Under Pressure

Intro Physics reviewed their pressure and hydraulics problems, then turned attention to pressure at depth, the focus of Friday's lab. We looked at the factors that influence the pressure in a column of fluid and why pressure increased as you descended the fluid column and decreased as you rose in that fluid. We looked at the formulas for gauge and absolute pressure and saw how the absolute pressure formula was actually the equation of the line we found in Friday's investigation. The practice problems you have for homework will let you work with this formula a bit more, so remember what you did with your Applications questions for your lab activity and match up the y, m, x, and b with their appropriate variables for our fluids. We'll go over these problems tomorrow and then work on an activity to gain some understanding of the concept of density.

Physics D and F reviewed work and the work-kinetic energy theorem before turning attention to potential energy. We will focus only on two types (gravitational and elastic potential energy) right now and add a few later in the year. Make sure you understand the variables associated with these energy types and how changes in these variables impact the quantity of the energy measured. Know the relationship between work and energy change (as for work and kinetic energy) and how to use the formulas to calculate values for potential energy of either type. Tomorrow, we look at conservation of energy, which is the last piece of the puzzle for you to have your lab write up ready for Friday.

Honors Physics reviewed potential energy, then turned attention to conservation of energy. We contrasted mechanical and non-mechanical energy, discussed why mechanical energy is not completely conserved (though total energy is always conserved) and looked at examples of problems involving conservation of energy. We'll go over those homework problems tomorrow before taking on the concept of power.