More Monday, No Turkey

Hopefully, everyone had a nice Thanksgiving vacation and got a chance to rest and relax. Now, back to work...

Honors Physics began their chapter on rotational dynamics with a discussion of torque and center of mass. Torque acts as a force analogue in rotational motion - forces with the same magnitude to not produce the same rotation if applied to different locations or at different angles. Net torque, also, is analogous to net force: a nonzero net torque produces rotational acceleration, zero net torque keeps the object in equilibrium. Torques is going to come again soon when we begin to look at Newton's laws from a rotational perspective. Attention then turned to center of mass and its role in rotation. The center of can be thought of as the natural axis of rotation for an object, since it is around this point an object will spin when acting only under the force of gravity. We discussed examples of this and also the role of center of mass/gravity (not the same thing, but close enough for our purposes) plays in stability. Tomorrow - moment of inertia!

Physics B began an investigation on centripetal force, rotational radius and rotational speed. Students maintained a constant radius for a stopper being whirled on a string and determined how the centripetal force affected the rotational speed required to maintain this radius. We'll finish up the lab tomorrow before turning, on Wednesday, towards rotational mechanics.

Physics F launched into a discussion of rotational motion by examining the descriptors of rotational motion and linking them to the concept of centripetal force. Many people use the term centrifugal force in this arena and time was taken to clear up that misconception. We also added in a little on center of gravity. Tomorrow, a lab that looks at centripetal force and angular speed for a system demonstrating rotational motion.

Physical Science took their force and momentum exam and then began the first of two lab investigations into the area of work and simple machines. The inclined plane was the focus of this lab and we'll continue with it and add in levers tomorrow.

Homework

Honors Physics: Practice 8A and the 8.1 Section Review
Physics B and F: None
Physical Science: 12.1 Section Review