Energy and Waves

Intro Physics conducted a lab investigation on conservation of energy. We looked at a ball tossed into the air and tracked gravitational potential and kinetic energy through the ball's path. It was very clear that as one form of energy rose, the other fell and vice versa, keeping the total energy of the system constant. This activity showed that mechanical energy was conserved quite well for the ball, however, when a balloon was tossed or a ball was bounced, the situation was quite different. Mechanical energy was not conserved in those situations. Remember that total energy is always conserved, but mechanical energy is only conserved for certain conditions, such as negligible friction, sound production, vibration, etc. On Monday, we'll discuss this lab and work some practice problems for conservation of energy.

Physics D and F looked at measurable features of SHM today and tied those topics into their lab work. We discussed amplitude (the maximum displacement from equilibrium), period (the time for a single oscillation) and frequency (number of oscillations per time) and described the inverse relationship between period and frequency, as well as the relationship between work/energy and amplitude. The formulas to calculate period for a pendulum or a mass-spring system was examined and folks have a few problems to work on for homework to practice this. On Monday, we take on properties of waves.

Honors Physics discussed properties of waves such as amplitude, frequency and period and related them to the oscillation that produced the wave. We also added a feature to the list - wavelength - which measures the distance the energy travels during one period. We contrasted mechanical and electromagnetic waves and discussed how the speed of these waves is impacted by the medium through which they travel. We'll finish up properties of waves on Monday with a discussion of amplitude and energy and then move to wave behaviors, such as interference and reflection, which will be examined in more detail in later chapters. Tuesday is review day and Wednesday is our exam. On Thursday, we move to sound.