Kudos for everyone who wore a costume today to celebrate Sunday's spooky holiday. Everyone looked great!
Honors Physics reviewed their power homework before walking through the chapter as a general review for Monday's exam. On Wednesday, you'll conduct a lab investigation on the Impulse-Momentum Theorem, which we'll discuss in class on Thursday.
Physics B and F reviewed their work and power homework before stepping into the world of energy. Not all forms of energy are easily available to do work - chemical and nuclear, for example - but the ones that are will be the focus of this unit. We started with gravitational potential energy and described how position in a gravitational field and mass affect an object's PEg. We'll add elastic potential energy and kinetic energy to the pot next week. On Monday, B Block will conduct a lab investigation that allows folks to see the various types of energy in action and focuses on the big-ticket item that is conservation of energy.
Physical Science took their forces math quiz before taking the tiniest of peeks at momentum. We'll discuss momentum in more detail on Monday and conduct a lab investigation on momentum on Thursday.
Homework
Honors Physics: Prepare for exam
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: None
10/29/10
10/28/10
What's With the Weather?
This school year has started with the weirdest weather. Ever. That's all I have to say.
Honors Physics went over their work and energy homework problems before turning attention to power. Be very aware that power is the rate at which work is done or energy is converted, not the amount of each in question. We discussed a number of examples where the amount of work done by two machines was identical, although the power varied dramatically. We'll tidy up loose ends with power tomorrow before engaging in a general review in preparation for Monday's exam.
Physics B and F began their unit on work and energy. We defined work and discussed how force and distance play into the calculation of work. Positive and negative work examples were described and we then took time to look at the rate at which work is done - power. Be very clear about the scientific definitions of work and power and recognize examples of when work is being done by a force and when a force is not doing work on an object.
Physical Science had a discussion on Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Keep in mind that the "action" and "reaction" terms for N3 refer to the forces involved and not the responses of the objects after experiencing those forces. When two objects interact, two forces are simultaneously generated, equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, but we have to go back to N2 to figure out what acceleration the forces impart on the individual objects. Also, remember that these forces do not produce equilibrium. They do not represent an example of balanced forces - the forces act on different objects. Tomorrow, another forces math quiz before starting to take a look at momentum.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 5F and the section review on p. 189
Physics B and F: p. 119 of packet #1-5, 21-23 and p. 171 of textbook #1-4
Physical Science: Study for forces math quiz
Honors Physics went over their work and energy homework problems before turning attention to power. Be very aware that power is the rate at which work is done or energy is converted, not the amount of each in question. We discussed a number of examples where the amount of work done by two machines was identical, although the power varied dramatically. We'll tidy up loose ends with power tomorrow before engaging in a general review in preparation for Monday's exam.
Physics B and F began their unit on work and energy. We defined work and discussed how force and distance play into the calculation of work. Positive and negative work examples were described and we then took time to look at the rate at which work is done - power. Be very clear about the scientific definitions of work and power and recognize examples of when work is being done by a force and when a force is not doing work on an object.
Physical Science had a discussion on Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Keep in mind that the "action" and "reaction" terms for N3 refer to the forces involved and not the responses of the objects after experiencing those forces. When two objects interact, two forces are simultaneously generated, equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, but we have to go back to N2 to figure out what acceleration the forces impart on the individual objects. Also, remember that these forces do not produce equilibrium. They do not represent an example of balanced forces - the forces act on different objects. Tomorrow, another forces math quiz before starting to take a look at momentum.
Homework
Honors Physics: Practice 5F and the section review on p. 189
Physics B and F: p. 119 of packet #1-5, 21-23 and p. 171 of textbook #1-4
Physical Science: Study for forces math quiz
10/26/10
Momentous Tuesday
Physics F conducted a lab investigation that allowed students to examine the effects of velocity and mass on an object's momentum. As predicted by the momentum formula (p = mv), increasing either variable increases momentum and by a predictable amount. Double one and momentum also doubles, etc. The write up for the lab is due on Thursday, because you have more important things to worry about tonight - tomorrow's momentum exam!
Physics B went over their momentum review sheet before conducting a general review of the chapter. Some people took extra problems to work that give you an idea of what types of problems you might see on the test. Starting on Thursday - Work and Energy!
Physics B and F - SOLUTIONS TO EXTRA MOMENTUM PROBLEMS AVAILABLE HERE!!!
Honors Physics built on last week's discussion of work and kinetic energy by adding gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy to the fix. Both are energies of position and both represent a storehouse of energy available to do work. To get that energy stored up, work had to be done on the object (lifting it to a height, compressing/stretching an elastic material) and you can equate the amount of work done on the object the amount of energy stored. Release that energy, and that is how much the object can do. Tomorrow, we'll go over the lab and use it as an example as we discuss conservation of energy.
Physical Science went over their quizzes and then started work on another set of similar problems. Folks didn't do so well on this quiz, so more practice is indicated and there will be another quiz on the same three problem-solving areas on Friday.
Homework
Honors Physics: 5.1 and 5.2 Section Reviews
Physics B and F: Study for exam. Physics F should complete lab write up by Thursday
Physical Science: Complete Forces Review problems
P
Physics B went over their momentum review sheet before conducting a general review of the chapter. Some people took extra problems to work that give you an idea of what types of problems you might see on the test. Starting on Thursday - Work and Energy!
Physics B and F - SOLUTIONS TO EXTRA MOMENTUM PROBLEMS AVAILABLE HERE!!!
Honors Physics built on last week's discussion of work and kinetic energy by adding gravitational potential energy and elastic potential energy to the fix. Both are energies of position and both represent a storehouse of energy available to do work. To get that energy stored up, work had to be done on the object (lifting it to a height, compressing/stretching an elastic material) and you can equate the amount of work done on the object the amount of energy stored. Release that energy, and that is how much the object can do. Tomorrow, we'll go over the lab and use it as an example as we discuss conservation of energy.
Physical Science went over their quizzes and then started work on another set of similar problems. Folks didn't do so well on this quiz, so more practice is indicated and there will be another quiz on the same three problem-solving areas on Friday.
Homework
Honors Physics: 5.1 and 5.2 Section Reviews
Physics B and F: Study for exam. Physics F should complete lab write up by Thursday
Physical Science: Complete Forces Review problems
P
10/25/10
Charging Into A New Week
Honors Physics completed the conservation of energy labs that they began on Friday. A tossed ball demonstrated conservation of energy between kinetic and gravitational potential conversions and a mass-spring system did the same for kinetic and elastic potential energy. The total in the system remains the same, but the values for individual forms and types can, and do, change. We'll continue our energy discussion in class tomorrow and by Wednesday, should be ready to look at COE using your labs as as examples.
Physics B contrasted perfectly inelastic, inelastic and elastic collisions based on such factors as kinetic energy conservation, deformation of objects and momentum conservation. All conserve momentum, but other factors do vary between types of object interactions. Time was then provided for students to begin working on their review packet for Wednesday's exam.
Physics F went over their exam review packet and addressed any final questions about momentum. Tomorrow's lab should help to cement things prior to the exam on Wednesday.
Physical Science took a quiz for Newton's 2nd Law of Motion, weight and gravity problems. We'll go over the quiz in class tomorrow. Then, a lab investigation was launched to look at air resistance. We discussed air resistance in class Friday, including how it varied with the mass, speed and shape of an object. Tomorrow, we'll go over the lab before moving on with projectile motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Lab write up due Wednesday
Physics B: Complete momentum review packet
Physics F: None
Physical Science: Complete lab write up
Physics B contrasted perfectly inelastic, inelastic and elastic collisions based on such factors as kinetic energy conservation, deformation of objects and momentum conservation. All conserve momentum, but other factors do vary between types of object interactions. Time was then provided for students to begin working on their review packet for Wednesday's exam.
Physics F went over their exam review packet and addressed any final questions about momentum. Tomorrow's lab should help to cement things prior to the exam on Wednesday.
Physical Science took a quiz for Newton's 2nd Law of Motion, weight and gravity problems. We'll go over the quiz in class tomorrow. Then, a lab investigation was launched to look at air resistance. We discussed air resistance in class Friday, including how it varied with the mass, speed and shape of an object. Tomorrow, we'll go over the lab before moving on with projectile motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Lab write up due Wednesday
Physics B: Complete momentum review packet
Physics F: None
Physical Science: Complete lab write up
10/24/10
10/22/10
It's Friday, I'm in Love
With trashy action flicks...Time for a Pitch Black/Chronicles of Riddick movie fest with some Mortal Kombat: Annihilation tossed in for good measure...
Honors Physics started a series of lab investigations concerning conservation of energy. The first examined energy changes in a tossed ball and demonstrated patterns of energy change between kinetic and gravitational potential energy. The second targets energy in simple harmonic motion and tracks kinetic and elastic potential energy conversions in a mass-spring system. We'll finish up the lab work on Monday, so the lab write up wont' be due until Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, we jump deeply into energy with a detailed look of the various forms and types.
Physics B discussed conservation of energy and used last week's lab unit as an example. Regardless of type of collision, total momentum before the interaction equals the total momentum after the interaction, but the same cannot be said for energy of motion (kinetic energy). We'll classify collisions based on their ability to conserve kinetic energy (and other factors) on Monday.
Physics F went over their homework questions/problems and were then given review work to start on in preparation for Wednesday's exam. We'll go over this information, do a general review of momentum and conduct one extra lab investigation before the test.
Physical Science reviewed the homework problems for Newton's 2nd Law of Motion and weight before looking more closely at free-fall acceleration. We added in the force of air resistance, today and discussed its effects on falling objects. The concept of terminal velocity was introduced and explained and linked to the reason that, in the absence of a vacuum, more massive objects do hit the ground before less massive objects. We then began a look at projectile motion that we will continue on Tuesday. Monday finds students taking a short quiz on the math skills they've practiced so far for forces and then embarking on a lab investigation for air resistance.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: p. 101 in Packet #14, 15, 28, 29
Physics F: Complete momentum review packet
Physical Science: Study for forces math quiz
Honors Physics started a series of lab investigations concerning conservation of energy. The first examined energy changes in a tossed ball and demonstrated patterns of energy change between kinetic and gravitational potential energy. The second targets energy in simple harmonic motion and tracks kinetic and elastic potential energy conversions in a mass-spring system. We'll finish up the lab work on Monday, so the lab write up wont' be due until Tuesday. Also on Tuesday, we jump deeply into energy with a detailed look of the various forms and types.
Physics B discussed conservation of energy and used last week's lab unit as an example. Regardless of type of collision, total momentum before the interaction equals the total momentum after the interaction, but the same cannot be said for energy of motion (kinetic energy). We'll classify collisions based on their ability to conserve kinetic energy (and other factors) on Monday.
Physics F went over their homework questions/problems and were then given review work to start on in preparation for Wednesday's exam. We'll go over this information, do a general review of momentum and conduct one extra lab investigation before the test.
Physical Science reviewed the homework problems for Newton's 2nd Law of Motion and weight before looking more closely at free-fall acceleration. We added in the force of air resistance, today and discussed its effects on falling objects. The concept of terminal velocity was introduced and explained and linked to the reason that, in the absence of a vacuum, more massive objects do hit the ground before less massive objects. We then began a look at projectile motion that we will continue on Tuesday. Monday finds students taking a short quiz on the math skills they've practiced so far for forces and then embarking on a lab investigation for air resistance.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: p. 101 in Packet #14, 15, 28, 29
Physics F: Complete momentum review packet
Physical Science: Study for forces math quiz
10/21/10
Thrilling Thursday
Well, for Physics B, at least, who got to crash dynamics carts into 3-ring binders to study momentum. The role of velocity and mass in determining an object's momentum was investigated today. Both mass and velocity have a directly proportional relationship with momentum. Double either and the momentum is doubled, for example. The carts launched at highest velocity had the highest momentum and doubling the cart's mass doubled his momentum, for each velocity tested. We'll go over the lab tomorrow and begin a discussion of conservation of momentum. Did you think about the fact that, in lab today, that when the cart hit the binder, the binder gained momentum and the cart lost some? That's what we'll hit with tomorrow' discussion.
Physics F contrasted elastic, perfectly inelastic and inelastic collisions after reviewing the impulse and conservation of momentum homework. All collisions, in the absence of pesky things like friction and other outside forces demonstrate conservation of momentum (even when they occur in a 2-dimensional motion framework), but only the purely elastic ones also conserve kinetic energy. The questions/problems you have tonight will help disentangle collision types and give you practice making predictions based on the momentum of objects in a system.
Honors Physics reviewed their forces exam before launching into a discussion of work and kinetic energy. For work, remember that Worknetis based on the net force acting on an object, but we can evaluate the work provided by single forces, if necessary. Work, although considered a scalar value, is flavored positive or negative and make sure you can describe what positive or negative work means in terms of an object's motion and energy state. We also hit the work-kinetic energy theorem today and will broaden that idea when we discuss potential energy next week. Tomorrow, a lab centering on energy in two distinct systems - a ball in free fall and an oscillating spring - and how well energy is conserved in both.
Physical Science took one last look at the mathematical aspects of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation before discussing free-fall acceleration and weight. Make sure you are very clear about the difference between mass and weight, and also that you don't confuse "g" with "G" in problem solving. Both values are given on the MCAS formula sheet and you need to know which one to use in a given situation. Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework problems for weight and Newton's 2nd Law of Motion before expanding our discussion free-fall with an exploration of air resistance and terminal velocity.
Homework
Honors Physics: None, but a reading of the energy bits of this chapter will make the lab activity tomorrow easier to understand
Physics B: Complete lab write up for the Impulse-Momentum work and today's Momentum lab
Physics F: Complete p. 100-101 of ancillary packet #16-22, 27
Physical Science: Complete the Chapter 11 Chapter Review #22-29
Physics F contrasted elastic, perfectly inelastic and inelastic collisions after reviewing the impulse and conservation of momentum homework. All collisions, in the absence of pesky things like friction and other outside forces demonstrate conservation of momentum (even when they occur in a 2-dimensional motion framework), but only the purely elastic ones also conserve kinetic energy. The questions/problems you have tonight will help disentangle collision types and give you practice making predictions based on the momentum of objects in a system.
Honors Physics reviewed their forces exam before launching into a discussion of work and kinetic energy. For work, remember that Worknetis based on the net force acting on an object, but we can evaluate the work provided by single forces, if necessary. Work, although considered a scalar value, is flavored positive or negative and make sure you can describe what positive or negative work means in terms of an object's motion and energy state. We also hit the work-kinetic energy theorem today and will broaden that idea when we discuss potential energy next week. Tomorrow, a lab centering on energy in two distinct systems - a ball in free fall and an oscillating spring - and how well energy is conserved in both.
Physical Science took one last look at the mathematical aspects of Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation before discussing free-fall acceleration and weight. Make sure you are very clear about the difference between mass and weight, and also that you don't confuse "g" with "G" in problem solving. Both values are given on the MCAS formula sheet and you need to know which one to use in a given situation. Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework problems for weight and Newton's 2nd Law of Motion before expanding our discussion free-fall with an exploration of air resistance and terminal velocity.
Homework
Honors Physics: None, but a reading of the energy bits of this chapter will make the lab activity tomorrow easier to understand
Physics B: Complete lab write up for the Impulse-Momentum work and today's Momentum lab
Physics F: Complete p. 100-101 of ancillary packet #16-22, 27
Physical Science: Complete the Chapter 11 Chapter Review #22-29
10/20/10
More on Momentum
Physics B completed their impulse-momentum labs today and it was quickly evident that more elastic materials stretched their forces over long time intervals, delivering less of a force to the carts to which they were attached. If you were a passenger in that cart, that would mean you would experience the slowing down, stopping, changing direction and speeding up more gently than would a passenger in the cart attached to the less elastic material. We'll discuss the lab in class tomorrow, so you'll have the impulse-momentum lecture and lab discussion under your belt before you go to complete the lab write up. Tomorrow also finds folks conducting another lab, this one on how manipulating mass and velocity affect an on object's momentum.
Physics F had a discussion of conservation of momentum today. Momentum is conserved in interactions, when outside forces are lacking. When one object loses momentum, it is gained by the second object in the interaction. The resulting velocity change can be predicted using this principle. The transfer of momentum between objects was demonstrated and the special circumstance of conservation of momentum in stationary systems (cannon/cannon ball; gun/bullet). Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework questions before examining the types and properties of collisions.
Honors Physics took their forces and laws of motion exam and tomorrow finds students engaged in a discussion of work.
Physical Science took a step off the path to review the basic math skills of cross-multiplication and isolating variables in simple algebraic expressions. Students were also highly encouraged to practice with their calculators to become quick and efficient working common functions such as inputting values in scientific notation, squaring values and taking square-roots and working with multi-variable numerators and/or denominators when dealing with fractions. The MCAS exam allows you to use your own calculator, so it is very much to your benefit to become adept with it as soon as possible. Students were then given more time to work the gravitational forces problems and should complete those for homework.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: None
Physics E: p. 100-101 of ancillary packet #2, 7, 12, 14, 15, 26
Physical Science: Complete gravitational forces worksheet problems
Physics F had a discussion of conservation of momentum today. Momentum is conserved in interactions, when outside forces are lacking. When one object loses momentum, it is gained by the second object in the interaction. The resulting velocity change can be predicted using this principle. The transfer of momentum between objects was demonstrated and the special circumstance of conservation of momentum in stationary systems (cannon/cannon ball; gun/bullet). Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework questions before examining the types and properties of collisions.
Honors Physics took their forces and laws of motion exam and tomorrow finds students engaged in a discussion of work.
Physical Science took a step off the path to review the basic math skills of cross-multiplication and isolating variables in simple algebraic expressions. Students were also highly encouraged to practice with their calculators to become quick and efficient working common functions such as inputting values in scientific notation, squaring values and taking square-roots and working with multi-variable numerators and/or denominators when dealing with fractions. The MCAS exam allows you to use your own calculator, so it is very much to your benefit to become adept with it as soon as possible. Students were then given more time to work the gravitational forces problems and should complete those for homework.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: None
Physics E: p. 100-101 of ancillary packet #2, 7, 12, 14, 15, 26
Physical Science: Complete gravitational forces worksheet problems
10/19/10
Gathering Momentum
Physics B started a two-day investigation on the Impulse-Momentum theorem, which states that an object's observed momentum change is the product of the net applied force and the duration of the force's application. We'll finish up the lab in class tomorrow and, as you begin thinking about your write up, reflect on what we discussed about impulse and momentum yesterday in class. You'll get your exams back tomorrow morning and test corrections will be due on Monday.
Physics F discussed their lab investigation and launched into a general discussion of momentum and impulse. Use today's discussion to help frame the conclusions section of your lab write up, which is due tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll start looking at conservation of momentum, which comes about because of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Test corrections are due on Monday, so make sure to get help from me, if needed, before then.
Honors Physics went over their review problems and had a general review for tomorrow's exam. Remember to have those problems with you to turn in before the test tomorrow. Starting Thursday, its off to Work!
Physical Science reviewed Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and received a set of problems to work using this law. The start was rocky, so we'll take more time in class to work on them. The answers to that sheet are below, if you decide to try to make more headway tonight.
Homework
Honors Physics: Prepare for exam
Physics B: None
Physics F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: None
Physics F discussed their lab investigation and launched into a general discussion of momentum and impulse. Use today's discussion to help frame the conclusions section of your lab write up, which is due tomorrow. Tomorrow, we'll start looking at conservation of momentum, which comes about because of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Test corrections are due on Monday, so make sure to get help from me, if needed, before then.
Honors Physics went over their review problems and had a general review for tomorrow's exam. Remember to have those problems with you to turn in before the test tomorrow. Starting Thursday, its off to Work!
Physical Science reviewed Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and received a set of problems to work using this law. The start was rocky, so we'll take more time in class to work on them. The answers to that sheet are below, if you decide to try to make more headway tonight.
- 5.0 x 1015 kg
- 2.26 x 104 kg
- 80.6 kg
- 52 m
- 26,000 m or 26 km
- 1.0 x 10-2 N
Homework
Honors Physics: Prepare for exam
Physics B: None
Physics F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: None
10/18/10
A Gathering of Forces
Honors Physics reviewed their friction homework problems before moving on to a specific type of friction - air resistance. We discussed the fact that the value for air resistance is not constant between surfaces, but varies with speed and the practical applications that had for engineering high-velocity vehicles and spacecraft. We also looked at how this variable nature of air resistance works to create an maximum limit to the speed of objects in free fall - terminal velocity - and how air resistance makes heavier objects hit the ground faster and at a higher velocity than lighter objects. We will go over the review homework problems tomorrow before engaging in a general review of the chapter in preparation for Wednesday's exam.
Physics began their discussion of momentum and impulse. Momentum is a quantity possessed by any object in motion, but by no object that is at rest. Make sure you are very clear about the difference between momentum and inertia. We then spent time discussing the impulse-momentum theorem and what implication it has for sports, martial arts and safety engineering. Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework questions and then start a lab investigation on the impulse-momentum theorem.
Physics F completed their investigation on the impulse-momentum theorem. Sure enough, the more elastic the band, the greater the time for the change of momentum to occur and the lower overall force on the cart. We'll go over the lab in more detail tomorrow as we begin our discussion of impulse and momentum.
Physical Science reviewed their Newton's 2nd Law of Motion homework problems before starting their discussion of gravity. Gravity is a force that is generated by all matter, but the magnitude of the force acting on a second object depends on the mass of the objects involved and the distance between them. We looked at Newton's formula to determine the value for the gravitational attraction between objects and took time to practice with this formula in class. Tomorrow a tasty problem set working with gravity!
Homework
Honors Physics: Chapter 4 Chapter Review # 52, 55, 57
Physics B: p. 100 in ancillary reading packet #1-10, 19
Physics F: None
Physical Science: None
Physics began their discussion of momentum and impulse. Momentum is a quantity possessed by any object in motion, but by no object that is at rest. Make sure you are very clear about the difference between momentum and inertia. We then spent time discussing the impulse-momentum theorem and what implication it has for sports, martial arts and safety engineering. Tomorrow, we'll go over the homework questions and then start a lab investigation on the impulse-momentum theorem.
Physics F completed their investigation on the impulse-momentum theorem. Sure enough, the more elastic the band, the greater the time for the change of momentum to occur and the lower overall force on the cart. We'll go over the lab in more detail tomorrow as we begin our discussion of impulse and momentum.
Physical Science reviewed their Newton's 2nd Law of Motion homework problems before starting their discussion of gravity. Gravity is a force that is generated by all matter, but the magnitude of the force acting on a second object depends on the mass of the objects involved and the distance between them. We looked at Newton's formula to determine the value for the gravitational attraction between objects and took time to practice with this formula in class. Tomorrow a tasty problem set working with gravity!
Homework
Honors Physics: Chapter 4 Chapter Review # 52, 55, 57
Physics B: p. 100 in ancillary reading packet #1-10, 19
Physics F: None
Physical Science: None
10/17/10
10/15/10
Phinally Phriday...
Wow, for a short week, it sure has been a long one...
Honors Physics reviewed their homework problem for normal force, net force and acceleration before pole-vaulting into friction. Static and kinetic friction were contrasted the the nature of the coefficient of friction was described. To work problems with friction, proper calculation of the normal force is required, which is why we spent additional time on that topic yesterday. We'll go over the work on Monday, have a brief discussion on air resistance and then begin the review process for Wednesday's exam.
Physics B and F took their Forces exam, but since F was long block, Physics F got to begin a lab on the Impulse-Momentum Theorem. We start discussing momentum in B Block on Monday and F Block will have time to complete their labs.
Physical Science reviewed their N-2 lab before reviewing their N-2 homework assignment from Wednesday. The lab nicely demonstrated that when applied force is held constant, increasing mass decreases acceleration and decreasing mass increases acceleration, in accordance with Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. Students then received a series of practice problems for N-2, which snuck in good things like unit conversions and calculations of acceleration. The answers to those problems are provided below, but we will go over them in class on Monday, as well.
Homework
Honors Physics: 4C #2; 4D #1,4; 4.4 Section Review omit ALL of question 3 (note the change)
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: Complete Newton's 2nd Law of Motion problem sheet
Honors Physics reviewed their homework problem for normal force, net force and acceleration before pole-vaulting into friction. Static and kinetic friction were contrasted the the nature of the coefficient of friction was described. To work problems with friction, proper calculation of the normal force is required, which is why we spent additional time on that topic yesterday. We'll go over the work on Monday, have a brief discussion on air resistance and then begin the review process for Wednesday's exam.
Physics B and F took their Forces exam, but since F was long block, Physics F got to begin a lab on the Impulse-Momentum Theorem. We start discussing momentum in B Block on Monday and F Block will have time to complete their labs.
Physical Science reviewed their N-2 lab before reviewing their N-2 homework assignment from Wednesday. The lab nicely demonstrated that when applied force is held constant, increasing mass decreases acceleration and decreasing mass increases acceleration, in accordance with Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. Students then received a series of practice problems for N-2, which snuck in good things like unit conversions and calculations of acceleration. The answers to those problems are provided below, but we will go over them in class on Monday, as well.
- 2.76 x 10-3 m/s2
- -448 m/s2
- 0.400 m/s2
- -6.12 m/s2
- 0.37 kg
- 2.0 x 104kg
- 9.5 x 104kg
- a. 0.2 N b. 2 kg
- 2.06 x 104N
- -1.86 x 107N
- -3.6 x 105N
- 1.7 x 106N
- 9.4 m/s2
- 15 kg
- 3.16 N
- 0.532 m/s2
- a. 6.41 x 104kg b. 1.31 x 103
- a. -1.8 x 103m/s2; 180 g b. 1.3 x 105N
Homework
Honors Physics: 4C #2; 4D #1,4; 4.4 Section Review omit ALL of question 3 (note the change)
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: Complete Newton's 2nd Law of Motion problem sheet
10/14/10
It's All About Newton
Honors Physics spent time working with the idea of weight and the normal force. The weight of an object varies with location, though mass remains constant. We'll get into the force of gravity a little later to see why this variation in weight occurs. We then turned attention to calculating normal force for objects on horizontal surfaces (where it is equal and opposite to the object's weight) and on inclines (where it is equal and opposite to the component of the object's weight that is perpendicular to the incline). We also investigated how external forces acting on an object, such as pushes and pulls affect the normal force. Your homework problem has you work through these ideas and here are the answers if you want to check your work:
We'll go over this problem tomorrow before using the ideas we've been working on to tackle friction.
Physics B and F reviewed for their forces and laws of motion exam. Catch me tomorrow before school if you have any additional questions.
Physical Science started class by going over their graphing assignment. A graph of force (dependent) vs. mass (independent) produced a very nice straight line, corresponding to the tenets of N-2. The slope of the line represented the mass of the object. Students then investigated Newton's 2nd Law of Motion with a lab activity. A constant force produced predictably diminishing accelerations as the mass of the object increased. N-2: acceleration is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to inertia (mass. We'll discuss the lab tomorrow and go over the N-2 homework questions/problems from yesterday.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete normal force homework problem
Physics B and F: Prepare for exam
Physical Science: Complete lab write up
- 342 N
- 186 N
- 2.3 m/s2
We'll go over this problem tomorrow before using the ideas we've been working on to tackle friction.
Physics B and F reviewed for their forces and laws of motion exam. Catch me tomorrow before school if you have any additional questions.
Physical Science started class by going over their graphing assignment. A graph of force (dependent) vs. mass (independent) produced a very nice straight line, corresponding to the tenets of N-2. The slope of the line represented the mass of the object. Students then investigated Newton's 2nd Law of Motion with a lab activity. A constant force produced predictably diminishing accelerations as the mass of the object increased. N-2: acceleration is directly proportional to net force and inversely proportional to inertia (mass. We'll discuss the lab tomorrow and go over the N-2 homework questions/problems from yesterday.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete normal force homework problem
Physics B and F: Prepare for exam
Physical Science: Complete lab write up
10/13/10
Wild Wednesday
Honors Physics spent the period kicking wooden blocks around on the floor to investigate kinetic friction. Actually, that was only a piece of the investigation, but it was the most entertaining to watch. Static and kinetic friction were both targeted in today's work. Static friction outclasses kinetic friction in terms of magnitude (given the same surfaces). You graphs demonstrated the force required to start the wood block moving was greater than the force required to keep the block moving at constant velocity. The peak force on your graph was indicative of the value for Fs,max, which must be overcome by an applied force for a object to be set in motion. Your value for Fk could be inferred from the graph segment indicating the block moving at constant velocity. Constant velocity indicates Fnet = 0, so the applied force is being matched by the force of kinetic friction. Adding mass to your system increased the force of friction by increasing the normal force the block experienced. Part 3 of your investigation allowed you to look at position-time and velocity-time graphs for motion where kinetic friction acted as the net force. The acceleration value from the velocity-time graph (which was a constant value) and the block's mass allowed you to calculate the magnitude of the frictional force using N-2. We' start discussion everyday forces like friction and weight tomorrow. The lab isn't due until Friday, but we'll address any questions about the investigation tomorrow.
Physics B reviewed their Air Resistance lab and used the lab to illustrate various topics discussed in the chapter. We took some extra time to go back over Newton's 3rd Law of Motion and students had some class time to begin working on their N-3 critical thinking questions. We'll go over these tomorrow before reviewing for Friday's exam.
Physics E shared answers for their N-3 critical thinking questions, then began the review process for Friday's exam. We went through the note packet, highlighting key topics and students are strongly encouraged to take some time tonight to go through the exam material and come with questions tomorrow to address in class.
Physical Science reviewed Newton's 1st Law of Motion and then tackled Newton's 2nd Law. Although many people view N-2 only as a formula F = ma or a = F/m, be very aware that N-2 actually says about the interaction of Fnet and inertia to determine an object's change in motion. We took time to work a couple of practice problems with the N-2 formula before beginning a graphing assignment for Newton's 2nd Law. Tomorrow, a lab investigation for N-2 is on the agenda.
Homework
Honors Physics: Lab write up due Friday
Physics B: p. 84-85 of the ancillary packet #19, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 37
Physics F: Prepare for Friday's exam
Physical Science: Complete #33 on page 370 (due tomorrow) and the 11.1 Section Review (due Friday)
Physics B reviewed their Air Resistance lab and used the lab to illustrate various topics discussed in the chapter. We took some extra time to go back over Newton's 3rd Law of Motion and students had some class time to begin working on their N-3 critical thinking questions. We'll go over these tomorrow before reviewing for Friday's exam.
Physics E shared answers for their N-3 critical thinking questions, then began the review process for Friday's exam. We went through the note packet, highlighting key topics and students are strongly encouraged to take some time tonight to go through the exam material and come with questions tomorrow to address in class.
Physical Science reviewed Newton's 1st Law of Motion and then tackled Newton's 2nd Law. Although many people view N-2 only as a formula F = ma or a = F/m, be very aware that N-2 actually says about the interaction of Fnet and inertia to determine an object's change in motion. We took time to work a couple of practice problems with the N-2 formula before beginning a graphing assignment for Newton's 2nd Law. Tomorrow, a lab investigation for N-2 is on the agenda.
Homework
Honors Physics: Lab write up due Friday
Physics B: p. 84-85 of the ancillary packet #19, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36, 37
Physics F: Prepare for Friday's exam
Physical Science: Complete #33 on page 370 (due tomorrow) and the 11.1 Section Review (due Friday)
10/12/10
Back to the Salt Mine
Nice long weekend, but it had to end sometime...
Honors Physics used Thursday's lab activity to illustrate facets of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Forces are generated at the moment of contact, both forces arise simultaneously, the magnitudes are equal, but the directions are opposite, etc. Remember that N-3 only refers to magnitude and size of forces, not the responses of the objects in the interaction. We have to go back to N-2 to figure that out. Also, the action-reaction forces are not responsible for equilibrium - they act on different objects. Our next step on the Force trail will be an examination of specific forces such as weight, the normal force and friction. Tomorrow's lab will focus on static and kinetic friction and the determination of the coefficient of friction between two surfaces.
Physics B discussed their N-2 and N-3 labs, then got another opportunity to investigate forces in the lab. Today's work on air resistance demonstrated that terminal velocity for heavier objects is greater than for lighter objects and that increased air resistance promotes greater air resistance. We'll talk about the lab tomorrow before tidying up final ideas for Newton's 3rd Law of Motion and beginning to review for the exam on Friday.
Physics E discussed their N-2 and N-3 lab and completed their discussion of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. We'll go over the classwork/homework items at the start of class tomorrow, then begin reviewing for Friday's exam.
Physical Science went over their Motion exams and then embarked on a discussion of Newton's 1st Law of Motion. We will continue with this discussion and add in Newton's nd Law in preparation for Thursday's laboratory investigation for N-2.
Homework
Honors Physics: Read lab material
Physics B: Complete Air Resistance lab write up
Physics F: Complete #19, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36 and 37 on pages 84-85 of ancillary packet
Physical Science: None
Honors Physics used Thursday's lab activity to illustrate facets of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Forces are generated at the moment of contact, both forces arise simultaneously, the magnitudes are equal, but the directions are opposite, etc. Remember that N-3 only refers to magnitude and size of forces, not the responses of the objects in the interaction. We have to go back to N-2 to figure that out. Also, the action-reaction forces are not responsible for equilibrium - they act on different objects. Our next step on the Force trail will be an examination of specific forces such as weight, the normal force and friction. Tomorrow's lab will focus on static and kinetic friction and the determination of the coefficient of friction between two surfaces.
Physics B discussed their N-2 and N-3 labs, then got another opportunity to investigate forces in the lab. Today's work on air resistance demonstrated that terminal velocity for heavier objects is greater than for lighter objects and that increased air resistance promotes greater air resistance. We'll talk about the lab tomorrow before tidying up final ideas for Newton's 3rd Law of Motion and beginning to review for the exam on Friday.
Physics E discussed their N-2 and N-3 lab and completed their discussion of Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. We'll go over the classwork/homework items at the start of class tomorrow, then begin reviewing for Friday's exam.
Physical Science went over their Motion exams and then embarked on a discussion of Newton's 1st Law of Motion. We will continue with this discussion and add in Newton's nd Law in preparation for Thursday's laboratory investigation for N-2.
Homework
Honors Physics: Read lab material
Physics B: Complete Air Resistance lab write up
Physics F: Complete #19, 24, 25, 28, 29, 32, 36 and 37 on pages 84-85 of ancillary packet
Physical Science: None
10/7/10
RIP Edgar Allan Poe
Poe died today, October 7, in the year 1849. Viewed by some as the Great American Hack, he remains one of my all-time favorite authors. You can read most of his works for free from Project Gutenberg. Of course, The Raven is probably his best known poem and, yes, I love it dearly. Here's a video of Vincent Price reading The Raven and I've posted the full text after the clip...
The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;
This it is and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"—here I opened wide the door—
Darkness there and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"—
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping something louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
'Tis the wind and nothing more.
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he,
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then the ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if its soul in that one word he did outpour
Nothing farther then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered: "Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never—nevermore.'"
But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting—
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul has spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
The Raven, by Edgar Allan Poe
Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary,
Over many a quaint and curious volume of forgotten lore—
While I nodded, nearly napping, suddenly there came a tapping,
As of some one gently rapping, rapping at my chamber door.
"'Tis some visitor," I muttered, "tapping at my chamber door—
Only this and nothing more."
Ah, distinctly I remember it was in the bleak December,
And each separate dying ember wrought its ghost upon the floor.
Eagerly I wished the morrow;—vainly I had sought to borrow
From my books surcease of sorrow—sorrow for the lost Lenore—
For the rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Nameless here for evermore.
And the silken sad uncertain rustling of each purple curtain
Thrilled me—filled me with fantastic terrors never felt before;
So that now, to still the beating of my heart, I stood repeating
"'Tis some visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door—
Some late visiter entreating entrance at my chamber door;
This it is and nothing more."
Presently my soul grew stronger; hesitating then no longer,
"Sir," said I, "or Madam, truly your forgiveness I implore;
But the fact is I was napping, and so gently you came rapping,
And so faintly you came tapping, tapping at my chamber door,
That I scarce was sure I heard you"—here I opened wide the door—
Darkness there and nothing more.
Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing,
Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortals ever dared to dream before;
But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token,
And the only word there spoken was the whispered word, "Lenore?"
This I whispered, and an echo murmured back the word, "Lenore!"—
Merely this and nothing more.
Back into the chamber turning, all my soul within me burning,
Soon again I heard a tapping something louder than before.
"Surely," said I, "surely that is something at my window lattice;
Let me see, then, what thereat is and this mystery explore—
Let my heart be still a moment and this mystery explore;—
'Tis the wind and nothing more.
Open here I flung the shutter, when, with many a flirt and flutter,
In there stepped a stately Raven of the saintly days of yore.
Not the least obeisance made he; not a minute stopped or stayed he,
But, with mien of lord or lady, perched above my chamber door—
Perched upon a bust of Pallas just above my chamber door—
Perched, and sat, and nothing more.
Then the ebony bird beguiling my sad fancy into smiling,
By the grave and stern decorum of the countenance it wore,
"Though thy crest be shorn and shaven, thou," I said, "art sure no craven,
Ghastly grim and ancient Raven wandering from the Nightly shore—
Tell me what thy lordly name is on the Night's Plutonian shore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
Much I marvelled this ungainly fowl to hear discourse so plainly,
Though its answer little meaning—little relevancy bore;
For we cannot help agreeing that no living human being
Ever yet was blessed with seeing bird above his chamber door—
Bird or beast upon the sculptured bust above his chamber door,
With such name as "Nevermore."
But the Raven, sitting lonely on that placid bust, spoke only
That one word, as if its soul in that one word he did outpour
Nothing farther then he uttered; not a feather then he fluttered—
Till I scarcely more than muttered: "Other friends have flown before—
On the morrow he will leave me, as my Hopes have flown before."
Then the bird said "Nevermore."
Startled at the stillness broken by reply so aptly spoken,
"Doubtless," said I, "what it utters is its only stock and store,
Caught from some unhappy master whom unmerciful Disaster
Followed fast and followed faster till his songs one burden bore—
Till the dirges of his Hope that melancholy burden bore
Of 'Never—nevermore.'"
But the Raven still beguiling all my sad soul into smiling,
Straight I wheeled a cushioned seat in front of bird and bust and door;
Then, upon the velvet sinking, I betook myself to linking
Fancy unto fancy, thinking what this ominous bird of yore—
What this grim, ungainly, ghastly, gaunt, and ominous bird of yore
Meant in croaking "Nevermore."
This I sat engaged in guessing, but no syllable expressing
To the fowl whose fiery eyes now burned into my bosom's core;
This and more I sat divining, with my head at ease reclining
On the cushion's velvet lining that the lamp-light gloated o'er,
But whose velvet violet lining with the lamp-light gloating o'er
She shall press, ah, nevermore!
Then, methought, the air grew denser, perfumed from an unseen censer
Swung by Seraphim whose foot-falls tinkled on the tufted floor.
"Wretch," I cried, "thy God hath lent thee—by these angels he hath sent thee
Respite—respite and nepenthe from thy memories of Lenore!
Quaff, oh quaff this kind nepenthe and forget this lost Lenore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!—
Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore,
Desolate, yet all undaunted, on this desert land enchanted—
On this home by Horror haunted—tell me truly, I implore—
Is there—is there balm in Gilead?—tell me—tell me, I implore!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil!—prophet still, if bird or devil!
By that Heaven that bends above us—by that God we both adore—
Tell this soul with sorrow laden if, within the distant Aidenn,
It shall clasp a sainted maiden whom the angels name Lenore—
Clasp a rare and radiant maiden whom the angels name Lenore."
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
"Be that our sign of parting, bird or fiend!" I shrieked, upstarting—
"Get thee back into the tempest and the Night's Plutonian shore!
Leave no black plume as a token of that lie thy soul has spoken!
Leave my loneliness unbroken!—quit the bust above my door!
Take thy beak from out my heart, and take thy form from off my door!"
Quoth the Raven, "Nevermore."
And the Raven, never flitting, still is sitting, still is sitting
On the pallid bust of Pallas just above my chamber door;
And his eyes have all the seeming of a demon's that is dreaming
And the lamp-light o'er him streaming throws his shadows on the floor;
And my soul from out that shadow that lies floating on the floor
Shall be lifted—nevermore!
A Flurry of Lab Work
Honors Physics conducted a lab investigation on Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. Students used two force sensors to examine action and reaction forces and saw that, yes, they are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. Further, yes, they are generated simultaneously - there is no time lag between them. We'll discuss the lab and N-3 in more depth on Tuesday.
Physics B and F conducted their lab investigations on Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. A force sensor, accelerometer and low-friction cart/track were used to document that there exists a directly proportional relationship between applied force and acceleration and that that the relationship can be used to determine the mass of the object. Have your labs written up by Tuesday. Physics B will do another lab on Tuesday, that will concentrate on air resistance. F Block will finish up the material for this chapter and begin preparation for the chapter exam that will be showing up at the end of next week (for both sections).
Physical Science endured their graded learning experience for Motion. On Tuesday, we begin to examine forces in detail and use Newton's Laws of Motion to relate forces to the concepts we studied in Chapter 10 on motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab write up
Physics B and F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: Complete the Pre-Reading Questions on page 345
Physics B and F conducted their lab investigations on Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. A force sensor, accelerometer and low-friction cart/track were used to document that there exists a directly proportional relationship between applied force and acceleration and that that the relationship can be used to determine the mass of the object. Have your labs written up by Tuesday. Physics B will do another lab on Tuesday, that will concentrate on air resistance. F Block will finish up the material for this chapter and begin preparation for the chapter exam that will be showing up at the end of next week (for both sections).
Physical Science endured their graded learning experience for Motion. On Tuesday, we begin to examine forces in detail and use Newton's Laws of Motion to relate forces to the concepts we studied in Chapter 10 on motion.
Homework
Honors Physics: Complete lab write up
Physics B and F: Complete lab write up
Physical Science: Complete the Pre-Reading Questions on page 345
10/6/10
And the Nobel Prize in Physics Goes To...
Andre Geim and Konstantin Novoselov for their discovery of graphene, which is a very, very cool substance...
Read more about graphene and it's discovery
Read more about graphene and it's discovery
Testing Newton
Physics B and F began a series of lab investigations to verify Newton's 2nd and 3rd Laws of Motion. N-3 was the subject of today's work and it was pretty clear pretty quick that the forces produced with two force sensors pulled on each other were equal and opposite. The graphs of force vs. time for each sensor was a lovely mirror image of its partner. Tomorrow, N-2 will be checked using a force sensor and accelerometer.
Honors Physics reviewed their N-2 problems before starting work on N-3. Since my voice is limping badly, students did the introductory work themselves and I'll take up the load tomorrow.
Physical Science went over their exam preparation homework, before tossing out remaining questions in preparation for the exam. Starting Tuesday, we'll be knee deep in forces!
Homework
Honors Physics: 4.3 Section Review and Chapter Review items #13, 17, 18
Physics B and F: Complete test corrections
Physical Science: Prepare for exam
Honors Physics reviewed their N-2 problems before starting work on N-3. Since my voice is limping badly, students did the introductory work themselves and I'll take up the load tomorrow.
Physical Science went over their exam preparation homework, before tossing out remaining questions in preparation for the exam. Starting Tuesday, we'll be knee deep in forces!
Homework
Honors Physics: 4.3 Section Review and Chapter Review items #13, 17, 18
Physics B and F: Complete test corrections
Physical Science: Prepare for exam
10/5/10
We're Here?
Ok, today was a mess from the word go. I couldn't find anything and I surely couldn't think straight with the mess surrounding me, but kudos to you guys for being the mature ones and not razzing me for being a big wacky. Expect a good bit of wacky for a while to come as I try to organize things to most efficiently use the space. Let me know if you have any ideas!
Honors Physics took time to look at Newton's Second Law of Motion. Acceleration is directly proportional to net applied force and inversely proportional to the object's inertia (got it right that time!). Though we know this from a common sense perspective, the mathematical application of Newton's 2nd Law gives us a way to quantitatively predict the response of an object when a net force is applied. As we talked about in class, problems involving N-2 first have you calculate the net force using vector techniques, find the object's resulting acceleration, then apply that acceleration to a kinematics formula to solve to some other property of the object's motion. We'll check over the homework problems tomorrow and march on with the idea of forces.
Physics B discussed Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. The idea that inanimate objects can apply a force is unusual to many of us, but we discussed many examples today that demonstrate that is actually the case. We also hit some of the major misconceptions surrounding N-3 and how to work with N-3 when analyzing the motion of objects interacting with each other. Tomorrow (fingers crossed!) we will begin a set of lab investigations looking at Newton's 2nd and 3rd Laws of Motion.
Physics F took time to discuss their lab investigation on air resistance, before jumping into a discussion on air resistance and how it affects the motion of falling objects. In the absence of air resistance, all objects fall to Earth with the same acceleration - not something that comes naturally to the mind, but we looked at the math to verify that this is true. With air resistance, heavier objects hit the ground first, and we explored why this occurs using the idea of balanced and unbalanced forces. As a brief aside, pressure was differentiated from force, clearing up the misconception that these terms are synonymous. We'll return to pressure in detail when we study forces in fluids. Tomorrow - Newton's 3rd Law of Motion.
Note for both Physics sections - looking over the Projectile Motion exam today with a student, I decided that one question was deserving of being voted off the island. So, the question #25 has been disqualified and everyone's score has been raised by 3 points. You do not need to make corrections for that particular problem.
Physical Science reviewed the concept of friction and its types before launching into a general review of the chapter in preparation for Thursday's exam. We went page by page through the book highlighting relevant vocabulary, concepts, formulas and graph analysis skills that are ripe for assessment. We'll go over the review homework in class tomorrow and attack any questions that people bring with them.
Homework
Honors Physics: Chapter 4 Review items #19-22, 25
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: Chapter 10 Review items #1-11, 32
Honors Physics took time to look at Newton's Second Law of Motion. Acceleration is directly proportional to net applied force and inversely proportional to the object's inertia (got it right that time!). Though we know this from a common sense perspective, the mathematical application of Newton's 2nd Law gives us a way to quantitatively predict the response of an object when a net force is applied. As we talked about in class, problems involving N-2 first have you calculate the net force using vector techniques, find the object's resulting acceleration, then apply that acceleration to a kinematics formula to solve to some other property of the object's motion. We'll check over the homework problems tomorrow and march on with the idea of forces.
Physics B discussed Newton's 3rd Law of Motion. The idea that inanimate objects can apply a force is unusual to many of us, but we discussed many examples today that demonstrate that is actually the case. We also hit some of the major misconceptions surrounding N-3 and how to work with N-3 when analyzing the motion of objects interacting with each other. Tomorrow (fingers crossed!) we will begin a set of lab investigations looking at Newton's 2nd and 3rd Laws of Motion.
Physics F took time to discuss their lab investigation on air resistance, before jumping into a discussion on air resistance and how it affects the motion of falling objects. In the absence of air resistance, all objects fall to Earth with the same acceleration - not something that comes naturally to the mind, but we looked at the math to verify that this is true. With air resistance, heavier objects hit the ground first, and we explored why this occurs using the idea of balanced and unbalanced forces. As a brief aside, pressure was differentiated from force, clearing up the misconception that these terms are synonymous. We'll return to pressure in detail when we study forces in fluids. Tomorrow - Newton's 3rd Law of Motion.
Note for both Physics sections - looking over the Projectile Motion exam today with a student, I decided that one question was deserving of being voted off the island. So, the question #25 has been disqualified and everyone's score has been raised by 3 points. You do not need to make corrections for that particular problem.
Physical Science reviewed the concept of friction and its types before launching into a general review of the chapter in preparation for Thursday's exam. We went page by page through the book highlighting relevant vocabulary, concepts, formulas and graph analysis skills that are ripe for assessment. We'll go over the review homework in class tomorrow and attack any questions that people bring with them.
Homework
Honors Physics: Chapter 4 Review items #19-22, 25
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: Chapter 10 Review items #1-11, 32
10/4/10
The Final Monday
The great room move is supposedly taking place as I type. So, we should be in the Tech Lab tomorrow...
Honors Physics completed their discussion of free-body diagrams and checked over the diagrams they had made for a prior homework assignment. Attention then turned to the first of Newton’s Laws of Motion, sometimes called the law of inertia. Objects move with constant velocity unless acted on by an net external force. His 2nd Law of Motion allows one to predict exactly the value of the acceleration that net force produces. To creep to up Newton-2, we ended the period by discussing the concept of inertia and relating it to an object’s mass. Tomorrow, we’ll bundle it all up with the 2nd Law of Motion.
Physics B spent time reviewing the concept of friction, before looking in more detail at air resistance. We’ll hit this area again a little later when we discuss gravity, but it is a nice example to use to investigate the fact that friction can act as a balanced or unbalanced force and what are the consequences of each situation. Another topic we’ll take up later is pressure, but it was mentioned in this section because a lot of folks think that “pressure” and “force” are synonyms. Each, actually, has its own, unique meaning in physics and the force/area relationship will be one we investigate in detail when we discuss fluids.
Physics F conducted a lab on air resistance. Unsurprisingly, from our everyday experience, heavier objects fell faster than light objects and the stack of five coffee filters fell with higher terminal velocity than a single filter. The value of the terminal velocity was easy to compute from the position-time graphs using linear regression and the data showed that the coffee filters mass was direction proportional to the terminal velocity squared (Tv2). Then, students got to have a little fun with air resistance by building a parachute and investigating how its terminal velocity was affected by increasing mass. Tomorrow, we’ll go over the lab and have a little more discussion on air resistance and friction.
Physical Science went over their friction labs and took time to reflect on what makes a good results summary and conclusion section to the lab synopsis. Remember – the results summary says in a sentence or two what pattern or relationship was documented by the experiment and the conclusion explains why the relationship exists. We then reviewed the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces and discussed the origin of frictional resistance. Static and kinetic friction were contrasted and examples were studied of each type. Tomorrow, we’ll continue working with motion and forces, with some focused practice in preparation for Thursday’s exam.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: In Packet: p. 71, 72 #3, 5, 8, 9-13, 16, 17
Physics F: Complete Air Resistance lab write up
Physical Science: Nones
Honors Physics completed their discussion of free-body diagrams and checked over the diagrams they had made for a prior homework assignment. Attention then turned to the first of Newton’s Laws of Motion, sometimes called the law of inertia. Objects move with constant velocity unless acted on by an net external force. His 2nd Law of Motion allows one to predict exactly the value of the acceleration that net force produces. To creep to up Newton-2, we ended the period by discussing the concept of inertia and relating it to an object’s mass. Tomorrow, we’ll bundle it all up with the 2nd Law of Motion.
Physics B spent time reviewing the concept of friction, before looking in more detail at air resistance. We’ll hit this area again a little later when we discuss gravity, but it is a nice example to use to investigate the fact that friction can act as a balanced or unbalanced force and what are the consequences of each situation. Another topic we’ll take up later is pressure, but it was mentioned in this section because a lot of folks think that “pressure” and “force” are synonyms. Each, actually, has its own, unique meaning in physics and the force/area relationship will be one we investigate in detail when we discuss fluids.
Physics F conducted a lab on air resistance. Unsurprisingly, from our everyday experience, heavier objects fell faster than light objects and the stack of five coffee filters fell with higher terminal velocity than a single filter. The value of the terminal velocity was easy to compute from the position-time graphs using linear regression and the data showed that the coffee filters mass was direction proportional to the terminal velocity squared (Tv2). Then, students got to have a little fun with air resistance by building a parachute and investigating how its terminal velocity was affected by increasing mass. Tomorrow, we’ll go over the lab and have a little more discussion on air resistance and friction.
Physical Science went over their friction labs and took time to reflect on what makes a good results summary and conclusion section to the lab synopsis. Remember – the results summary says in a sentence or two what pattern or relationship was documented by the experiment and the conclusion explains why the relationship exists. We then reviewed the concept of balanced and unbalanced forces and discussed the origin of frictional resistance. Static and kinetic friction were contrasted and examples were studied of each type. Tomorrow, we’ll continue working with motion and forces, with some focused practice in preparation for Thursday’s exam.
Homework
Honors Physics: None
Physics B: In Packet: p. 71, 72 #3, 5, 8, 9-13, 16, 17
Physics F: Complete Air Resistance lab write up
Physical Science: Nones
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