The Basics of Science

Today found Intro Physics, Physics D and Honors Physics working through the beginning of Chapter 1, which in every science textbook in the world deals with things like the scientific method, the metric system, measurements, what that particular science is about, etc. We hit the nature of physics, the scientific method, pure vs. applied science, science vs. technology and started, for some, discussing the idea of models. Tomorrow we finish up with his and dig into the metric system.

Physics F conducted an investigation that allowed students to familiarize themselves with the Vernier equipment and investigate the linear relationship between weight and quantity for a man-made object (pennies). We walked through the setup and take down of the lab apparatus plus the specifics of the software, before students were allowed to jump into their investigation. They used a force sensor to measure the weight of groups of pennies (pre- and post-1982) and examined the relationship, which was very linear. Students then used this information to work problems associated with converting dollar amounts to weight and weights to dollar amounts, as would be handled by the treasury and banks. Tomorrow, E Block works on this lab and F Block gets its introduction to Chapter 1.