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.