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