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 3^rd 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