Final Practice

We don't have enough time for a unit test on momentum, so instead your final will consist of multiple choice problems from the whole semester and free response problems only from the momentum unit.

Here is the practice test for the free response section of the final. The best way to study for the multiple choice section is to review the multiple choice problems from previous tests and practice tests.

Here are the video solutions for the free response practice problems:

#1
#2
#3
#4

Momentum in Two Dimensions

Today we expanded our conservation of momentum problems into 2 dimensions.

Notes!

Here's another method of solving the practice problem in the notes (photo from 2014):




Homework: Ch.6 (p. 193) # 49 & 51

Impulse Due to a Variable Force

What is the change of momentum due to a force that is not constant? This was the question we attempted to answer today.

Notes!

Homework: Chapter 6 (p.191) #8 & 15 + CONCEPTUAL #11 (p.190)

Impulse

So far we've only talked about situations where momentum is conserved - that is, there are no outside forces. Today we talked about what happens when there are outside forces - the momentum changes! This change in momentum is called impulse.

Notes on Impulse

Video we watched

Homework is Chapter 6 (p.191 ) Problems #9, 11, 13 + CONCEPTUAL Problem #12 (p.190)

Ballistic Pendulum Lab

Today you are completing your Ballistic Pendulum Lab. Turn in the prelab for a grade and show me your completed lab in your notebook for participation points.

Homework is Ch. 6 (p.193) #36, 37, 40

Collisions

Today we continue using conservation of momentum to solve problems, this time involving collisions.

Notes: Collisions

The PhET collision simulator is here.

Homework tonight is Ch. 6 (p. 192) #29, 31, 34
You may also want to start your Ballistic Pendulum Pre-Lab.

Conservation of Momentum

We only had 20-30 minutes today because a counselor came in to talk to you about course selections for next year. I am not sure how much your class got through.

Notes: Conservation of Momentum

Homework: Ch. 6 (p. 192) #25, 26, 27

Momentum

We squeezed in the intro to the next unit today:

Momentum Intro

Your homework is Chapter 6 (p.190) #1, 3, 6, 7

Rotational Motion Test

You had some study time for the first 45 minutes of class, then took your rotational motion unit test.

Next up: momentum!

Science for Seniors

We used this last day before Thanksgiving break to go over your options for a science class senior year. Remember that only three years of lab science are are required, but that means every student in Arizona will have three years. If you really want to stand out for competitive admissions and scholarships, you want at least four years of lab science. Heck, I had five when I graduated high school and I went to college for free.

Ms. Hamilton came in to talk to you about AP Biology and AP Environmental Science, then Ms. Tautz came in to talk to you about AP Physics C and Advanced Research Methods. If you missed this day but are interested in any of those classes, please talk to me or either of those teachers.

Next Thursday the counseling department will have a presentation on course selections for next year and give you some paperwork. You will be registering for classes right when you get back from Winter break.

Your rotational motion test is the day you get back from Thanksgiving break, so remember to do the practice test from yesterday.

Wrapping Up the Unit & Practice Exam

First we combined the Law of Universal Gravitation and circular motion to derive an interesting equation relating the radius of an orbit to period (period T = time for one cycle).

Then we talked briefly about tides and passed out the practice exam:

Rotational Motion Test Practice

Answers

Solutions videos:
#1
#2
#3
#4
#6
#7
#8
#9

Tomorrow we will be talking about science classes available for your senior year and the importance of taking a fourth year of science. Your test will be the last hour of your modular day when we get back from Thanksgiving Break, so the first 45 minutes will be work time. There will be no additional homework tonight; I would rather that you focus on the practice exam.

Universal Gravitation

Today we used some fake data to derive the Law of Universal Gravitation. It ended up on the board:

Here is the fake data activity: Universal Gravitation Pseudo Lab

Homework was printed out on little strips. Here is an electronic copy: Homework 11/23. Don't forget to do the back.

Centripetal Force Practice

Today we took a little break and only worked on some centripetal force practice problems. These are homework if you don't finish in class.

Ch7 (p. 232) #65, 74, 75

Please remember to email your lab to miss.volkening@gmail.com if you have not already.

Banked Curves

Today we derived the equation for the ideal speed of a car navigating a banked curve:

Banked Curves

Later we worked on Ch. 7 (p. 231) #52 & 62 which became homework if not finished in class. We will also have a little work time in class tomorrow if you still need help finishing.

Centrifugal Force

Today we talked about centrifugal force, which isn't a real force but rather a result of a rotating reference frame. This topic won't be tested, but it's pretty fun to think about and demonstrate.

Any leftover time was spent working on tonight's homework: Chapter 7 (p. 228) #20, 25, 26

Lab: Finding g with Centripetal Force

Today you worked on the lab Finding g With Centripetal Force.

Homework is to finish the lab.

Centripetal Acceleration and Force

Today we introduced centripetal acceleration and centripetal force. We'll be doing a lot more with these next week.

Notes: Centripetal Acceleration and Force

Homework is Chapter 7 (p. 228) #17, 18, 22

You were also given an FRQ to work on which you will be correcting yourself on Monday/Tuesday (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy). You'll be actually doing the lab described in that FRQ, so try to think of a procedure for getting the type of data they used. More details on the lab are here: Finding g With Centripetal Force.

Below is the work for an example problem in the notes.

Relationships Between Linear and Angular Quantities

Today we talked about how to go between linear and angular quantities.

Relationships Between Linear and Angular Quantities

We completed Rotational Motion TIPERs #1 in class (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy). Or, if you didn't finish, it is homework and due tomorrow.

Homework is Ch. 7 (p. 227) #8 & 11. For #8 you will have to do a free fall kinematics problem just to find the launch velocity of the water droplets, which will give you the linear velocity on the outside of the wheel.

Energy Test and Angular Quantities

We spent the first 65 minutes taking our energy test, then we introduced circular motion:

Angular Quantities

There was also a bit on the board to further explain radians; I'll try to get a picture of that up.

Homework is Chapter 7 (p. 227) #1, 2, 4

Energy Practice Test

Today you were given a practice test for this unit. Your test is first thing next week.

Energy Practice Test

Here are the solutions:

Power

Our last topic for the unit is power.

Notes: Power!

Here is the solution to the last example problem:

Homework p. 162 #50 (use Watts instead of horsepower) & 56

Work Due to a Variable Force

Today we found the work due to a variable force with graphs and used that to find velocity at a given position.

Notes: Work Due to a Variable Force (remember to download and run as a slideshow)

We practiced in class with Energy TIPERs #7 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy).

We also peer-graded/edited Energy TIPERs #6. We did not turn those in for a grade.

Homework tonight is Chapter 5 (p. 163) #59, 60, 61

Practicing Spring Problems

First we went over your choice of last night's homework problems. Most classes chose #39, so I got a photo of it:

You then started working on Energy TIPERs #6 which we will peer grade/edit on your modular day next week. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy.

Elastic Potential Energy

Today we added another form of mechanical energy: elastic potential energy. This is just another place for energy to go.

Notes: Elastic Potential Energy

We completed Energy TIPERs #5 in class; email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy.

Homework is Ch.5 (p. 160) Problems #35, 39, 67. We will do one of these together in class tomorrow - you vote on which one, so at least try them all!

Lab: Energy of a Bouncing Ball

Today you completed the lab Energy of a Bouncing Ball. There is no homework tonight because we want you to be rested for the PSAT on Wednesday.

Work and Energy Practice

Next week you are doing a lab, so today you picked up the lab instructions: Energy of a Bouncing Ball.

We also went over how to solve an energy problem that includes work, then practiced on some problems. Whatever you didn't finish in class is homework:

Energy TIPERs #4 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
+ p. 161 #45, 47, 89

Here is the problem solved with numbers:

And again without numbers first:

Work

What is work? This is not a philosophical question.

Notes: Work

We worked on Energy TIPERs #3 in class today, which you kept as notes.

Homework is p. 158 #8, 9, 13, 16

Energy Problems Practice

First we went over #37 from yesterday's homework:

We spent the rest of the period practicing more problems. If you didn't finish in class, these are homework:


Energy Conservation Practice (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
p. 160 #32 & 38

Mechanical Energy and Energy Conservation

First thing today, you got new seating charts. Meet your lab partners for the rest of the semester! maybe exchange contact info.

Next we started talking about mechanical energy and its conservation:

Notes (remember to run as a slide show!)

This left about 10-15 minutes left in the period, but hopefully you used it to start your homework:

Energy TIPERs #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
Energy TIPERs #2 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
Ch.5 (p.160) Problems #25, 33, 37

Test!

Is it test day! Good luck and have a great fall break! Don't forget you have three FRQs to try in between sleep catch-up and Netflix.

Here are some other things you can do over break:

More Work Time

We are still reviewing for the forces test on Thursday. See Monday's blog post for details.

Forces Practice

Today I checked your labs from Friday, I gave you missing assignment reports, and you received your practice test. Below are some videos I made last year on how to do the free response problems, but beware: the numbers of the problems are different and I may grade differently.

Solutions Videos
#1
#2
#3
#4

Below is a picture of #1 and #2 done with steps color-coded by Gabby Vindiola:

Your test is Thursday. I understand that you have tests and presentations in probably every class this week, so we'll have unstructured work time all week. On Thursday you will get some old AP FRQ to try over fall break.

Lab: Finding the Coefficient of Static Friction

Today was slated to be your coefficient of static friction lab, but it seems a lot of you are experiencing an acute time crunch. Therefore, what I am going to say is that your lab is due on Monday but you can either do it in class or at home.

Lab: Finding Coefficent of Static Friction

• Must complete pre-lab first (#70 in chapter 4 may help)
• Complete lab in your lab notebook only. Due Monday.
• Lab itself ca be done at home easily

Next Week

• Test on Thursday
• Practice rest of week - no new material

Friction + Inclined Planes

We've done inclined planes problems. We've done friction problems. Time to combine inclined planes and friction!

Today we worked on:
Forces TIPERs #4
Friction TIPERs #4
p.117 #30 & 51

Your homework tonight is to finish any of the above that you did not finish in class, PLUS do the pre-lab for our lab for tomorrow. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for copies of the worksheets.

Below is a problem we did in class together.

Friction Practice

Today we are practicing some more complex friction problems. You have a problem set that is homework if you don't finish in class:

p. 118 #40, 42, 43, 78

We did #42 together in class:

Equilibrium Lab

Today we completed the Equilibrium Lab in your notebook, but first we went over the homework from Friday. You didn't actually turn any of it in because I am so far behind on grading.

While you were doing your Equilibrium Lab I checked your Newton's 2nd Law Labs from last week.

Homework is p. 116 #17,  24, 39

Friction

Today we started talking about friction:

Notes: Friction

We completed Friction TIPERs #1 in class; Friction TIPERs #2 and Friction TIPERs #3 are homework. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for copies.

I'll be checking your lab next modular day while you do another lab.

Inclined Planes

Today we talked about how to deal with an inclined plane. This ended up on the whiteboard because there actually isn't much to it:

Once you have modified the free body diagram the problem is the same as the ones we were doing yesterday.

Hopefully you started your homework in class:

p. 117 #27 & 28

Solving Newton's 2nd Law Problems

Today we went through a method of solving word problems that involve Newton's 2nd Law:

Notes: Solving Newton's 2nd Law Problems

We may or may not have gotten to all of the examples, depending on the class.

You also got your last test back; please check to see that I added up your points correctly and entered your correct grade into Stats. Retakes are currently available.

Homework is p. 116 #19, 25, 38.

Newton's 2nd Law Lab

Today we first went over Forces TIPERs #2 as a class (keep in your notes). Then we worked on Newton's 2nd Law Lab. The diagram was up on the whiteboard:

Please have this completed in your lab notebook by Friday. You also have the worksheet Forces TIPERs #3 for homework tonight; email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy.

Half Day! Forces TIPERs.

Today periods were only 33 minutes long, so I dumped a bunch of TIPERs on you and we just worked. What you don't finish are homework:

Newton's 2nd Law Ranking Tasks
Forces TIPERs #1
Forces TIPERs #2

Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copies.

You also received a copy of the lab we are doing at the beginning of next week: Newton's 2nd Law Lab. Please read through this over the weekend.

Newton's Third Law

We have come to the last of Newton's three laws. There actually isn't a lot to say:

Notes: Newton's Third Law

We then worked on the worksheet Normal Force TIPERs (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy). This is homework if you don't finish.

Official homework is #6-9 on the Forces Conceptual Problems Bank.

Tomorrow is half day so we will just have work time with more TIPERs.

Here are some sketches about normal force that made it up onto the board.

Newton's Second Law

Today we had a taste of Newton's Second Law:

Notes: Newton's Second Law

Homework:

p. 115 Problem #2
Force Conceptual Problem Bank #4 & 5

Forces and Newton's First Law

Today we started our forces unit with Newton's first law and free body diagrams:

Notes: Forces and Newton's First Law

We worked on a Net Force worksheet in class - it is homework if you didn't finish.

Homework is #1-3 on the Forces Conceptual Problems Bank.

2-D Kinematics Test

Test today!

No homework except for 2nd period. They need to fill out and return the forms I handed out.

If you didn't give me your lab notebook yesterday, do so today or send me a picture of your projectile motion lab at miss.volkening@gmail.com.

2-D Kinematics Practice Test

Today is your work day to study for the 2-D kinematics test tomorrow. Hopefully you picked up the practice test yesterday.

I also collected your lab notebooks so I can start grading your projectile motion lab. If your lab is in a notebook that you don't want to give up for a week (your notes are in there or something) take a picture (or pictures) and send it to me at miss.volkening@gmail.com.

Guest Speaker + Practice Test

Periods 1 and 2 spent the day in the auditorium listening to a guest speaker. Everyone else received their 2-D Kinematics Practice Test and went over last night's homework.

You will have one more work day for the practice test tomorrow, then your test in on Friday. Sometime by the end of Friday I will check your lab, so have it ready and your notebook present Thursday and Friday.

The electronic copy of the practice test is here, but it is missing the answers to number one. I will try to get a scan with those present posted here later tonight.

Projectile Motion Lab

Today we are completing the Projectile Motion Lab. Note that this is done completely in your lab notebook; you are not turning this in, but it will be checked.

This is one of the launchers we used - many thanks to the University High School Foundation and Alumni Association for buying these.


Homework is the worksheet Projectile Motion TIPER #2 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy). We will be discussing the Evaluate Student Answers (ESA) problem tomorrow at the beginning of class.

Finishing your lab is also homework.

Projectile Motion Practice Problems

Today we just worked on some practice problems:

p. 81 #29, 30, 47, 48

There is no school on Monday. Tuesday is sequential and we will be doing the Projectile Motion Lab; bring your lab notebook.

Motion in 2 Dimensions

Motion in 2 Dimensions (Projectile Motion)

Here is the airplane problem worked out on the whiteboard:

I could not get my videos to embed in my Powerpoint - sorry! - so here are links to the ones we saw:

Three Balls Roll Off a Table
Mythbusters Bullet Drop
MIT Monkey Problem

Homework is again in two parts:
A.) Worksheet Projectile Motion TIPER #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
B.)  Ch.3 (p. 80) #23, 25, 27

Relative Velocity

Today we passed back your tests and went over the last question. We then practiced another "evaluate student answers" question (this one was about vector components) but we did not turn it in.

Later we talked about relative velocity. There aren't a lot of notes:

Section 3.5 in the textbook also talks about this, albeit with a lot more math than we used.

Homework is in two parts tonight:

A.) A worksheet with a relative velocity ranking task on the front and a vector component TIPER on the back (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)

B.) Ch.3 (p.82) #41 & 44

Vector Boot Camp

Today we are learning all about vectors in general. This is needed because many, many quantities in physics are represented by vectors (velocity and acceleration for example).

Notes: Vectors (remember to run as a slideshow).

Homework tonight:

Chapter 3 (p. 78) #1, 17, 18

1-D Kinematics Test!

First test! Remember that you can retake this test if you earn less than 80%, so please don't stress yourself out. I should have this graded by Monday. No homework for this weekend, so rest up! We start vectors on Monday!

Practice Test Work Day

Your first test is tomorrow! See yesterday's entry for information about the practice test.

Practice Test and Lab Tips

Today you received your first practice test. Unfortunately it includes copyrighted material, so I can't post it directly here, but you can email me for a copy at miss.volkening@gmail.com.

I also went over how free response problems will be graded and also what your graph from yesterday's lab should look like.

Free Fall Lab

We spent all day completing a lab to find the acceleration of gravity: Free Fall Lab

No additional homework tonight.

Problem Solving Method + Free Fall

Today we went over a method for solving word problems, then talked briefly about free fall.

Notes: Problem Solving and Free Fall (run as a slideshow)

Homework:
p. 52 #37, 40, 43
p. 53 #46, 51, 54

1-D Motion Part 2

Today we continued learning and using kinematic equations.

Notes: 1-D Motion with Constant Acceleration Part 2

Homework may have been started in class:

p. 51 #29
p. 52 #31 & 45

1-D Motion Part 1

Today and tomorrow we are learning the kinematics equations that we'll be using for the rest of the year. There's a lot of content to get through, plus practice, so I have split this into two different days.

Today's Notes: 1-D Motion with Constant Acceleration Part 1

You probably had time to start your homework in class as well:

P. 49 #1, 2, 6
P. 52 #33
P. 55A #2
P. 55B #9 & 10

Acceleration and Graphs of Motion

During bellwork we talked about your Constant Velocity labs (due today) and also made our first velocity vs. time graph. Then we defined acceleration, looked at how it affect motion diagrams, and made acceleration vs. time graphs out of velocity vs. time graphs. Finally we went backwards, finding change in velocity from acceleration vs. time graphs and change in position from velocity vs. time graphs.

Whew. Lots of graphs.

Here is the Powerpoint: Acceleration and Graphs of Motion

Homework is full of copyrighted material; email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a PDF copy.

Below are the answers for the bellwork.

Constant Velocity Lab

Today you worked on the Constant Velocity Lab! Your individual write-up is due the next time I see you. The one thing I forgot to put in the directions is that you can only use one car at a time, so no trial and error!

Using Graphs to Find Velocity

Today we used graphs to find both average velocity and instantaneous velocity. The notes about instantaneous velocity included a graph on the whiteboard.

Notes (Powerpoint): Using Graphs to Find Velocity
On the board:

Homework tonight is the half-sheet HW: Velocity. It contains copyrighted material, however, so I cannot post it on the internet. If you need a copy, email miss.volkening@gmail.com and I can send you a PDF scan.

We also received the instructions for the lab we're doing tomorrow, Constant Velocity Lab. You will have all day tomorrow to work on this.

Displacement, Average Speed, and Average Velocity

Today we started our actual physics content with position, displacement, average speed, and average velocity.

Notes: Displacement, Average Speed, and Average Velocity

You may have started your homework at the end of class. Please finish it and turn it in tomorrow: Displacement Worksheet

Measurement Lab

After a short discussion on assumptions and writing a procedure (notes are below), we spent the period working on the Measurement Lab. This is due on Friday.

Measurement Error

Today, the dreaded significant figures appeared. Our focus for this class is not HOW to use them, but WHY.

Notes: Measurement Error
Below is the work for Example #2
Some of our examples were printed at the beginning of this worksheet; finishing it is your homework tonight.

Welcome!

Welcome to AP Physics 1 with Ms. Volkening! Today we went over the class policies and procedures, passed out all the paperwork, etc. If there was time we started talking about uncertainty and how we'll be treating significant figures in this class.

Here is the Powerpoint used in class: Day One

You received copies of your syllabus, a letter for your parent/guardian, a safety contract, and an equation sheet.

You need to bring back the safety contract signed by you and your parent/guardian.

The End!

That's it! We're done! If you have a last minute something to turn in, you can find me at school tomorrow morning, but I will be finalizing my grades at 9 AM. Nothing will be accepted after 9 AM. If you want to email me anything, email miss.volkening@gmail.com.

I will be trying to get a head start on recommendation letters over the summer, so if you want a rec letter from me email miss.volkening@gmail.com. Include the field in which you plan to major and any information you think I should know to write a good letter for you. If you know which schools or programs you want the letter for, give me that info too. If not, I'll write one general university admission rec letter.

Finally, I would appreciate your anonymous input to help me improve my class next year:
Volkening End Of Year Survey

Have a great summer!

The Long Winding Down

The AP test for physics is over, but I know you all have more in the coming week and a half. In class we will be having work time since people will want to study and/or will be off taking those other tests. The only exception is that for next Thursday and Friday we'll be watching a documentary that combines art and physics.

Other things you can do during class until the end of the year:

• missing work
• extra credit
• unit test retakes
• FINAL
• Seniors: have your final done no later than Friday, May 15th
• Juniors: have your final done no later than Wednesday, May 20th (p.1, 3, 5) and Thursday, May 21st (p.2 & 6)

I am also asking people to take a survey to help me make changes for next year. It is voluntary and anonymous.

Volkening End Of Year Survey

The AP Test!

Today is the AP test! Good luck and see you tomorrow!

Practice AP Test

For the rest of the week we are taking, then grading, a practice AP test. I am not allowed to give you this test to take home, so your only opportunity to look at it is IN CLASS.

Even if you are not taking the AP test next week, this practice test will be useful to focus your studies for the semester final.

Electricity Test

Today is your last unit test. Next week we will be taking a practice AP exam, so you may want to review material over the weekend.

AC/DC and More Practice

We talked for 5-10 minutes about the difference between alternating current (AC) and direct current (DC). There's a great explanation on MIT's Ask and Engineer.


The rest of the time was yours to continue preparing for your test tomorrow. See yesterday's blog entry for the practice test and solutions.

Electricity Practice Test

Today we started working on the practice test:

Electricity Practice Test

There is an abbreviated solutions key here and solutions videos below:

#1
#3
#4
#6
#7/#8 (formatting issue; these are the same problem)

I also passed out missing assignment reports.

Practicing Compound Circuits

A lot of you were gone on Friday so today was another work day. You had two goals:

I will NOT be collecting or grading the book problems; just read through them and do whichever ones with shich you feel you need practice.

Using Systems of Equations to Solve Compound Circuits

Today we looked at a way to solve circuits using systems of equations. Basically you use the Junction Rule and the Loop Rule until you have the same number of equations and unknowns, then solve the system of equations.

Officially your homework is the worksheet Compound Circuits Practice, but most of you finished that in class. I also put out a Ranking Task worksheet that I was going to give you next week. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for PDF scans of any worksheets.

Solving Compound Circuits

How do you solve a circuit that has both series and parallel components? That was the topic today. We took notes by solving a problem on the board. Here is the problem before any work was done:

Here is a video that I made a couple of years ago solving this problem.

And here is the problem after it was solved:

Homework toight is the worksheet called 35-2, although some of you may have also started the worksheet Compound Circuits Practice which is what we'll be working on tomorrow. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for PDF scans of worksheets.

Circuit Breakers

For bellwork today we asked which would cook faster: three hot dogs wired in series or three hot dogs wired in parallel? Then we tried it out. The answer was the parallel hot dogs because the power is greater (resistance is lower so current is higher).

We then talked briefly about circuit breakers, why we have them, and how they work. If you missed this the easiest way to get the information is to read section 18.6 in the textbook.

Homework tonight is Ch.18 (p.644) #37, 38, 40.

Series and Parallel Circuits

I hope you did your homework reading, because today we jumped right into solving series and parallel circuits. First we did one of each on the board (picture below) and I showed you trick involving color-coding equipotential lines. Then we used the worksheet Concept-Development 35-1 to practice in groups, and finally you practiced individually with the worksheet Series and Parallel Circuits (which is homework). Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for PDF scans of either worksheet.

Circuit Lab #3: Intro to Parallel and Series Circuits

Today you completed a qualitative lab to introduce us to series and parallel circuits:

Circuit Lab #3

You may also be able to complete this lab with the online simulator PhET Circuit Construction Kit.

Homework for the weekend is to read and take notes on sections 18.1, 18.2, and 18.3.

Electrical Power

When current flows through a resistor, the resistor converts electrical energy into other forms of energy. The rate at which this conversion happens is the electrical power. Below are some short notes that ended up on the whiteboard.

We then completed a worksheet in class (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy) and started homework:

Ch. 17 (p.612) #33, 34, 44

Ohm's Law

Today we used your lab results to come up with Ohm's Law (picture below). This equation can be applied to any individual component of a circuit, the circuit as a whole, or anything in between. Basically we're going to be using his a lot.

The rest of the period we just practiced various Ohm's Law problems. Whatever you didn't finish in class is homework:

Ch. 17 (p. 611) #10, 11, 13, 15, 20, 51

Circuit Labs #1 & #2

Today we first went over the symbols used in circuit diagrams as bellwork:

Bellwork/Notes: Circuit Diagrams

Then we completed Circuit Lab #1 and Circuit Lab #2. Both need to be completed in your lab notebook and only checked, not turned in. You may also finish at home and have them checked Wednesday.

Circuit Lab #1

Purpose: Find 4 different arrangements of a single bulb, single battery, and single wire that result in a lit bulb.

The following needs to be in your lab notebook:
Sketches or circuit diagrams of every arrangement you try, even the ones that don't work.
Answers to the following:What do the arrangements that worked have in common? What do the arrangements that didn't work have in common?

Caution: some arrangements may result in rapid overheating. If an arrangement gets hot, STOP IMMEDIATELY. Lighting the bulb and getting hot are mutually exclusive arrangements, so just holding onto a overheating arrangement in the hope that it will start to work eventually is not a smart idea.

You may also be able to complete this lab with the online simulator PhET Circuit Construction Kit.

Circuit Lab #2

Purpose: Find the relationship between voltage difference, resistance, and current in a circuit.
Materials: resistors of various value, battery, wire/alligator clips, ammeter (measures current).

The following needs to be in your notebook:
A brief procedure for taking data
Data table
Graph (linearized if necessary)
Slope calculation
Speculation on what the slope represents
Final equation using proper variables (not x and y)
Description of one error and how it could be reduced/eliminated.

You can also use the online simulator PhET: Ohm's Law to take data at home to complete this lab.

You also have homework tonight: a worksheet titled "Concept-Development 34-1" on the front and some hand-drawn diagrams on the back. This again contains copyrighted material, so I cannot post it here, but email me at miss.volkening@gmail.com and I will email you back a scanned PDF.

Electrical Resistance

Today's topic was electric resistance:

Notes: Electrical Resistance

Homework is Ch. 17 (p.609) Multiple Choice #3, 4, &14 + Problems #14 & 16

Electric Current

Today we started our last unit (all about electricity and simple circuits) with electric current.

Notes: Electric Current

Homework tonight is Ch. 17 (p. 610) Conceptual #3 and Problem #1

Electrostatics Test

I hope you all used the practice exam to study for your test today!

Work Time

Tomorrow is your electrostatics test, so today is your usual one day of work time.

Remember that this week is sequential because we have Friday off.

Flow of Charge and Practice Exam

We started the day with one question on bellwork: Why can bird stand on a high-voltage power line without getting shocked?

This lead to a discussion of electricity, which is actually our next unit. When you don't have a potential difference, no charges flow and therefore there is no electricity. Watch this video of some kids touching an electric fence; until the last dude, all of those kids were at the same potential, insulated from a different potential (ground), so there was no electricity flowing through them.

After that we started working on the electrostatics practice exam.  Unfortunately some of the content is copyrighted, so although I CAN give it to my students I CANNOT post it on the internet. Email me at miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy. 

Next week is sequential, so Monday will be a work day and Tuesday will be your test.

Solutions To Practice Exam

Solutions Videos:
#4
Placing the Third Charge
Induction on Conducting Spheres

Relationship Between V and E

Today we discussed the relationship between electric potential (V) and electric field (E). We also mentioned electric force (F).

Notes!

Your homework is another worksheet; this one says Homework 3/26 right under the place for your name.

If you need any electronic copies of the worksheets (there was one we worked on during class, too) email me at miss.volkening@gmail.com.

Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

We are finishing out this unit, but today's topic will be very important in the next unit.

Notes: Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Homework tonight is a worksheet I made for you. The front can be found here, but the back is a ranking task that is copyrighted so I cannot put a copy here.

Electric Fields and Electric Field Lines

Welcome back! We reviewed Coulomb's Law in bellwork and then jumped right back into electrostatics with electric field:

Notes: Electric Fields (remember to download and run as a slideshow)

There was a fair amount of drawing that also happened on the board to explain why charged tends to accumulate at the pointy bits of conductors; I suggest reading section 15.6 if you missed that part.

Homework is Chapter 15 (p. 543) #17, 19, 30, 34

Coulomb's Law Practice

Today is the last day of the quarter and the last day before spring break. I know some of you are gone today, some want to get missing work in to raise your grade, and some are just checked out, so today all we did was work on some Coulomb's Law practice problems. This problem set is officially due when we get back from break but you might finish in class.

Chapter 15 (p. 542) #7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15

Coulomb's Law

Today we talked about Coulomb's Law and polarization.

Notes: Coulomb's Law

Coulomb's Law is the most math-intensive part of this unit, so we will also be practicing Coulomb's Law problems tomorrow. Remember that tomorrow is the last day of the quarter, so if you have anything you want to get onto the quarter grade, turn it in now. I will do my best to grade everything that is turned in before I go home on Thursday, but I might not make it. The earlier you turn in your work, the sooner I'll get to it.

Homework tonight is Chapter 15 (p. 541) #1 & 4

Electrostatics Intro

Today we introduced the electrostatic unit by making balloons attract and repel, then talking about why what we did worked. The explanation involves net charge, transfer of electrons, and the fact that like charges repel and unlike charges attract.

Then people started on their homework while I passed out missing assignment reports and took care of assignments people found.

Homework is in two parts:

Chapter 15 Conceptual #1 & 2 - you will turn this in tomorrow
Read Sections 15.1 & 15.2 and take notes. These will NOT be collected.

Chapter 14 Practice Exam

Monday is your test for this chapter, so below you will find our usual practice exam and solutions videos. This test is shorter than normal, consisting of 9 multiple choice problems and two free response; think of it more like a quiz than a test.

Ch. 14 Practice Exam

Answer Key:
1. 817 Hz
2. 38 m/s

Solutions Videos:
#1
#2

Remember that your Speed of Sound in Air lab is due Monday.

Lab: Speed of Sound in Air

Today you are working on your lab! You can find a copy of the lab here.

On the board there were some hints to help you finish in time, but you can also work on this tomorrow when I give out the practice exam.

There is no additional homework. The lab is due Monday.

Resonance and Beats

Today we are going over the last two topics in this unit: resonance and beats. We've already touched on both of these, but here are some notes:

Notes: Resonance and Beats

Tomorrow we are doing a lab, so tonight's homework is to do the pre-lab.

Lab: Finding the Speed of Sound in Air

On Friday I will pass out a practice test and you may also continue to work on your lab, which will be due Monday. Your test for this unit is currently scheduled for Monday.

Standing Waves

Today we talked all about standing waves:

Notes - download and run as a slideshow

We will be using the information about the standing waves produced in a tube closed on one end for a lab next class.

Homework is Ch. 14 (p. 509) #38, 41, 49, 53

Interference of Sound Waves

On this last day before a four-day weekend we talked about why and how sound waves interfere when their path lengths differ to a given spot. This is why the walls in auditoriums, music halls, or anything else where the sound quality matters are not smooth. If they were smooth, different sound waves from the same source might reflect off the walls and make it to the same point (listener) by paths of differing lengths, where they would interfere and make the volume weird.

PICTURE HERE - SOON

You don't have any real homework this weekend, but it would be nice (if you have a smartphone) if you could find and download an app that lets you produce sounds of known frequency - a frequency generator. There should be some free ones out there. This is for a lab I want to do next week (although probably not the day we get back).

I am also looking for buckets and PVC pipe (2-4 ft long) for that same lab. You would get those supplies back.

The Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect, ladies and gentlemen.

Notes: Doppler Effect

Homework is Ch. 14 (p. 508) #23, 25, 27

Sound Waves' Shape and Speed

Today we continued jumping around chapter 14, this time discussing the shape and speed of sound waves.

Notes: Sound Waves' Shape and Speed

Homework is Ch. 14 (p. 506) #3, 5, 20

Intro to Sound

Our next unit is all about sound, so today we just went over the basics:

Notes: Sound Intro

I actually like one of the sections in the textbook, so your homework this weekend is to read section 14.2 and then tell someone about it. It could be a family member, friend, random stranger, whoever. Honor system!

Ch. 13 Test

Test today!

Ch. 13 Practice Test

It's practice test time! Your test is *gasp* TOMORROW.

CH. 13 PRACTICE TEST
ANSWER KEY

Solutions videos:
#7
#8
#9
#10

Wave Interference and Reflection

Today was a pretty laid-back day because I am weak and helpless from sleeping without eating much the last three days. There were some notes (below), but mostly we looked at simulations online (also below). You then had one last assignment to practice  stuff from this unit because YOUR TEST IS THURSDAY. I'll have a practice test for you next time.

Notes
Simulations:
Zona Land Education: Wave Interference I
Zona Land Education: Wave Interference II
PhET: Wave on a String

Homework: Ch. 13 (p.470) #61, 62, 63, 64, 65

Frequency, Amplitude, Wavelength, and Speed of Waves

I was out sick today, so your assignment was to read and take notes on pages 458-460 in the textbook, then start your homework.

Homework is Ch. 13 #41, 43, 44, 46, 49

Mechanical Waves

Class today was only 33 minutes long, so we did a short introduction to mechanical waves:

Here is a website with animations of the different kids of mechanical waves:

Acoustics and Vibrations Animations, Daniel A. Russell, Pennsylvania State University

No homework tonight.

I will be gone tomorrow, so the sub plan is for you to read and take notes on p. 458-460 then work on homework problems. You may want to do the reading and taking notes tonight so you don't have to bring your book tomorrow.

Period of a Pendulum

Today we used your lab results to get the equation for the period of a simple pendulum. We also watched a fun pendulum video and mentioned physical pendulums.

Notes: Pendulums

In case you can't access the Powerpoint, here are the links for the videos we watched:


Harvard Natural Sciences Lecture Demonstrations: Pendulum Waves
Memo Akten: SHM #2 Excerpt
Somewhere in here we also talked about speed walking and pendulums, so here is a video of speed walkers.

Homework is Ch. 13 (p. 468) #34, 35, 39

Lab: Period of a Pendulum

Today we basically did the same lab as last week, except for a pendulum instead of a spring on a mass:

For any linear graphs you get, try to figure out what the slope represents. Also, don't displace the pendulum by more than 25 degrees.

If you were gone, there is a very nice pendulum simulation here: PhET Pendulum Lab. There is even a lovely photo gate timer that you can turn on that will measure one period for you. If you prefer a standard stopwatch, one will appear if you turn on "other tools."

No extra homework tonight; just get the lab totally finished.

SHM Practice Problems

Today we worked on practice problems all day. These are due next class:

Ch. 13 Conceptual #1, 2 + Problems #17, 19, 21, 24, 25, 28

Some people finished their labs so I could check them or took the retake exam. I had to submit progress report grades after school.

Bring your lab notebook next class!

SHM and Circular Motion

Today we used circles to model simple harmonic motion, which gave us some equations for the position, velocity, and acceleration of an object undergoing SHM. We also talked about angular frequency.

Notes ended up on the board (below) and we used these sites to look at the motion:

UNSW School of Physics PhysClips: SHM Background Material

Teresa Martin Physics Flash Animations

If we had time we also watched this (just because it's cool).

Homework is Chapter 13 (p. 467) #12, 18, 22

SHM: Period and Frequency

Today we used the results from your lab to get an equation for the period of a mass on a spring. We also took a little bit of notes beyond that:

Notes: Simple Harmonic Motion

Homework is a little half-sheet worksheet I made: 2/4 HW. There is a ranking task on the back side that I cannot reproduce online, so you'll have to get a hard copy in class.

Lab: Period of a Mass on a Spring

Today you completed a lab to determine what and how quantities affect the period of oscillation for a mass on a spring.

Lab: Finding T for a Mass on a Spring

No extra homework tonight, but this lab is due Wednesday.

We ended up with some hints on the board, so there is a picture of it below.

If you missed the lab or didn't get enough data at home, there is an online simulation here:

PhET Mass-Spring Lab

To use it you need to make sure the "friction" is set to zero, time is set to "real time" and the planet is "earth." Use the spring on the far right and change its k value by moving the "softness spring 3" slider. You will have to find the k for each "softness" level by hanging a known weight on the spring and measuring how far it stretches. Then k = mg/x. Finally, you'll need more masses that the labelled ones provided, so I found the masses of the unlabeled colored masses for you: green = 70g, gold = 160g, red = 300g.