Last Day

Grades should be updated with finals by 2 or 3 this afternoon. Please check Synergy; whatever it says there is your semester grade unless you do something. Email me at miss.volkening@gmail.com if you think there is a mistake or come see me after school today or 8 AM tomorrow. If you think you turned in something and Synergy says it's missing, you will have to bring the graded work and show it to me to get it corrected.

Reminders:

• Labs, test retakes/makeups, and extra credits are due tomorrow at 9 AM. You can email typed documents or GOOD, WELL-LIT, IN-FOCUS pictures of work to miss.volkening@gmail.com. If I can't read the work, it gets a zero.
• I only round a grade up if nothing is missing and the next grade is half a percent or less away.

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). You will check this yourself - I don't want to grade it!

You probably also received a missing assignment report or grade report. If you get that signed by a parent or guardian and bring it back, I will give you a little extra credit.

Here are the due dates for work:
Wednesday 12/20 8 AM: All missing homeworks are due.
Friday 12/22 9 AM: All test retakes, lab checks, and extra credit are due. I'll be at work by 8 AM.

You might also have picked up a practice test for the free response section of the final. Here are the video solutions for the free response practice problems:

#1
#2
#3
#4

Here is the key:

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)

Momentum in 2 Dimensions

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

Notes!
Here is the solution to the first example problem:

Homework: p.193 # 49 & 51

Lab: Conservation of Momentum

Today you are completing Lab: Conservation of Momentum. This is the first time I've done this lab with students, so please give me feedback about best practices that could make the lab go more smoothly.

Homework is p.193 #36a, 37, 40

Collisions

Today we talked about collisions, which are really just another kind of momentum conservation problem.

Notes: Collisions

The PhET collision simulator is here.

Homework tonight is Ch. 6 (p. 192) #29, 31, 34a

You also need to complete the pre-lab for Lab: Momentum Conservation. Sorry that the diagrams are missing; here they are:

Conservation of Momentum

Today we had very few notes:

Notes: Conservation of Momentum

The rest of the period was yours to start your homework since it's a bit longer than yesterday's.

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

Momentum Intro

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

Today you had about 40 minutes of study time, then took your Rotational Motion Test.

No homework tonight, but if you have not yet finished your lab from last week please do so.

Rotational Motion Test Practice

Rotational Motion Test Practice

Answers

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

Remember that any of these numerical problems could be a symbolic problem (no numbers) on the test.

I tried to check everyone's labs today, but if I didn't get yours checked please have it ready on Monday/Tuesday.

Universal Gravitation

Today we used some fake data to derive the Law of Universal Gravitation. Here is the activity: Universal Gravitation Pseudo-Lab.

Here is what ended up on the board:

And there weren't many good problems in the textbook, so I wrote some and put them on a little strip of paper: Universal Gravitation Homework.

Lab: Finding g With Centripetal Force

Here's what we did today:

Here is a link to the lab: Finding g With Centripetal Force

Your only homework is to finish your lab, although we won't have time to check it until Friday.

Your unit test is next Monday/Tuesday.

Banked Curve Problems + Practice

Today we talked about  banked curves:

Notes: Banked Curves

Later we worked on Chapter 7 (p. 228) #18, 20, 32, 52 which became homework if not finished in class.

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) #26 & 30

Centripetal Force and Acceleration

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 & 22

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

Rotational Kinematics Practice

I want to make sure you all are solid with using angular variables and rotational kinematics problems before we move forward, so today we simply practiced some tougher story problems. Whatever you didn't finish in class is homework:

p.227 #8, 9, 11, 69

Rotational Motion Introduction

Today we began our rotational motion unit with an introduction of angular quantities and how they relate to linear quantities.

Notes: Rotational Motion

Homework: Chapter 7 (p.227) #1, 2, 5, 10, 14 and Rotational Motion TIPERs #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com if you need a copy).

Energy Test

Today is your energy test! Have a good three day weekend.

P.S. You should have received either a missing assignment report or a grade summary report today. A message was sent out through Synergy appraising your parent or guardian of the existence of this report, so they may ask to see it.

Energy Test Practice

First you voted on which of last night's homework to go through as a class. I may have asked a student to do the problem, depending on the class period (and if anyone felt comfortable enough to go up to the board). Then you started your practice test. Your test is next Thursday, and some of next class will be taken up by completing and peer - grading one more TIPER, but the rest of next two class periods will be yours to work on this practice test and get your various labs checked.

There is no assigned homework for the weekend. Maybe go to the Teen Astronomy Cafe?

Energy Practice Test

Here are some solutions videos from a couple of years ago (may not perfectly match energy practice test).

Multiple Choice #1
Multiple Choice #2
Problem #1
Problem #2
Problem #3

Below are the abridged answers.

Using Elastic Potential Energy in Energy Conservation Problems

Today we basically did several examples of energy problems that include springs:

Notes: Elastic Potential Energy and Energy Conservation

At the end of the period I asked you to finish Energy TIPERs #6, then we checked it together and you kept it. Please do not turn that in.

Homework tonight: p.160 #35, 39, 67. We will do one in class together tomorrow.

Here is the solution to the last problem in the notes:

Elastic Potential Energy

Today we defined elastic potential energy.

Notes: Elastic Potential Energy

Homework: p. 159 Problem #20 + p.157 Conceptual #11. Also start the front of Energy TIPERs #6 and we'll do the back tomorrow.

Inclined Plane Lab

Today you completed a small lab to find if the angle of an inclined plane affects its efficiency as a machine:

You also have some homework, due Wednesday: p.162 #47 & 89

Machines

Today we very briefly talked about machines and efficiency.

Notes: Machines

Your homework is a little half sheet called HW: Machines. I checked your Energy of a Bouncing Ball Lab while you started that homework.

On Monday/Tuesday nest week you will be completing a lab. The goal is to find the frictional force on a cart rolling up/down a ramp, plus find the efficiency of said ramp. How you do these two things is up to you, so start thinking about it over the weekend.

Power

Notes: Power!

Here is the solution to the last example problem:

Homework: p. 162 #45, 50 (use Watts instead of horsepower), 56 

Lab: Energy of a Bouncing Ball + Work Due to Friction Problem

Today we first completed a 20 minute, multiple choice quiz over first quarter content. Then we did a problem together (see below) and finally worked on the lab Energy of a Bouncing Ball.

Your homework tonight is to finish your lab and also complete Energy TIPERs #5 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy), due THURSDAY. Warning: Energy TIPERs #5 is not easy, but we do have a little time on Thursday for help, so please do not stay up all night stressing about it. You have the PSAT on Wednesday; please focus on preparing and resting for that.

Here is the problem solved with numbers:

And again without numbers first:

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 #4 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy). This was NOT turned in for a grade.

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

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 Conservation Practice

First we went over Energy TIPERs #2 and #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

Today 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. Try #37 but it won't be the one graded.

Forces Practice Test

Today we first used Plickers to do about five review questions together. The rest of the day, plus Wednesday, will have unstructured work time to prepare for the Forces Test on Thursday. You are getting extra time for this test because I don't want to start a new unit before fall break and I also because I presume you will have tests/quizzes/projects in many of your classes this week.

I did put out Friction TIPERs #4, but you will not be turning this in. It's an optional extension activity that you can check with me or check on your own using the key in the key binder at the back of the room.

So, here is your practice test:

Forces Practice Test (this file repeats the problems twice for printing purposes)

Below are some videos I made a few years ago. They might help you with some of the problems, but keep in mind that these might not perfectly match your practice test and the grading will probably NOT be the same.

#1
This one is like #2, though it is solving for something else 
#3
#4

Also, the key:

Coefficient of Static Friction Lab

Today you are completing Lab: Coefficient of Static Friction. Please check your pre-lab #11 with me before moving on. Have me check off your lab when you are completely done, even if you have to finish at home over the weekend.

Your homework is Force TIPERs #4.

More Practice

Today we did another problem together on the board:

You then had more work time.

Homework: p.117 #30 & 51

Friction Practice

Today we first went through a problem together:

The rest of the period was yours to work, get help, or have your lab checked.

Homework: Friction TIPERs #3 + p.118 #39, 43

Friction

Today we started talking about friction:

Notes: Friction

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

Practice Problems

I feel that everyone needs to practice more force problems before we make them even more complicated by adding friction. So today was a work day. I checked your labs from earlier in the week while you worked on a new problem set:

p.114 MC #10 and Conceptual #1 + p.116 #21, 24, 26, 29, 38

Inclined Planes + More Practice

Today's Bellwork: What was wrong with the setup for the lab on Monday/Tuesday? Answer: we said that the net force on the cart was equal to the weight of our hanging object. That would only be true if the acceleration of the hanging object was zero, which it was not.

This means the actual, measured acceleration was smaller than the math predicted it would be. This effect is more pronounced at smaller cart masses (or larger values of 1/m). This tipped your best fit line for a vs. (1/m) down, decreasing the magnitude of its slope and therefore decreasing your calculated value for the mass of the hanging object.


After that big discussion, we went through how to deal with inclined planes. There is only one major change:



After you tip the axes you proceed pretty much the same as 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. What we didn't get to we will finish tomorrow. We also may or may not have gone over what was wrong with the lab setup from Monday/Tuesday; if we didn't cover that in your class period today, we will tomorrow.

Homework is p. 116 #17 & 25

Newton's 2nd Law Lab

First we went over Force TIPERs #2 together. Then we went over the setup for your lab and finally you had the rest of the period to complete your lab:

Newton's 2nd Law Lab

This is another lab where I am checking your notebook, so don't actually turn anything in. Please have it ready to check by Friday, but sooner is also fine. We'll go over the error from the lab setup on Wednesday.

Newton's Third Law

Today we talked about the last of Newton's three laws as well as the normal force.

Notes: Newton's Third Law

Tomorrow you have a half day, but you won't actually be in class, so you have extra homework. Some of it you probably finished in class:

• Force TIPERs #1
• #6-9 on the Forces Non-Textbook Problems
• Force TIPERs #2 (we'll go over this one together next class, so please make an effort but don't turn in)

Here are the free-body diagrams for boxes A and B on the back of Force TIPERs #1:



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

Newton's 2nd Law

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

Notes: Newton's Second Law

Homework:

p. 115 Problem #2
Forces Non-Textbook Problems #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 Non-Textbook Problems Bank.

More 2-D Practice

Today we had another work day to prepare for your test tomorrow. For a link to the practice test, its answers, and some videos showing how to solve similar problems, see yesterday's blog entry.

At the beginning of class today we solved a problem similar to #2 on the practice test. Here is how period 1 turned out:

2-D Kinematics Test Practice

We started today by going over last night's homework together. You do not actually need to turn that in.

You then started working on the practice test for 2-D kinematics; that test is on Friday. While you were working I may have checked off your lab from yesterday.

We are doing the same thing tomorrow.

2-D Practice Test

ABRIDGED Key:

Sometimes in the past I have made Khan Academy-type videos on how to solve various problems. I don't currently have any for these exact problems, but here are some similar problems:

Sort of like #3

Sort of like #4

Sort of like #7, but with numbers, which actually isn't very useful now that I think about it

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).

Finishing your lab is also homework.

Solving Projectile Motion Problems

Today we went through a process for solving projectile motion story problems.

Notes: Projectile Motion Problems

Here is the work for the airplane problem:

Here is the work for another problem in which someone jumps with a speed of 11 m/s at an angle of 20 degrees above the horizontal. We found the time it took to reach max height, the jumper's max height, and the horizontal distance the jumper went before coming back to his/her original height.


Homework is —Ch.3 (p. 80) #25, 27, 29, 30, 48, EXTRA CREDIT: #47. We'll be doing this lab on Tuesday (no school Monday).

Motion in 2 Dimensions

Motion in 2 Dimensions (Projectile Motion)

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: Projectile Motion TIPER #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)

Relative Velocity

Bellwork is was a small half-sheet called ESA Practice: Vector Components. We used it to review yesterday's material and to look at the Evaluating Student Answers category of question, which will show up repeatedly in the future. You did not turn in this little paper.

Later we talked about relative velocity. There aren't a lot of notes; here is what ended up on the board first period:

Mythbusters did a pretty cool experiment showing the forward velocity of a truck cancelling out the backward velocity of a cannonball so that the velocity of the cannonball relative to the ground was zero: Mythbusters Frame of Reference.

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.) Kinematics TIPERs #4 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)
B.) p.82 #41 & 44

Please note that this means you will be turning in two different things tomorrow.

Vectors

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

Your 1-Dimensional Kinematics test was today. If you were not able to take it today, it would be best to take it before 1st period next Friday. You can still take it after that, but you would have to take another version and I cannot guarantee you would then have a third version available as a retake.

Your Free Fall Lab is due on your next modular day. Please either hand-write it or, if you type it anyway, submit it to Turnitin.com. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com with your period number and I will send you the class code and class key.

Practice Test

Today was your last day to work on your practice test. I also took a few minutes to go over how to maximize points earned on my tests:



Here is an abridged answer key for the practice test:

Free Fall Lab Part 2

Now that I am back in town, it's time to finish your labs. So today we all went outside so you could drop balls off of the bleachers. We took data for three different heights outside, and since you all used the same three heights you can share data between groups to get more trials.

You final lab is due on your next modular day. The lab sheet has specifics on what you need to turn in.

You have no additional homework tonight, but remember that your test is on Friday.

Free Fall Lab Part 1 + Practice Test

You had a sub today, so you started taking data for your free fall lab, but only inside the classroom. We will go outside on Wednesday to drop the balls off of the bleachers, so bring a sun hat and sunglasses. Here is the lab in case you lost your sheet: Free Fall Lab.

When you had 4-5 different heights done, you moved on to working on the practice test. You do not need to turn this in, but you should make sure you can complete the whole thing with only your equation sheet for reference. You will have more time to work on this and ask me questions on Thursday.

Also, DO NOT LOOK DIRECTLY AT THE SOLAR ECLIPSE.

Problem Solving Method

Today we went over a method for solving word problems, then talked briefly about free fall. I also went over the lab you'll be starting when I am gone on Monday/Tuesday.

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

Homework:
p. 52 #37, 43, 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 (If your book does not have this page, email me at miss.volkening@gmail.com and I'll send you a picture of that page)

Acceleration and Graphs of Motion

During bellwork we talked about your Constant Velocity labs (due tomorrow) and also made our first velocity vs. time graph. Then we defined acceleration, looked at how it affects 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 Kinematics TIPERs #3. It is full of copyrighted material, so email miss.volkening@gmail.com if you need a 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 next Wednesday. Remember, you can only use one car at a time, so no trial and error!

You may hand write your paper, or you can type it and submit it to Turnitin.com. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com with your period and I will send you the class code and class key.

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: Kinematics TIPERS #1. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com if you need a copy.

Mini Labs!

We spent today taking three sets of data:

• The time for a ball to drop 1.5 meters from rest
• The distance a projectile travels before hitting the ground
• The mass of one washer

The goal was to have these things in your lab notebook for each set of data:

• A short procedure
• organized data
• a description of one random and one systematic error and how they affected your data (how did they affect precision, accuracy, or both)

The idea behind today was for you to work through some common data gathering mistakes. To that end, I wandered around asking (extremely) leading questions while you were taking data in an attempt to steer you in the right direction. You will have a grade for today, but if you were here and participating you received 100%.

If I did not have a safety contract from you, you were not allowed to interact with lab supplies. 

Measurement and Error

Today we talked about standard units of measurement, why we have significant figures, and the two types of errors.

Notes: Measurement and Error

This weekend please get a lab notebook, preferably with graph paper pages.

Next week we’ll be doing little labs to get familiar with equipment. For homework, think of ways to measure the following that would reduce errors the most and write a short procedure:

• Time for a ball to fall a certain distance
• Distance a projectile travels
• mass of small objects

Welcome!

Welcome to AP Physics 1 with Ms. Volkening! Today we went over the class policies and procedures, passed out all the paperwork, etc.

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.

Please also take this survey to help me with preferred names and seats:

Volkening Beginning of the Year Survey

Last Days

Everyone turned in their final labs - yay! I am slowly grading my way through those. In the meantime, keep turning in missing work and extra credits - they are due by 8 AM on Friday.

I will be gone for graduation practice on Thursday morning, so if you need blank copies of missing worksheets, you need to ask for them before Thursday.

Remember, if you want a recommendation letter for the fall, please fill out the form here: Volkening Recommendation Request.

Update on AP Test Timing Issue

An update on the AP Physics test timing issue: It’s time for you and your parents to contact the College Board directly if you are concerned and want to do a make-up test in entirety or just the free response. We’re not sure what the CB will allow.

Please do not throw TUSD or UHS under the bus; they tried to advocate for us, twice, to no avail.

If you do call, you need to emphasize that it was over 10 minutes of time lost. The CB might not see 10 minutes as an issue but because of the way the test is designed and directions are spelled out (ie:  recommended time for students to spend on each question) it might have been an issue for you.

If you want to have your score cancelled and want a refund, please tell me so that I can get a list to Ms. Cislak.

Please talk to me or Ms. Cislak directly if you have any questions. I am very sorry that this happened to you after all your hard work and studying.

AP Review

The AP Physics 1 test is next Tuesday, May 2nd in the afternoon session. The alternative test is Thursday, May 18th in the afternoon session.

I have a complete practice test with solutions from the College Board for you to use, but it is a confidential test. You may come sit for it in my room, but none of the materials may leave the room and you cannot take pictures. I also have a couple of commercial prep books available for your use.

Please remember that you have a final lab due May 22nd and that I will be absent on May 18th and 19th. Please also continue to turn in late work, retake tests, and correct labs.

Electricity Test and Final Lab

Today you had about 30 minutes to study, then took your electricity test. We also passed out instructions for your final lab:

Volkening Final Lab

This takes the place of a final exam and is due on Monday, May 22nd. Early submission are GREATLY appreciated.

Practice Test/Work Day

Today was a work day. For a list of things you could work on, see yesterday's blog post. The practice test, key, and solutions videos are there.

More Circuits Practice!

Today we just practiced yet more circuits! You do have some homework, though you probably finished them in class:

p.644 #37, 38, 40
Worksheet: Circuit Reduction Practice

There is also a worksheet, Circuit Practice, that is entirely optional. We don't even want you to turn it in. If you want even more practice, you can try these problems from the book: p. 641 #5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 22, 44, 56, 64. Please do not turn these in; there is a key in the key binder to check your own answers.

Finally, you may have picked up your Electricity Practice Test today. I have some solution videos below and the abridged solutions are here.

Problem #2
Problem #3
Problem #5
Problem #6
Problem #7
Problem #9
Problem #10

Compound Circuits Practice

Today we practiced compound circuits. First, a more difficult problem for bellwork:



Please note that we solved this however each class wanted to solve it, so every period may have done something different. There are many paths to the right answer.

Two worksheets for homework: Compound Circuits Practice and Electricity TIPERs #6.

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 tonight is the worksheet called Concept-Development 35-2. We will be doing more of this tomorrow.

Power and Circuit Breakers

Today we talked about electrical power and circuit breakers.

Notes: Electrical Power

Homework: Concept-Development 34-2 and the worksheet Series and Parallel Circuits

Circuit Lab #3, Series and Parallel Circuits

First we did another qualitative lab, then we used your results to talk about series and parallel circuits. You may be able to complete the lab online with the online simulator PhET Circuit Construction Kit.

Lab/Notes: Series and Paralllel Circuits

Homework is Concept-Development 35-1,

Ohm's Law

Notes: Ohm's Law

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

Mr. Solazzi also started checking circuit labs #1 and #2 today.

Circuit Labs 1 and 2

Today you are doing two labs. Circuit Lab #1 is qualitative - all you need to do is light a light bulb. Circuit Lab #2 is quantitative - you will test how resistance affects current in a simple circuit. On Wednesday we will use your results to derive a fundamental physics law.

Instructions/Notes: Circuit Labs 1 & 2

You may also be able to complete Circuit Lab #1 with the online simulator PhET Circuit Construction Kit and Circuit Lab #2 with the online simulator PhET: Ohm's Law.

Your homework is a worksheet called Concept-Development 34-1 plus finishing your labs.

Mr. Solazzi would also appreciate it if you could fill out a survey for his teaching practicum program:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NPRC3KZ

He needs quality feedback to improve his teaching, so please be honest.

Current and Resistance

For today's modular classes we essentially just have two lessons back to back:

Notes: Electric Potential Part 2 and Current

Notes: Electric Resistance

We also went over one of the problems on Electricity TIPERs #4, whose due date has been moved to Monday/Tuesday.

For today's lecture the homeworks are:

p. 609 MC #3, 4, 14
Electricity TIPERs #1
Electricity TIPERs #5

We will be doing labs on Monday/Tuesday so bring your lab notebooks.

Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Notes: Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Charge and Coulomb's Law

Today we started our last unit: Electricity. We began by conducting a qualitative lab with pieces of tape, aluminium foil, and paper: Sticky Tape Activity. Please note that the first two pages are instructions, then the rest of the pages have places to make you diagrams and write your answers. This packet does count as a lab grade, so don't forget to turn it in.

Later we used your results to talk about charge, conservation of charge, how to charge/discharge things, and Coulomb's Law.

Notes: Charge and Coulomb's Law


Your homework tonight is Electricity Homework #1.

Sound and Standing Waves Test

Today is your test. Have a great Spring Break, and please come back to school refreshed and ready to start our next and last unit: electricity.

Work Day

Today is yours to work on whatever you need to do. Remember that your lab is due today, your test is tomorrow, and anything you want to get on the quarter grade is due tomorrow at 8 AM.

Lab: Speed of Sound in Air

Today you are completing the Speed of Sound in Air Lab. This is due on Wednesday. Below are some tips that were posted on the whiteboard.

If you missed this lab, there is a way to do it online, but it's a bit involved. You will have to use two different simulators.

This simulator is the best because it explains the lab and most closely emulates the physical process involved: http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/HTML5/speed_of_sound.html

The only problem is that it only has 3 available frequencies, and we need at least 6 for a good graph. So while I want you to play with this applet, I want you to actually get your data with a different applet:

http://www.physics.smu.edu/~olness/www/05fall1320/applet/pipe-waves.html

You will need to follow the download instructions and run it off of your computer, not in the web browser window. It may not want to run at first because it uses an old version of Java, but just keep hitting “run anyway” and it will work. In the applet, choose “one side open” under "Form of tube" and make sure "Vibrational mode" is set to "Fundamental." Then you can put in different lengths of tubes and write down the frequencies it gives. This is sort of backwards from the real lab, in which we are choosing frequencies and finding the corresponding lengths of tubes, but you will get the same frequency vs. length data in the end.

Work Time/Pre-Lab and Practice Test

Most of today was yours to work on whatever you want. I did take some of the period to explain the lab we'll be doing on Monday/Tuesday. Your homework is to complete the pre-lab. The lab sheet is here.

You also picked up the Sound and Standing Waves Practice Test.

Harmonics in Music

Today we talked about the physics behind things like notes, timbre, octaves, etc. You aren't actually expected to know any of this and it will NOT be on any tests.

Notes: Harmonics in Music

In addition to the links in the the PowerPoint, you might find this site useful:

EarMaster: Understanding basic Music Theory
Michael Norris: Harmonic Series Calculator

Homework tonight is an FRQ from the AP test two years ago: 2015 FRQ 5. Email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy if you need it.

Coming up:

• You have a test next week, either Wednesday or Thursday.
• You have a lab on Monday/Tuesday. You might want to find and download a tone generator app for your phone, though if you don't my tuning forks will do fine.
• You have a work day and a practice test tomorrow
• The last day of the quarter is Thursday. I have to submit quarter grades on Friday. If you want something to make it on to the quarter grade, you need to turn it in soon.

Standing Waves Part 2

Today we completed our discussion of standing waves by looking at the standing waves that form on a string fixed (held) at both ends.

Notes: Standing Waves Part 1: Fixed Ends

Here is a great video showing the standing waves on a string: YouTube SMUPhysics

Homework tonight is p.509 #41 & 46

Standing Waves: Open Ends

Today we introduced standing waves:

Notes: Standing Waves Part 1: Open Ends

Here are the things that ended up on the board:

Homework tonight is p.506 CON #10 + p.510 #51 & 52a. For #51, just use 343 m/s for the speed of waves in air.

Resonance and Beats

Today is another mostly conceptual day:

Notes: Resonance and Beats

Homework is p.505 Multiple Choice #9 + Conceptual #6 & 11

The Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect is one of my favorite things!

Notes: Doppler Effect

Homework is Ch. 14 (p. 505) Multiple Choice #12 + Conceptual #1, 7, 8

SHM and Waves Test

I hope you have recovered from the ACT yesterday because you have a test today!

SHM and Waves Practice Test

Today is your work time to study for your test next Wednesday. Below are the practice test, key, and solutions videos.

Simple Harmonic Motion PRACTICE TEST
Answer Key

Solutions videos:
#7
#8
#9
#10

Have a great Rodeo Break.

Sound Intro

Today we went over a bunch of stuff about sound:

Notes: Sound

Your only homework is to read section 14.2 in the textbook and then explain what you read to another person. We'll have some bellwork next week based on the reading, but otherwise I'm just trusting you to read it.

Please note that this information is NOT on the next unit test. Because of Rodeo Break this week and the ACT next week we just needed to start the next unit before the last unit's test, which will be next Wednesday.

Speaking of the test, you also might have picked up a practice SHM motion and Waves test today. You will have a work day tomorrow.

Wave Interference and Reflection

Today we talked about what happens when waves overlap or hit a barrier/change mediums.

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

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

Earthquakes and Electromagnetic Radiation

Today was slightly short because of the pep assembly, so we just talked about earthquakes and electromagnetic (EM) waves. Below is a picture of what ended up on the board:

We also visited these sites or watched these videos:

Types of Seismic Waves (L. Braile, Purdue)
Seismic Waves (YouTube)
Seismic Wave Propagation (Michael S. Thorne, H. Philip Crotwell, Gunnar Jahnke, and Heiner Igel)
Electromagnetic Spectrum
United States Frequency Allocations (NASA)

Homework: p. 469 #43, 45, 46

Mechanical Waves

Today we introduced 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

Homework: Ch. 13 (p.469) # #41, 42, 44

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 20 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 was a half day, so you worked on practice problems while I checked your labs from earlier in the week. These are due next class:

Ch. 13 Conceptual (p.465) #1, 2 + Problems (p. 467) #19, 21, 24, 25, 28

Bring your lab notebook next class! We're doing ANOTHER LAB!

Circles and SHM

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

Springs and Simple Harmonic Motion

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: 2/8 HW (ignore the wrong date on this PDF scan). 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.

Springs!

Today we used your labs to figure out Hooke's Law. We also talked about ways the model of springs can be used to explain concepts that don't necessarily look like springs.

Dolphin Tails
Chemical Bonds
Robert Hooke

Homework: Chapter 13 (p.466) #1, 4, 5

Also bring your lab notebook Monday/Tuesday.

Spring Intro Lab

Today we derived Hooke's Law with a little intro lab:

Spring Intro Lab

The lab is due tomorrow.

Senior Debates

The Senior Debates were today, so I only had periods 5 and 6 in class. They had work time. You may have picked up your take-home test anytime at lunch or later, but if you didn't make sure to pick one up tomorrow.

Review for Test

The first thing we did today was to go over the paragraph-style answer on Rotation Motion TIPERs #7.

Your test for this unit will be a take-home test, which I will pass out on Thursday and will be due next Monday. Wednesday will probably be totally eaten up by the Senior Debates, so today is your day to study for your test.

Rotational Dynamics Test Practice

Abridged answers

I also have some videos, but they are for an older version and some of the problems have changed.

#4
#5
#7 (PART C HAS CHANGED)
#8
#9 (energy method), #9 (dynamics method) (THIS HAS CHANGED)
#10
#11 (THIS HAS CHANGED)