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.