Projectile Motion Lab

Today we did a lab! Please bring your lab notebook next week so I can check it.

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

Homework for the weekend is Ch.3 #29, 30, 31, 32

Motion in 2 Dimensions

Motion in 2 Dimensions (Projectile Motion)

Here is the airplane problem worked out by two students:

I could not get my videos to embed in my Powerpoint - sorry! - so here are links to the ones we saw:
Mythbusters Bullet Drop
MIT Monkey Problem

Homework: Ch.3 #22, 23, 25, 27

Test and Retakes

Today you got your tests back and we went over them. Unfortunately I cannot put those solutions online so if you missed class please see me personally.

Retakes are before or after school Thursday and Friday, before school Tuesday, and before or after school next Wednesday. Note that after school Wednesday starts at 3:15 because of teacher collaboration 2:15-3:15.

Homework tonight is your Vector Lab that was passed out last class; see the previous blog entry for more information.

Vector Boot Camp

Today was all about vectors! How to add and subtract them graphically, break them into components and put them back together, and finally using components to add and subtract them.

Notes! (don't forget to play it as a slideshow!)

Since we don't really have computers in class, you need to do an online lab for homework (due THURSDAY): Vector Lab, which can be completed with the PhET simulation found here: Vector Addition. Note that you might not have the control needed to be perfect, but you can get close.

We also have book problems, but we already did several in class:
Ch. 3 Problems 1, 4, 6, 10, 16, 17, 18. These are due WEDNESDAY.

Chapter 1& 2 Test

Today was your test! You were allowed to use your blue sheet (although only my clean copies, not your personal blue sheet). No homework tonight. Have a great weekend!

Ch.1-2 Test Review

Today is our review day. Here is a study guide:

Ch. 1-2 Study Guide (cut into thirds)

We are also not turning in the homework that was due today. There is no way I could get it back to you before your test tomorrow and I want you to have it for studying. Instead, you continued working on it, checked it with each other, the key, and me, and I simply checked off that you did it.

No homework tonight, but your test is tomorrow and your Free Fall Lab write up is due tomorrow.

Lab Overview and HW Problems

Today we talked about two different ways to use your lab data to find the acceleration of gravity. Then we did #45 from your homework together, and the rest of the time was used to work on homework problems so that I could help individuals and groups.

HW: Ch. 2 Problems 45, 46, 48, 52, 53, 56, 57, 60, 61, 63

Free Fall Lab

Today we dropped things and measured their position and time to make a graph and calculate the acceleration of gravity! There are two versions of the lab:

Using LEDs and a long-exposure camera
Using a ball and slow motion video playback with timestamp

These only differ in how you get your data, not what you do with it.

Everyone needs to get data and basically do the whole lab in their notebooks, then the group picks one to use when writing up the final lab report (due Friday). We will be briefly talking about this lab on Wednesday in class.

I forgot to put tonight's homework in my sub plan on Monday, so I am combining tonight's homework with Wednesday's and making it all due Thursday:

Ch. 2 Problems 45, 46, 48, 52, 53, 56, 57, 60, 61, 63

Problem Solving for 1-D Kinematics

First we went through a method of solving 1-D kinematics equations:

Problem Solving Method

Then we spent the rest of the time working on conceptual problems individually or in groups.

Your homework is Ch. 2 Problems 34, 36, 37,40. Also try to bring either a camera that can take a long exposure or a camera that can take video and play it back frame by frame.

1-D Motion with Constant Acceleration

Today we derived the four main kinematics equations:

Equations! (Download and run as a slide show for it to work properly)

If we had time, we used a problem solving method to do some more problems together.

We are doing a lab next week for which a long exposure (~1.5 seconds) camera is needed. Please check your cameras/phones for that ability (is there an app for that?).

Homework is Ch. 2 Problems 26, 27, 28, 31.

Counselor Presentation

Today Ms. Allen talked to us about Student Rights and Responsibilities as well as what Juniors should be doing this year to prepare for graduation and college. There is no homework tonight, but please turn in last night's homework.

Acceleration and More Graphs

Today we talked about Friday's lab, acceleration, motion diagrams, and looked at more kinematics graphs. We also made some of our own with a Vernier motion detector.

We sort of went back and forth between Powerpoint, whiteboard, and practice problems, but here is the Powerpoint part:

Acceleration

Homework: Ch.2 #20, 22, 24. Also don't forget to turn in the motion diagrams ranking tasks we did in class.

Constant Velocity Lab!

Today you were given two cars, one fast and one slow. The goal was to have them hit a barrier at the same time if they start at the same time one meter apart. You could do any tests you wanted on the cars beforehand, but you only get one at a time and one try at the goal.

What you need to turn into me is one copy PER PERSON of the data you took and any calculations you made to get to the answer, plus your answer. That's it - no procedure or anything else.

Homework tonight is Ch. 2, Problems 13 and 17.

Graphs and Velocity

First we had a short quiz over metric conversions and right triangle trigonometry. Later we learned how you can use a graph of position vs. time to define and/or find average velocity and instantaneous velocity. I did not manage to get the graphs and diagrams for instantaneous velocity into the Powerpoint, so it went on the board.

Powerpoint: Using Graphs to Find Velocity
This picture of the board goes with the slide about instantaneous velocity:

Tomorrow we will be doing a lab, so bring your lab notebook.

Homework tonight: Ch. 2 (pg. 50) Problems 6, 8, 10.

Displacement, Speed, and Average Velocity

Today we began kinematics with position, displacement, average speed, and average velocity. Tomorrow there may be a short quiz over chapter 1 (conversions, significant figures, etc.)

Notes: 2.1 - 2.2 Displacement and Average Velocity
I used quite a few paths and overlapping animations in this one - please let me know if it does not work for you (miss.volkening@gmail.com).

Also, don't forget to turn in your group's Measurement Lab write-up.

Homework tonight is Chapter 2 (pg. 50) #1, 3, 5.

Measurement Lab

Today is our first lab! First we went over how to set up your lab notebook and a few particulars for this lab (see below) The Measurement Lab asks you to measure various objects in order to become familiar with certain tools (here is the caliper video we watched) and to review some volume and area equations. We will also be focusing on proper data taking techniques such as multiple trials and sharing the work among group members.

You should have enough time to complete and turn this in during class, but you can also turn it in next class.

 Homework tonight is Ch. 1, Problems 52, 53, 57 and AP Review #3 & 4.

Conversions and Coordinate Systems

Here are the notes for today: Conversion and Coordinates

I also drew a diagram for the coordinates part that looked like this:

Homework is at the end of chapter 1, Problems 15, 25, 33, 41, 43, 46, 49. They start on the bottom of page 21.