How nice to have a little sunshine today after the yuck of the weekend and week...
Physics A discussed physical descriptors of vibrations, such as amplitude, frequency and period. The formulas for calculating the period of a mass-spring and pendulum system were reviewed and tied into our recent lab unit. Physics B reviewed the last of those labs in class today and then began to examine the waves that vibrations were responsible for producing. We put a basic definition to waves, contrasted mechanical/electromagnetic and transverse/longitudinal waves and added a few additional descriptors such as wavelength and wave speed. Tomorrow, we take a look at wave interactions, while A Block takes on this material instead.
Intro Physics and Honors Physics reviewed for tomorrow's exams. We walked through the material and addressed any last-minute concerns about the topics. On Monday, Intro Physics starts waves and Honors Physics takes on light, color and reflection.
2/28/13
2/27/13
Good Vibrations
Most folks were working with vibrations and waves today. The only ones that weren't were the Intro Physics people who continued their discussion of heat. We reviewed the homework essays about clothing and season, then worked some practice problems associated with Friday's exam. Tomorrow, we'll review some more for that exam and then Monday starts vibrations and waves.
Physics A put a definition and description to simple harmonic motion and talked about how both mass-spring systems and pendulums demonstrate that type of motion. We looked at the nature of the restoring force for each and used information from our last two labs to highlight this discussion. Physics B completed their second lab of that series which, for them, allowed folks to see how class topics played out in a real system. Tomorrow we continue with descriptors of SHM.
Honors Physics used the long block to investigate sound. Using tuning forks, the human voice and a tone dialer, wave patterns of pure tones and harmonics were viewed and analyzed. Tomorrow, review for Friday's sound exam and then it's on to light!
Physics A put a definition and description to simple harmonic motion and talked about how both mass-spring systems and pendulums demonstrate that type of motion. We looked at the nature of the restoring force for each and used information from our last two labs to highlight this discussion. Physics B completed their second lab of that series which, for them, allowed folks to see how class topics played out in a real system. Tomorrow we continue with descriptors of SHM.
Honors Physics used the long block to investigate sound. Using tuning forks, the human voice and a tone dialer, wave patterns of pure tones and harmonics were viewed and analyzed. Tomorrow, review for Friday's sound exam and then it's on to light!
2/26/13
And We're Back!
I was out sick yesterday, so the start of our return was delayed one day, but I don't anything had much to complain about for that...
A and B blocks worked on a lab that examined the sine curve traced out by an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion. We used a mass-spring system and saw how the motion was very nicely described by a sine function. We also took time to examine damped harmonic motion, where friction is a significant factor in the oscillation. A Block finished the lab and B Block will finish tomorrow. Some ideas for your conclusion:
Intro Physics reviewed their MCAS Heat packages and got some tips for approaching both multiple choice and open-response MCAS questions. Then, folks were assigned a short essay to reflect on clothing choice by season. We'll go over these tomorrow and continue our review for Friday's exam.
Honors Physics discussed harmonic series and beats. Harmonics, the integral multiples of a fundamental frequency, give robustness to a sound and we'll look at them tomorrow in lab. Make sure you can calculate the frequencies for members of a harmonic series for vibrating strings/pipes open at both ends and pipes closed at one end. We'll be reviewing our work with sound on Thursday and having our exam on Friday.
A and B blocks worked on a lab that examined the sine curve traced out by an object oscillating with simple harmonic motion. We used a mass-spring system and saw how the motion was very nicely described by a sine function. We also took time to examine damped harmonic motion, where friction is a significant factor in the oscillation. A Block finished the lab and B Block will finish tomorrow. Some ideas for your conclusion:
- What is simple harmonic motion? Did the mass-spring system demonstrate this type of motion? What evidence can you use to support your argument?
- Did amplitude of oscillation impact the period of the oscillation? Should it or shouldn't it? What evidence can you use to support your argument?
- What is damped harmonic motion? Does this violate the law of conservation of energy? Explain your answer.
Intro Physics reviewed their MCAS Heat packages and got some tips for approaching both multiple choice and open-response MCAS questions. Then, folks were assigned a short essay to reflect on clothing choice by season. We'll go over these tomorrow and continue our review for Friday's exam.
Honors Physics discussed harmonic series and beats. Harmonics, the integral multiples of a fundamental frequency, give robustness to a sound and we'll look at them tomorrow in lab. Make sure you can calculate the frequencies for members of a harmonic series for vibrating strings/pipes open at both ends and pipes closed at one end. We'll be reviewing our work with sound on Thursday and having our exam on Friday.
2/15/13
Vacation Looms!
Physics A completed their pendulum labs and will discuss those labs when we return from break. As part of the lab activity, add these questions. Information from your lab sheet and textbook will be helpful in working through the items. Remember, that the write-up is not due until the Tuesday we return:
Physics B worked with the idea of period, frequency and amplitude of vibrations. We defined each term and then looked at the relevant formulas for calculating the period of oscillation of a mass-spring system and a pendulum. On the Monday we return, we'll take a look at mass-spring systems oscillating in simple-harmonic motion and dive a bit deeper into the relevant mathematics.
Intro Physics reviewed their reading/discussion questions for plasma and then took time to do a bit of practice with heat and temperature questions from old MCAS exams. We'll go over these when return and then review the topic as a whole before having a lovely graded learning experience and moving on to waves.
Honors Physics reviewed their work with intensity and loudness before taking time to do some reading and reflecting on hearing safety. Folks read an article dealing with hearing loss and were then asked to write about how they took steps (or not) to protect their hearing and how a loss of hearing or damaged hearing would impact their lives. We'll share these insights when we return from break before moving on to harmonics.
- Which factor most impacted the pendulum's period?
- Why might that be the case?
- How can a pendulum be use as an altimeter?
- Would a grandfather clock keep proper time if taken up on a mountain? How would you adjust it?
- How would you adjust a pendulum clock to keep proper time on the moon where the gravity is 1/6 that of Earth?
- What is the length of a pendulum clock that has a period of 1 second.
Physics B worked with the idea of period, frequency and amplitude of vibrations. We defined each term and then looked at the relevant formulas for calculating the period of oscillation of a mass-spring system and a pendulum. On the Monday we return, we'll take a look at mass-spring systems oscillating in simple-harmonic motion and dive a bit deeper into the relevant mathematics.
Intro Physics reviewed their reading/discussion questions for plasma and then took time to do a bit of practice with heat and temperature questions from old MCAS exams. We'll go over these when return and then review the topic as a whole before having a lovely graded learning experience and moving on to waves.
Honors Physics reviewed their work with intensity and loudness before taking time to do some reading and reflecting on hearing safety. Folks read an article dealing with hearing loss and were then asked to write about how they took steps (or not) to protect their hearing and how a loss of hearing or damaged hearing would impact their lives. We'll share these insights when we return from break before moving on to harmonics.
2/14/13
Many Waves
Physics A continued their lab work on pendulums. Folks finished up gathering their data and will work on their graphs in class tomorrow. Remember the purpose of the investigation - which of the tested factors (mass, amplitude, length) impacts the period of the oscillation. Look at your data and make that determination before hunting down the theory to back up your results.
Physics B started their discussion of vibrations and simple harmonic motion. We defined properties of periodic motion and then discussed the special circumstances that describe the special case of simple harmonic motion. Mass-spring and pendulum systems were used to show how restoring force was proportional to displacement and looked at how to calculate the value of that restoring force. Tomorrow, we'll take a harder look at period of oscillation for both mass-spring and pendulum systems and revisit our pendulum labs to highlight the discussion.
Intro Physics reviewed their phase change labs, as well as concepts associated with phases of matter and phase changes. We took another look at the characteristic shape of phase-change diagrams and spent some extra time reading about and contemplating plasmas, which is the most common phase of matter in the universe, but not one we interact as frequently as the other phases. Tomorrow, MCAS practice for heat and temperature.
Honors Physics reviewed basic properties of sound, then moved to the arena of loudness and intensity. We defined intensity as the rate of energy flow per unit area, then applied that definition to how the ear perceives sound and how the decibel scale gives us a better perspective of loudness as we understand it in daily life. We also took time to define and look at examples of forced vibrations and resonance. Make sure you can provide a basic definition of resonance and describe examples where resonance can or has been seen in daily life.
Physics B started their discussion of vibrations and simple harmonic motion. We defined properties of periodic motion and then discussed the special circumstances that describe the special case of simple harmonic motion. Mass-spring and pendulum systems were used to show how restoring force was proportional to displacement and looked at how to calculate the value of that restoring force. Tomorrow, we'll take a harder look at period of oscillation for both mass-spring and pendulum systems and revisit our pendulum labs to highlight the discussion.
Intro Physics reviewed their phase change labs, as well as concepts associated with phases of matter and phase changes. We took another look at the characteristic shape of phase-change diagrams and spent some extra time reading about and contemplating plasmas, which is the most common phase of matter in the universe, but not one we interact as frequently as the other phases. Tomorrow, MCAS practice for heat and temperature.
Honors Physics reviewed basic properties of sound, then moved to the arena of loudness and intensity. We defined intensity as the rate of energy flow per unit area, then applied that definition to how the ear perceives sound and how the decibel scale gives us a better perspective of loudness as we understand it in daily life. We also took time to define and look at examples of forced vibrations and resonance. Make sure you can provide a basic definition of resonance and describe examples where resonance can or has been seen in daily life.
2/12/13
Snow Days!
Friday and Monday both were snow days, which gave folks an unexpected 4-day weekend. To get brains back in motion, Physics A and Honors Physics got to work on a problem involving a poor sap that falls off an icy roof. There was quite a lot involved, but groups rallied nicely to find out how far away from the house the person landed, with Honors Physics having to calculate impact velocity and force (and they didn't get to assume that the person came off the roof horizontally). Tomorrow, Physics A starts on an investigation on simple harmonic motion as demonstrated by pendulums and Honors Physics begins with a study of sound.
Physics B completed their pendulum lab investigations and we'll discuss this lab tomorrow in class. Then, you're going to get the same challenge as Physics A had today, so bring your thinking caps!
Intro Physics reviewed the properties of the phases of matter and then moved to phase changes and energy. Remember that phase changes are physical changes (no change in identity of the matter) and add the terms 'exothermic' and 'endothermic' to your vocabulary. Tomorrow, you'll be working on two labs centering on phase change, which will also be a nice review of the concept of energy and latent heats as applied to phase change.
Physics B completed their pendulum lab investigations and we'll discuss this lab tomorrow in class. Then, you're going to get the same challenge as Physics A had today, so bring your thinking caps!
Intro Physics reviewed the properties of the phases of matter and then moved to phase changes and energy. Remember that phase changes are physical changes (no change in identity of the matter) and add the terms 'exothermic' and 'endothermic' to your vocabulary. Tomorrow, you'll be working on two labs centering on phase change, which will also be a nice review of the concept of energy and latent heats as applied to phase change.
2/6/13
No Loose Ends
Physics A and B reviewed their latent heat work, then had a general review for the Chapter 9 exam. Here's a couple of other sample conservation of thermal energy problems for you to chew on (look up specific heat values in your textbook):
Intro Physics also worked with latent heat, reviewing some concepts before turning attention to the mathematics of the topic. The problems on which you are working will give you practice both with the latent heat formula and the specific heat formula. We'll go over these tomorrow before taking a deeper look at phases and phase changes.
Honors Physics reviewed their properties of waves lab and then had a general review for tomorrow's Chapter 11 exam. On Friday, it's on to sound!
- A 1.25 kg block of silver is heated to 450° C then dropped into a bowl filled with 3.50 kg of water. If the equilibrium temperature of the system is 75° C, what was the water's initial temperature? (Ans: 67.5° C)
- A barrel filled with 50.0 kg of water at 20° C, reaches a temperature of 45° C when an iron pot is added to it. If the iron's initial temperature was 345° C, what is the pot's mass? (Ans: 38.9 kg)
Intro Physics also worked with latent heat, reviewing some concepts before turning attention to the mathematics of the topic. The problems on which you are working will give you practice both with the latent heat formula and the specific heat formula. We'll go over these tomorrow before taking a deeper look at phases and phase changes.
Honors Physics reviewed their properties of waves lab and then had a general review for tomorrow's Chapter 11 exam. On Friday, it's on to sound!
2/5/13
Still Got Lots of Heat
Physics A and B, along with Intro Physics took on the topic of latent heat and phase change. Latent heat is the amount of heat energy required to promote phase change in a substance. We looked at how the input or outflow of heat energy can be shuttled to either kinetic energy of the particles (specific heat) or potential energy to promote phase change (latent heat). We took a look at phase change diagrams and how to correctly interpret individual sections and started in on problem-solving skills for situations involving latent heat. For Physics A and B, we'll go over these problems tomorrow as part of our review for Thursday's exam. For Intro Physics, we'll get deeper into the problem-solving process and work a series of practice items.
Honors Physics took time to investigate the properties of waves. Using springs and string, longitudinal, transverse and standing waves were modeled and analyzed. The processes of constructive and destructive interference were investigated and the wave speed formula was applied to the formed waves. We'll go over this activity as part of our general review in preparation for Thursday's exam.
Honors Physics took time to investigate the properties of waves. Using springs and string, longitudinal, transverse and standing waves were modeled and analyzed. The processes of constructive and destructive interference were investigated and the wave speed formula was applied to the formed waves. We'll go over this activity as part of our general review in preparation for Thursday's exam.
2/1/13
Heat and Waves
Physics A and B reviewed yesterday's work for heat transfer and then moved towards thinking about how clothing affects heat transfer in both summer and winter. Students are preparing an essay on how their clothing choices during those seasons reflects factors that influence heat transfer between the body and the environment.
Intro Physics has been working the concept of specific heat and covered the basic definition and formula yesterday in class. We looked at examples of how specific heat influences such situations as climate and drew the specific heat discussion into today's work with calorimetry. Calorimeters allow us to monitor heat transfer between objects in a system and work on the basis of conservation of energy. The problems you will be working for homework give you practice applying conservation of energy to real-world situations and Monday's lab work will use rudimentary calorimeters to monitor heat transfer in systems.
Honors Physics reviewed their lab on the period of a pendulum as class began, then moved to extending properties of vibrations to properties of the waves they produce. We looked at basic types of waves and how the concepts of amplitude, frequency and period are applied. We then added wavelength as another property of the oscillatory motion and emphasized that even though we look at vibrations to create waves, what waves carry is energy, not the vibrating material through which they move.
Intro Physics has been working the concept of specific heat and covered the basic definition and formula yesterday in class. We looked at examples of how specific heat influences such situations as climate and drew the specific heat discussion into today's work with calorimetry. Calorimeters allow us to monitor heat transfer between objects in a system and work on the basis of conservation of energy. The problems you will be working for homework give you practice applying conservation of energy to real-world situations and Monday's lab work will use rudimentary calorimeters to monitor heat transfer in systems.
Honors Physics reviewed their lab on the period of a pendulum as class began, then moved to extending properties of vibrations to properties of the waves they produce. We looked at basic types of waves and how the concepts of amplitude, frequency and period are applied. We then added wavelength as another property of the oscillatory motion and emphasized that even though we look at vibrations to create waves, what waves carry is energy, not the vibrating material through which they move.
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