SAM Animation and Notebook Organization

We used the short (50 minute) period to finish the SAM projects and organize notebooks.

Your notebook will be evaluated on the following:
Do you have the MAJORITY of the assignments from the semester?
Do you have your zipper pouch/physics materials (whiteboard pens, red pens, etc.)?
Are your papers filed behind the correct tabs?
Do you have the Circular Motion Homework Mini-Packet?

HW:  Study for Quest (answer key here); Finish Anticipation Guide (answer key here); Organize Notebook

Semester 1 Notebook Organization

Unit 1- Forces

Unit 1 Homework Packet

Newton's First Law Lab

Force-Mass Lab

Coefficient of Friction Lab

Unit 2- Constant Velocity

Unit 2 Homework Packet

Monster Truck Lab

Graphing Motion Lab #1

Graphing Motion Lab #2

Unit 3- Non-Constant Velocity

Unit 3 Homework Packet

Dynamics Cart Lab

Unit 4- Projectile Motion

Unit 4 Homework Packet

Bullseye Lab

SAM Animation Project

Unit 5- Circular Motion

Unit V Practice Problem

Unit V Worksheet 1

Unit V Worksheet 2

Frames of Reference

Circular Motion Lab

Field Trips and Physics Project

Exploratorium Assignment

SAM Animation Project Continued

We continued working on the SAM Animation project.  The following videos will be helpful in editing:

Reverse frame order

Duplicate frames

Moving and Lengthening the time a frame plays

Using the text tool

Copying the same text to multiple frames

If you figure out any other cool tricks using the SAM animation software, be sure to show me!

Here is the practice quest for the quest during finals week..  You will be able to come in during tutorial on Friday, during the short break on Monday, or any other time before or after school to review the answers.  You should also review the worksheets and the answers to the anticipation guide.  The quest is worth test points, but will be shorter than a regular test.

HW:  Correct WS 2; study for "Quest" on day of the Final

SAM Animation Project

I introduced the SAM Animation Project that is due on the day of the Final.  The project is worth a test grade and must show some aspect of projectile motion.  The movie below was created by the physics teachers (Mr. Hammack, Mrs. Peters, Mr. Nazari and Mr. Minyard).

By the end of the period students should have generated a problem to animate and completed the calculations required to correctly scale their animated movie.

Students can either complete the calculations by hand, or use Excel.  The movie below shows how to use Excel for the calculations.

Fictitious Forces

I checked and we whiteboarded WS 1.  We also discussed fictitious forces and discussed the centrifugal "effect" as the result of inertia, not a true force (a push/pull or long range force).

HW:  Worksheet 2

Circular Motion Lab

We finished the circular motion and explained the results using any or all of the following 3 statements:

•An object in circular motion is always acted on by a force directed toward the center of the circle.  This force is perpendicular to the direction of motion.

•If the force is removed, an object will travel in a straight line tangent to the circle due to inertia.

•Because there is a force acting toward the center of the circle, there is also an acceleration acting toward the center of the circle.

We also learned how to solve circular motion problems.

HW:  Finish WS 1; Finish analysis questions of lab

Unit 4 Homework Packet

1.  Assemble the packet in the order listed below

Anticipation Guide (tan, stamped = 100)
Projectile Motion Notes/ Cancun problem (binder paper, no stamp = 50)
Unit IV Worksheet 1 (grey, stamped = 100)
Unit IV Worksheet 2 (salmon, stamped = 100)
Worksheet 6-2 (Ivory, stamped = 100)
Projectile Motion Review (Green, stamped = 100)
Trigonometry Review (Green, no stamp but must be complete and corrected= 50)
Projectile Motion Simulation (lilac, stamped = 100)
Wii Ski Jump Lab (yellow, stamped = 100)
*********************  End of Point Totals***********************
Quiz 1 (blue)
Quiz 2 (pink)
Quiz 3 (tan)

2.  Write the point totals for each item at the top right corner of each page.  Stamped, complete and corrected = 100 points, anything else complete and corrected = 50 points

3.  Write the total of the packet on the front.

Projectile Motion Review

We graded quiz #2 in class, and took and graded quiz #3.  I also checked the Projectile Motion Anticipation guide, but we didn't have time to go over it in class.  Check your answers here, as they are a good source of multiple choice questions.  The last part of the period was spent creating your own projectile motion problem, then having someone else solve the problem for you.  If you didn't get a stamp on it or the Wii Fit activity, you will need to get that for your homework packet.

HW:  Assemble your homework packet, download and complete a practice test (remember, it does you no good to complete it and not check your answers!  Answers available in tutorial tomorrow), study for test

Wii Ski Jump Lab

The first half of the period we corrected Quiz #1, took quiz #2 and went over the homework.  There will be a quiz on the homework on Wednesday.  The second half of the period we learned about projectiles fired at angles and used this information to determine the velocity a ski jumper would need to achieve the distances reported in the Wii game.   As it turns out, there is more to ski jumping than simple projectile motion.  We watched this video to learn more about it.

HW:  Finish the Anticipation Guide, study for quiz, test on Friday

More Projectile Motion and Trig Review

I checked the homework and we whiteboarded it.  We also took a quiz on WS 1.  The remainder of the period we reviewed the trig functions sine, cosine and tangent and how to use them to calculate the length of the sides of a right triangle.

HW:  WS 6-2

Bullseye Lab

I checked WS 1, but we did not correct it.  You will need to check your answers here.  You will have a quiz on the Cancun Problem/WS1 on Monday.

Most of the period was spent doing the bullseye lab.  The last 20 minutes we watched the Mythbusters episode:  Bullet fired vs. Bullet dropped.

HW:  Finish WS 2; Correct WS1 and study for quiz

Projectile Motion Simulations

We began the period discussing what a projectile is and how to determine if something is a projectile.  Then we looked at the simulations below, determining what factors determine how far a projectile will travel in the horizontal direction.

We also looked at the Snowboarder picture and determined that the motion of a projectile in the horizontal direction can be described as constant velocity and the motion in the vertical direction is non-constant velocity.  Lastly, we learned how to make calculations for projectiles, like a person jumping off of a roof into a swimming pool.

HW:  WS 1

Unit 3 Test

I gave a brief (10 minute) review before the test.  I also showed this clip to lighten the mood before the test:

After the test was over, we had about 20 minutes to watch the Nova episode of Fabric of the Cosmos: Space.

HW:  Part 1 of the Projectile Motion Anticipation Guide

Unit 3 Wrap-up

I checked and we went over the review sheet (having technical difficulties uploading...email if you want a copy).  Complete answers to the review sheet are available here.  We also took quiz 3 and graded it in class.  I gave back all of the quizzes from the unit, as they will be helpful in studying for your test.  You can also download and complete the practice test to help you prepare.  If you come in to tutorial with a complete test, I will stamp it and you can correct it for 5 extra credit test points.

HW:  Study for test; re-do the review sheet if necessary

Unit 3 Homework Packet

Unit III Worksheet 1 (buff-stamp=100)
Unit III Worksheet 2 (grey -stamp=100)
Unit III Worksheet 3 (tan-stamp=100)
Unit III Review Sheet (grey- stamp=100)
Unit 1 Review Sheet (yellow- stamp=100)
R:Racing Evolution (stamp-blue=100)
Reaction Time Lab (pink 1/2 sheet)
Free-Fall and Terminal Velocity (ivory-stamp=100)
Youtube Physics (lilac-stamp=100)
Practice Quiz (pink)
Kinematic Curves Notes (salmon)
Navigating the Curves (blue)
Ramp-n-roll (pink stamp=100)
------------ End of homework packet points--------
Quiz 1-gold
Quiz 2- blue
Quiz 3- lilac
Kinematics Curves Quiz- buff

You Tube Physics

I checked and we went over the average/instantaneous velocity homework.  There will be a quiz on calculating instantaneous velocity from a position-time graph next time we meet.  We also graded quiz #2 in class.

Most of the period was spent completing the youtube Physics activity.  The clips for each problem are listed below.

HW:  Study for quiz on instantaneous velocity; finish review sheet (test is on Thursday)

Problem #1

Problem #2

Problem #3

Problem #4

Terminal Velocity and Instantaneous Velocity

We started the period with the quiz on WS 2.  We also graded quiz 1.  We continued our discussion of free-falling objects, this time focussing on position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs and the conditions that produce terminal velocity.  To go along with this, we watched the Mythbusters episode about the penny falling from the Empire State Building.  At the end of the period we discussed average versus instantaneous velocity.  They are both calculated the same way, the main difference is that an average velocity is calculated over a large time period.  The instantaneous velocity is a velocity of an accelerating object at one brief moment in time.

HW:  Finish WS 3; Unit Test on 11/10

Reaction Time Lab

I gave a practice quiz (make sure yours is corrected to get full credit in the HW packet) then the real quiz for worksheet 1.  We whiteboarded worksheet 2, then did the reaction time lab in the last 20 minutes of class.

HW:  Study for quiz on WS 2 (answers are here)

Acceleration Due to Gravity

I checked and we corrected the homework.  We also graded the quiz on the kinematics curves that we took last time.  Most of the period was spent collecting data for the Acceleration Due to Gravity lab.  We finished the lab and turned it in.  The last 15-20 minutes was spent working on the homework, Worksheet 2.

HW:  Study for quiz on WS 1; finish WS 2

Here are the class data if you missed the lab.

R: Racing Evolution

Today we reviewed for and took the quiz on the different position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs that we will encounter in this unit.

Most of the period was spent doing the R:Racing Evolution activity.  Assuming the drag cars have constant acceleration, we can predict their final velocities from the length of the drag strip and the time it takes for the race.

I also gave time in class to complete worksheet 1.

HW:  Quiz on R:Racing Evolution calculations; finish WS 1

Kinematics Curves

I collected the Ramp and Roll and Dynamics Carts labs.  We took a quiz on the dynamics cart lab and discussed the graphs produced in the ramp-n-roll activity.  We took notes on the 6 different motion scenarios and the types of position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs they can produce.

HW:  Study for quiz on the position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs we took notes on

Ramp-n-roll

Today we took a quiz on the Review Sheet (yellow) homework.  After the quiz we finished the descriptions of motion for each scenario in the Ramp-n-roll packet.  Remember that written descriptions need to include speed (speeding up or slowing down), direction of travel and starting position of the object.  Once the predictions and descriptions were complete, students moved to the computer to complete the simulations.

We also discussed the Exploratorium field trip.

If you are going on the trip:
Be on the front steps at 7:45
You must ride the bus you are assigned
Bring food or $$ for lunch
Bring a writing utensil and turn in the assignment when you get on the bus
Leave the Exploratorium at 1:15 to be back by about 2:30
All school rules apply

If you are not going on the trip:
Go to the Exploratorium website.  Explore the online exhibits.  Select four exhibits that are of interest to you.  Write a short 1 paragraph summary of each exhibit.  This should include information about why you chose the exhibit, what you learned and what you liked about it.  Please print your summaries and bring them to your next class meeting or email a copy of it to your teacher.  Peters students can get 5 extra credit points by writing about a 5th exhibit.

HW: Study for quiz on Dynamics Cart, finish Ramp-n-Roll Comparisons

Dynamics Cart Lab

I checked the homework.  You will need to correct your homework using a red correcting item.  You will have a quiz on the worksheet the next time I see you.

Most of the period was spent collecting the data and doing the calculations for the Dynamics Cart lab.  We also went over the Monster Truck lab, made corrections, and turned it in for the final score.

HW:  Finish Dynamics Cart lab; correct the Unit 1 Review, finish predictions for the Ramp-n-Roll Activity (period 4 and 6 only)

Constant Velocity test

Today we took the test on Constant Velocity and I collected the Unit 2 Homework packet.  We also completed the "Navigating the Curves" activity and answered the Dynamics Cart pre-lab questions.

HW:  Finish "Navigating the Curves" if you didn't finish it in class

Review for Unit 2 Test

I checked the review sheet and we whiteboarded the answers.  If you didn't get all of the answers, check here.  We also took and graded Quiz 3 in class.

For 5 extra credit test points you can download the practice test and bring the completed practice test to tutorial on 10/12.  You must stay to correct the practice test and get a stamp to get the points.

HW:  Assemble HW packet, Study for test

Unit 2 Homework Packet

1.  Assemble the packet in the order listed:

Unit II Worksheet 1 (blue)-stamped= 100 pts
Unit II Worksheet 2 (tan)- stamped = 100 pts
Unit II Worksheet 3 (ivory)- stamped = 100 pts
Unit II Review Sheet (pink)- stamped = 100 pts
Match 'em Up (Salmon and Lilac)- 1 stamp = 100 pts
Monster Truck Demos -(lilac) (no stamp = 50 pts)
Nolan Riding a Bike (binder paper) (no stamp = 50 pts)
********************************* (End of HW Packet points)
Practice Test (white)- stamp is worth test points
Unit II Quiz 1 (buff)
Unit II Quiz 2 (yellow)
Unit 2 Quiz 3 (blue period 2, pink period 4, grey period 6)

2.  Write the score for each homework in the upper right hand corner of the assignment.  Score your homework packet as follows:
Homeworks with stamps and corrections = 100
Homeworks with stamps but not corrected = 75
Homework complete, but no stamp = 50
Not complete = 0
Quizzes scores are not included in the homework packet!

3.  Add up the total number of points for your packet and write it at the top of the first page.

Match 'em Up

I checked homework and we corrected it in class.  We also did a matching activity with descriptions of motion, position-time and velocity-time graphs.

Most of the period was spent designing your own motion problem and having another student solve it.

HW:  Review sheet (test on Thursday); study for quiz on WS 3

Riding a Bike

I collected the Graphing Motion Lab #2 and gave a quiz on Worksheet 2.  Most of the period was spent watching the "Riding a Bike" video starring my son.  The questions that go with video are here.

HW:  Finish WS 3; don't forget the Exploratorium field trip permission slip and $$.

Graphing Motion Lab- Day 2

We continued our investigation of motion using the motion sensors.  This time we looked at our motion using velocity-time graphs.  The lab took about half of the period.  The other half of the period we went over the test, changed seats and I collected money/trip slips for the Exploratorium field trip.

HW:  Correct WS 2; Study for quiz on WS 2; finish lab

Monster Truck Demos and Velocity-time graphs

I collected both the Monster Truck and Graphing Motion labs.  I also set up a number of scenarios with 3 different Monster Trucks and we discussed how to describe their motion (speed, direction, starting position) and how to generate qualitative position-time and velocity-time graphs of their motion.

I reviewed how to calculate the slope of the line, and that the slope of a position-time graph will tell you the velocity of the truck.  We then learned how to make quantitative velocity-time graphs.

We also took the quiz on the Monster Truck lab.

HW:  Finish WS 2; get signatures and $$ for the field trip

Graphing Motion Lab

I checked and we whiteboarded Worksheet 1.  We also completed the Graphing Motion Lab.

HW:  Finish lab; study for quiz on Monster Truck Lab; get Exploratorium permission slip signed

Monster Truck Lab

I was out this day.  The agenda was:

9/23- Physics

Agenda

HW:  Worksheet 1

1)  Monster Truck Lab

2)  Monster Truck Rally

3)  Worksheet 1

Newton's Dark Secret

I was out this day.  The agenda was:

Agenda

1.            Video: Newton’s Dark Secret

2.            Video Synthesis, Discussion and essay writing

HW:  None!

Unit 1 Exam

I was out this day.  The agenda was:

1)   Collect HW Packets

2)   Test

3)   Newton’s Dark Secret

HW: Research Top 10- bring notes to class

Review Day

Today I checked and we reviewed select problems from the Review Sheet.  Answers to the review sheet can be found here.  We discussed strategies for studying for the test, including:

• Download the Practice Test-- complete it and come in to tutorial for a stamp and 5 extra credit points on the test.
• Download blank review sheet and redo problems until you can complete it entirely without looking at the key.
• Study old quizzes, especially the way point values are assigned on the show your work parts.
• Review old homework problems

We also assembled homework packets.  For additional instructions on how to do this, click here.

HW:  Assemble HW Packet (due before the test begins); study for test!  Good Luck!

Homework Packet- Forces Unit

 Assemble the packet in the order listed below:

Worksheet 1 (blue) stamped
Worksheet 2 (ivory) stamped
Worksheet 3 (gold) stamped except period 6
Review Sheet (yellow) stamped
Practice Test (white) stamped will get 5 extra TEST points - I will add
Quiz 2 (blue)
Quiz 3 (pink)
Quiz 4 (tan)


2.  Write the score for each homework in the upper right hand corner of the assignment.  Score your homework packet as follows:
Homeworks with stamps and corrections = 100
Homeworks with stamps but not corrected = 75
Homework complete, but no stamp = 50
Not complete = 0
Quizzes scores are not included in the homework packet!

3.  Add up the total number of points for your packet and write it at the top of the first page.

More Acceleration

I checked the homework (periods 2 and 4 only) and collected the Coefficient of Friction lab.  We also took a quiz on the coefficient of friction.

Most of the period we discussed the answers to Worksheet 3.  Click here to check your answers.

HW:  Finish review sheet; quiz on problems 1-3 on WS 3

Review Friction Lab and Acceleration

We graded Quiz #2 in class and finished Who's Who for all but 6th period.  We also whiteboarded the last part of the Coefficient of Friction lab.  The answers for the Practical Applications questions can be found here.  There will be a quiz on using the F=uN equation next time.

All but 6th period learned how to use Newton's second law to solve force diagram problems when there is a net force.  Notes can be found here.

HW:  Study for quiz, Problems 1-3 on Worksheet 3 (period2,4 only), ride an elevator

Physics is FuN

I checked the homework and went over problem 4.  The remainder of the answers are posted here.

We also took a quiz on the Force-Mass Lab and turned it in.  The majority of the period was spent collecting data for the Coefficient of Friction Lab.  I know many people struggled with the lab write-up, so I am offering Lab Hints here.

HW:  Finish Lab

Solving Force Diagram Problems

We prepared for the quiz by identifying mistakes students tend to make when first drawing force diagrams. After that, we took the quiz, then continued our discussion of Gravitational Field Strength and the Force-Mass Lab.  For a fun, interactive demonstration about weight and mass and how they vary on different planets, click here.

We concluded the period with notes on how to solve force diagram problems.  The notes we took in class can be found here.  There was about 15 minutes left at the end of the period to do homework.

HW:  Finish Worksheet 2;  Quiz on the lab on Wednesday

Force-Mass Lab

Today I checked the homework (Worksheet 1), but we didn't have time to go over it.  The answer key can be found here.  The link to the animated powerpoint for the worksheet can be found here.  Your responsibility is to correct it at home and attend tutorial to ask questions about problems you don't understand.  I will give a quiz on selected problems from this worksheet on Friday.  I have a brief review activity before the quiz to answer questions as well.

The majority of the lab was spent collecting data and discussing the Force-Mass lab.  One of the important things we will do in this class is collect data, plot it, and analyze the relationship between the two.  Here is a cute little cartoon about relationships and graphing variables:

HW: Correct Worksheet 1, study for quiz, finish lab

How to Draw Force Diagrams

We continued playing Who's Who, checked materials and corrected the quiz on the Green Sheet.

Most of the period was spent discussing different scenarios of motion and the forces that act on the object at a particular instance in time.  Once students were fairly comfortable discussing the forces involved, I demonstrated how to draw a force diagram.  Students had about 15-20 minutes to work on the homework in class.

HW:  Finish Unit I Worksheet 1

More Forces

We got to know our classmates a bit better by playing the Who's Who game.  I also collected the getting to know you assignment.  We took a quiz on the green sheet and I collected the green sheet and lab fees from people who had them.  I also discussed the Newton's First Law Lab and showed the Mythbusters episode "Table Cloth Chaos."  The last third of the class we discussed types of motion and which ones constitute the motion described by Newton's First Law.  We expanded on these two types (no motion or constant speed in a straight line) and the forces acting on objects experiencing this type of motion.  Most importantly, there is no net force!  This is definitely one of the hardest concepts for students to understand.

HW:  Get materials, lab fees and parent signatures if you haven't already done so

Welcome to Physics!

Welcome to the 2011-2012 school year.  I am really looking forward to this year and helping you change the way you see the physical universe.  Believe it or not, physics is EVERYWHERE!  I spent a good portion of the class discussing the logistics of the class, introducing myself and answering the questions posted here.

The second half of the period we discussed forces and did the Newton's First Law Lab.

Homework:
Due Thursday: Getting to Know You, Quiz on Green Sheet (open note)
Due Monday: Get materials (I can give you a lot of the materials if you come in to tutorial on an orange day), Green sheet signed; get $10 lab fee