chapter highlighting the relevant test material and specifying which math skills will be required to handle the test problems. Students were give a review packet to work through and class time will be allotted tomorrow to continue that work or to get individual help with chapter topics.
Physics F concluded the chapter with a discussion of satellite motion. Satellites are just fancy projectiles - they move 2-dimensionally, with acceleration provided only by gravity. The descriptors of projectiles that we've been discussing all chapter long apply to satellites in the same way they'd apply to a kicked football. We also took time to examine the chapter to highlight the material relevant for the exam and the math skills that will need to be demonstrated. A review packet was distributed and students will have class time tomorrow to work on it and get individual help with remaining issues with the material.
Physical Science built on Friday's discussion of acceleration and practice acceleration problems by reviewing problem-solving techniques and examining how the MCAS formula sheet presents the acceleration formula. Students were then given a packet of problems that require they demonstrate their ability to use the acceleration formula and snuck in some of those pesky metric conversions, too. The solutions to the problems are presented below and we'll review these problems in class tomorrow before taking a look at adding acceleration to our motion graphs.
Acceleration Worksheet Solutions
General problem solving hints:
Good luck!
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B and F: Complete exam review material by Wednesday
Physical Science: Complete acceleration worksheet
Honors Physics reviewed their projectile problems and were given time to brainstorm solutions for those they had missed. Remember that if you get stuck while working, check the worked-out solutions provided on the course website. Sometimes just a little help with one step open the rest of the problem right up.
Physics B began their review for Wednesday's exam. We walked through the chapter highlighting the relevant test material and specifying which math skills will be required to handle the test problems. Students were give a review packet to work through and class time will be allotted tomorrow to continue that work or to get individual help with chapter topics.
Physics F concluded the chapter with a discussion of satellite motion. Satellites are just fancy projectiles - they move 2-dimensionally, with acceleration provided only by gravity. The descriptors of projectiles that we've been discussing all chapter long apply to satellites in the same way they'd apply to a kicked football. We also took time to examine the chapter to highlight the material relevant for the exam and the math skills that will need to be demonstrated. A review packet was distributed and students will have class time tomorrow to work on it and get individual help with remaining issues with the material.
Physical Science built on Friday's discussion of acceleration and practice acceleration problems by reviewing problem-solving techniques and examining how the MCAS formula sheet presents the acceleration formula. Students were then given a packet of problems that require they demonstrate their ability to use the acceleration formula and snuck in some of those pesky metric conversions, too. The solutions to the problems are presented below and we'll review these problems in class tomorrow before taking a look at adding acceleration to our motion graphs.
Acceleration Worksheet Solutions
- 44 m/s
- 10.4 m/s
- 49.8 km/hr
- 39.5 s
- 3.89 s
- 51 s
- 3.71 m/s2
- -21 m/s2
- 0.1 m/s2
- 44 m/s
- 120 s or 2 min
- 4.5 s
- 12.5 m/s
- 47.6 s
- 4.3 s
- -490 m/s2
- 3 m/s
- -1.0 x 10-6cm/y2
General problem solving hints:
- Read the problem completely through before starting work.
- Choose the most likely formula to solve for desired variable - it should ask for information that you're given in the problem.
- Write the formula down on paper.
- Read through the problem again and label the information that's presented (initial velocity, time, displacement, etc.)
- Using the formula as a template, match the labeled information to its location in the formula and write the filled- in version of the formula on your paper.
- Perform the necessary algebra to isolate the variable for which you're trying to solve.
- Check that the unit you get matches the unit for your desired answer.
- Check that the answers matches the general pattern you'd predict for situation given in the problem (solving for the velocity of a walking elephant should not yield 500 m/s, for instance).
Good luck!
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B and F: Complete exam review material by Wednesday
Physical Science: Complete acceleration worksheet
9/24/10
Phriday!
Finally!
Honors Physics discussed the concepts behind projectiles launched at an angle before applying these ideas, along with vector operations and kinematics to solving problems with vertically-launched projectiles. When working these problems, make sure to accurately identify all information and account for any implicit information the problem does not mention. For certain problems (like #2, the golf ball problem), there might not seem to be enough information given or assumed. Think back to the little trick of redefining one variable in terms of another to derive a single-variable equation. We'll go over these on Monday and then spend a little time talking about relative motion.
Physics B discussed the idea of satellite motion, a special case of projectile motion. Physics F looked conceptually at projectiles launched at an angle, where some of the assumptions we made for horizontally-launched projectiles are not longer applicable. We'll hit satellite motion on Monday. The exam, currently scheduled for Wednesday, will definitely feature vector operations. An optional worksheet was provided today for vector combination and vector resolution and the solutions are presented below:
Physical Science reviewed their motion and velocity homework before discussing the nature of scalars and vectors. Scalars have magnitude only, while vectors add direction to the magnitude measurement. Displacement and velocity are vectors; distance and speed are scalars. The addition of the direction component allows for vector combination - studying the effect of one object on the behavior of another. We then began to examine a new vector quantity - acceleration. We'll dig into acceleration in more detail on Monday.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3E
Physics B: p. 41, 42 in packet #15-18, 26, 41
Physics F: p. 41, 42 in packet #8 - 18, 26, 41
Physical Science: None
Honors Physics discussed the concepts behind projectiles launched at an angle before applying these ideas, along with vector operations and kinematics to solving problems with vertically-launched projectiles. When working these problems, make sure to accurately identify all information and account for any implicit information the problem does not mention. For certain problems (like #2, the golf ball problem), there might not seem to be enough information given or assumed. Think back to the little trick of redefining one variable in terms of another to derive a single-variable equation. We'll go over these on Monday and then spend a little time talking about relative motion.
Physics B discussed the idea of satellite motion, a special case of projectile motion. Physics F looked conceptually at projectiles launched at an angle, where some of the assumptions we made for horizontally-launched projectiles are not longer applicable. We'll hit satellite motion on Monday. The exam, currently scheduled for Wednesday, will definitely feature vector operations. An optional worksheet was provided today for vector combination and vector resolution and the solutions are presented below:
- a. 76.5 N at 78.7° SW b. 85 m/s left c. 18 m at 33.7° NE
- a. 140 m W; 660 m N b. 311 m E; 69 m S c. 26.8 km E; 22.5 km N
- 5.6 m at 63.4° NE
- 14.5 m/s upwards
- 5.6 m/s across the ground
- 243.5 m/s at 70.8° SW
Physical Science reviewed their motion and velocity homework before discussing the nature of scalars and vectors. Scalars have magnitude only, while vectors add direction to the magnitude measurement. Displacement and velocity are vectors; distance and speed are scalars. The addition of the direction component allows for vector combination - studying the effect of one object on the behavior of another. We then began to examine a new vector quantity - acceleration. We'll dig into acceleration in more detail on Monday.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3E
Physics B: p. 41, 42 in packet #15-18, 26, 41
Physics F: p. 41, 42 in packet #8 - 18, 26, 41
Physical Science: None
9/23/10
Hitting the Target
Physics F completed their projectile motion lab activity, which had students measure the launch velocity of a horizontal projectile and predict its landing point on the floor. They had to hit the target in one go and students did a very good job with their calculations to make that happen. Tomorrow, we'll review the lab and then take a loot at projectiles launched at an angle.
Physics B completed their discussion of horizontally-launched projectiles before moving to projectiles launched at an angle. That situations is a bit more complicated than for horizontal projectiles, but it can still be thought of simply as an object in free fall that happens to have a horizontal component to its velocity. The motion is still parabolic and, provided the launch and landing points are at the same height, symmetrical. We'll review this a little tomorrow before moving on to satellite motion.
Honors Physics reviewed their vector combination work and took time to start applying these ideas to horizontal projectiles. When you are working with horizontally-launched projectiles, there are bits of information you can count on:
With those bits, calculating things like time in the air and range become simple, as you saw for your projectile motion lab. We'll review your horizontal projectile homework problems tomorrow before moving on to projectiles launched at an angle.
Physical Science reviewed their Graphing Your Motion investigations before and spent time reviewing the basic vocabulary and mathematics of distance/displacement and speed/velocity. Tomorrow, we pick up with the vector nature of velocity (and the scalar nature of speed), before dipping our toes in acceleration.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3D
Physics B: p. 40 of ancillary reading packet #8 - 14
Physics F: Complete Projectile Motion lab write up
Physical Science : Chapter 10 Review items #12, 15, 16, 24, 25, 26, 30
Physics B completed their discussion of horizontally-launched projectiles before moving to projectiles launched at an angle. That situations is a bit more complicated than for horizontal projectiles, but it can still be thought of simply as an object in free fall that happens to have a horizontal component to its velocity. The motion is still parabolic and, provided the launch and landing points are at the same height, symmetrical. We'll review this a little tomorrow before moving on to satellite motion.
Honors Physics reviewed their vector combination work and took time to start applying these ideas to horizontal projectiles. When you are working with horizontally-launched projectiles, there are bits of information you can count on:
- Horizontal velocity remains constant (if air resistance is negligible)
- The initial velocity in the y-direction is 0 m/s
- The acceleration in the y-direction is -9.81 m/s2
With those bits, calculating things like time in the air and range become simple, as you saw for your projectile motion lab. We'll review your horizontal projectile homework problems tomorrow before moving on to projectiles launched at an angle.
Physical Science reviewed their Graphing Your Motion investigations before and spent time reviewing the basic vocabulary and mathematics of distance/displacement and speed/velocity. Tomorrow, we pick up with the vector nature of velocity (and the scalar nature of speed), before dipping our toes in acceleration.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3D
Physics B: p. 40 of ancillary reading packet #8 - 14
Physics F: Complete Projectile Motion lab write up
Physical Science : Chapter 10 Review items #12, 15, 16, 24, 25, 26, 30
9/22/10
Apollo 13
I have all episodes of Mythbusters in my Amazon Video on Demand library and was watching the one where they investigated the myths about the US faking the moon landings. Got me reminiscent about the movie Apollo 13, which, if you don't know, is a true story. Maybe its my age or my disposition, but that stands as one of the few movies that makes me put down whatever I'm doing and watch it when I come across it on TV. I have some nebulous memories of the actual moon landings and that film encapsulates what I remember about the atmosphere in the country about the NASA programs and the moon shots, specifically. If you haven't watched Apollo 13, set aside the time to catch it one day. I don't think you'll be sorry you did...
Constant Velocity is Hard!
Physical Science worked on a lab that had students examine graphs of their own motion and, in a difficult twist, copy the motion described by graphs give to them. Using a motion detector, students examined distance-time and velocity-time graphs of slow and fast motion and then were given distance-time and velocity-time graphs that they had to act out in real time. The computer traced their actual motion against the "recipe" and students had to refine their technique to match the graphs as best they could. So, everyone got a lot of practice interpreting motion graphs and getting a feel for what these graphs are actually describing. Tomorrow, more with motion and perhaps a little peek at acceleration...
Honors Physics took one last look at their Projectile Motion lab before jumping into vector operations. Vector combination and resolution were discussed, as was the combination of non-perpendicular vectors. Tonight's homework will allow opportunities to practice all these techniques before use them to help analyze examples of projectile motion.
Physics B and F went over their vector worksheets before turning attention to horizontally-launched projectiles. Knowing something is a horizontally-launched projectile puts some information in your back pocket - the horizontal velocity remains constant, the vertical accelerations is free-fall acceleration and the initial velocity in the horizontal direction is 0 m/s. That helps tremendously with problem solving. We took time also to explain what is and what is not a projectile and explore why projectile motion takes the path of a parabola. Tomorrow, Physics B will move into the area of projectiles launched at an angle and Physics F will conduct their lab investigation for projectile motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3A #1, 3; Practice 3B #2, 5, 7; Practice 3C #2, 3, 4
Physical Science: Complete Graphing Your Motion lab write up
Physics B: p. 41, 42 in Packet #29, 30, 39
Physics F: Read Projectile Motion lab protocol sheet
Honors Physics took one last look at their Projectile Motion lab before jumping into vector operations. Vector combination and resolution were discussed, as was the combination of non-perpendicular vectors. Tonight's homework will allow opportunities to practice all these techniques before use them to help analyze examples of projectile motion.
Physics B and F went over their vector worksheets before turning attention to horizontally-launched projectiles. Knowing something is a horizontally-launched projectile puts some information in your back pocket - the horizontal velocity remains constant, the vertical accelerations is free-fall acceleration and the initial velocity in the horizontal direction is 0 m/s. That helps tremendously with problem solving. We took time also to explain what is and what is not a projectile and explore why projectile motion takes the path of a parabola. Tomorrow, Physics B will move into the area of projectiles launched at an angle and Physics F will conduct their lab investigation for projectile motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 3A #1, 3; Practice 3B #2, 5, 7; Practice 3C #2, 3, 4
Physical Science: Complete Graphing Your Motion lab write up
Physics B: p. 41, 42 in Packet #29, 30, 39
Physics F: Read Projectile Motion lab protocol sheet
9/21/10
More Projectiles
Honors Physics conducted their projectile motion lab, and added a twist at the end. Students were first tasked to predict the landing point for a horizontally-launched projectile, when they only measured table height and launch velocity (catching ball in hand - no cheating by letting it hit the floor). All groups nailed their targets. Then, students were given a landing point and had to calculate the requisite launch velocity and calibrate their ramp system to deliver. Again, all groups hit their target, through a few were helped by having a fairly wide cup to hit. So, lots of prizes were disbursed and lots of learning was provided to all concerned. With the independence of the velocity vectors, a situation involving 2-dimensional motion is actually pretty easy to analyze. Tomorrow, we'll do more work with vector operations and will apply these techniques to a slightly more complex form of projectile motion - projectiles launched at an angle.
Physics B went over their projectile motion labs and then turned attention to practicing combining and resolving vectors. We'll go over worksheet tomorrow in class, so if you have problems with some of the items, make sure to ask about them to make your corrections.
Physics F discussed yesterday's vector worksheet and students were allowed to hold onto them if they wanted to work through the items again. A second sheet was distributed for additional practice, both in drawing vector diagrams and in mathematically analyzing vector-based situations.
Physical Science addressed any last questions for their Chapter 1 exams before moving into motion. The vocabulary for this chapter can be confusing, since may terms are considered synonymous in daily use, but actually have significantly different meanings. Distance/displacement, speed/velocity are examples that come to mind. Be very clear to use the proper term when describing motion and that you are using the correct definition when solving motion problems. Students also discussed the importance of a frame of reference and began to look at position-time graphs of linear motion. Tomorrow, a lab is on the docket that will let students create and analyze graphs of motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab write up
Physics B: Complete Vectors worksheet
Physics F: Complete new vector worksheet
Physical Science: Math Practice p. 323 and the 10.1 Section Review on p. 324
Physics B went over their projectile motion labs and then turned attention to practicing combining and resolving vectors. We'll go over worksheet tomorrow in class, so if you have problems with some of the items, make sure to ask about them to make your corrections.
Physics F discussed yesterday's vector worksheet and students were allowed to hold onto them if they wanted to work through the items again. A second sheet was distributed for additional practice, both in drawing vector diagrams and in mathematically analyzing vector-based situations.
Physical Science addressed any last questions for their Chapter 1 exams before moving into motion. The vocabulary for this chapter can be confusing, since may terms are considered synonymous in daily use, but actually have significantly different meanings. Distance/displacement, speed/velocity are examples that come to mind. Be very clear to use the proper term when describing motion and that you are using the correct definition when solving motion problems. Students also discussed the importance of a frame of reference and began to look at position-time graphs of linear motion. Tomorrow, a lab is on the docket that will let students create and analyze graphs of motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab write up
Physics B: Complete Vectors worksheet
Physics F: Complete new vector worksheet
Physical Science: Math Practice p. 323 and the 10.1 Section Review on p. 324
9/20/10
Monday, Monday
...can't trust that day...
Honors Physics reviewed their Chapter 1,2 exams before starting in on our unit for 2-dimensional motion. Analyses of 2-dimensional motion require the use of vectors, so we began looking at vectors today after the review. Vectors, with a magnitude and direction, allow for the study of behaviors of objects in response to interactions with other objects in their system. We discussed the property of vectors, the construction of vector diagrams and the graphical method of finding resultants. Tomorrow, we'll dig in deeper into vector analysis with a look at the mathematical methods of combining and resolving vectors.
Physics B and Physics F got back their Chapter 1,2 exams and have until Thursday to make any corrections to bolster their current score (optional). In class, Physics B conducted a lab investigation that centered on projectile motion. A horizontally-launched projectile was studied and predictions were made about its landing point. The initial horizontal velocity of the projectile, a ball bearing, was determined using photogates and students had to then calculate its predicted end point on the classroom floor. Very good results were had with two groups hitting their target dead center! We will discuss the lab tomorrow and get some practice working with vectors before turning further attention to projectile motion. Physics F worked with vector combination and resolution. We'll go over the worksheet tomorrow and address any final questions with basic vector operations before applying these ideas to projectile motion.
Physical Science was a split class. Since half of the class missed the exam on Friday, those students took the Chapter 1 exam. The remaining students received their exams back and were allowed, for this first test of the year, to make corrections to bolster their score. This will be the only such opportunity, so make the most of it! Everyone's test corrections are due tomorrow, before we move into our study of motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: None, besides read Projectile Motion Lab handout
Physics B: Complete Projectile Motion lab
Physics F: Complete Vectors worksheet
Physical Science: Complete test corrections
Honors Physics reviewed their Chapter 1,2 exams before starting in on our unit for 2-dimensional motion. Analyses of 2-dimensional motion require the use of vectors, so we began looking at vectors today after the review. Vectors, with a magnitude and direction, allow for the study of behaviors of objects in response to interactions with other objects in their system. We discussed the property of vectors, the construction of vector diagrams and the graphical method of finding resultants. Tomorrow, we'll dig in deeper into vector analysis with a look at the mathematical methods of combining and resolving vectors.
Physics B and Physics F got back their Chapter 1,2 exams and have until Thursday to make any corrections to bolster their current score (optional). In class, Physics B conducted a lab investigation that centered on projectile motion. A horizontally-launched projectile was studied and predictions were made about its landing point. The initial horizontal velocity of the projectile, a ball bearing, was determined using photogates and students had to then calculate its predicted end point on the classroom floor. Very good results were had with two groups hitting their target dead center! We will discuss the lab tomorrow and get some practice working with vectors before turning further attention to projectile motion. Physics F worked with vector combination and resolution. We'll go over the worksheet tomorrow and address any final questions with basic vector operations before applying these ideas to projectile motion.
Physical Science was a split class. Since half of the class missed the exam on Friday, those students took the Chapter 1 exam. The remaining students received their exams back and were allowed, for this first test of the year, to make corrections to bolster their score. This will be the only such opportunity, so make the most of it! Everyone's test corrections are due tomorrow, before we move into our study of motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: None, besides read Projectile Motion Lab handout
Physics B: Complete Projectile Motion lab
Physics F: Complete Vectors worksheet
Physical Science: Complete test corrections
9/17/10
And the Testing Continues
Honors Physics and Physical Science took their first unit exams today. On Monday, Honors Physics tackles vectors and Physical Science jumps into motion.
Physics B and F were introduced to the concept of vectors. Values with magnitude and direction are vectors (ex. velocity, acceleration, force, momentum) and those lacking direction are scalars. Vectors offer the advantage of letting you examine a system where matter interacts with matter. We looked at the graphical methods of vector combination and resolution, but spent more time detailing the mathematical way to analyze vector problems. Refresh your memory on the Pythagorean Theorem and the basic trig functions (sine, cosine, tangent) in preparation of further work with vectors. Once you have the techniques down, they can be applied to anything that is vector in nature. On Monday, B Block should be conducting a lab on projectile motion and F Block will be getting some practice working with vectors.
Homework
Honors Physics: Read sections 3.1 and 3.1 and complete Chapter Review #1, 2, 4, 11, 12
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science : None
Physics B and F were introduced to the concept of vectors. Values with magnitude and direction are vectors (ex. velocity, acceleration, force, momentum) and those lacking direction are scalars. Vectors offer the advantage of letting you examine a system where matter interacts with matter. We looked at the graphical methods of vector combination and resolution, but spent more time detailing the mathematical way to analyze vector problems. Refresh your memory on the Pythagorean Theorem and the basic trig functions (sine, cosine, tangent) in preparation of further work with vectors. Once you have the techniques down, they can be applied to anything that is vector in nature. On Monday, B Block should be conducting a lab on projectile motion and F Block will be getting some practice working with vectors.
Homework
Honors Physics: Read sections 3.1 and 3.1 and complete Chapter Review #1, 2, 4, 11, 12
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science : None
9/16/10
And the Tests Begin!
Physics B and F took their Chapters 1 and 2 exams today. Remember to complete and turn in your bonus packet tomorrow if you want the credit. Tomorrow, we add a dimension (literally) to our study of motion. In order to understand projectile, or 2-dimensional motion, you must first understand vectors and that will be our first order of business.
Honors Physics reviewed the homework problems, then walked through Chapters 1 and 2, highlighting and reviewing material for tomorrow's exam. Don't forget to have the past two night's homework with you to hand in before the exam and don't forget your calculators!
Physical Science reviewed their study packet for tomorrow's exam and then we moved through the chapter detailing and reviewing material that will appear on tomorrow's test. You were allowed to keep your study packet, but remember to hand it in tomorrow before the test for credit.
Homework
Honors Physics: Prepare for exam
Physics B and F: Read p. 28-32 in your packet and complete #1-6, 30 on pages 40 and 41 of the reading
Physical Science: Prepare for exam
Honors Physics reviewed the homework problems, then walked through Chapters 1 and 2, highlighting and reviewing material for tomorrow's exam. Don't forget to have the past two night's homework with you to hand in before the exam and don't forget your calculators!
Physical Science reviewed their study packet for tomorrow's exam and then we moved through the chapter detailing and reviewing material that will appear on tomorrow's test. You were allowed to keep your study packet, but remember to hand it in tomorrow before the test for credit.
Homework
Honors Physics: Prepare for exam
Physics B and F: Read p. 28-32 in your packet and complete #1-6, 30 on pages 40 and 41 of the reading
Physical Science: Prepare for exam
9/15/10
Reviews
Honors Physics, upon going over their free-fall homework problems, decided that further review was required. The exam has been moved to Friday and we will discuss the problems assigned tonight and conduct a general review of the material tomorrow in class.
Physics B and F reviewed their respective lab exercises, then took time to walk through the material to highlight topics for tomorrow's exam. The review packet given is bonus work, that will be due on Friday.
Physical Science went over their scientific notation and significant figures homework, then began working on a review packet for Friday's exam. We will go over this packet as part of a general review for Friday's test tomorrow in class.
Homework:
Honors Physics: Chapter Review #20, 22, 29, 38, 42, 46
Physics B and F: Prepare for exam
Physical Science: Complete exam review packet
Physics B and F reviewed their respective lab exercises, then took time to walk through the material to highlight topics for tomorrow's exam. The review packet given is bonus work, that will be due on Friday.
Physical Science went over their scientific notation and significant figures homework, then began working on a review packet for Friday's exam. We will go over this packet as part of a general review for Friday's test tomorrow in class.
Homework:
Honors Physics: Chapter Review #20, 22, 29, 38, 42, 46
Physics B and F: Prepare for exam
Physical Science: Complete exam review packet
9/14/10
A Day o' Labs
Honors Physics and Physics B conducted their investigation of free-fall acceleration and verified that objects fall with constant acceleration, not variable acceleration or constant speed. We would witness constant speed in free fall only when an object reached terminal velocity, the speed at which the force or air resistance balances the object's weight. We'll look at that idea later when we discuss forces in detail.
Physics F conducted a lab investigation that allowed students to create three graphs describing a single motion - a cart moving up and back down a low-friction incline. Each graph provided vital information about the cart's motion, and all reinforced the idea that the acceleration of the cart was constant throughout its travel. Graph interpretation is a vital skill in physics and these past couple of labs have provided lots of opportunity to practice the skill.
Physical Science discussed yesterday's lab investigation before looking over the independent graphing homework. Make sure you are able to create a graph that follows all the guidelines for effective graph design and that you are able to choose the right type of graph for the data set. Of course, the fun really begins with graph interpretation and that is something we will work on all year.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab writeup and free-fall problems assigned Friday
Physics B: Complete lab writeup
Physics F: Complete lab writeup
Physical Science: p. 29 #24-27
Physics F conducted a lab investigation that allowed students to create three graphs describing a single motion - a cart moving up and back down a low-friction incline. Each graph provided vital information about the cart's motion, and all reinforced the idea that the acceleration of the cart was constant throughout its travel. Graph interpretation is a vital skill in physics and these past couple of labs have provided lots of opportunity to practice the skill.
Physical Science discussed yesterday's lab investigation before looking over the independent graphing homework. Make sure you are able to create a graph that follows all the guidelines for effective graph design and that you are able to choose the right type of graph for the data set. Of course, the fun really begins with graph interpretation and that is something we will work on all year.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab writeup and free-fall problems assigned Friday
Physics B: Complete lab writeup
Physics F: Complete lab writeup
Physical Science: p. 29 #24-27
9/13/10
The First Full Week
After two shortened weeks, we get the full experience starting today. Unfortunately...
Honors Physics discussed the concept of free fall and tied the information in with the basic motion topics we have covered already. Any of the kinematics equations can be used to work with free-fall problems and you always know the value for the object's acceleration. Remember that the acceleration due to gravity is the same magnitude and direction, regardless if the object is rising or falling. The only difference is in the effect on the object's motion - ascending objects lose speed and descending objects gain speed. We discussed the symmetry of the motion in detail today, and that will be quite helpful when we begin our discussion of projectile motion. Tomorrow, a lab that permits folks to validate the accepted value for acceleration due to gravity.
Physics B spent time discussing the concept of air resistance, one example of a friction force opposing an object's motion. The effect of air resistance on an object depends on the object's mass, speed, size and shape and demonstrations were presented in class to highlight these factors We will discuss air resistance again when we cover the force of friction and add in the idea of terminal velocity. Tomorrow, a short lab that lets students measure acceleration due to gravity in a relatively-low air resistance system.
Physics F conducted a lab investigation into the accepted value for acceleration due to gravity. Using a photogate, the motion of a falling object could be examined and it was found that objects dropped from a height do accelerate and the magnitude of that acceleration fell within a measure of standard error to the accepted value of 9.81 m/s2. Students examined position, velocity and acceleration versus time graphically and each graph reinforced the conclusions presented by the others. We'll conduct another investigation tomorrow, that will also allow graphical analysis of motion - the motion of a cart up a ramp.
Physical Science conducted a lab investigation that permitted students to investigate more functions of the Vernier system when they tested the effect of length on the period of a pendulum. Using a motion detector, students were able to use the computer-generated sinusoidal graph to measure period for a variety of pendulum lengths and to fit equations to the data. We'll discuss the lab in class tomorrow, along with the graphing homework, before moving on to scientific notation.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 2F #5; 2.3 Section Review
Physics B: p. 25-26 of packet # 22, 23, 24, 47, 49
Physics F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: Complete graphing assignment from Friday
Honors Physics discussed the concept of free fall and tied the information in with the basic motion topics we have covered already. Any of the kinematics equations can be used to work with free-fall problems and you always know the value for the object's acceleration. Remember that the acceleration due to gravity is the same magnitude and direction, regardless if the object is rising or falling. The only difference is in the effect on the object's motion - ascending objects lose speed and descending objects gain speed. We discussed the symmetry of the motion in detail today, and that will be quite helpful when we begin our discussion of projectile motion. Tomorrow, a lab that permits folks to validate the accepted value for acceleration due to gravity.
Physics B spent time discussing the concept of air resistance, one example of a friction force opposing an object's motion. The effect of air resistance on an object depends on the object's mass, speed, size and shape and demonstrations were presented in class to highlight these factors We will discuss air resistance again when we cover the force of friction and add in the idea of terminal velocity. Tomorrow, a short lab that lets students measure acceleration due to gravity in a relatively-low air resistance system.
Physics F conducted a lab investigation into the accepted value for acceleration due to gravity. Using a photogate, the motion of a falling object could be examined and it was found that objects dropped from a height do accelerate and the magnitude of that acceleration fell within a measure of standard error to the accepted value of 9.81 m/s2. Students examined position, velocity and acceleration versus time graphically and each graph reinforced the conclusions presented by the others. We'll conduct another investigation tomorrow, that will also allow graphical analysis of motion - the motion of a cart up a ramp.
Physical Science conducted a lab investigation that permitted students to investigate more functions of the Vernier system when they tested the effect of length on the period of a pendulum. Using a motion detector, students were able to use the computer-generated sinusoidal graph to measure period for a variety of pendulum lengths and to fit equations to the data. We'll discuss the lab in class tomorrow, along with the graphing homework, before moving on to scientific notation.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 2F #5; 2.3 Section Review
Physics B: p. 25-26 of packet # 22, 23, 24, 47, 49
Physics F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: Complete graphing assignment from Friday
9/10/10
Friday!
Finally...
Honors Physics conducted a lab investigation that let students create and interpret graphs of motion: position/time, velocity/time, acceleration/time. The mathematical analysis of these graphs was stressed, with students working with both linear and quadratic functions. We'll go over the lab in class on Monday, as well as the kinematics homework, so have all of that ready.
Physics B discussed motion graphs and used yesterday's lab activity to highlight the discussion. Student graphs very accurately described the motion of the cart on the incline and time was spent showing how all three graphs described different aspects of the cart's motion. Students then conducted a quick in-class investigation on reaction time to tie in with Monday's topic of air resistance and yesterday's discussion of free-fall acceleration. The exam for this first unit is scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 16.
Physics F discussed the nature of air resistance and how air resistance affects objects in free fall. Without air resistance, all objects would fall to Earth with the same acceleration. The differences we see in daily life are due to air resistance and are influenced by the shape and size of the object. We'll look at air resistance more later when we discuss gravity. F block was also able to conduct the reaction time experiment and will conduct another brief investigation to determine the value of acceleration due to gravity next week. The exam for this first unit is scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 16.
Physical Science reviewed their homework problems for dimensional analysis and then launched into a discussion on data presentation. Charts, tables and graphs are all ways to present experimental data, but must be used appropriately. Guidelines for making quality charts, tables and graphs were discussed and extra time was spent on the line graph, the most commonly used graph in physics. On Monday, students will conduct a lab investigation that will further stretch their mathematics and graphing skills - investigating pendulum motion.
Homework
Honors Physics - Complete lab writeup and kinematics problems
Physics B - None
Physics F - None
Physical Science - Collect and present, with a graph, a data set of your own choosing. The graph can be a bar or line graph, but it must be appropriate for the data set you are collecting, and be created using the guidelines we discussed in class. In addition, a conclusion statement should accompany your work. Due Tuesday.
Honors Physics conducted a lab investigation that let students create and interpret graphs of motion: position/time, velocity/time, acceleration/time. The mathematical analysis of these graphs was stressed, with students working with both linear and quadratic functions. We'll go over the lab in class on Monday, as well as the kinematics homework, so have all of that ready.
Physics B discussed motion graphs and used yesterday's lab activity to highlight the discussion. Student graphs very accurately described the motion of the cart on the incline and time was spent showing how all three graphs described different aspects of the cart's motion. Students then conducted a quick in-class investigation on reaction time to tie in with Monday's topic of air resistance and yesterday's discussion of free-fall acceleration. The exam for this first unit is scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 16.
Physics F discussed the nature of air resistance and how air resistance affects objects in free fall. Without air resistance, all objects would fall to Earth with the same acceleration. The differences we see in daily life are due to air resistance and are influenced by the shape and size of the object. We'll look at air resistance more later when we discuss gravity. F block was also able to conduct the reaction time experiment and will conduct another brief investigation to determine the value of acceleration due to gravity next week. The exam for this first unit is scheduled for next Thursday, Sept. 16.
Physical Science reviewed their homework problems for dimensional analysis and then launched into a discussion on data presentation. Charts, tables and graphs are all ways to present experimental data, but must be used appropriately. Guidelines for making quality charts, tables and graphs were discussed and extra time was spent on the line graph, the most commonly used graph in physics. On Monday, students will conduct a lab investigation that will further stretch their mathematics and graphing skills - investigating pendulum motion.
Homework
Honors Physics - Complete lab writeup and kinematics problems
Physics B - None
Physics F - None
Physical Science - Collect and present, with a graph, a data set of your own choosing. The graph can be a bar or line graph, but it must be appropriate for the data set you are collecting, and be created using the guidelines we discussed in class. In addition, a conclusion statement should accompany your work. Due Tuesday.
9/9/10
Thursday is Not Friday
But it feels like it today for some reason...
Honors Physics introduced the concept of acceleration to their motion arsenal and tied all the concepts together with one big kinematics bow. Things to keep in mind are that acceleration targets both the speed and direction of motion and is a rate function - it does not say how much the velocity changed, on how quickly. The kinematics formulas that you are using right now, will make another appearance next chapter and pop up in problem solving throughout the book. Get comfortable working with them from the get go and save yourself a lot of headache later on.
Physics B conducted a lab investigation that allowed students to examine the properties of motion that we discussed in class - displacement, velocity and acceleration. A low-friction cart was propelled up and down a ramp and its motion was tracked with a motion detector. The resulting graphs were analyzed to get quantitative details of the motion. We'll go over the lab tomorrow, so make sure you have your synopsis completed.
Physics F took up a discussion of acceleration, the rate of change of velocity. It either the speed or direction of travel changes, the object is being accelerated and the acceleration value itself reports how quickly the velocity change occurred. Like velocity, it has direction and you have to pay careful attention to the signs for velocity and acceleration to determine the impact of the acceleration on the object's motion. Time was also taken to examine a variety of graphs describing motion. We'll continue on with this tomorrow and may have time to tie air resistance to our discussion of free fall.
Physical Science went over their dimensional analysis problems and we took time for more practice. Work to get this skill mastered and stay for extra help or get additional practice problems from me, if necessary.
Honors Physics - Practice 2C #1,3; Practice 2D #1,4; Practice 2E #3,5,6 for Monday
Physics B: Complete lab writeup
Physics F: - p.25, 26 of ancillary reading #14-21
Physical Science: Problems from whiteboard:
Honors Physics introduced the concept of acceleration to their motion arsenal and tied all the concepts together with one big kinematics bow. Things to keep in mind are that acceleration targets both the speed and direction of motion and is a rate function - it does not say how much the velocity changed, on how quickly. The kinematics formulas that you are using right now, will make another appearance next chapter and pop up in problem solving throughout the book. Get comfortable working with them from the get go and save yourself a lot of headache later on.
Physics B conducted a lab investigation that allowed students to examine the properties of motion that we discussed in class - displacement, velocity and acceleration. A low-friction cart was propelled up and down a ramp and its motion was tracked with a motion detector. The resulting graphs were analyzed to get quantitative details of the motion. We'll go over the lab tomorrow, so make sure you have your synopsis completed.
Physics F took up a discussion of acceleration, the rate of change of velocity. It either the speed or direction of travel changes, the object is being accelerated and the acceleration value itself reports how quickly the velocity change occurred. Like velocity, it has direction and you have to pay careful attention to the signs for velocity and acceleration to determine the impact of the acceleration on the object's motion. Time was also taken to examine a variety of graphs describing motion. We'll continue on with this tomorrow and may have time to tie air resistance to our discussion of free fall.
Physical Science went over their dimensional analysis problems and we took time for more practice. Work to get this skill mastered and stay for extra help or get additional practice problems from me, if necessary.
Homework
Honors Physics - Practice 2C #1,3; Practice 2D #1,4; Practice 2E #3,5,6 for Monday
Physics B: Complete lab writeup
Physics F: - p.25, 26 of ancillary reading #14-21
Physical Science: Problems from whiteboard:
- 256 g = ? Gg
- 37.6 mm = ? km
- 1.47 x 1012 cg = ? μg
- 2 x 107 = ? mg
9/8/10
It Was a Dark and Stormy Morning
Ok, that storm was a wonder to watch - safely inside my classroom so I didn't get wet, unlike some folks.
Honors Physics continued on with their study of motion and introduced the concept or rate of motion. Distance/displacement, speed and velocity are used synonymously in daily life, but have radically different meanings in physics. The source of the difference is that distance and speed are scalars and displacement and velocity are vectors. We'll hit those ideas harder in the next chapter. Tomorrow, we add acceleration to the pot and begin to pull all these descriptors of motion into a series of classic equations - the kinematics formulas.
Physics B took time to review last night's work on motion and speed before adding a new concept to the pot - acceleration. Remember that acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, not just the magnitude of the velocity change and it may involve a change of the speed of the motion or the direction or both. Tomorrow's lab will give you the opportunity to work will all of these descriptors of motion and practice interpreting motion graphically.
Physics F jumped into motion with an examination of the definition of motion and the importance of a frame of reference. We spent time with two ways to describe the rate of motion - speed and velocity. Tomorrow, we'll add acceleration to the mix and, with those three values (plus time), you are well equipped to describe, in detail, the motion of any object.
Physical Science explored and practiced working with dimensional analysis for converting metric units. One-step conversions tend to be easy, two-steps are more difficult and require more care in setting up. Unit conversions make an appearance throughout the year in a wide variety of problems, so lock that skill down quickly! Tomorrow - moving on with more math skills you'll need for success in physics. Here's the answers to your homework problems, so you can spot check if you want to:
p. 17
Worksheet
Honors Physics - Practice 2B
Physics B - Read lab protocol sheet
Physics F - p. 25 of ancillary packet #1,2, 6-12
Physical Science - Complete metric conversion worksheet
Honors Physics continued on with their study of motion and introduced the concept or rate of motion. Distance/displacement, speed and velocity are used synonymously in daily life, but have radically different meanings in physics. The source of the difference is that distance and speed are scalars and displacement and velocity are vectors. We'll hit those ideas harder in the next chapter. Tomorrow, we add acceleration to the pot and begin to pull all these descriptors of motion into a series of classic equations - the kinematics formulas.
Physics B took time to review last night's work on motion and speed before adding a new concept to the pot - acceleration. Remember that acceleration is the rate of change of velocity, not just the magnitude of the velocity change and it may involve a change of the speed of the motion or the direction or both. Tomorrow's lab will give you the opportunity to work will all of these descriptors of motion and practice interpreting motion graphically.
Physics F jumped into motion with an examination of the definition of motion and the importance of a frame of reference. We spent time with two ways to describe the rate of motion - speed and velocity. Tomorrow, we'll add acceleration to the mix and, with those three values (plus time), you are well equipped to describe, in detail, the motion of any object.
Physical Science explored and practiced working with dimensional analysis for converting metric units. One-step conversions tend to be easy, two-steps are more difficult and require more care in setting up. Unit conversions make an appearance throughout the year in a wide variety of problems, so lock that skill down quickly! Tomorrow - moving on with more math skills you'll need for success in physics. Here's the answers to your homework problems, so you can spot check if you want to:
p. 17
- 0.55 m
- 3500 ms
- 1600 kg
- 0.0025 m
- 40,000 micrometers
- 2.8 mol
- 6100 mA
- 3000 ng
Worksheet
- 0.100 kg
- 5.98 x 1030 mg
- W
- 4.448 x 105 g x cm2
- 6.67 x 10-11 N x km2/g2
Homework
Honors Physics - Practice 2B
Physics B - Read lab protocol sheet
Physics F - p. 25 of ancillary packet #1,2, 6-12
Physical Science - Complete metric conversion worksheet
9/7/10
Bye Bye Summer
Labor Day has passed, so stop wearing white and start pulling out your snow boots...
Honors Physics completed their discussion of precision and scientific notation and dabbled their toes into the pool of motion. We'll begin with 1-dimensional motion and the concepts explored in Chapter 2 will be expanded upon in Chapter 3, when we wrestle with 2-dimensional motion. These chapters will not only introduce skills relevant to motion, but also skills for graphing and problem solving that will be used throughout the year.
Physics B started their discussion of linear motion by working out a good definition of motion that included the very important concept - frame of reference. We then looked at the rate of motion, since all motion requires some amount of time to occur. Time was taken to differentiate speed and velocity, and we will delve into the basic ideas of scalars and vectors in the next chapter.
Physics F completed their introductory work with precision, significant figures and scientific notation. Remember that I won't be a dragon about checking for correct use of significant figures, but keep them in mind when working problems for your own reference and when working in lab. Tomorrow - motion!
Physical Science spent time looking at the process of doing science - the scientific method - using last week's writeup as an example. People did a very good job in lab and the writeups only had a few minor issues that we had to work through today. We took some time to look at the standard SI metric units and will spend time tomorrow practicing unit conversions.
Honors Physics: 2.1 Section Review
Physics B: p. 25 of the ancillary reading #1,2, 6-12
Physics F: 1.2 Section Review
Physical Science: 1.2 Section Review
Honors Physics completed their discussion of precision and scientific notation and dabbled their toes into the pool of motion. We'll begin with 1-dimensional motion and the concepts explored in Chapter 2 will be expanded upon in Chapter 3, when we wrestle with 2-dimensional motion. These chapters will not only introduce skills relevant to motion, but also skills for graphing and problem solving that will be used throughout the year.
Physics B started their discussion of linear motion by working out a good definition of motion that included the very important concept - frame of reference. We then looked at the rate of motion, since all motion requires some amount of time to occur. Time was taken to differentiate speed and velocity, and we will delve into the basic ideas of scalars and vectors in the next chapter.
Physics F completed their introductory work with precision, significant figures and scientific notation. Remember that I won't be a dragon about checking for correct use of significant figures, but keep them in mind when working problems for your own reference and when working in lab. Tomorrow - motion!
Physical Science spent time looking at the process of doing science - the scientific method - using last week's writeup as an example. People did a very good job in lab and the writeups only had a few minor issues that we had to work through today. We took some time to look at the standard SI metric units and will spend time tomorrow practicing unit conversions.
Homework
Honors Physics: 2.1 Section Review
Physics B: p. 25 of the ancillary reading #1,2, 6-12
Physics F: 1.2 Section Review
Physical Science: 1.2 Section Review
9/2/10
The LOOOOONG Weekend
Hope everyone enjoys the four days of fun!
Honors Physics discussed the scope of physics, the use of models and the scientific method to evaluate physical phenomena, reviewed unit conversion and began a discussion of accuracy and precision. Pretty much review all around. On Tuesday, we'll unravel the mysteries of significant figures and scientific notation.
Physics B completed their introductory unit by connecting precision to the use of significant figures and scientific notation. Most people don't realize that there is a real reason we use those two reporting properties - they help indicate the precision of measurements or indicate the precision to which measurements must be made. On Tuesday, we start on 1-dimensional motion.
Physics F discussed their lab activity and then moved into taking a look at the faces of physics and the nature of measurements and the metric system. We'll practice unit conversions on Tuesday and engage in a discussion of accuracy and precision.
Physical Science also discussed their lab activity, which was followed by an overview of ways to categorize science and the role of models and the scientific method in physics. We'll briefly review the scientific method on Tuesday before moving on to measurements.
Homework
None for anyone!
Honors Physics discussed the scope of physics, the use of models and the scientific method to evaluate physical phenomena, reviewed unit conversion and began a discussion of accuracy and precision. Pretty much review all around. On Tuesday, we'll unravel the mysteries of significant figures and scientific notation.
Physics B completed their introductory unit by connecting precision to the use of significant figures and scientific notation. Most people don't realize that there is a real reason we use those two reporting properties - they help indicate the precision of measurements or indicate the precision to which measurements must be made. On Tuesday, we start on 1-dimensional motion.
Physics F discussed their lab activity and then moved into taking a look at the faces of physics and the nature of measurements and the metric system. We'll practice unit conversions on Tuesday and engage in a discussion of accuracy and precision.
Physical Science also discussed their lab activity, which was followed by an overview of ways to categorize science and the role of models and the scientific method in physics. We'll briefly review the scientific method on Tuesday before moving on to measurements.
Homework
None for anyone!
9/1/10
Could it Be Any Hotter?
Well, I guess it could, but I'm not sure any of us would be alive to realize it...
Honors Physics didn't occur - class meeting occupied the entire block. So, we'll start on all cylinders tomorrow.
Physics B discussed the fields and expectations of physics, concentrating on the use of models to evaluate complex phenomena. We reviewed skills for converting units within the metric system - it is something that will crop up often during problem solving. An overview of accuracy and precision ended the period and we will expand on that a bit tomorrow before diving into significant figures.
Physics F worked on their Making Cents of Math lab, which allowed students to gain familiarity with the Vernier probeware system, which will be our primary laboratory mechanism all year.
Physical Science completed their linear relationship lab and we took time to discus the results. The ability to work with linear relationships in a quantitative and a qualitative way are vital skills for success in physics. We will revisit this relationship many times throughout the course. If you need any practice calculating slope or writing equations of lines, ask me and I'll pull something together for you.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: None
Physics F: Complete lab writeup
Physical Science: Complete lab writeup
Honors Physics didn't occur - class meeting occupied the entire block. So, we'll start on all cylinders tomorrow.
Physics B discussed the fields and expectations of physics, concentrating on the use of models to evaluate complex phenomena. We reviewed skills for converting units within the metric system - it is something that will crop up often during problem solving. An overview of accuracy and precision ended the period and we will expand on that a bit tomorrow before diving into significant figures.
Physics F worked on their Making Cents of Math lab, which allowed students to gain familiarity with the Vernier probeware system, which will be our primary laboratory mechanism all year.
Physical Science completed their linear relationship lab and we took time to discus the results. The ability to work with linear relationships in a quantitative and a qualitative way are vital skills for success in physics. We will revisit this relationship many times throughout the course. If you need any practice calculating slope or writing equations of lines, ask me and I'll pull something together for you.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: None
Physics F: Complete lab writeup
Physical Science: Complete lab writeup
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