Monday, December 26, 2011

Midterm Exam information


The Physics Midterm exam will be on the following topics:

Math review, units, unit conversions

Packet 1 - One dimensional motion
Packet 2 - Vectors, Projectile motion and 2D Motion
Packet 3 - Forces and Newton's Laws
Packet 4 - Momentum
Packet 5 - Work, Power, Energy
Packet 6 - Circular Motion (which we are doing starting 1/3/2012)

Remember to review the packets and homework, your class notes, and the past quizzes.

Here is an excellent site that you can also use for review:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/

Remember the class notes are posted here:
https://sites.google.com/site/dandradeedusite/Home/physics-class-files


You should start reviewing now so that you have time to ask questions and absorb the material again.

IMPORTANT - You need to have your own calculator. A scientific calculator is all that you need. They only cost between $8 and $15. Target and Walmart have the best prices. I will not be providing calculators after midterms.

IMPORTANT - tell your parents that the progress reports are almost 3 weeks out of date and that they should check PowerSchool for an updated grade.


Midterm Exam Schedule:


Friday, January 13
8:00 – 10:00 Period 1 Exam
10:05 – 10:15 Homeroom
10:20 – 12:20 Period 2 Exam
12:20 Dismissal for students, lunch is available from 12:20 – 12:50
BUT buses will be ready at 12:20 and will leave by 12:25 (no buses at 12:50)

Monday, January 16: NO SCHOOL

Tuesday, January 17
8:00 – 10:00 Period 3 Exam
10:05 – 10:15 Homeroom
10:20 – 12:20 Period 4 Exam
12:20 Dismissal for students, lunch is available from 12:20 – 12:50
BUT buses will be ready at 12:20 and will leave by 12:25 (no buses at 12:50)

Wednesday, January 18
8:00 – 10:00 Period 5 Exam
10:05 – 10:15 Homeroom
10:20 – 12:20 Period 6 Exam
12:20 Dismissal for students, lunch is available from 12:20 – 12:50
BUT buses will be ready at 12:20 and will leave by 12:25 (no buses at 12:50)

Thursday, January 19
8:00 – 10:00 Period 7 Exam
10:05 – 10:15 Homeroom
10:20 – 12:20 makeup exams
12:20 Dismissal for students, lunch is available from 12:20 – 12:50
BUT buses will be ready at 12:20 and will leave by 12:25 (no buses at 12:50)

Friday, January 20
Last day of marking period

Regular schedule 1-2-3-4-6-7
Make up exams to be arranged with teachers

Thursday, December 22, 2011

Happy Holidays!



Happy Holidays everyone! Have a great vacation!


Mr. A

Monday, December 19, 2011

Schedule Update - QUIZ THURSDAY



Schedule Update:

Monday, 12/19 - Per 1, 3, and 6 working on the Egg Drop projects.

Tuesday, 12/20
Per 1 - final drop and calculations
Per 4 - final assembly and drop and calculations
Per 6 - final assembly and drop and calculations

Wednesday, 12/21
Per 3 - final drop and calculations


Egg Drop Calculations
Given/known info: mass (measured), height = 4m, time (measured)
convert mass from grams to kg.
Use conservation of energy to calculate the final velocity (PE1 = KE2)
Use Impulse Momentum theorem to calculate the impact force.


Calculations, along with a short description of your device and why you made it that way, are due the day of the quiz.

Thursday, 12/22
QUIZ - Periods 1, 3, 4, 6
on Work, Power, Energy and Momentum (Packets 4 and 5  )
Review the packets, class notes, and the worksheet from last Monday (sub work). You have the solutions to this so you should try the problems again on your own and then see if you did them correctly.

You can go here for more help too:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/momentum/
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/energy/

You will get the main equations on quiz or on the board. You must be able to do the algebra and solve for different variables though.

You should start reviewing for it now so that you can ask questions on Tuesday or Wednesday.


Thursday, December 15, 2011

Egg Drop Project


Physics
The Great Egg Drop

Your Challenge:

Build a device/vehicle that will protect a passenger (The Egg) from harm during a "crash".

The Rules:

  • One raw egg (large or extra large) is to be used. YOU  supply the egg on the day of testing.


  • No foreign substance(s) may be applied to the eggshell, especially for the purpose of increasing the strength of the shell.  Nothing may be permanently attached to the shell (i.e. rubber bands or glue).


  • Glue may not be molded to form a “pod” or capsule around the egg or put on egg.


  • The vehicle may be any shape or size.


  • Vehicle MUST free-fall to the ground.  (No 'parachute' device or “wing” may be employed).


  • Vehicle shall be designed to withstand a fall from a minimum height of two meters.


  • Final drop will be 4 meters.


  • Egg shell integrity must be able to be proven to be uncompromised after impact;

The egg must be able to be easily removed in order to prove this.

  • Examples of materials that may be used for construction: (you can use other materials)


Toothpicks (wooden only) no limit
Soda straws (any type) 5 straws or 50 cm total length
Paper (standard notebook type) two (2) sheets; may NOT be wadded
Glue (any type) Glue sticks may not be used for structure

NO PILLOWS, BUBBLE WRAP, SHOES, OR BOXES MAY BE USED.
Additional extra credit points may be earned in the following categories:

  • Aesthetic design (does it look nice)
  • Most spectacular crash


In addition, you must calculate the object’s velocity at impact and its change in momentum using the conservation of energy formula. You will also be timing the fall and then calculating the Impulse and Force at impact.



Schedule:
Day 1 - research and initial design
Day 2 - assembly and test drop
Day 3 - redesign and modification and final drop


Calculations:

Group members: _________________________________________________________________
Class period: ______

Egg Drop Calculations
megg = 60grams

mass: ____ g -- ________ kg              h = 4m                  t = ____
(what mass are you using for your calculations…)

PE = mgh =

PE­­1 = KE2     solve for v2


p = mv         I = Δp                   I = F t     solve for F

Use h and t to find v2 also as a check.


Description of design & why you chose this (why did you think this would protect the egg?)











Tuesday, December 13, 2011

Roller Coaster Project




Roller Coaster Physics Online Project 

Objective: to apply the concepts of forces, Newton's laws, Work, Power and Conservation of Energy and Momentum to the design and analysis of Roller Coasters. 

1. Go to http://library.thinkquest.org/2745/data/ke.htm and read about the energy conversion in a roller coaster. Take notes so that you can better design your roller coaster.

2. Go to http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster.html and read the first page. Then click on "How did coasters come to be? Read more about their history" and read about roller coaster history. Then click on "Back to Roller Coaster" which will bring you back to the start. Click on "Design a Roller Coaster" and follow the instructions. Make sure you click on the "safety inspection" after you are done with the design. Try out more than one design also. Take notes on what you learn and do. 

Using the height of each hill you select, calculate the PE at the top of the hill. Use this to calculate the KE and Velocity at the bottom of the hill. Assume a mass of 1000kg for the roller coaster car and occupants. 

3. Go to http://www.funderstanding.com/coaster and use the simulation to try out different roller coaster designs. Change the height of the initial hill, loop, and second hill. Start a new track and design your own layout. Watch what happens depending on what you do with the design.

Using the velocity shown on the simulation, calculate the KE of the car at the bottom of track. The mass slider is 100 - 1000 kg. Then, calculate the height of the first hill using the conservation of energy. 

Change the initial hill height, mass, and loops and second hill height and repeat analysis. Write down your observations of what happened as you changed each variable. Remember to only change one variable at a time. 

All notes and calculations will be turned in for a grade. I will also be checking to see how your designs work as you are working. 

If you have time:

4. Go to http://kids.discovery.com/games/build-play/build-a-coaster and try out the roller coaster game. See how well you do.

5. Go to http://tlc.howstuffworks.com/family/roller-coaster.htm and read all about Roller Coasters.


Friday, December 9, 2011

Schedule Update for Physics


This week we did the Work, Power, Energy lab, an online lesson, and then started Roller Coaster Physics.

If you were absent for any of these things, make sure you see me for your make up work.

Next week we will:

  • review Work, Power, Energy and Momentum problems
  • do the Roller Coaster Physics project
  • start the Egg Drop project