CP Physics

Chapter 35, quiz coming up Thursday

2006-04-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

On Thursday, prepare for a quiz on Chapter 35 in Hewitt, specifically:

What are the rules for combining multiple voltage, current and resistance in series and parallel circuits?

The rule for voltage in series is, for example: In series circuits all of the voltages add up to what is supplied by the battery.

There are five other rules you need to know. Be ready!

Electric circuit introduction

2006-04-20T06:48:00.000-07:00

Introduction to Ohm's Law and electric circuits

Series and parallel connections: how to recognize
Connecting voltmeters and ammeters to a circuit element
Definition of current, voltage, resistance

Determining the relationship between V, I , R: Ohm's Law lab and modeling

CNN.com - The Big Bang's 'smoking gun' - Mar 16, 2006

2006-03-16T21:12:00.000-08:00

What is the current estimate for the age of the universe?

What is WMAP?

CNN.com - The Big Bang's 'smoking gun' - Mar 16, 2006

Total internal reflection

2006-03-14T12:47:00.000-08:00

Finish lens lab started last week

Total internal reflection

Fiber optics technology

Optics problems

2006-03-10T21:33:00.000-08:00

OPTICS PROBLEMS in class.

Using ray tracing, thin lens equation, etc.

Thin lens equation

2006-03-08T21:32:00.000-08:00

Thin lens equation

Optical benches

Ray trace diagrams for lenses

Kansas City Star | 03/01/2006 | Man pours mercury into students' hands outside high school

2006-03-02T18:42:00.000-08:00

Funny, we were just talking about this in class today.

Kansas City Star | 03/01/2006 | Man pours mercury into students' hands outside high school

images in curved mirrors continues

2006-03-02T11:43:00.000-08:00

Imaging in curved mirrors, continued;
Finding the focal length, real and virutual images; ray trace diagrams day 1

worksheet

2006-02-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

I will not be here today. The sub assigned will be told to let you do a worksheet on reflection I will leave behind.

United Press International - NewsTrack - Quantum-based computer made

2006-02-26T10:07:00.000-08:00

This is that thing I was telling you about in class.

United Press International - NewsTrack - Quantum-based computer made

End of the sound unit; begin reviewing

2006-02-17T10:22:00.000-08:00

Finish any leftover musical instrument performances. If any.

Review guide for test on sound:

speed of sound
longitudinal and transverse waves
parts of a wave
Interference
Reflection
Resonance (in tubes and strings)
Sonar/echoes
Analogies to other kinds of waves

Test will be Tuesday, February 21.

Musical instrument day

2006-02-15T10:21:00.000-08:00

Musical instruments, calculations, and performances due.

Video on other musical scales.

More sounding off

2006-02-10T18:16:00.000-08:00

Other effects in sound:

The Doppler Effect (qualitative)

Ultrasound

Reflection (Echoes)

Physics of Music

Musical instrument project

2006-02-08T18:08:00.000-08:00

The musical instrument project

We define the musical instrument project. Then we do a resonance lab.

Musical instrument project:
Design a musical instrument with strings or tubes. Construct it from scratch and do not use parts from toy or real instruments such as mouthpieces, reeds, or horns; piano or guitar strings are allowed.

Make at least one octave of notes and learn to play (either by using notes or codes) a simple children's song such as Mary had a Little Lamb, Row Row Row Your Boat, or other song.

Your evaluation consists of the following:
You play the instrument and we can recognize the tune - 30%
Your instrument has 8 notes (minimum) - 30%
You provide calculations justifying the design of your instrument - 40%

Today, in class, we go over the musical scales and have you calculate the tube or string lengths you will need. If your actual instrument is too small or too large, just make the answers proportional to what is calculated.

You'll need this table for the Diatonic C Major Scale:

Note freq
C 264
D 297
E 330
F 352
G 396
A 440
B 495
C' 528

every note beyond doubles in frequency.

Plus, how to read simple notes for a melody on sheet music.

Here is a source for simple children's music.

http://www.pitt.edu/~deben/freebies.html

You should pick something from "First Pieces" or "Primer Level."

Projects, plus a performance, dues on February 14.

Resonance notes

2006-02-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Resonance in strings and tubes.

(Notes)

Nodes
Antinodes
Resonance in real objects
determining the wavelength in a tube or string.

Resonance tubes demonstration and sample calculation

Resonance and properties of waves

2006-02-02T13:40:00.000-08:00

Resonance in strings and tubes

Properties of reflected waves

Superposition principle

Standing waves

Standing waves in tubes and strings

Harmonics and Overtones

Formulas for computing harmonics and overtones

Musical instrument scales

Introduction to waves

2006-01-31T13:39:00.000-08:00

Introduction to Waves

Lecture-Demonstration:

Velocity
frequency
wavelength
Speed of sound
Speed of light
transverse and longitudinal waves

Tracker Trail - Fire - Can of Coke and a chocolate bar

2006-01-29T08:37:00.000-08:00

You can try this at home, but if you do, you have to promise not to set your house on fire. Tracker Trail - Fire - Can of Coke and a chocolate bar

Centripetal Force

2006-01-05T12:45:00.000-08:00

Centripetal force

Demonstrations to give us the relationships in mv^2/r.

Gravity

2006-01-02T12:47:00.000-08:00

Newton's Law of gravity

Deriving Kepler's Third Law of motion.

Rotational Motion

2006-01-02T12:44:00.000-08:00

Torque problems. Seesaw problems.

New York City - Queens news

2005-12-29T23:07:00.000-08:00

New York City - Queens news

Egg Drop

2005-12-16T22:06:00.000-08:00

Bring your devices today...let's drop 'em!

Pending

2005-12-14T22:04:00.000-08:00

Conservation of Energy Demonstrations

2005-12-12T21:50:00.000-08:00

Mousetrap game...
Pendulum swing...
Kinetic at bottom = potential at top
Roller coaster design

Egg drop questions...
The egg drop is due on the 16th.

Collision lab

2005-12-08T18:12:00.000-08:00

Using sensors on an air track, we will attempt to use the mathematics of collisions to "weigh" an unknown mass.

Each team will make its own determination, and the class average will be used to determine a scientifically valid answer.

"Standard error of the mean"

Practice problem questions

2005-12-06T18:07:00.000-08:00

Demonstration of momentum, continued:

Air track
Air table
dart into clay
Which is better for knocking someone down: a bullet made of metal or rubber?
coefficient of restitution (and how to test it)

Using conservation of momentum in anti-collisions such as rocket engines and explosions

The impulse-momentum relation revisited: can you use it to explain everyday phenomena such as car air bags?
Questions about the egg drop, including the due date. We will hold the drop on December 16.

Bring books: momentum practice

2005-12-01T21:36:00.000-08:00

Momentum practice problems from the book, in class (TBA)

Introduction to Momentum and Energy; Egg Drop Rules

2005-11-28T21:35:00.000-08:00

Basic concepts of momentum and energy defined.

Momentum: Strength of an object's motion
momentum = mv
Relationships in this equation
Unit analysis

Impulse-momentum relationship
Airbags, eggs, etc.

Conservation
The total does not change

Collisions
Elastic and Inelastic

EGG DROP

Design a vehicle to transport an egg from a 5 meter drop (balcony to concrete) dropped from rest, that meets the following conditions:

The egg must survive.
A = egg doesn't break
B = egg cracks
C = egg leaks
D = parts go flying
F = 50% , rules broken (doesn't qualify)

The rules are (simulating the engineering challenge facing a car designer)

You can only use the materials listed below.
10 paper clips
100 standard straws (bendy is ok)
hot glue
string (10 feet)
tape (only to connect things)
4 rubber bands
1 egg carton cup
1 sheet of notebook paper 8 1/2 x 11
1 piece of foil (1 foot square max)
1 quart size baggie
1 balloon

Construction goals
The vehicle must have a door
The egg must be removable (i.e, not permanently attached)
Grade A large eggs will be used
No flying or floating; no parachutes or lighter-than air balloons, propellors or wings
A window must be provided 1 x 1 inch where the egg can be seen during the drop
Maximum size 2ft x 2ft x 2ft (so it will fit on the road)

During the drop the BOTTOM of the device will be at the specified height. You will drop the egg on my signal. The ground will be concrete covered in plastic.

Do not use glue, tape and string for buidling materials or structural members. These things are only for connecting other things together.

You may cut parts apart such as straws or the plastic bag.

Bonus prizes awarded for best looking (successful) car and car with the smallest overall mass prior to the drop.

Physics Classroom Table of Contents

2005-11-27T15:10:00.000-08:00

This looks like an excellent review guide and animation site for basic physics concepts.
Physics Classroom Table of Contents

First result of the SNLS

2005-11-23T22:27:00.000-08:00

First result of the SNLS

Britain, UK news from The Times and The Sunday Times - Times Online

2005-11-23T08:35:00.000-08:00

Britain, UK news from The Times and The Sunday Times - Times Online

Test on Newton's Laws

2005-11-21T14:43:00.000-08:00

The test on Monday will cover Newton's three laws as we previously reviewed.
Open notes, closed book, calculators allowed and encouraged.

Test review on Newton's Laws

2005-11-17T16:04:00.000-08:00

For the test on Newton's Laws you should be able to:

Combine multiple force vectors with drawings.
Break vectors into x-y components.
Apply each of Newton's laws to real situations
State each of Newton's laws
Amend the traditional statement of each of Newton's laws to make it more scientifically accurate
Analyze action and reaction force pairs
Explain why actions and reactions do not cancel out
Solve F = ma for each of the three variables, describe the relationship between each of the three pairs of variables, including the names of the relationships and the graphs generated from experiments.
Analyze the set up of an Atwood's machine and use differences in mass to predict net force and acceleration.
Know the variables, units, and quantities for each of the variables in Newton's laws.

Rocket homework due

2005-11-15T16:02:00.000-08:00

Turn in the rocket homework, and go over some recent homework.
We will be having a test over Newton's Laws soon.

Rockets

2005-11-10T21:12:00.000-08:00

Physics of rockets.

We'll fire a test rocket today.

We watched the rocket fly with an A8-3 engine and a B6-4 engine. We measured the altitude with tracking guns, and estimated it in advance using Newton's Laws.

Lab due BOC; homework due

2005-11-08T21:11:00.000-08:00

Lab is due BOC. Homework assigned earlier is due today as well. While you finish up these things I'll be doing grade checks.

Atwood's machine lab concludes

2005-11-04T14:12:00.000-08:00

Finish lab reports, which are due today.
There is a credit problem homework assignment from the plug and chug sections.

These will be turned in and corrected in detail, so make sure you do all parts of each problem.

Page 57 PC 1,3,5; TE 3,5,7,8,10
Page 71 PC 1-5; TE 1,2,5
Page 84 TE 2,9,11,14,15
PC = plug n chug
TE = think and explain

Due Tuesday.

Smart Pulley + Lab writeup

2005-11-02T14:10:00.000-08:00

Collect lab data on the Smart Pulley by changing the total mass, then measuring acceleration. Keep the force the same.

Collect 5-6 different data points using the equipment, then writeup the lab using the standard lab format:

Hypothesis
Variables
Procedure
Data
Graphs
Conclusion

Newton's Laws Problems; Smart Pulley lab

2005-10-31T14:08:00.000-08:00

Discuss Newton's Laws problems.
Set up Smart pulley equipment, for a lab on Thursday.

You need:
A smart pulley
Photogate
Clamp and stand to hold it
Two masses
string

Discuss Atwood's machine problems and how to solve them.

Newton's Second law

2005-10-27T15:24:00.000-07:00

Worksheets and problems related to Newton's Second Law

There will be a sub for this period.

CP Physics attempts on Newtons Laws homework

2005-10-26T11:55:00.000-07:00

Try these for discussion in class:

Page 57 Review 8, 9, 11, 16, 20
Page 71 Review 5, 6, 9
Page 83 Review 1, 4, 6, 12,13

Paper airplane contest

2005-10-25T15:23:00.000-07:00

We investigate the 3rd law of motion via a paper airplane contest.

In the time that remains, we investigate the 2nd law of motion.

F=ma

Define variables, units
Investigate relationships

Drive 55, save gas -- get flipped off / Trip shows slowing down boosts mileage but can make you unpopular on the road

2005-10-21T18:33:00.000-07:00

Drive 55, save gas -- get flipped off / Trip shows slowing down boosts mileage but can make you unpopular on the road

Test on projectile motion

2005-10-19T17:36:00.000-07:00

Test on projectile motion.

Following the test, a puzzle on Newton's Laws of Motion, which the sub will assign as class work or home work at the sub's discretion.

Test review, papers returned

2005-10-17T17:33:00.000-07:00

Some sample questions from the Conceptual Physics text will be provided, plus information about how the remaining questions will be selected. One or more problem sets will be graded in class. Test is Wednesday, closed book open notes, calculators allowed.

Here is a list of topics for the exam review:
Experimental Design
Hypothesis, Theory, Law, facts
independent, dependent and interfering variables

Constant Speed
Distinguish between speed and velocity
Find distance, speed, and time given two of the three quantities for constant speed.
Distinguish between instantaneous and average speed.

Constant Acceleration in a Line
Determine speed, acceleration, and position using x(t) equation
Determine acceleration if change in position and time is given.
Determine distance fallen and final speed of dropped objects
Sketch d vs. t and a vs. t graphs for objects and explain what is happening in words, and vice versa.

Vectors
Be able to add vectors graphically.
Break vectors into x and y components.

Projectile Motion
Solve three types of problems: Objects thrown straight up, objects shot horizontally off of cliffs, and objects thrown at an angle. Given initial velocity, position, and angle, find time of flight, maximum height, and range as appropriate.
Explain the behavior of objects' x and y velocity components while in flight.
Understand that while y velocity can be zero, acceleration cannot be for objects flying through the air.

HoustonChronicle.com - 'Punkin Chunkin' means 5,000 hours, $200,000 for one

2005-10-16T18:25:00.000-07:00

HoustonChronicle.com - 'Punkin Chunkin' means 5,000 hours, $200,000 for one

Projectile Motion, continues

2005-10-13T22:26:00.000-07:00

Projectile motion homework is now due.

Homework NOT due; Grade status

2005-10-11T22:20:00.000-07:00

Previously assigned homework is NOT due today as stated in previous post; we haven't gone over everything yet.

Today we work many sample projectile motion problems.

Grades will be computed as much as possible.

The Free Fall Research Page: Free Fallers

2005-10-07T09:33:00.000-07:00

The Free Fall Research Page: Free Fallers

We learned a little bit about how to do vectors. Vector sums were explained graphically, and finding components were explained.

Marbles completed, homework

2005-10-05T08:57:00.000-07:00

Today we finish the marbles-off-the-desk activity.

After a brief introduction to vectors and their application to projectile motion, we will go over the review questions assigned by the sub.

new homework:
Chapter 3
Plug and chug #1,3,6,9
Think & Explain 1,3,6
Think and solve 2,4
This homework is due on Monday, October 10

Work on Chapter 3 review questions.

2005-10-02T10:39:00.000-07:00

Work on "all" the Chapter 3 review questions.

No marble launching practicing!

On Wednesday we'll fire off the rest of the marbles.

Projectile motion

2005-09-29T10:37:00.000-07:00

We finish the marble lab if necessary, and look at the video of a football being thrown through the air. The main lesson is: sideways motion is constant speed, while up and down motion is affected by gravity and thus gets faster and slower.

Please look at the review questions in Chapter 3 for next class. We will continue our "stand and deliver" approach for the review questions.

Homework due; marble problem

2005-09-27T10:35:00.000-07:00

The previously assigned homework is due.

We are going to set up the equipment necessary to determine the speed a marble shoots off of a table. Then using this information and the height of a table, we are going to predict the landing site of a marble. Placing a cup there, we will shoot the marble off the table into the cup...if the marble goes in, you pass. If it doesn't...you don't.

More homework

2005-09-23T10:33:00.000-07:00

Today we assigned the entire batch of "Plug and chug" problems from Chapter 2 (there are 8) and in addition Think and Explain problems 5,6, and 8 -- I am not able to post these messages from school, so those problem numbers may be wrong. If anyone reads this and can verify I wrote it down right, please drop a note to astronomyteacher@mac.com.

In addition, I suggested students wishing to get ahead should look at Chapter 3, which has to do with vectors and projectile motion. We are going to attempt to theoretically predict the landing site of a marble rolling off a table in class next week.

Acceleration problems

2005-09-21T09:55:00.000-07:00

In class today we did "stand and deliver" for the review questions assigned in class. This took most of the period.

Some things we went over included how to set up the mathematical solutions to physics problems, the conceptual difference between velocity and acceleration and the fact that acceleration can be negative.

As homework, students were assigned the task of measuring their reaction time by dropping a ruler 10 times, catching it, and using the distance it fell in the reaction time equation to solve the problem. Most should get an answer around 0.15 seconds or so.

Intro to acceleration

2005-09-19T09:54:00.000-07:00

Acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity.

You can accelerate through changing your speed or changing your direction or both. This was demonstrated in class using the "water cup" accelerometer model.

Acceleration graphs were explained as the slope of the velocity graph in much the same way the velocity graph is the slope of the distance vs. time graph.

We assigned all the review questions at the end of Chapter 2.

Planetarium

2005-09-15T11:58:00.000-07:00

We spend the day in the planetarium because the seniors were out.

velocity vs. time graphs

2005-09-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

Homework is due. This includes the worksheet as well as the graph drawn on the board which we will discuss in class.

Velocity vs. time graphs on the motion sensor.

Families of graphs describing different kinds of motion on both d vs. t and v vs. t graphs.

Standing still, walking towards, walking away, accelerating away and decelerating away as examples.

Interpreting curved v vs. t graphs. Definition of acceleration in terms of changing velocity.

Connecting slopes to these graphs. The slope of d vs. t is v; the slope of v vs. t is a.

Calculating simple problems in acceleration.

Vernier motion sensor demonstrations

2005-09-09T19:56:00.000-07:00

A series of demonstrations with the Vernier sonar sensor to nail down some basic concepts of kinematics.
Books distributed, if we have them... we do! But they have to be indexed by the library first.

The demonstrations will be accompanied by definitions of
position
displacement
speed
velocity, instantaneous and average

d vs. t graphs and
v vs. t graphs will be shown.

a short worksheet of problems was given for homework.

Homework:

Sample speed-distance-time problems

1. A car leaves Antioch driving 50 mph west. How long will it take to travel 300 miles? yes, you can do this in your head--but write it out in the format shown in class.

2. A car leaves a stop light starting from rest, and steadily picks up speed until it reaches 40 mph after 20 seconds.
a) what was its average speed?
b) what was its instantaneous speed
i) at first?
ii) at 10 seconds?
iii) at 20 seconds?
c) how far did it travel? (don’t forget to attend to units!)

3. An airplane flies from Oakland to LA in an hour. Assume the distance is 400 miles.
a) What is the airplane’s average speed during the flight?
b) What is the airplane’s instantaneous speed during the flight?
c) If we include arriving at the airport, security, getting luggage, etc., the trip takes 4 hours, including the flight itself. What is the traveler’s average speed for the entire trip? Is this faster or slower than just driving a car at the speed limit?

Basic concepts; GREEAT Science interpretations

2005-09-07T19:55:00.000-07:00

GREAAT Science review and discussion
Formula sheet
Analysis of some of our physics equations

Units of measurement
Differences in equations from chemistry, physics, and algebra class
subscripts, conventions, etc.
Brief overview of vectors
Displacement
Change in position
Average vs. Instantaneous velocity
D vs. T graphs
Vernier sensor probes
The definition of acceleration (rate of change of velocity)

2005-09-06T11:36:00.000-07:00

First day lesson plans:

Attendance
Class rules
Contact information
Textbook and suggested supply list
Scientific calculator
3-ring binder for notes and handouts
colored pencils

Your first homework assignment: read GREEAT Science.
GREEAT Science

We will begin the class with some definitions of kinematics.

2005-08-28T17:14:00.000-07:00

Welcome to CP Physics!

Please visit the Physics page on my school site to learn more about the class.