Second Semester Notebook Organization

Your Physics Notebook should have the following order for second semester. You should also have all of your work from 1st semester. Please bring your notebook to class on the day of the final. You will NOT get your notebook back unless you give leave me a note in the notebook indicating that you would like it back. If you do want the ENTIRE notebook and its contents, you may pick it up AFTER you graduate, whenever that may be. I will not be checking your materials (i.e. pencil pouch, etc.) If you would like to donate it to next year's students, you may leave it in your notebook and I will remove it.

Energy and Heat
Energy Homework Packet
Spring Lab
Powerhouse Lab

Momentum and Newton's 3rd Law
Momentum Homework Packet
Tailgated by a a Dart Universal
Inelastic Collision Demo Lab

Universal Gravitation and Planetary Motion


Waves and Sound
Waves Homework Packet
Light Lab Conclusion

Electricity and Magnetism
E&M and Final Review Homework Packet
Ohm's Law Lab

Field Trips 
Great America Assignment
Great America Review Sheet
Using an Astrolabe

Physics Project
Project Proposal and Rough Draft

Finish Einstein Revealed and Work on Projects

We finished the Einstein Video.  If you didn't see the end, here are the clips.

Watch Einstein Revealed on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Watch Einstein Revealed on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Students who were here also worked on their projects.

Watch Einstein Revealed on PBS. See more from NOVA.

HW: Finish projects and work on Essays.

Einstein Revealed

The entire period was spent watching the NOVA special Einstein Revealed.  If you need to watch any portion of the episode, click here.

HW:  Work on essay; due 6/3 to turnitin.com; projects due on 6/3

Turnitin.com enrollment info:

More Physics Projects Work Time

The winners of the Great America Instagram Contest are:


Artistic Category:  Cody Molho

 Physics Category: Lauren Schusterman and Kevin Sinclair

The rest of the time in class was spent working on physics projects and watching the second half of Newton's Dark Secret.

Part 4-6 of 6

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Physics Projects and Newton's Dark Secret

I looked over the rough drafts of physics projects and we watched the first part of Newton's Dark Secret.  If you missed it, you can watch the first 3 segments here:

HW: work on projects

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Watch Newton's Dark Secrets on PBS. See more from NOVA.

Great America Assignment

If you did not go to Great America your alternate assignment is due the next block that I see you.  Fill in the ride data for the following rides in your Great America packet and complete each activity.

Roller Coasters- Demon

Before you ride data

Height at highest point 30.5 m

Height at lowest point 7.5 m

Length of train 15.0 m

Time for a train to pass a point at the top of the first hill 3.0s

Time for train to pass a point at the bottom of the first hill 0.7s

While you ride

Centripetal acceleration 3 g's

Other values not needed for calculations

Vertical Loops- Flight Deck

Before you ride

Time for point A 0.5 s

Timve for point C 1.1 s

Time for point E 0.6 s
Length of Train 12.0 m

While you ride

Vertical Acceleration at A 4 g

Vertical Acceleration at C 1 g

Vertical Acceleration at E 4 g

Carousel

Data

Time for 1 revolution 12.0 s

Radius for outside rider 5.0 m

Radius for inside rider 3.0m

Lateral accelerations inside 0.8 g… outside 1.4g's

More Great America Preparation and Reminders!

We discussed making measurements at Great America as well as what to do and NOT do while you are there.  The remainder of the period we worked on physics projects.  Reminders:

School Arrival Time: 7:45 on front steps Buses roll at 8 am
Please ride on your assigned bus.
     Period  1, 2 3(Bronec and Borrison) = Bus 5
     Period 3, 4 (A-Vanderhaegen)= Bus 6
     Period 4 (Variot-Zicovich)= Bus 7

Leave Great America at 2 pm; buses are loaded by 2:15 pm; buses roll at 2:30 pm

Make sure you remember to bring: Great America packet, astrolabe, pencil, calculator, timing device.

HW: Project rough drafts due next time!

Measuring at Great America
Great America Review Key

More Great America Prep

We continued our preparations for Great America by learning how to make measurements while at the park and reviewing the energy transfers involved in roller coasters.  We watched this great episode Newton's Apple:

HW: Great America Review Sheet

Modern Marvels- Roller Coasters periods 1,3 only

Since so many students were taking the AP English Language test we didn't do much in class.  I passed back project proposals and discussed projects that were rejected.  We also watched the Modern Marvels episode on Roller Coasters

Green WS (Class Set) and Triangulation Lab - Mr.B.

Triangulation

We began our preparation for Great America by constructing and learning how to use an astrolabe.

HW: Finish lab

Physics Project Introduction

I introduced the physics project and showed sample projects for most of the period.  I allowed people in class time to begin brainstorming their ideas.

HW: Proposal due next time!

Review Day 2 (50 Minute Period)

I stamped the two review sheets (Waves and E&M) and discussed the answers from the Newtonian test we took the previous block.  I showed about 20 minutes of a Paul Hewitt (author of your textbook) lecture about Magnetism.

HW: Correct review sheets (E&M, Waves) and study for final

Blank Review sheets (Forces, Energy, Waves, E&M)

Are You Newtonian?

I gave the same test that I gave students at the beginning of the year to see if they are Newtonian Thinkers.  I also stamped the review sheets and gave out the last 2 review sheets in preparation for the final.  The overview for the next two weeks:

HW: Correct Forces and Motion and Energy and Momentum Review Sheets; Finish E and M and Wave Projectile review sheets

Wrap up of Circuits and Circuit Breakers

I checked the homework (Circuit Review Sheet) and we took the quiz on series and parallel circuits.  We graded the quiz, as well as a number of previously taken quizzes.  We also used the power equation to calculate the current that flows through a parallel circuit when 3 different blow driers are in use, and then learned about how circuit breakers work.

HW:  Forces and Motion Review Sheet; Energy and Momentum Review Sheet; correct Circuit Review

Discuss Ohm's Law Lab and Series and Parallel Circuits

We debriefed the Ohm's Law Lab and I collected it.  The remainder of the period we developed the ideas of Series and Parallel Circuits using a PHET simulation.

HW: Correct Blue WS; Finish Green WS

Ohm's Law Lab

I collected the circuit inquiry lab and we took a quiz on WS 4.  Most of the period was spent collecting the data for the Ohm's Law Lab.

HW: None!

More on Electric Fields and Begin Circuits

We took the quiz on electric fields then worked on WS 4 in class and debriefed it.  The last part of class we did the circuit inquiry lab.

HW: study for quiz on WS 4; finish lab questions

Electric Field Exploration

We took a quiz on Coulomb's Law and discussed the difference between electric forces and electric fields.  More about electric fields here.  Most of the period was spent doing the simulations found here:

Part I Simulation Link

Part II - Parallel Plates

HW: Quiz on Lab activity

Finish Coulomb's Law Lab

We finished graphing the data from the lab and developed Coulomb's law.  We spent about 30 minutes in class working on the homework.

HW: Finish WS 3; quiz on how to use your calculator... be sure to bring one!

Begin Coulomb's Law Lab

We took the quiz and began collecting data for the Coulomb's Law Lab using Logger Pro.

HW: Finish calculations of 1/separation distance and 1/(separation distance)^2

Van De Graff Generator Demos

We reviewed the rules of attraction and discussed the different lab activities that we have done over the past 3 days that change the charge distribution of an object.  The list looked a lot like this:

Rub a balloon on your hair
Rub fur on a seat
Hold the electrophorus over the charged seat
Stick a balloon to the wall
Rub the PVC rod with fur
Rub the lucite rod with plastic
Pull apart 2 pieces of scotch tape

Once students generated a list, I then asked the to group or categorize them.  We concluded that of the activities we have seen, they represent charging by friction, charging by induction and polarization.  I told students there was another way to charge that we haven't seen yet, which led to the Van De Graff generator demos.  With about 25 minutes left in the period, I gave time to work on WS 2 and we corrected it in class.

HW: finish and correct wS 2; study for quiz on WS 2 and VDG demos

Electrophorus Lab

I introduced our field trip to Great America.  Money and permission slips are due Tuesday, March 26 for periods 1 and 3 and Wednesday, March 27 for periods 2 and 4.

We spent most of the period doing the Electrophorus Lab and discussing it.  We also graded the E & M quiz one and Periods 1, 3 and 4 took quiz #2.

HW: None

More Electrostatics

I checked the homework and we Whiteboarded it.  I also had students investigate static electricity with these simulations.

HW: Correct review questions (will be posted on Monday... sorry); study for quiz (WS 1 and lab

Sticky Tape Lab

I discussed the general plan for the remainder of the year, then introduced the Electrostatics Unit.  We spent most of the period doing the Sticky Tape Lab and debriefing the results.

HW: Finish Lab; E & M Worksheet 1; Read Ch. 32; Review Questions 1-25  Write Q's or restate question as part of your answer.

Waves Test

I did a brief demo showing constructive and destructive interference for two sources with the same frequency.  I also collected the homework packets and we took the waves test.  The last 15 minutes we watched the Mythbusters on breaking a wine glass.

HW: none

Resonance and Review Day

I checked the Review Sheet and gave a few minutes in class to correct it.  The complete answer key will be posted here.  We also took a quiz on wave interference and graded it and Quiz #2.  I debriefed the Standing Wave Lab and discussed resonance.

Here are some clips demonstrating resonance:

HW:  Bring papers for assembling HW packet (see below), study for test; Practice Test due Thursday at tutorial for periods 1 and 3.

Pink note packet
Standing Wave Lab
Wave Characteristic Lab
Wave Interference WS
WS 25-1
Review Sheet

Debrief Characteristics of Waves Lab

I checked the homework (correct it here), collected the conclusion from the Characteristics of Waves lab and gave a quiz on wave relationships (period, frequency, velocity, wavelength).  Most of the period was spent debriefing last weeks lab.  Notes can be found here.

Here are two of my favorite memes from this unit!

HW: Review Sheet; quiz on wave interference worksheet

Wave Characteristics and Standing Wave Lab

I checked the homework and we took a quiz on the parts of a wave.  You can correct/check your homework here.  We discussed the previous days lecture and reviewed some other wave characteristics, such as reflection and interference (both constructive and destructive).  We then learned about standing waves and how they are formed and half the class did the Standing Wave Lab.  The other half of the class did the Characteristics of Waves Lab.  Links to the lab can be found here:

Station 2: Interference
Station 3: Doppler Shift

HW:  Finish Labs; Read Chapter 25 and complete WS 25-1; Quiz on wave equations

Properties of Waves

We got new seats and I passed back papers from previous units.  I also lectured about properties of waves.  Notes can be found here.

HW: Wave Interference WS; Study for quiz on lecture

Endless Summer

We watched the movie Endless Summer in preparation for our upcoming waves unit!

HW:  None

Momentum Test Day

I collected the Momentum HW packet and we took the Momentum Test.

HW:  None

Momentum Review Day

I checked the homework and went over selected problems.  The answers can be found here (WS 3, review).  We also took a quiz and graded it right away and assembled homework packets.  We watched the Mythbusters episode "Blown away".

HW: study for test; assemble packets; complete practice test (Due at tutorial on 2/12 for periods 1 and 3, 2/13 for periods 2 and 4)

More Elastic and Inelastic Collisions - periods 2 and 4 ONLY

This blog post if for periods 2 and 4 on Friday, February 

I checked the homework and we graded Quiz #1.  After that I continued the discussion of collision types and talked about explosions being inelastic collisions in reverse.  I also talked about elastic collisions and showed this great clip with lots of elastic collisions:

I gave time to work on Worksheet 2, Worksheet 3 and the Review Sheet.

HW: Study for quiz on WS 2 (answers here); Finish WS 2 if not done, WS 3; Review Sheet

Elastic Collisions and Tailgated by a Dart- Periods 1,3 only 2/7

This blog post is for periods 1 and 3 ONLY on Thursday, February 7!!

I checked the homework (WS 2) and we went over select problems.  You will have a quiz next time on this material.  We also graded the Quiz #1.

I showed this great clip that shows many elastic collisions:

And we discussed the characteristics of elastic collisions and how to do the calculations.  We finished the period with the lab "Tailgated by a Dart".

HW: Finish Lab; Finish WS 3; Review Sheet; Study for quiz on WS 2 answers here

Tailgated by a Dart- Periods 2 and 4 ONLY 2/6

This blog post is for periods 2 and 4 ONLY on Wednesday, February 6!

I stamped the homework from the textbook and gave the quiz on momentum.  I discussed inelastic collisions demo lab and I collected it. We collected the data for the Tail-gated by a Dart lab.

HW:  Finish Lab

More Inelastic Collisions- (Period 1,3 ONLY) 2/5

This blog post applies to periods 1 and 3 ONLY for Tuesday, February 5!

I checked the homework and gave the quiz on WS 1.  We debriefed the inelastic collision demo lab and discovered that the graph showed us the relationship between the initial and final momenta was approximately a one-to-one ratio.  This shows that momentum is conserved, similar to the way energy is conserved... what you start with is what you end with (for the most part).  I then when on to discuss problem solving strategies for solving inelastic collision problems and we watched Understanding Car Crashes.

HW: Finish WS 2

More Impulse-Momentum and Inelastic Collisions

We discussed impulse-momentum in greater detail and did another demo, this time breaking boards.  I also checked the homework and we whiteboarded it in class.  The complete answer key is here.  There will be a quiz on Newton's 3rd law and problems 3 and 4 next time.  We also started a demo lab with two colliding carts in an inelastic collision.

HW: Finish Lab; Read Chapter 7- review questions 1-19; Study for quiz

Newton's 3rd Law and Momentum

I checked and and briefly discussed the reading and questions from the textbook.  I emphasized that all forces come in pairs that are equal and opposite in value.  The Third Law pair for all objects can be determined fairly easily using the force naming terminology we developed in the first unit.  For example, for a book sitting on the table, we can look at the gravity force as the Force of Earth on the book.  The third law pair of this would be the Force of Book on Earth.  I also did a demonstration using the force sensors to prove that in all interactions, the forces are equal and opposite.

We then moved on to the impulse-momentum equation as it is derived from Newton's second law.  I did a demo with an egg dropping on the floor vs. begin thrown at a sheet.  In one scenario, the egg is moving slow and the egg breaks, in the other it is moving very fast, but doesn't break.  Clearly the change in momentum of the pitched egg is greater than the dropped egg, yet more force was applied on the egg that was moving slower, so it broke.  We will discuss this concept in greater detail next time.

HW:  Finish WS 5-1; WS 1 and any other class work that you didn't finish.

Energy and Heat Exam

I collected the homework packet and gave the entire period for the test.

HW:  Read chapter 5; Review Questions #1-11 AND Choose 5 Think and Explain questions

Review Day

I checked the Review Sheet and WS 4 and we whiteboarded select problems.  We also took two quizzes on the Powerhouse lab and WS 3.

HW:  Assemble HW Packet, study for test; download practice test and bring to tutorial (Monday periods 2, 4)

Heat Basics

We graded Quiz #1 and the Roller Coaster quiz, then took the quiz on WS 2b.  I stamped Worksheet 3, then gave some class time to correct it in class (WS 3 key).  If you didn't get a chance to finish the corrections, you can find the solutions here.  Also, you will need to correct your answers to the Powerhouse Lab.  There will be 2 quizzes next time, one on problem 6 on WS 3 and the other on one of the easier Power problems from the lab.

We also began our discussion of heat and heat transfer.  We took notes and calculated the temperature of a Bunsen Burner flame.

HW: WS 4 and Review Sheet; Study for quiz on WS 3 and Powerhouse Lab

Powerhouse

I checked the homework and I posted the numerical answers on the board.  I went over selected problems.  There will be a quiz on problems 1-4 next class.  You can check the full answers here (will be posted on Friday afternoon).

We took a quiz on the roller coaster problem, then learned that the energy used per unit time is power.  We then found out who the most powerful student was by completing the powerhouse lab.  If you want additional information about power, click here.

HW: Correct WS 2b- quiz next time; finish lab; WS 3

More Energy, Less Work

I checked the Roller Coaster problem for the people who had not previously gotten a stamp.  There will be a quiz on a similar problem next time.  You can check your work for the problem here.  I also discussed the idea of work, and demonstrated that an object pulled at constant velocity requires a constant amount of force, no matter how far you pull it.  The area underneath a graph of force and displacement is a rectangle, thus work can be determined by the equation W = FΔx.

I also showed the easy way to do Energy-Work problems when we assume a 100% energy transfer and there is a single energy type present in the initial and final conditions.  Homework is to finish the worksheet we started in class.

The last 30 minutes of the period we spent collecting data for the popper lab.

HW:  Finish WS 2b, finish lab, study for quiz on roller coaster problem.

Energy Bar Graphs and Roller Coaster Problem

I checked the homework.  You will need to correct it, and we will have a quiz on it next time.  We discussed energy types, how to identify what energy type is present and how to make an energy bar graph.  We completed WS 2a in class and corrected it.  The last 30 minutes of class we learned the equations for GPE and KE and completed the Roller Coaster problem.

HW: Finish roller coaster problem, correct WS 1 and study for quiz.

Debrief Spring Lab

I spent a considerable amount of time discussing the conclusion questions for the spring lab.  After the discussion, we took the quiz on the lab (it was open note/lab) and turned in the lab.  We took notes about Energy, and most specifically Elastic Potential Energy (EPE).  I gave about 25 minutes for students to work on the homework.

HW: WS 1

Begin Energy Unit and Spring Lab

We started the year off with new seats and my annual cautionary tale about second semester senioritis. We also began our unit on energy by investigating the energy stored in a spring in the Spring Lab.

HW: Finish pages 1-3 on the lab