SI Prep -- Honors Physics Weblog Fall 2007

Philhour and O'Keefe

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

Honors Physics 2007-08 / 1st Semester

Most recent update January 5, 2008 9:08 AM

Schedule

Friday, August 24th - Class begins
- Introduction to the course
  - Distribute syllabi
  - Demonstrate use of:
    - teacher's website
    - honors physics course weblog
    - PPB textbook website
      - online curriculum
      - errata page
      - SI Prep Physics YouTube group
      - past exams and keys
    - Outlook Public Folders
  - Mention possibility of AP Physics B exam in May and discuss pass-rate from previous years
  - Walk through use of gradebook (sample here) and discuss grading philosophy
  - Talk about use of PPB and the spot-checks we'll do during quizzes and exams
  - Talk about the physics Homework Parties and "5th hour"; solicit "5th hours" from students with handout (or by email)
  - Reminder to bring the PPB to class each time
- HW: Read PPB Ch 1 and associated web resources as needed; do Ch 1 #s 2, 3, 12 & 23; check out web resources associated with Ch 0; also please sign (and have your parents sign) the course syllabus and bring it to class on Monday. If you lost your syllabus, print out another one: O'Keefe // Philhour.

Week of Monday, August 27th - The Scientific Method, Units and Energy
- Day 1
  - [10 min] solicit students to write HW solutions on the board; otherwise do Ch 1 #25
  - The Scientific Method (and related PPB Appendix)
  - SI Units & importance of standard system; Conversion between units; using units to solve problems
    - SI Units
  - Worksheet: Unit Analysis, Conversions, Powers of 10, Ratios
  - Handout Math Review (Due Day 4)
  - The concept of energy and the use of energy in biology and chemistry classes (no math yet)
  - HW: Finish Worksheet: Unit Analysis, Conversions, Powers of 10, Ratio // Work on Math Review (Due Day 4)
- Day 2
  - Answer questions on worksheet from last nights homework (1st and 3rd period: correct in class)
  - Introduction to Energy / PPB Resources
  - Kinetic Energy & Gravitational Potential Energy
  - Free-Fall Problems & Conservation of Energy
  - HW: PPB Ch 2 # 3, 4, 8 // Work on Math Review (Due Day 4) -- there will be a quiz tomorrow testing to see if you are keeping up on your HW. Use the public folders if you have questions.
- Day 3
  - HW Quiz and HW Spot-Check
  - Roller Coaster & Pendulum Problems
  - Energy Bar Graphs
  - HW: PPB Ch 2 # 6, 7, 10 // Finish on Math Review (Due Day 4)
- Day 4
  - Due Today: Math Review
  - Practice Problems (for instance, throwing a ball upward at the edge of a cliff) & review for exam on Day 1 of next week
  - HW: Study for Exam on Day 1 of next week; exam will assess your level of mastery of curricular items 1a, 1b, 1c, 4a, 4b, 4d, 4e, 6d (see grade printout for explanation) ... AOK's classes: Finish Quiz Corrections; also check out the two "Math Skills" sections under Ch 3 on the PPB page; make sure you're comfortable with this review material

Week of Monday, Sept 3rd - Exam 1 // Unit 2: 1-Dimensional Motion
- No Class on Monday - Labor Day!
- Announcement: the HOMEWORK PARTIES have begun at 5th period and after school in Room 310. Drop in for free tutoring by AP Physics students and physics teachers!!! Here is the schedule of TA hours
- Day 1 - Activity Schedule (Tue)
  - EXAM 1 - Unit Analysis & Energy
    - exam will assess your level of mastery of curricular items 1a, 1b, 1c, 4a, 4b, 4d, 4e, 6d
  - Internet HW: be sure to check out the web resources under Ch 3 on the PPB page, particularly the Physics Classroom links
  - HW: check out these interesting ways to display data: historical timeline of science, the Pop vs. Soda controversy, and the Baby Name grapher (try various names! -- its awesome)
- Day 2 - Activity Schedule (Wed)
  - Important note for 1st and 3rd periods (BJP's classes): thanks to Jury service, I decided Day 2 would consist of some review problems (Ch 1: #s 7, 8, 9 & 22 and Ch 2: #12) that you can finish for homework. We'll catch up with the activities listed for today over the next couple of days.
  - Demo: verifying that the conservation of energy is an accurate theory by dropping a book (or throwing a book upward) above a sonic range finder
  - The difference between scalars & vectors, which allows us to understand...
    - The difference between positions & intervals (x, delta-x // t, delta-t)
    - The difference between distance & displacement
    - The difference between speed & velocity
  - Internet HW: be sure to check out the web resources under Ch 3 on the PPB page, particularly the Physics Classroom links
  - HW (AOK's classes only) : Ch 1 # 16, 17; Ch 3 # 1abc, 8 ... also, bring comfortable shoes for Day 3 as we will be outdoors on the football field running around
- Day 3 - Activity Schedule (Thu) -- tonight is Back-to-School night!
  - Important note for 1st and 3rd periods (BJP's classes): thanks to Jury service, I'm going to be one day behind; so look to Day 2 (above) for your lessons and HW assignments. I'll do my best to get caught up during next week.
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - Review
  - Outdoor Lab: Football Field Activity (Due Day 1)
  - HW (AOK's classes only) : Ch 3 # 2ab, 9 // Finish Lab Calculations to turn in on Day 1 (be sure to show your work)
- Friday: Mass of the Holy Spirit

Week of Monday, Sept 10th - Unit 2: 1-Dimensional Motion
- Reminder: Take advantage of the HOMEWORK PARTIES at 5th period and after school in Room 310. Drop in for free tutoring by AP Physics students and physics teachers!!! Here is the schedule of TA hours
- Day 1
  - Important note for 1st and 3rd periods (BJP's classes): I am going to skip the football field activity from Day 3 last week so that we are back on track this week. The HW you were responsible for from last week is Ch 1 # 16, 17; Ch 3 # 1abc, 8, but you are not responsible for Ch 3 # 2ab, 9 or the football field lab
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - BJP's classes: warmup today will be Ch 3 #2ab
  - Introduce acceleration, a = delta-v / delta-t
  - Direction of the acceleration vector
  - HW: Ch 3 #s 2c, 3, 5, 10a // AOK's classes: Exam Corrections Due Day 4
- Day 2
  - 3rd period: BJP will be out today but AOK will be subbing so we'll stay on track. Thanks Mr. O'Keefe!!!
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - Demo: graphing x-t, v-t, & a-t using range finder (RF)
  - Graphing Exercises
  - HW: Ch 3 #s 7 & 9 and begin reading the Physics Classroom material under Ch 3 on the PPB page (finish this material by Day 1 in time for the HW quiz) // AOK's classes: Exam & Math Review Corrections Due Day 4
    - Here are some practice problems graphing x-t, v-t, & a-t (here's a key.pdf to check your answers)
- Day 3
  - Graphing Exercises
  - PhET Simulation: Moving Man & Maze Game
  - HW: PhET Moving Man Exercise & play the PhET "Maze Game"...both available under Ch 3 on the PPB page // continue reading the Physics Classroom material under Ch 3 // AOK's classes: Exam & Math Review Corrections Due Day 4
- Day 4
  - AOK: Exam & Math Review Corrections due today
  - Lab: Walk the Graph (turn it in at the end of class...finish last page for HW if you didn't finish in class)
  - HW: Ch 3 #s 21 & 22 // finish last page of lab if you didn't finish in clas // finish reading the Physics Classroom material under Ch 3
    - Reminder: if you forget your PPB hard-copy at school it is always available online!

Week of Monday, Sept 17th - Unit 2: 1-Dimensional Motion
- Reminder: Take advantage of the HOMEWORK PARTIES at 5th period and after school in Room 310. Drop in for free tutoring by AP Physics students and physics teachers!!! Here is the schedule of TA hours
- Day 1
  - Short HW Quiz on Graphing x-t, v-t, & a-t
  - Modeling Motion with Mathematic Equations
  - In-Class Worksheet: Introduction to "The Big 3 Kinematic Equations" (in x-direction)
  - HW: Ch 3 # 4, 12, 17, 18
- Day 2 - Meeting Day
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - Reintroduce gravitational acceleration, g
  - Big 3 in y-direction
  - HW: Ch 3 # 13, 16, 19
- Day 3
  - [Note: AP Physics C is using the lab room during 4th period on Days 3 and 4]
  - HW Quiz on HW from Days 1 and 2
  - Big 3 Practice Problems (continue with worksheet)
  - Demo: using a range finder to verify the Big Three experimentally (BJP)
  - Begin working on 1-D Motion Practice Exam (note: a key is posted on the PPB page under Ch 3)
  - HW: Finish 1-D Motion Practice Exam (note: a key is posted on the PPB page under Ch 3)
- Day 4
  - [Note: AP Physics C is using the lab room during 4th period on Days 3 and 4]
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - Pass out current grade printouts; brief re-cap of grading philosophy and how the gradesheet is intended to benefit you.
  - Programming the TI calculator to do the QUAD program
  - Demo: using photogates to verify the Big Three experimentally
  - Review & Practice Problems (3rd period: we did Ch 3 #20 -- graph the function and hit 2nd-table on your calculator to get the table without having to do it all)
  - HW: Study for Exam on Day 1 // here's another practice test (use the public folders to check your answers)
    - If you're having trouble with graphing, check out the lessons on the Physics Classroom
    - If you want some more practice problems, check these out:
      - Big 3 practice
      - Graphing practice
      - Be a person for others and post your answers to the Public Folder =) don't worry if you made a mistake, we'll be on there to to help out...

Week of Monday, Sept 24th - Unit 2 Exam // Unit 3: 2-Dimensional Motion
- Day 1
  - EXAM 2: 1-Dimensional Motion and HW Spot Check
    - Relevant benchmarks: 1a, 1b (?), 1f, 2a, 2b, 2c, 2d, 2e (?), 6d
  - HW: Ch 3 #s 14 & 20
- Day 2 - Meeting Day
  - Demo: Shot vs Dropped Ball
  - Independence of x & y motion (unified by time)
  - Motion diagramming: velocity vectors; change in velocity vectors related to acceleration
  - HW: Ch 4 #s 1, 3, 6, 9
    - Note: a key for yesterday's exam is posted on the PPB page under Ch 3
- Day 3
  - [Note to AOK: AP Physics C is using the lab room during 4th period on Day 3 - BJP]
  - Share student solutions to HW problems on the board [10 min]
  - Demo: "James Bond" Pink Ball
  - James Bond, 2-D Motion Problems
  - HW: Ch 4 #s 11, 12, 26 (note this last problem will prepare you for tomorrow's lab!)
- Day 4
  - Lab: Marble in a Cup (aka the BULLSEYE LAB)
    - Rules: no practicing! All measurements and calculations =)
    - All attempts must be witnessed by your teacher
    - Trivial attempts (for instance, having the ramp be exceptionally shallow so that the marble just drops off the edge of the table) are discouraged
    - The ramp angle will be reset by the teacher after every attempt (sorry -- this prevents "practicing")
    - You only get one shot at the graduated cylinder, but two shots at the green cup
    - Grading rubric
      - Make the green cup on the first attempt: 3 ... go on to make the graduated cylinder on the first attempt: 4
      - Miss the green cup on the first attempt, but go on to make it on the second attempt: 2 ... then go on to make the graduated cylinder on the first attempt: 3
      - Miss the green cup on two attempts: 1 ... then go on to make the graduated cylinder on the first attempt: 2
      - Miss the green cup on two attempts, followed my a miss of the graduated cylinder: 1
  - HW: Ch 4 #s 2, 5, 10, 13

Week of Monday, October 1st - Unit 3: 2-Dimensional Motion
- Day 1
  - FInish Lab: Marble in the Cup
  - Re-visit vector addition and components
  - Breaking velocity vectors into components
  - ***AOK's 4th & 6th periods will finish the Marble lab on Day 2 due to an equipment conflict***
  - HW - Ch 4 # 4, 7, 8, 14 // AOK's classes: finish exam corrections
- Day 2 - Meeting Day
  - ***AOK's 4th & 6th periods will finish the Marble lab***
  - PhET demo
  - Share Student HW Solutions on board
  - Projectile Motion Practice Problems
  - In-Class: Ch 4 # 15, 16
  - HW - Ch 4 # 18, 20, 21
- Day 3
  - Demo: Shoot the Monkey
  - HW Quiz
    - Relevant benchmarks: 1e, 1g, 1h, 2f, 2g, 2h (6h?)
  - More projectile motion and "Big Three" practice problems
  - In-Class: Ch 4 # 23
  - HW - Ch 4 # 24, 28, 29
- Day 4
  - Graphing Projectile Motion - using parametric mode in your TI calculator
    - Useful website on parametric mode
  - In-Class: Ch 4 # 27 (Lord of the Rings Problem)
  - Exam Review
  - HW - Study for Exam on Day 1 of next week // use the practice exams posted on PPB Website

Week of Monday, October 8th - Unit 3 Exam // Unit 4: Newton's Laws
- NOTE FOR ALL HONORS PHYSICS CLASSES: Your midterm next week will cover Unit I, Unit II, Unit III, and what we cover this week on Unit IV. Demonstrating mastery in units II and III can lock your final grade and exempt you from the final exam.
- Day 1
  - EXAM 3: 2-Dimensional Motion and HW Spot Check
    - Relevant benchmarks: 1a, 1e, 1f, 1g, 1h, 2f, 2g, 2h, 6d
  - HW - Use your expertise in projectile motion to win at Bow Man // Read The Physics Classroom, Lesson 1: Newton's 1st Law of Motion / note that this lesson has 4 pages of material -- click 'Next' at the bottom of each page or use the index on the left side of the page
- Day 2
  - The Nobel Prize in Physics was announced Tuesday ... Fert and Grünberg for their investigations into Giant Magnetoresistance
  - In celebration of the Physics Nobel, we'll do special topics today! We will not assess you at any point on this material, but it may appear on the AP Physics B exam if you plan to take that in May.
    - Special Relativity
    - Giant Magnetoresistance
    - Gravitational Lens
    - BJP's classes: here's a copy of my PowerPoint presentation from today (2.35 Mb)
  - HW: Finish Reading The Physics Classroom, Lesson 1: Newton's 1st Law of Motion - there will be a homework quiz tomorrow on this reading. Since it's a homework quiz, you can use your own handwritten notes that you take on this material (you cannot use typed notes and you cannot use someone else's notes) note that this lesson has 4 pages of material -- click 'Next' at the bottom of each page or use the index on the left side of the page
- Day 3
  - Short (5-10 min) HW Quiz on reading from last night; notes allowed - see rules above
  - Lecture: What is a force? What are some examples of forces?
    - Point out list of forces in Ch 5 of PPB
  - Introduce Newton's 1st Law
    - Also: think about Newton's 1st Law in the context of energy conservation: if we say that the kinetic energy K = 1/2mv^2 isn't changing, then that means no energy is drawn from or added to an object. Seems fair if you eliminate gravity, friction, and all other "energy manipulators"
  - Short Lab: Air Track Carts - verify 1st law using photogates
    - Step 1: place a cart on the air track and ensure that it doesn't "drift" due to a tilt in the track. You can eliminate this drift by adjusting the screw underneath one of the supports, or by placing pieces of paper under one of the supports; some air tracks have a U shape to them (very slight) that you will not be able adjust in this way -- don't worry about that
    - Step 2: start the cart moving and see how much time it takes to pass through one photogate. If the cart's speed doesn't change, it should take the same amount of time to pass through the second photogate. Since we think the air has eliminated any frictional forces, and the adjustment of the track has eliminated any gravitational forces, we really expect to get no change in speed
    - Step 3: let's say you did measure a time difference. Was it significant? One way you can tell is to calculate the percent discrepancy. The % discrepancy is (T1 - T2) / (average of T1 & T2), and you can multiply by 100 to get a %. If this percentage is less than 5%, the effect is fairly small. If the discrepancy is more than 50%, well I bet there's a problem (is the air on? =)
    - Step 4: just to be clear about how important the frictional force is, try weighing down the air cart so it starts to drag a bit; just experiment with this for fun
    - Step 5: think about a rocket ship, with its engines off, drifting out in deep space. According to Newton's theory, this rocket ship is not required to have any forces acting on it for it to keep drifting at the same speed. Does this seem fair to you?
    - A ONE-PAGE WRITEUP IS REQUIRED of TODAYS LAB *OR* TOMORROWS LAB, due at the MIDTERM EXAM
      - Some thoughts on your write-up: since this isn't the first science class you've taken, think about what has been expected from you before and do this stuff
      - Ideas include an abstract, a list of equipment, a procedure, a results section, and an analysis (mathematical) of the discrepancy, and perhaps a conclusion
  - Wrap-up
  - HW: Read The Physics Classroom, Lesson 2: Newton's 2nd Law of Motion - there will be another short homework quiz tomorrow / again, be sure to read all the sections in the Lesson
- Day 4
  - Short HW Quiz on reading from last night
  - The Nobel Peace Prize went to Al Gore and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change -- you've heard of Al Gore no doubt, but why not take a second to check out the IPCC?
  - Lecture: Introduction to Newton's 2nd Law: a = F_net / m
  - Short Lab: Fan Carts - verify 2nd law using range finder
    - Step 1: Place the fan cart on a track on the ground and put books at each end so that the fan cart can not run off and get damaged. Also, please DO NOT put anything into the fan like a pencil or your finger -- they get damaged every year from students doing that. Treat these carts with care.
    - Step 2: The fan generates a constant force along the direction of motion. It can do two forces ("LOW" or "HIGH") so be consistent about which one you use. The fan cart is about 0.6 kg in mass.
    - Step 3: Measure the acceleration of the fan cart using a sonic range finder. From the known mass (0.6 kg) and the measured acceleration (use the slope of the velocity vs. time curve -- you can left-click and drag to select the data on the graph and go to Analyze -> Linear Fit to look up the slope), you can ESTIMATE the force provided by the fan using Newton's 2nd Law.
    - Step 4: Vary the mass of the fan cart by putting pieces of brass with known masses on it. Then remeasure the acceleration and verify that, for the same force, the acceleration changes according to Newton's 2nd Law
    - Step 5: Try a few different masses. For at least one, try to predict what the acceleration should be before you measure it. Then measure it and compare your prediction to the measurement. You can quantify the discrepancy between these using the % discrepancy formula discussed on Day 3.
    - Step 6: In the end, we are asking the question: Is Newton's 2nd Law an accurate description of nature? Try to make sure your lab addresses this question primarily.
    - A ONE-PAGE WRITEUP IS REQUIRED of TODAYS LAB *OR* YESTERDAY'S LAB, due at the MIDTERM EXAM(see yesterday for details)
  - AOK will be hosting a review session after school, 1:30 in room 310
  - HW: Prepare for midterm exam ... see details below

Week of Monday, October 15th - Midterm Exam Week
- What you should study & review:
  - Ch 1: Units and Problem Solving (lightly skim)
  - Ch 2: Energy Conservation
    - See the PPB for site for the keys to our quizzes and exams in this material
  - Ch 3: One-dimensional Motion
    - See the PPB for site for the keys to our quizzes and exams in this material / see also the practice midterm below
  - Ch 4: Two-dimensional (Projectile) Motion
    - See the PPB for site for the keys to our quizzes and exams in this material / see also the practice midterm below
  - Ch 5: Newton's Laws (lightly skim)
    - Keys for HW Quiz on Newton's 1st Law (Versions A, B, C, and D) and 2nd Law (Versions A, B)
  - The exam will cover all of the curricular items in your gradebook under Math Methods and Kinematics, but only items 3a and 3b for Newton's Laws, and 4a through 4d for Conservation Laws
  - Practice tests
    - 2006-07 St. Ignatius PhysH Exams First Semester Midterm Exam ( .pdf, .doc ) and Key ( .pdf, .doc )
    - 2003-04 St. Ignatius PhysH Exams Energy Quiz ( .pdf, .doc ) and Key ( .pdf, .doc )
- Monday
  - Midterm Exam - 1st & 3rd periods (BJPs classes)
    - Turn in one of the two labs from last week
  - AOK will be hosting a review session after school, 12:15 in room 310
  - HW: none -- enjoy your break!
- Tuesday
  - Midterm Exam - 4th, 6th, & 7th periods (AOKs classes)
    - Turn in one of the two labs from last week
  - HW: none -- enjoy your break!
- Wednesday
  - NO CLASS
  - Juniors: PSAT
  - Seniors: Portraits
- Thursday
  - Teacher Inservice / Learning Differences and Brain Research
- Friday
  - Quarter Break
    - HW: none -- enjoy your break!

Week of Monday, October 22th - Unit 4: Newton's Laws
- Day 1
  - Review of Newton's 1st & 2nd Laws
  - Free Body Diagrams
  - Elevator Problems
  - Demo: hand out spring gauges to get a feel for 1 N and 5 N forces
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 #s 5, 6, 11 and begin reading Ch 5 in the PPB and the associated online materials, including the Wikipedia article on Newton, the PhET simulations, and the YouTube videos; finish this reading by Day 1 of next week (but don't wait until the weekend -- there is a lot there!)
- Day 2
  - Lecture: Forces applied at angles
  - Demo: fan cart with force applied at an angle -- verifying the trigonometric relationship & force
  - 1st period only : I'll be trying out whiteboarding as a way to quickly gauge your progress
  - Lecture: Using Newton's 2nd Law in 2-Dimensions
  - Demo: 2-D tension demo using spring gauges
  - In-Class problem: PPB Ch 5 # 19
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 # 15a&b, 17, 20, 25, 26, 29 and continue reading assignment from Day 1
- Day 3
  - Newton's 2nd Law
  - Where do frictional forces come from?
  - Calculating static & kinetic frictional forces
  - Time permitting: Begin Lab: Brakepad Lab
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 # 15d, 21, 22, 46 & continue reading assignment from Day 1
- Day 4
  - BJP's classes :
    - Lab: Brakepad Lab
  - AOK's:
    - Spring Forces & Hooke's Law
    - In-Class Worksheet - Springs
  - HW:
    - BJP's classes: PPB Ch 5 # 27, 33, 39 // Begin working on brakepad lab writeup (Due Day 1 following next week) // finish reading assignment from Day 1, which will be included on the HW Quiz on Day 1
    - AOK's classes : PPB Ch 5 # 10, 13, 31, 40 // finish reading assignment from Day 1

Week of Monday, October 29th - Unit 4: Newton's Laws
- Day 1
  - BJP's classes :
    - HW Quiz
    - Spring Forces & Hooke's Law
    - In-Class Worksheet - Springs
  - AOK's classes :
    - Lab: Brakepad Lab - turn in one lab report per group
  - HW:
    - BJP's classes : PPB Ch 5 #s 10, 13, 31, 40
    - AOK's Classes : PPB Ch 5 # 27, 33, 39 // Begin working on brakepad lab writeup (Due Day 1) only one lab report per group is requried // prepare for HW Quiz
- Day 2
  - AOK's Classes: HW Quiz
  - Revisit 2nd Law in 2-Dimensions - worksheet
  - In-Class problem: PPB Ch 5 # 42
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 # 15d, 18, 44, 45 // Continue working on brakepad lab writeup...there will be an exam question on this so don't put it off until Day 1 only one lab report per group is requried
- Day 3
  - Exam Review
  - In-Class: Work on Practice Exam
  - HW: Study for Exam on Day 1: Practice Exam from Class // Continue working on lab writeup...don't put this off only one lab report per group is requried
- Day 4
  - 1st period only: exam review (BJP was absent two days for 1st period); we'll push 3rd law material to Day 2 of next week
  - AOK: Introduction to Newton's 3rd Law
  - HW: Study for exam on Day 1: Practice Exam (Key posted on PPB site) // Finish brakepad lab writeup for Day 1 only one lab report per group is requried

Week of Monday, November 5th - Unit 4: Newton's Laws
- Day 1
  - Exam 4.1
  - Brakepad lab writeup due today
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 # 1, 3, 7, 9
- Day 2
  - Newton's 3rd Law
  - 3rd Law Force Pairs - In-class PPB Ch 5 # 16
  - Pulley Problems
  - HW: PPB Ch 5 # 23, 24, 28, 34, 47
- Day 3
  - Pulley and two-body problems
  - Exam Review
  - HW: Finish any HW problems you haven't finished // Check out the other practice exams on the PPB website
- Day 4
  - Newton's Law of Gravity
  - Calculating a_g & F_g
  - HW: Study for Exam: Use the other practice exams on the PPB website

Week of Monday, November 12th - Unit 4: Newton's Laws
- Day 1
  - Exam 4.2
  - HW: PPB Ch 6 # 10, 11, 12, 16
- Day 2
  - Introduction to Centripetal Motion & Centripetal Force
  - Demo: hanging mass & spinning stopper // marble in a clear cup, marble in a roll of tape (and released)
  - Fc = mv^2/r
  - v = (2*pi*r)/t
  - Fg as Centripetal Force
  - Tarzan Problem (the "elevator problem" for centripetal motion)
  - HW: PPB Ch 6 # 3, 4, 5, 7, 19, 21, 23
- Day 3
  - HW Review
  - Steps for solving centripetal motion problems:
    - Draw a picture
    - Before drawing a FBD, keep in mind the following:
      - If an object is moving in a circle then the net force is NOT zero (forces DON’T balance)
      - The net force must be center-pointing (centripetal)
      - The centripetal force is supplied by anothe force, so don't draw Fc on a FBD
    - Draw a FBD with a net force pointing toward the radius of the circle (only forces go on free body diagrams)
    - Identify which force(s) on the FBD supplies the centripetal force (which force(s) is center-pointing?)
      - If there's more than one force, add or subtract them depending on their directions
      - If the force is at an angle, use only the component of the force that points toward the center
    - Set the force(s) supplying Fc equal to mv^2/r and solve.
  - Practice Problems with Centripetal Motion: PPB Ch 6 # 14, 15, 18
  - HW: PPB Ch 6 # 1, 2, 8, 9, 13, 17, 24
- Day 4
  - HW Quiz
  - Tough centripetal motion problems: Roller Coaster Problems // Forces at Angles ("Tetherball problems")
  - HW: Study for Exam on Day 2 // Use Ch 6 Practice Exam on PPB Website // turn in practice exam on Day 1
  - Special note: if you earned a 0 or 1 score on any section of the latest exam (Newton's Laws II), you need to work with a teacher or TA to do corrections on this material and get a signature from them on or before Day 1 of the week we return from Thanksgiving break

Week of Monday, November 19th - Unit 4: Newton's Laws // Thanksgiving Break!
- Day 1
  - Turn in Ch 6 practice exam from weekend homework
  - Review lecture - centripetal forces
  - In-Class Problems: PPB Ch 6 # 22, 26
  - HW:
    - Study for Exam on Day 2
    - Special note: if you earned a 0 or 1 score on any section of the latest exam (Newton's Laws II), you need to work with a teacher or TA to do corrections on this material and get a signature from them on or before Day 2 of the week we return from Thanksgiving break
- Day 2
  - Exam 4.3 - Gravity & Centripetal Force
  - HW: None! Enjoy the break and give thanks on Thanksgiving!

Week of Monday, November 26th - Review & Retesting of Newton's Laws / Introduction to Momentum & its Conservation
- Day 1
  - Note: we'll have a "retake" on Newton's Laws, Gravity, and Centripetal Force on Day 3
  - 1st & 3rd period: exam review and peer-assessment 1st & 3rd period: exam review and peer-assessment
  - 4th, 6th, 7th: exam review
  - Momentum defined: p = mv
  - Momentum conservation in a closed system
  - Demo: two-cart inelastic collisions with range finder - predicting speed
  - HW: Print out & begin conceptual reteaching handout & prepare for retake exam on Day 3
- Day 2
  - 1st and 3rd period:
    - Momentum defined: p = mv
    - Impulse defined: J = delta-p
    - Force re-defined: F = delta-p / delta-t = J / delta-t
    - Momentum conservation in a closed system
    - Demo: two-cart inelastic collisions with range finder - predicting speed
  - Impulse -- "machine gun and rain" problems
  - Rocket problems and conservation of momentum
  - HW: Continue conceptual reteaching handout & prepare for retake exam on Day 3
- Day 3
  - Exam: Newton's Laws, Gravity, and Centripetal Force (retake)
  - HW
    - PPB Ch 7 #'s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 (these are all conceptual and quite interesting...give 'em a try)
    - Watch the sections entitled "Newton's Embrassing Secret" (6 minutes) & "A New Picture of Gravity" (7minutes) under Hour 1 on NOVA's series The Elegant Universe, adapted from the popular physics book of the same title written by Brian Greene
- Day 4
  - Diagnostic Exam (not for a grade)
  - Special Topic: Einstein's Theory of Gravity (it's called General Relativity)
  - HW: Ch 7 #'s 2, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14

Week of Monday, December 3rd - Bring Back Energy / Work / Elastic Collisions
- Day 1
  - Impulse -- "machine gun and rain" problems, rocket problems and conservation of momentum
  - Recap Energy (K and U_g) & Conservation of Energy
  - Introduce Spring Energy (U_sp)
  - HW: Ch 7 #'s 15, 17, 18 // Ch 8 #'s 7, 8
- Day 2
  - HW Review
  - Define Energy in terms of Work
  - Algebraic definition of work -- relation to force and displacement
  - Work done by friction: transfer of energy through work to internal forms (heat) -- skidding problems
  - HW: Ch 8 #'s 4, 11, 14, 15
- Day 3
  - HW Quiz
  - Ballistic Pendulum Problem
  - HW: Ch 8 #s 16, 17, 18, 25
- Day 4
  - [BJP out 1st period -- complete quiz and exam corrections]
  - In-Class problems: Ch 8 #s 22, 23, 26 (mixed energy/momentum problems)
  - HW: Finish in-class problems from today as HW // Study for Exam on Day 2 // Use Practice Exam on PPB Website

Week of Monday, December 10th - Energy and Momentum & Final Exam Review (Final Exams week)
- Day 1 (Activity Schedule)
  - BJP's Classes:
  - AOK's Classes:
    - Momentum & Energy Lab (turn it in on Day 3)
  - HW: Study for exam on Day 2 (practice exams available on PPB website)
- Day 2 (Activity Schedule)
  - Exam 5: Momentum & Energy
    - Ch 7 & Ch 8 HW Check
  - HW: begin preparations for final exam -- here is a comprehensive review packet based on the written curriculum for the course and the key (this will not be collected)
    - AOK's Classes: Finish Momentum & Energy Lab Worksheet
- Day 3 (Activity Schedule)
  - EGG DROP ACTIVITY
    - Your group will fabricate egg support devices using any or all of the materials inside the 1-gallon ziplock bag provided to you in class. We will provide you with tape, equal in length to the width of the bench at the front of the classroom. You can deform, break, shred, or otherwise mutilate any of the materials except the bag, which must be intact and closed.
    - The entire apparatus must be inside the closed plastic bag. If anything spills out of the bag during the competition, you will earn a lower score. The device will be dropped from the roof of SI.
    - Rubric is as follows: if the egg lands uncracked and unbroken it is a 4; if the egg cracks within the container but does not break, it is a 3; if the egg breaks within the container it is a 2; if the egg spills out of the container it is a 1.
  - HW: prepare for final exam -- here is a comprehensive review packet based on the written curriculum for the course and the key (this will not be collected) // Here's the 24 Exam for practice and here's a key
  *** FINAL EXAM REVIEW PARTY MONDAY, DEC 17, NOON to 3 PM, ROOMS 310 ***
  - Final Exam will be TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18th
    - Here is a comprehensive review packet based on the written curriculum for the course and the key (this will not be collected) // Here's the 24 Exam for practice and here's a key
      - Unit 1: Math Methods
      - Unit 2: Kinematics
      - Unit 3: Newton's Laws
      - Unit 4: Conservation Laws
      - Unit 5: Laboratory Methods
      - Unit 6: Engagement
  - Exemptions
    - 1st period: Borcherding (Unit 1), Chan (Unit 1), Dana (Unit 1), Hartman (Unit 1), Sinks (Units 1 & 2), Tzortzis (Unit 1)
    - 3rd period: Bruneman (Units 1, 2 & 3), Cleland (Unit 1), Dunn (entire exam), Guggenheim (Units 2 & 3)
    - 4th period: Capretta (Unit 4), Ching (Unit 1), Kranenburg (Units 1, 2, & 4), Sherburne (Units 1 & 2)
    - 6th period: Alaura-Reyes (Unit 4), Bristow (Units 1 & 2), Cuenca (Units 1 & 2), Lalanne (Units 1, 2, & 4), Richman (Units 1 & 4), Strelkoff (Units 1 & 4), Sun (Unit 1)
    - 7th period: Champeau (Units 1 & 2), McCaffrey (Units 1 & 2), Nelson (Unit 2), Woods (Unit 4)

*** END OF SEMESTER STAR PARTY TUESDAY, DEC 18, 6 PM, MEET AT THE FLAGPOLE ***

We'll celebrate the end of our first semester, do some astronomy observing, and just hang out!!!