Free-Fall!

Physics D and F reviewed their work with the kinematics formulas and then turned those formulas towards analyzing objects experiencing free-fall motion. Free fall is any motion where the object is only acted upon by gravity, so no other forces are involved. We assume that air resistance is negligible (a decent assumption for some objects and a poor one for others) and realize that the object does not actually have to be falling to be in free-fall. A ball tossed straight up in the air is in free-fall, because the only force acting on it is gravity. We discussed problem-solving methods for free-fall motion and will go over the homework problems on Monday before beginning our review of Chapters 1 and 2 for Tuesday's test. Then, it's on to vectors!

Honors Physics reviewed their more in-depth kinematics problems and worked an extra in class as practice. The decision was made to push the test back one day to have Monday as a review day, so the test is now scheduled for Tuesday. On Thursday, we'll take a look at angular kinematics.

Intro Physics worked on a lab investigation centering on a cart moving on a ramp. Students examined position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs of the motion and used those graphs to explain the interplay of acceleration and velocity and determine the value for the cart's acceleration. We didn't finish the lab in class, so on Tuesday (Monday is Chapter 1 Exam day), we'll complete the investigation.