Physics Weblog - Summer 2008

Mr. O'Keefe's Website

Dr. Philhour's Website

"The art of teaching is the art of assisting discovery." - Mark Van Doren

Summer Physics 2008

Most recent update August 13, 2008 5:21 PM

Grade Reports

1st Term Gradebook Finalized: July 7
2nd Term Gradebook Finalized: July 26

Course Schedule

Week of Monday, June 9th
- Monday (Day 1): Introduction to Class // Unit I: One-Dimensional Motion (Ch 1 in Hewitt)
  - Essential Questions
    - What is physics?
    - What is the procedure for studying physics? How do I approach lectures, labs, problem sets, reading assignments, and exams so I end up understanding everything and achieving a good grade? How do math and physics relate to one another?
    - How do math and physics relate to one another? How are conceptual physical ideas translated into the language of math?
    - What is a ‘dimension’ – how can we tell we live in three dimensions? How do the dimensions communicate with each other? Is time a dimension?
    - How do we understand motion in our universe? How is the “Galilean” idea of motion – concentrating on position, velocity, acceleration, and important acts of observation & measurement – better than the one our naïve experience has taught us?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work:
    - Introduction to Summer Physics
      - Welcome and introduction to the class, syllabus, rules and regulations, procedures.
      - Meet Isabelle and Nick, your expert TA's for the summer.
      - Go over Website, Weblog, Online Resources, and Public Folders.
      - Each day we'll have a substantial break of at least 45 min to eat a late lunch. Food supplies at SI are limited due to renovations of the kitchen and our atypical schedule. Plan to bring a lunch each day though on Fridays you can bring money and we'll order pizza.
      - The textbook for the course will be available for purchase on the first and second days of class. Please bring a check on the first day made out to the SI Bookstore in the amount of $40.
    - Worksheet: Math Review - This is a chance to refresh your math skills and nip some common mistakes and misconceptions in the bud.
    - Break
    - Why we study physics? How is physics related to biology & chemistry?
      - Demos: examples of some of the mysteries of physics we're attempting to explain through the course
      Introduce Unit 1: 1-Dimensional Motion/Kinematics
      - Why we study physics? How do explain and predict the motion of objects in our universe?
      - Our four-dimensional universe
      - Kinematics - the study of motion
      - One-dimensional motion
    - Lecture Worksheet on Math Analysis & Basic Kinematics:
      - helpufl links: SI System of Units & Conversions // Scalars & Vectors // Distance & Displacement // Speed & Velocity
    - Outdoor Activity: clocking our speeds running around on the practice field
      - In-Class Work: evaluating and writing up calculations & results of outdoor runs
    - Wrap-up [~5 min]: poster work: each day we will decide as a group what equations, formulas, big ideas, or values we want to write on a poster to be hung in the classroom. At the time of the exam these posters will still be hanging on the walls!
  - Homework:
    - HW Sheet - Unit Analysis & Powers of 10 (handed out in class); use the public folders if you have questions
    - Read & answer questions in these three sections of The Physics Classroom, I-D Kinematics - Lesson 1 - Acceleration // Lesson 5 - Introduction to Free Fall // Lesson 5 - The Acceleration of Gravity
    - Things to Remember : Quiz tomorrow. Bring a lunch tomorrow. Have Parents Sign Forms (Syllabus & Summer School Policy); Bring a cell phone and ipod if you have one (we'll use them for an outdoor activity tomorrow) & wear comfortable shoes & clothes for activity outdoors.
- Tuesday (Day 2): Unit I: One-Dimensional Motion (Ch 2)
  - Essential Questions
    - How do we understand motion in our universe? How is the “Galilean” idea of motion – concentrating on position, velocity, acceleration, and important acts of observation & measurement – better than the one our naïve experience has taught us?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work:
    - HW Q&A; Turn in HW to inbox
    - Quiz 1A: Conversions & Basic 1-D Motion
    - Pick up concept development page 2-1, CD 2-1 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture Worksheet - Acceleration:
      - Review d, x, delta-x, t, delta-t, v, delta-v
      - Introduce acceleration as delta-v / delta-t
    - Worksheet: Acceleration Problems (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Outdoor Activity: Measuring the speed and acceleration of cars on Sunset Ave 1/2. (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: The Big Three kinematic equations in the x-direction; instantaneous velocity vs. average velocity
      - Lecture Worksheet: Introduction to the Big 3
    - Wrap-up: poster work
      - We'll have an exam every Monday & Wednesday for the entire course, but because this is our first week, we'll have our first exam on Thursday and then resume the normal Monday and Wednesday exam schedule next week.
  - Homework:
    - Hewitt - Ch 2 Review, pg 25: Review Question (RQ) 24; Plug and Chug (PC) 2, 4, 5, 6; Think and Explain (TE) 4, 6, 8 (don't forget to use the public folders to ask questions and help each other)
    - Read Ch 2.7; you are to read everything in a given chapter, including, for instance, the "Hang Time" discussion on p. 22
- Wednesday (3): Unit I: one-dimensional motion (Ch 2)
  - Essential Questions
    - How do we understand motion in our universe? How is the “Galilean” idea of motion – concentrating on position, velocity, acceleration, and important acts of observation & measurement – better than the one our naïve experience has taught us?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Please turn HW into in-box as you walk into class (today and every day)
    - Pick up concept development page 2-2 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture:
      - Introduce acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s^2
      - Lecture Worksheet: The Big Three kinematic equations in the y-direction
    - Lab: Dropping off the Roof (due at end of day)
    - Worksheet: Big Three problems (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Lecture: graphing x-t, v-t, a-t...guest lecturer, Mr. Bank
    - Computer Lab: PhET Simulation - Moving Man - Worksheet (due at end of day)
    - Review & In-Class Work
    - Wrap-up: poster work
    - COME TO THE STUDY SESSION BEFORE CLASS FOR REVIEW
  - Homework:
    - Finish Worksheet: Big Three problems (here's a key to help you)
    - Things to Remember : The first exam will be tomorrow!
      - Here's a practice exam to study with (a key is posted on the public folder, which you can access through your SI email account. Email me if you forgot how to do that.
      - Complete Quiz Corrections (use this as a chance to study)
    - Read Ch 3.1 to 3.3
- Thursday (4): Unit I: one-dimensional Motion & Unit II: two-dimensional (projectile) motion (Ch 2 & 3)
  - Essential Questions
    - What is a ‘dimension’ – how can we tell we live in three dimensions? How do the dimensions communicate with each other? Is time a dimension?
    - How do we understand motion in our universe? How is the “Galilean” idea of motion – concentrating on position, velocity, acceleration, and important acts of observation & measurement – better than the one our naïve experience has taught us?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Please turn in HW to box as you walk into class (today and every day)
    - Exam 1: Unit Analysis & Conversions; 1-Dimensional Motion
      - version i KEY
      - version ii KEY
    - Pick up concept development page 3-1 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Graphing with the Range Finder
      - Lab: Range Finder Activity (due at end of day)
    - Introduce Unit 2: 2-Dimensional Motion (Projectile Motion)
    - Lecture: 2-D Motion
      - Lecture Worksheet: Introduction to 2-D Motion
      - Demo: Shot vs. Dropped Ball
      - Demo: Moving Shot Ball
    - Lab: Marble in the cup (bullseye) lab
    - Wrap-up: poster work (will be done tomorrow at the beginning of class)
  - Homework:
    - Quiz tomorrow on Graphing & 2-D Motion
    - Worksheet: Projectile Motion Problems 1
    - Read Ch 3.3, 3.4, 3.5
    - Things to Remember: Pizza Money ($5)
- Friday (5): Unit II: two-dimensional (projectile) motion (Ch 3)
  - Essential Questions
    - What is a ‘dimension’ – how can we tell we live in three dimensions? How do the dimensions communicate with each other? Is time a dimension?
    - How do we understand motion in our universe? How is the “Galilean” idea of motion – concentrating on position, velocity, acceleration, and important acts of observation & measurement – better than the one our naïve experience has taught us?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Please turn in HW to box as you walk into class (today and every day)
    - Wrap Up: poster work (since we finished with the lab yesterday we'll wrap up today at the beginning as a way to review)
    - Quiz 2A: Graphing & 2-D Motion
      - Key version i
      - Key version ii
    - Pick up concept development page 3-2 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: Projectiles Launched at Angles
      - Lecture Worksheet: Projectile Motion at Angles
    - Lunch break
    - Worksheet: Projectile Motion Problems 2 (due at end of day)
    - Demo: Shoot the Monkey (successful after like 10 tries...)
    - Worksheet: Projectile Motion Problems 3 (due at end of day)
    - ~~Outside Activity: Air Blasters!~~ (punted for lack of time -- moved to optional activity during break)
    - Break
    - Worksheet: Projectile Motion Problems 4 (due at end of day)
    - Wrap-up: poster work
  - Homework:
    - HW Sheet - Projectile Motion Problems 5
    - Keys for Projectile Motion Worksheets: CW 2, CW 3, CW 4
    - Check out the PhET Simulation on Projectile Motion
    - Check out the Bowman Game
    - Read Ch 4
    - Things to Remember: Unit 2 Exam on Monday. Here are some Tough Practice Problems (here's a key.pdf) Use the public folders if you have questions!

Week of Monday, June 16th
- Monday (Day 6): Unit III: Newton's Laws of Motion (Hewitt Chs 4, 5, and 6) Wear comfortable shoes & clothes for activity outdoors
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - Why do things fall? Why do only some things break when they hit the ground?
    - How are Newton's Laws of motion better than the what our naïve experience has taught us?
    - Are Newton’s Laws “right” in the sense that they actually exist in the universe, or are they just a useful description? Is there such a thing as physical law, or physical truth?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Q&A -- here's the key to CW 5
    - Gradebook updated June 16
      - Skip forward pages to see different units; you may also need to zoom in
    - Exam 2: 2-Dimensional (Projectile) Motion
      - Version A Key
      - Version B Key
    - Pick up concept development page 4-1 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Brief lecture: what we're doing and why / essential questions
    - Outdoor Activity: walking with water -- under what conditions does a full cup of water spill? Moving at constant velocity? Accelerating?
    - Lecture/demo: Challenging misconceptions about motion
    - Lecture: Focus on Newton's 1st law of motion; definition of force; examples of forces (contact, friction, air resistance, normal, gravity, tension); learn to use and calibrate force probes (demo)
    - Lab: Air tracks: learn to use photogates; verify using photogates that the speed change of an object in motion is negligible; percent error
    - In-Class Work: Conceptual problems using Newton's 1st law and Key
    - In-Class Work: Force Vectors & Free Body Diagrams and Key
    - Wrap-up: poster work
  - Homework:
    - Quiz Tomorrow
    - Check out Wikipedia: Isaac Newton
    - HW Problems: Ch 4: PC 1, 2; TE 1, 4, 6, 7, 9; Ch 5: RQ 1, 5, 6
    - Read Ch 5
- Tuesday (7): Unit III: Newton's Laws of Motion (Hewitt Chs 4, 5, and 6)
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - Why do things fall? Why do only some things break when they hit the ground?
    - How are Newton's Laws of motion better than the what our naïve experience has taught us?
    - Are Newton’s Laws “right” in the sense that they actually exist in the universe, or are they just a useful description? Is there such a thing as physical law, or physical truth?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Note that keys for yesterday's worksheets are provided above (under Day 6), and the key to Friday's quiz is available on the Friday (Day 5) weblog.
    - Q&A
    - Quiz 3A
      - KEY
    - Pick up concept development page 5-1 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: Newton's 2nd Law, F=ma or a=F/m
    - Fan Cart Lab
      - First start by verifying using a range finder that the Fan Cart accelerates when you place it on a near frictionless surface (the track) and set the fan to 'high'.
      - Measure the acceleration using the range finder -- you can measure the slope of the velocity vs. time graph to accomplish this.
      - Ask Mr. Philhour to help you measure the mass of the fan cart. He will do this by showing you how to calibrate and use a force probe -- find him at his laptop for this part.
      - Use the measured acceleration and mass to estimate the force provided by the fan.
      - Now, increase the mass of the cart by placing a brass weight on the flat part on top. Predict what the new acceleration should be with this additional mass.
      - Once you've made your prediction, verify whether the prediction is accurate by measuring the new acceleration of the cart using the range finder.
      - If the prediction and result differ, use the "%-difference" method to calculate the difference between the measured and predicted values. Remember that % difference = ( [(predicted) - (actual)] / (predicted) ) * 100%.
      - Repeat the experiment with a third mass value.
      - Fill in the table on the whiteboard with your results (image here)
    - Break
    - Worksheet: Newton's 2nd Law and KEY
    - Worksheet: Elevator Problem and KEY
    - Lecture: Calculating static and kinetic frictional forces; coefficients of friction (here's a table of coefficients of friction for common materials combinations)
    - Lab: Brakepad Lab (group writeup due Thursday at start of class)
    - Wrap-up: poster work
  - Homework:
    - Quiz Corrections
    - Ch 4: TS 2; Ch 5: PC 1, 2, 3, 5; TE 2, 4; TS 1, 4; Ch 6: RQ 2, 4
    - Read Ch 6
    - The test tomorrow is just on Newton's 1st & 2nd Laws (I won't test you on what we covered at the end of class yesterday on friction - that will be on Monday's test). Here are some Newton's 2nd Law Problems for tomorrow's exam. You do not have to turn them in -- in fact, here's a key.
- Wednesday (8): Unit III: Newton's Laws of Motion (Hewitt Chs 4, 5, and 6)
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - Why do things fall? Why do only some things break when they hit the ground?
    - How are Newton's Laws of motion better than the what our naïve experience has taught us?
    - Are Newton’s Laws “right” in the sense that they actually exist in the universe, or are they just a useful description? Is there such a thing as physical law, or physical truth?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Exam 3A (part 1/2): Newton's 1st and 2nd Laws (not including Brake Pad lab material)
      - Version A Key
      - Version B Key
    - Pick up concept development page 6-1 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - In-Class Work: Friction Problems -- note that the second problem has a conceptual problem (you can't solve part (b) without part (c) and vice versa) -- to resolve this, we'll just assume the answer to part (b) is 70 N. Here's a Key.
    - Lecture / Worksheet: Spring Forces
    - Lab: Spring forces
      - find a spring
      - measure its unstretched length
      - hang a known weight from it
      - measure its stretched length
      - repeat the measurement for a variety of weights
      - plot the data as Force on the vertical axis and displacement on the horizontal axis -- then fit a "best fit line" to this data. The slope of your best fit line should be the stiffness constant, since F = k * displacement.
      - If your data is NOT lining up in a line nicely then maybe you have found a "nonlinear" spring. These do exist. The spring equation (called "Hooke's Law") is just a good approximation. Real life can be messier.
      - For plotting, use the program Graphical Analysis on the PCs in the physics lab -- this works just like Logger Pro, except you get to enter in the data yourself.
      - You will print out your graph, write on it the measured spring stiffness, then tape (or otherwise attach) your spring to the piece of paper. We'll lay these out for everyone to see.
    - Short break
    - Lecture/demo: Focus on 3rd law of motion
    - Worksheet: begin Working Newton's 3rd Law problems (due Thursday at end of day)
    - Wrap-up: poster work
    - Things to Remember: Finish Brakepad Lab
  - Homework:
    - Ch 4: TE 8, 10; Ch 5: PC 4; TE 8, 9, 10; TS 5, 6; Ch 6: RQ 6; TE 1, 2
    - Read The Ultra-Secret Method for solving Newton's Laws problems
    - Finish Brakepad Lab writeup
- Thursday (9): Unit III: Newton's Laws of Motion (Hewitt Chs 4, 5, and 6)
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - Why do things fall? Why do only some things break when they hit the ground?
    - How are Newton's Laws of motion better than the what our naïve experience has taught us?
    - Are Newton’s Laws “right” in the sense that they actually exist in the universe, or are they just a useful description? Is there such a thing as physical law, or physical truth?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Turn in Brakepad Lab
    - The Montillation of Traxoline
    - Quiz 3B - friction & spring forces / more regular force problems (quiz on Friday will include 3rd law)
      - Quiz Key
    - Quick lecture on working Newton's Laws problems with two objects in play (if you have two unknowns, write down Newton's 2nd law for each object, then you have two equations!)
    - Finish Working Newton's 3rd Law problems (here's a KEY)
    - Pick up practice page 4-2 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Indoor/Outdoor activity: Tug O' War
    - Lecture: Newton's Laws in 2-Dimenions
    - Worksheet: Newton's Laws in 2-Dimensions (here's a KEY)
    - Begin Worksheet: Newton's Laws Review Packet (checked tomorrow at end of class)
    - Wrap-up: poster work
  - Homework:
    - Finish Corrections for Exam on Projectile Motion
    - Remember: Bring your $5 for pizza tomorrow!!!
    - Get your PERMISSION SLIP SIGNED
    - Ch 6: TE 3, 9, 11, 13, 14, 15; Ch 9: RQ 2, 4, 7, 8, 10
    - Read Ch 12 (don't read the last section of Ch 12 -- it's outdated) & start Ch 9
- Friday (10): Unit IV: Astronomy; Gravity; Centripetal Motion (Supplemental Unit, Hewitt Chs 12 and 9)
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - What is the difference between a solar system, a galaxy, and the universe?
    - What is a planet? How many planets are out there?
    - What is a star? How is the creation of chemical elements related to stars?
    - What happens to stars over time? What will happen to our Sun?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 4A -- all three of Newton's Laws
      - Here's the key
    - Field trip to West Sunset Playground
      - Block & Tackle / Pulley photo 1 & photo 2
    - Lunch break -- bring $5 if you want pizza.
    - Lecture: Newton's Law of Gravity
    - Worksheet: Newton's Law of Gravity and Key
    - Work on Newton's Laws Review Packet from Day 9
    - Break
    - Computer room: Lecture on the Solar System & extrasolar planets
    - Computer Lab: Observing with Celestia
      - You can download Celestia at home for free at this website
    - Wrap-up: poster work
  - Homework:
    - Gradebook updated Friday June 20 @ 4:50 pm
    - Finish Corrections for Exam A on Newton's Laws
    - Finish Newton's Laws Review Packet
    - Do Ch 12: PC 1, 2, 3, 4, 6; TE 2, 4
    - Finish reading Ch 9
    - Studying for Monday's exam: These aren't required, but here are some more practice problems on Newton's Laws Review Worksheet; here's a Practice test for Monday (Newton's Laws) ... also, lots more honors-level tests can be found at the People's Physics Book website (this is the book we use for the honors physics classes here at SI)
    - Are you using the Public Folder to ask questions?
      - How to Use the Public Folders in your Email Program

Week of Monday, June 23rd
- Monday (Day 11): Unit IV: Astronomy; Gravity; Centripetal Motion (Supplemental Unit, Hewitt Chs 12 and 9)
  - Essential Questions
    - How can we say what is moving and what is not? How can we feel that we are not moving, but at the same time know we are rotating about the Earth, orbiting the Sun, and flying through the Milky Way galaxy?
    - What is the difference between a solar system, a galaxy, and the universe?
    - What is a planet? How many planets are out there?
    - What is a star? How is the creation of chemical elements related to stars?
    - What happens to stars over time? What will happen to our Sun?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Exam 3B (part 2/2): Newton's Laws comprehensive
      - Here's the key
    - Pick up conceptual development page 9-2 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Lecture: Centripetal Acceleration & "Center-Pointing" Forces
      - What it is / why we care
      - "Tarzan" problems
      - Combining with Universal Law of Gravity to get orbits
    - In-Class work: centripetal motion worksheet (due at end of class - here's a key)
    - In-Class Work: Start on HW Sheet on Gravity & Centripetal Motion -- here's a key
  - Homework:
    - Ch 9: TE 1, 2, 3, 7, 9; TS 1, 2; finish HW Sheet on Gravity & Centripetal Motion
    - Read Ch 7
- Tuesday (12): Unit V: Momentum and Energy Conservation (Hewitt Chs 7 and 8)
  - Essential Questions
    - What is energy? How many different forms can it come in? Are there more efficient and less efficient ways of transforming energy from one type to another?
    - Why is energy conserved? Who says? Are there any branches of physics where the law of conservation of energy seems to be violated?
    - What is momentum? Do all things have momentum? Does the momentum of something depend on your inertial frame?
    - Why is momentum conserved? Who says? Are there any examples of violation of this law?
    - How, specifically, can I use energy and momentum conservation to my advantage when solving physics problems? Under what conditions is a conservation approach preferable to a Newtonian approach?
    - How do we describe motion? Why do we have two ‘kinds’ of motion: kinetic energy and momentum? Why use a scalar and a vector, at different times, to describe motion?
    - Does energy “really” exist or is it some kind of accounting system with no actual attachment to the real world other than its usefulness?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Q&A - Centripetal Motion Review
    - Quiz 4B - Centripetal Motion
      - Version i key
      - Version ii key
    - EGG DROP COMPETITION on FRIDAY: we will fabricate egg support devices using as much as you'd like of the following materials (I will provide these): 3 sheets of standard printer paper, up to 40 cm total of masking tape (up to 2.5 cm wide), six standard plastic drinking straws, 4 popsicle sticks or tongue depressers, 5 small rubber bands, and a large zip-lock plastic bag. The entire apparatus must be inside the plastic bag. If anything spills out of the bag during the competition, you lose points. The device will be dropped from the roof of SI. Rubric is as follows:
      - A: egg lands unbroken
      - B+: egg cracks within the container
      - B-: egg breaks and spills within the container
      - C: egg spills out of the container
      - F: inappropriate or irresponsible behavior; no attempt made due to incompleteness
    - Pick up concept development pages 4-3 & 7-1 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: define momentum & impulse - a new way of looking at Newton's 2nd Law
    - Outdoor Activity: Impulse & Egg Tossing
    - Break
    - Demo: colliding air-track carts (conservation of momentum defined)
    - Lecture: Conservation of Momentum
    - Worksheet: Momentum & Impulse Problems
    - Wrap-up (poster)
    - Lecture: The Earth in Context (reprised from Eco-Awareness Day)
  - Homework:
    - Gradebook updated Tuesday June 24 5:01 pm
    - Ch 7: RQ 17; PC 1, 2; TE 1, 4; TS 3, 4, 5; Ch 8: RQ 2, 6; finish momentum & impulse problems from in-class
    - Read Ch 8
    - Studying: We'll have a larger quiz tomorrow on Unit IV (nothing on momentum); If you want to start reviewing Newton's Laws for the exam on Friday, here's a good worksheet Newton's Laws Review Question (try #s 1 & 2 today)
- Wednesday (13): Unit V: Momentum and Energy Conservation (Hewitt Chs 7 and 8)
  - Essential Questions
    - What is energy? How many different forms can it come in? Are there more efficient and less efficient ways of transforming energy from one type to another?
    - Why is energy conserved? Who says? Are there any branches of physics where the law of conservation of energy seems to be violated?
    - What is momentum? Do all things have momentum? Does the momentum of something depend on your inertial frame?
    - Why is momentum conserved? Who says? Are there any examples of violation of this law?
    - How, specifically, can I use energy and momentum conservation to my advantage when solving physics problems? Under what conditions is a conservation approach preferable to a Newtonian approach?
    - How do we describe motion? Why do we have two ‘kinds’ of motion: kinetic energy and momentum? Why use a scalar and a vector, at different times, to describe motion?
    - Does energy “really” exist or is it some kind of accounting system with no actual attachment to the real world other than its usefulness?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 4C (~50 points)
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - No CD today since we had two yesterday
    - Lecture: Review Mometum, Impulse, & Conservation of Momentum
      - Lecture Worksheet - Mometum, Impulse, & Conservation of Momentum
    - In-Class Work: Momentum & Impulse 2 (due at end of day)
      - here's a key
    - Break
    - Lecture: instroducing & defining energy; potential & kinetic; energy graphs
      - Demo: bowling ball
    - Computer Lab: PhET Simulations - Energy Skate Park; Hanging Masses on Springs
    - In-Class Work: Energy Problems 1 (due at end of day)
      - here's a key
  - Homework:
    - HW Sheet - Energy Problems 2 (use public folders to check answers)
      - here's a key
    - Hewitt Ch 8: RQ 8, 9; PC 5; TE 2, 3; Ch 5: RQ 9
    - Studying: Newton's Laws Review Question (try #s 3 & 4 today)
- Thursday (14): Unit V: Momentum & Energy (Hewitt Chs 7 and 8)
- Friday (Day 16): Unit VI: Gases and Liquids
  - Until now, the class has focused on the physics of solid objects. We aim to extend this understanding to the physics of liquids and gases – fluids. We have to move our attention from individual things to large collections of things.
  - Essential Questions
    - What is matter and how are solids, liquids, and gases similar and different?
    - How do things float? Why does putting helium in a balloon make it buoyant? How can a submarine control its depth?
    - How can we extract random thermal energy and use it to do work? That is, how do engines work?
    - How can an airplane fly? What properties of a wing allow it to do so?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - No CD today
    - Lecture: Kinetic Theory of Matter
      - Demo: Mardi Gras Beads & Matter
      - Calculating volume, density, and mass
    - Liquids
    - Properties of Liquids
      - incompressibility, pressure, volume, density, mass
    - Pressure
      - Demo: Bed of Nails
      - Atmospheric Pressure
      - Demo: Crushing Can
    - Hydraulics
    - Pressure increases with depth
      - Demo: Peeing Cylinder
    - In-Class Work: Liquids 1 (due at end of day)
    - Break
    - Buoyant Force & why objects float
    - In-Class Work: Liquids 2 (due at end of day)
  - Homework:
    - STUDY FOR EXAM! - It will cover everything we've done so far with more attention to Unit V since we haven't had an exam on that unit.
      - Here are blank copies of some exams & quizzes we've taken so far from each unit (you can find keys in the weblog above)
        
        Unit 1: 1-D Motion
        
        Unit 2: 2-D Motion
        
        Unit 3: Newton's Laws
        
        Unit 3: Newton's Laws Comprehensive Exam
        
        Unit 4: Gravity & Centripetal Motion
        
        Unit 5: Mometum & Energy
    - Finish the 24 Exam (and the key)
    - Studying: Use past exams and quizzes to help you study. Here are some other practice exams I, II, III (you should skip problems that we didn't cover); Newton's Laws Review Question (try # 5 today)

Week of Monday, June 30th
- Monday (Day 16): Midterm Exam
- Tuesday (17): Unit VI: Gases and Liquids
  - Essential Questions
    - What is matter and how are solids, liquids, and gases similar and different?
    - How do things float? Why does putting helium in a balloon make it buoyant? How can a submarine control its depth?
    - How can we extract random thermal energy and use it to do work? That is, how do engines work?
    - How can an airplane fly? What properties of a wing allow it to do so?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 6A
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - No CD today
    - Gases
    - Properties of Gases
      - Compressibility, mass, volume, number, temperature, pressure
    - Lecture:
      - Idea Gas Law
      - Work (W=Fdelta-x, W=Pdelta-V)
    - In-Class Work : Gases (due at end of day)
      - here's a key
    - Break
    - Lecture: Engines
      - Why do we build engines? How is this related to liquids & gases?
    - Computer Lab:
      - Read this explanation of how car engines work
      - Complete this Car Engines Worksheet (due at end of day)
      - Choose one or more of the following to learn more about:
        
        How deisal engines work
        
        How rotary engines work
        
        How HEMI engines work
    - Time Permitting:
      - Lecture: Bernoulli's Principle, the Coanda Effect, and how objects fly
      - Computer Lab: Paper Pilot
  - Homework:
    - Studying: Study for Exam tomorrow
    - Complete this Gases & Liquids Practice Exam
      - Here's a Key
    - Bring $5 tomorrow if you want pizza
- Wednesday (18): Unit VII: Nuclear Physics & Radioactivity
  - Essential Questions
    - How are mass and energy related?
    - How does the sun shine? How do nuclear weapons work? How do nuclear reactors work?
    - Can science harness the power unleashed by study of the nucleus without risking the destruction of civilization?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Unit VI Exam: Gases & Liquids
      - Key
    - Break
    - Nuclear Physics
    - Lecture: The atom and nuclear physics
      - Nuclear Reactions
      - Fission & Fusion Reactions
      - E = mc^2
    - In-Class Work: Nuclear Physics
    - Computer Lab: Begin Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)
  - Homework:
    - Enjoy the break!
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)
- Thursday - July 4th Holiday
  - No Class
  - Homework:
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)
- Friday - July 4th Holiday
  - No Class
  - Homework:
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)

Week of Monday, July 7th:
- Monday (Day 19): Unit VIII: Waves: Simple Harmonic Motion, Sound & Light
  - Essential Questions
    - When a water wave travels through a pool, how does the water itself move?
    - How does the study of wave motion relate to our previous study of Newton’s Laws and the conservation laws?
    - How can we tell that something (like sound, or light) is a wave if it is invisible, or too small for us to see?
    - How can we predict how an object can resonate, and to what uses can we put its resonance?
    - How do musical instruments work? What’s the difference between a woodwind and stringed instrument?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Diagnostic Exam (not for a grade)
    - Lecture: Wave Motion & Simple Harmonic Motion
      - Summary from The People's Physics Book
      - Wave as the movement of energy through a medium
      - Poperties of waves: speed, wavelength, frequency, period, amplitude
    - In-Class Work: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) (due at end of day)
      - Here's a Key
    - Demo: relating the period of a pendulum to the (1) length of the string; (2) mass of the bob
    - Break
    - Lecture: Wave Properties, Resonance & Standing Waves on a String
      - Longitudinal & Transverse Waves
        
        Demo: Slinky
      - fundamental wave equation: v =λ f
      - Resonance
      - Interference & Standing Waves
      - Computer Lab - PhET Simulations - Waves & Sound // Ripple Tank
      - Demo: Standing Waves on a String
    - In-Class Work: Harmonics on Strings (due at end of day)
      - here's a key
  - Homework:
    - Read Ch 26.1, 26.2, 26.4, 26.7, 26.8, 26.9 // Ch 27.1, 27.2, 27.3 // Ch 28.1 // Ch 29.1, 29.2, 29.6, 29.8
    - Finish In-Class worksheets
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon) I'll be checking your progress tomorrow
- Tuesday (20): Unit VIII: Waves: Simple Harmonic Motion, Sound & Light
  - Essential Questions
    - When a water wave travels through a pool, how does the water itself move?
    - How does the study of wave motion relate to our previous study of Newton’s Laws and the conservation laws?
    - How can we tell that something (like sound, or light) is a wave if it is invisible, or too small for us to see?
    - How can we predict how an object can resonate, and to what uses can we put its resonance?
    - How do musical instruments work? What’s the difference between a woodwind and stringed instrument?
    - What is light? How are light waves different from other waves?
    - Why is the sky blue? Why are sunrises & sunsets red?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 8A
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - Lecture: Resonance & Engineering
      - Video: Collapse of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge
      - Demo: Breaking a Glass Bridge
    - Lecture: Sound Waves in Pipes
      - Demo: Flaming Tube
      - Demo: Tuning Fork & Graduated Cylinder
    - Break
    - In-Class Work: Harmonics in Pipes (due at end of day)
      - here's a key
    - Lab: Making Music!
    - Lecture: Introduction to Light
      - Light as Electromagnetic Radiation/Wave & EM Spectrum
      - c = λ f
      - E = h f
    - In-Class Work: Light (due tomorrow at end of day)
  - Homework:
- Wednesday (21): Unit VIII: Waves: Simple Harmonic Motion, Sound & Light // Unit IX: Electricity
  - Essential Questions
    - What is light? How are light waves different from other waves?
    - Why do objects look distorted and out of place under water?
    - How does my reflection in a mirror (or image through a lens) depend on the shape of the mirror (or lens)? How do I design a mirror or lens system that magnifies something so I can study it in more detail?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 8B
      - KEY - version i
      - KEY - version ii
    - Lecture: Reflection & Refraction
      - Line of Sight
      - Reflection, Refraction, & Snell's Law (applet)
      - Lecture Worksheet: Snell's Law (due at end of day)
      - Demo: Disappearing glass
    - Break
    - Finish In-Class Work: Light (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: Light & Images
      - Lenses & Mirrors
    - Demo Lab: Real & Virtual Images
    - Lecture: Four Fundamental Forces/Interactions in Nature
    - Work on Practice Exam for Waves (here's a key)
  - Homework:
    - Study for Exam on SHM, Sound & Light
    - Practice Exam for Waves (here's a key)
    - Read Ch 32.1, 32.2, 32.3, 32.4, 32.7
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)
- Thursday (22): Unit IX: Electricity & Circuits 1
  - Essential Questions
    - How does matter hold itself together? Why can’t I pass my hand through a table?
    - What is electric charge? Is it something an object “obtains” or is it more fundamental?
    - Why do mathematical models work so well in describing the physics of electricity?
    - How can I produce a large electric spark? To what uses can I put this spark?
    - How is electricity stored?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Unit VIII Exam - Waves: SHM, Sound & Light
    - Break
    - Pick up CD's 32-1 and 32-2 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: Introduction to Electricity
      - Summary from the PPB
      - Insulators & conductors
      - electric charge (positive & negative), electrical neutrality
        
        attraction & repulstion
        
        polarization
      - Electric Force (Coulomb's Law)
    - In-Class Work: Electrostatics & Electric (Coulomb) Force
      - here are the answers
    - Computer Lab - PhET Simulations - John Travoltage, Balloons & Static Electricity
  - Homework:
    - Get Exploratorium field trip permission slip signed by parent/gaurdian; bring $10 check made out to St. Ignatius Summer School for bus transporation.
    - Bring $5 if you want pizza
    - Finish In-Class Work: Electrostatics & Electric (Coulomb) Force
      - here are the answers
    - Continue working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon)
    - Read Ch 33
- Friday (23): Unit IX: Electricity & Circuits 1
  - Essential Questions
    - How does matter hold itself together? Why can’t I pass my hand through a table?
    - What is electric charge? Is it something an object “obtains” or is it more fundamental?
    - Why do mathematical models work so well in describing the physics of electricity?
    - How can I produce a large electric spark? To what uses can I put this spark?
    - How is electricity stored?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Quiz 9A
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - Pick up CD's 33-1 (due at end of day)
    - Lecture: Electric Field & Force
      - Lecture Worksheet: Electric Field & Field Lines
    - In-Class Work: Electric Field & Force
    - Break
    - Lecture: An Energy Perspective on Electricity
      - Electric Potential (Voltage) & Electric Potential Energy
    - Computer Demo - PhET Simulations - Charges & Fields
    - In-Class Work: Electric Potential & Electric Potential Energy
  - Homework:
    - HW Sheet - Electrostatics (here are the answers)
    - Finish working on Nuclear War Report (due Monday July 14 at noon...1 point deducted per minute late)
    - Read Ch. 34 (skip 34.7 & 34.8)

Week of Monday, July 14th:
- Monday (Day 24): Unit IX: Electricity & Circuits 1
  - Essential Questions
    - How is electricity generated, transferred, and employed to do useful work?
    - Under what circumstances am I safe from electric shock? How do I determine how dangerous a circuit is?
    - What is a safe way to experiment with live circuits?
    - What principles should I use to analyze complex circuits?
    - If I find myself faced with an electric circuit, how can I reduce its complexity?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Due Today at Noon: Nuclear War Report (1 points deducted per minute late)
    - HW Review
    - Practice Quiz 9B
      - KEY
    - Lecture: Introduction to Circuits
      - Lecture Worksheet 1
      - Voltage, Current, Resistance
      - Ohm's Law
      - Power
      - Demo: Simple Circuits
    - Break
    - Lecture Worksheet 2 - Physics Classroom
      - here's a key
    - Computer Lab - PhET Simulations - Circuit Construction
    - In-Class Work: Electricity Practice Exam
      - here's a key
  - Homework:
    - Bring permission slip & money if you haven't already done so
    - Study for Exam. It will cover the following (with corresponding sections in the book):
      - Electricity
        
        charges, conductors, insulators, attraction, repulsion, & polarization, q_net = N(+/-e)
        
        Ch 32.1, 32.2, 32.4, 32.7
        
        Electric Field: E = kq/r^2
        
        33.1, 33.2
        
        Electric Force: F_E = qE = kqq/r^2
        
        32.3, 33.1
        
        Electric Potential (Voltage): V = kq/r
        
        33.5
        
        Electric Potential Energy: U_E = qV = kqq/r
        
        33.4
        
        Work: W = delta-U_E
      - Circuits
        
        purpose & components (voltage source, resistor, wires, etc.)
        
        34.9, 34.10
        
        Current: I = q/t
        
        34.1, 34.2
        
        Voltage, V
        
        34.3
        
        Resistance, R
        
        34.4
        
        Ohm's Law: V = IR
        
        34.5
        
        Power: P = IV
        
        34.11
      - Don't forget to use the PPB summaries as well
    - Finish: Electricity Practice Exam (here's a key)
      - Extra Problem (here's a corrected key) **Note, the original key posted before 10 PM had an error in the calculation at point Y
    - For tomorrow, we'll cover:
      - Ch 35 & 36
- Tuesday (25): Unit X: Magnetism & Circuits 2
  - Essential Questions
    - How is electricity generated, transferred, and employed to do useful work?
    - Under what circumstances am I safe from electric shock? How do I determine how dangerous a circuit is?
    - What is a safe way to experiment with live circuits?
    - What principles should I use to analyze complex circuits?
    - If I find myself faced with an electric circuit, how can I reduce its complexity?
    - What is the relationship between magnetism and electricity? Are they just two different aspects of a single entity?
    - How can I harness electricity to make a useful, moving object?
    - How can I harness motion (or other forms of energy) to make electricity?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Exam: Electricity & Circuits 1
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - Break
    - Lecture & Lab: Complex Circuits
      - Resistors in Series
      - Resistors in Parallel
      - Demo: PhET Simulations - Circuit Construction
    - In-Class Work: Circuits (due tomorrow)
      - here's a key
    - Lab: Circuits
      - Photo of pre-lab setup -- PLEASE make sure your lab station looks like this at the END of the period
      - You'll need to use this webpage to figure out the resistance of your resistors
    - Lecture: Magnetism (PPB Magnetism Summary)
      - Why are somethings magnetic and others are not?
      - Magnetic Fields Generated by Current Carrying Wires
        
        RHR #1
  - Homework:
- Wednesday (26): EXPLORATORIUM PROJECT
  - Essential Questions
    - Now that I have completed physics, how do I look at the world differently?
    - What are some things I had misconceptions about when I was in elementary and middle school?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Your Assignment
    - 12:00 PM: Meet at bus stop in front of school by the practice field
    - 12:15 PM: Depart SI for Exploratorium
    - 12:45 PM: Arrive at Exploratorium
    - 3:30 PM: Depart Exploratorium
    - 4:00 PM: Arrive at SI
    - Finish Exploratorium Project Writeup
    - Some photos from the day
      - photo 1; photo 2; photo 3; photo 4; photo 5
  - Homework:
    - Finish circuits worksheet from yesterday
    - Study for Quiz on Magnetism & Circuits
    - Complete this Practice Quiz
      - here's a key
- Thursday (27): Unit X Exam // Circuits Project
  - Essential Questions
    - How is electricity generated, transferred, and employed to do useful work?
    - Under what circumstances am I safe from electric shock? How do I determine how dangerous a circuit is?
    - What is a safe way to experiment with live circuits?
    - What principles should I use to analyze complex circuits?
    - If I find myself faced with an electric circuit, how can I reduce its complexity?
    - What is the relationship between magnetism and electricity? Are they just two different aspects of a single entity?
    - How can I harness electricity to make a useful, moving object?
    - How can I harness motion (or other forms of energy) to make electricity?
  - Agenda & In-Class Work
    - Circuits Review
    - Magnetism Review
    - Finish Lab: Circuits
    - Break
    - Quiz 10A : Magnetism & Circuits 2
      - version i - KEY
      - version ii - KEY
    - Begin working on Final Exam Review - Computational Problems with answer key
    - Lecture: Magnetism (PPB Magnetism Summary)
      - Magnetic Force (Lorentz Force) on Charges Moving through Magnetic Fields
        
        RHR #2
    - In-Class Work: Magnetic Force & RHR (due at end of day)
    - Build Electric Motor & Speaker
  - Homework:
    - 2nd Term Gradebook Updated July 17
    - Study for Final Exam
      - Final Exam Review - Multiple Choice (and a key)
        
        Some of these questions we did not cover in this course so skip them. Also, some things we did cover in this class are not on this review
      - Final Exam Review - Computational Problems with answer key
        
        For problems 1 & 2, just figure out the direction using the RHR (though for #2 you'll use the Left Hand Rule since the charge is negative)
    - Here are blank copies of the unit exams with keys. Quiz keys can also be found throughout the weblog:
      - Unit 6: Gases & Liquids (one version only)
        
        Key
      - Unit 7: Nuclear Physics (no exam)
      - Unit 8: Waves - SHM, Sound & Light (version i & version ii)
        
        version i - KEY
        
        version ii - KEY
      - Unit 9: Electricity & Circuits 1 (version i & version ii)
        
        version i - KEY
        
        version ii - KEY
      - Unit 10: Magnetism & Circuits 2 Quiz (version i & version ii)
        
        version i - KEY
        
        version ii - KEY
- Friday (28): FINAL EXAM