End of Semester

Today and tomorrow are finals days, so they are half days. We are not having a final - we are just taking your last unit test on momentum. I will send a message on Remind when those tests are in, so you can look in Synergy and decide if you want to do any last minute work to improve your grade.

General reminders:

• I am not available right after school Wednesday, but will be back after lunch (to grade today's tests). I am available after school Thursday.
• You can still get missing labs checked for full credit and you can correct labs for full credit.
• You can retake any test you earned less than 80% on (except the momentum test you're taking today - there just isn't time).
• You can turn in old homework for half credit.
• If nothing is missing, you can turn in extra credit (see extra credit tab on this blog) for up to 100% in the homework category.
• I need everything by 8 AM Friday morning (email to lisa.volkening@tusd1.org if afterhours Thursday). Note that you have to retake tests in person, so those will have to be done no later than after school Thursday.

Email me or use Remind if you have a question about your grade (Remind will get to me faster).

Momentum Test Practice

First you did your last Plickers, and then you took a 5-question, multiple choice quiz that I need for data. It won't hurt your grade.

The rest of the period was work time. Don't forget to get your last lab checked. Your last unit test is on your finals day.

Here is the momentum test practice. The key is here. Here are some of the video solutions:

#1
#2
#3

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!

Suggested homework: finish Momentum TIPERs #1 and do p.191 #8 & 15 . You will check this yourself - I don't want to grade it!

You might also have picked up a momentum test practice. The key is here. Here are some of the video solutions:

#1
#2
#3

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

Suggested homework is 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:

Here is a solution to the second example problem:

Suggested homework: p.194 # 49 & 51

Lab: Conservation of Momentum

Today you are completing Lab: Conservation of Momentum. This is your last lab grade for the semester.

Collisions

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

Notes: Collisions

The PhET collision simulator is here.

Suggested homework tonight is p. 192 #29, 31, 34a

You also need to complete the pre-lab for Lab: Momentum Conservation.

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.

Suggested homework: p. 192 #25, 26, 27

Momentum Intro

Today we had one slide of notes and a bunch of practice problems:

Notes: Momentum Intro

Then you worked on your suggested homework: p. 190 #1, 3, 6, 7 (this might look like a lot, but they are all very short problems).

STEM Electives for Seniors

Today several teachers come in to talk to you about the STEM courses available for you to take next year. If you would like any of their PowerPoints, email me or text me on Remind and I can send them. Otherwise, here is a summary of the courses and who you can talk to about them.

Work Day

Today is your one work day before your test next week. The practice exam, key, and solutions videos are below. It wouldn't hurt to do any suggested homework that you never got around to, as well.

Rotational Motion Test Practice

Answers

Solutions videos:

#2

#3

#4

#6
#7

#8

#9

Deriving Kepler's 3rd Law

Today we combined universal gravitation and uniform circular motion to derive Kepler's 3rd Law.

There is no homework, but you probably picked up your practice test today.

Rotational Motion Test Practice

Answers

Solutions videos:

#2

#3

#4

#6
#7

#8

#9

Universal Gravitation Part 2

Today we used your graphs from yesterday to come up with the relationships between the masses, distance between the mass centers, and the magnitude of the gravitational force between the masses.



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. This is suggested homework, which will be assessed Friday.

After all of this, we attempted a demonstration about the idea that gravity isn't really a force, exactly, but the consequences of bending space-time with large masses. This will not be assessed but it is the currently accepted model.

We also talked about gravitational waves, which are super exciting and the first detection of which was only a few years ago. Here is a pretty awesome video from Science Bulletin: Gravity-Making Waves. This was made before the first detection, though.

Universal Gravitation Part 1

This lesson will take two days. We started with a Plickers from last week's suggested homework, then used some fake data to derive the Law of Universal Gravitation (Newtonian gravitation). Here is the activity: Universal Gravitation Pseudo-Lab. Today we got as far as making the graphs; please finish for homework so we can jump into the results tomorrow.

Here are the graphs you need to make and some linearizations to try when you don't get a line:

Lab: Finding g With Centripetal Force

Today we worked on the lab you picked up on Friday: Finding g With Centripetal Force. The FRQ from Friday is basically the background for this lab, so you first spent a few minutes correcting your own using a class set of the grading guide.

This lab should be done completely in your lab notebook - I will check it there. I won't make an effort to check it until next week, but if you finish it early I can check it early.

There is no additional homework.

Here are some tips that were on the whiteboard:

Practice Problems

I was out sick, so today you just did some practice problems. They are suggested homework if you didn't finish in class:

p. 228 #18, 20, 32, 65

You also picked up FRQ2009Bb1. This is also suggested homework, but it is the basis for the lab you are doing on Monday/Tuesday, Finding g with Centripetal Force, so you probably should complete it.

Note: period is the time something takes to complete one cycle. For something moving in a circle, period is the time it takes to complete one rotation/revolution.

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.

Some videos we watched:

2001: A Space Odyssey Clip
NASA Centrifuge Gravity Simulator Test

We may have also talked about some conceptual consequences of the equation for centripetal acceleration and centripetal force, such as why people cut corners in their cars or why rollercoaster loops are not actually round (they're a sort of upside down raindrop shape).

Any leftover time was spent working on tonight's suggested homework: p. 228 #26 & 30

Centripetal Acceleration and Force

Today we introduced centripetal acceleration and centripetal force.

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 suggested homework:

p.227 #8, 9, 11, 69

Although I still don't want you to turn this in since I just will not have to grade it, it is important that you practice. I am giving you work time in class so you are expected to complete these problems.

#8 is actually the hardest, so you may not want to start there. #69 is almost a symbolic version of #8.

Relating Angular to Linear Quantities

Today we learned the relationships between angular and linear position, velocity, and acceleration.

Notes: Relating Angular to Linear

Homework: Rotational Motion TIPERs #1

Rotational Motion

Today we learned about the angular quantities involved in rotational motion.

Notes: Angular Quantities

Suggested homework is p. 227 # 1a, 4, 13

Energy Test

Today you had some work time before taking the test. Next class we will start the rotational motion unit.

Energy Test Practice

Today was your work day to prepare for the energy test next class. You'll also have 20-30 min of work time before your test next class.

Energy Practice Test
Energy Practice Test Key

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.

Suggested HW: p.160 #35, 39, 67. Tomorrow will be a work day. You might have picked up the Energy Test Practice in class today, too.

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

Elastic Potential Energy

After doing a Plickers, we defined elastic potential energy.

Notes: Elastic Potential Energy

Suggested HW: front of Energy TIPERs #6 - we'll do the back tomorrow.

Lab: Efficiency of a Ramp

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

This lab is short enough that most of you finished AND got yours checked in class. I also checked your labs from last Wednesday while you were working.

You have some suggested homework, with a Plickers on Wednesday: p.162 #47 & 89

Machines and Efficiency

First, I forgot my phone today, so the Plickers problem we were going to do from last night's suggested homework has been pushed to next class. This means there may be more than one Plickers problem next class.

Today we very briefly talked about machines and efficiency.

Notes: Machines

Your suggested homework is a little half sheet called HW: Machines.

On Monday/Tuesday nest week you will be completing a lab. The goal is to answer the question: does the angle of a ramp affect its efficiency? If so, what is the relationship? How you answer this question is up to you, so think about it over the weekend.

Power

Notes: Power!

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

Lab: Energy of a Bouncing Ball

Today you had all day to work on a little lab:

If you didn't finish it in class, finish for homework tonight. When it's done, show it to me in your notebook. We are doing another lab on Mon/Tues - I will definitely be asking to see this one while you're working on that one.

Work Due to a Variable Force + Work Problems Practice

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). We went over the answers in class.

Suggested homework for this content is p. 163 #59, 60, 61.

Then we did a problem together (see below) and started working on Energy TIPERs #5. You might not have finished in class. Although Energy TIPERs 5 is suggested only and you will not be turning it in, please try to finish it sometime and check your answers in the answer key binder. The back especially is a really good problem - it is actually from an old AP test.

Here is the problem we did solved without numbers:

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.

Suggested homework is p. 158 #8, 9, 13, 16. If you never completed p.160 #25, 33, 37, you might want to try those too.

Energy Conservation Practice

I'm still pretty wiped out from the PSAT yesterday, and you must be too, so today is a work day. You are working on:

1. Energy TIPERs #1 and #2, which we will go over at some point in the class.

2. Energy Conservation Practice. This is new today, up front on the counter. I will have a Plickers off of it tomorrow.

3. p.160 #25, 33, 37. I don't know when I'll hold you responsible for this suggested problems set, but please work on it eventually. Maybe this weekend?

We'll have new content tomorrow.

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 suggested homework:

• Energy TIPERs #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com or reply on Remind for a copy)
• Energy TIPERs #2 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com or reply on Remind for a copy)
• p.160 Problems #25, 33, #37.

NONE of these are due on Wednesday - you have the PSAT on Wednesday.  On Thursday, we'll go over some of these together and/or use Plickers, and have some work time to review similar problems.

Newton's 2nd Law Lab + Practice Test

Today you completed the Newton's 2nd Law Lab. I would like to check this while you take your test on Thursday, but if you finish it early I can check it early. The grade for this lab won't count until next quarter.

I checked the Coefficient of Static Friction lab from Friday. This is due today and if you don't get it checked it will severely affect your quarter grade.

Remember that the end of quarter is on Thursday. Anything you want to get on to the quarter grade needs to be done/turned in by Wednesday.

Finally, you picked up the Force Test Practice and Forces TIPERs #4. I don't want either of those back - they are for your practice only. We will do a Plickers about Force TIPERs #4 on Wednesday .Below is the key for the practice test.

You will have a workday on Wednesday and your test is Thursday.

Force Practice Test Key:


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

Coefficient of Static Friction Lab

First we used Plickers to grade last night's suggested homework, then the rest of the period was yours to work on the Coefficient of Static Friction Lab.

The only homework is to finish that lab if you didn't finish in class. I would like to check it while you are completing the Newton's 2nd Law Lab on Monday/Tuesday.

Friction on an Incline

Today we went over Friction TIPERs #3, then we did a problem together on the board:


The rest of the period was work time. You could have worked on your suggested homework, p.118 #39, 43, 51, and/or the pre-lab for the lab you'll be doing tomorrow, Coefficient of Static Friction Lab.

Tomorrow we will do one Plickers for the suggested homework, then you will have the rest of the period to do the pre-lab and lab. In previous years one period was enough time to complete all of that.

Incorporating Friction into Newton's 2nd Lab Problems

Today we first went over Friction TIPERs #2. Then we continued the notes from last class, doing two story problems that included friction.

I decided not to give additional homework, so Friction TIPERs #3 is the only thing to work on tonight. We'll go over it tomorrow.

Friction

Today we started talking about friction:

Notes: Friction

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

And Yet MORE PRACTICE

Today is basically a repeat of yesterday. We did some Plickers, then you had time to work on another suggested problem set: p. 114 MC #10 + p.116 #24, 35, & 36A (but without numbers - find acceleration in terms of m1, m2, and g).

We'll be learning about friction on Monday/Tuesday. Have a good weekend.

More Practice

Today and tomorrow you will be working on more practice problems involving forces. Tomorrow will be another such work day, with some Plickers problems at the beginning. We had some Plickers problems today, too.

Here is the problem set for today (homework if you don't finish in class): p. 117 #26, 29, 38

In case you run out of stuff to work on, this will be tomorrow's problem set: p. 114 MC #10 + p.116 #24, 35, & 36A (but without numbers - find acceleration in terms of m1, m2, and g).

Inclined Planes

First we did a Plickers for one of last night's homework problems.

Then we went through how to deal with inclined planes. There is only one major change: you tip the axes over so that the x-axis runs parallel to the surface of the inclined plane and the y-axis is perpendicular to the inclined plane.



After you tip the axes you proceed pretty much the same as yesterday.

Hopefully you started your homework in class:

Suggested: p. 117 #27 & 28. Plickers tomorrow.

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

Suggested homework: p. 116 #17, 21, 25

Work Day (Half Day)

Today is a half day, so periods were only 33 minutes long. We went over Force TIPERs #2 together, and the rest of the period was work time.

Force TIPERs #1 is due Mon/Tues and there will be a Plickers Mon/Tues based on #6-9 on the Forces Non-Textbook problems sheet.

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

Homework:

• Suggested: #6-9 on the Forces Non-Textbook Problems (Plickers Monday/Tuesday)
• Force TIPERs #1 - due next modular (you will probably have some time tomorrow to work on it a bit)
• Force TIPERs #2 (we'll go over this one together tomorrow, 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 (if we didn't get here, we'll do it tomorrow):

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, and you will be turning this in. Respond on Remind or email me if you need a copy.

Suggested homework is #1-3 on the Forces Non-Textbook Problems Bank. We actually will not have time for a Plickers for this on Wednesday, so all I can do is encourage you to read and think about those three problems.

2-D Kinematics Quiz

This is worth half as many points as all of our other unit tests. No homework for the weekend - get some rest.

Work Day

Today we quickly went over Projectile Motion TIPERs #2, then you have work time. Your quiz is tomorrow. The practice quiz and key were on yesterday's entry.

Projectile Motion Lab

Today was your day to take data for the Projectile Motion Lab, which you picked up last Friday. Please have the Background/Theory and Procedure sections, as well as your answer for the launch velocity of your launcher, ready to check in your notebook on Friday. If you finish earlier than that, I can check it earlier.

Out on the counter top were two things for you to pick up.

1. Projectile Motion TIPERs #2 - please do this by tomorrow so we can go over it together. You will not be turning this in.

2. 2-D Kinematics Quiz Practice . Your quiz (half as long and half as many points as the last unit test) is on Friday. Tomorrow will be a work day. Here is the key to the practice quiz: KEY.

Graphs Quiz and Test Return

Today we first did a Plickers problem on one of the weekend's homework problems.

Then we spent 20 minutes taking a 10 question, multiple choice quiz. This won't hurt your grade, but could help your grade.

Next we returned and quickly went through your 1-D kinematics test. Keep that, it's yours now.

Finally, you spent the last 15 minutes or so getting ready for your lab tomorrow, which mostly meant completing and understanding #48 parts A & B on page 82.

No homework tonight, except to be ready to take data for the Projectile Motion Lab tomorrow.

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.


Suggested homework is p. 80 #25, 27, 29, 30, 48. If you want a real challenge, try #47. We'll be starting this lab on Tuesday (no school Monday) and also taking a 10 MC problem extra credit quiz.

Motion in 2 Dimensions (Projectile Motion)

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

First we did a Plickers question instead of turning in last night's homework.

Then we looked at a TIPER where you had to evaluate students' statements about vector components.

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) - You will turn this in
B.) Suggested: p.82 #41 & 44 (won't turn in)

Vectors

Today we talked about adding vectors in general. There is very little physics today - just math that we'll need from now on.

Notes: Vectors

Homework: p.78 #1, 17, 18

You will also have a graphs-only extra credit MC quiz (20 min) on Wednesday.

Work Time

Today was a work day to prepare for your test tomorrow and finish your Free Fall Lab. See yesterday's blog post for the practice test and its key.

1-D Kinematics Practice Test

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



Below are pictures of the abridged key.


We also talked about what to do if Synergy says you're missing something that you are sure you turned in. Do these things in this order:

1. Check the no-name papers (top tray in the returned work trays)
2. Retrieve your returned work. Sometimes I put the score in the wrong column or row. If this has happened, just find the graded and returned paper and show it to me so I can fix it.
3. You turned in the paper, but later than the due date. These will take me longer to get to. In the meantime, Synergy will show the assignment as "missing." The only thing to do is wait a bit longer.
4. Check your stuff. Maybe you completed the assignment but didn't actually turn it in.

You'll have a full work day tomorrow, and your test is Friday. I want to check your Free Fall Lab during your test, so please have that done by Friday too. I can also check that early if you finish early.

Free Fall Lab

Today we are working on the Free Fall Lab. First I went over exactly why we are doing this lab and introduced the idea of linearization. The rest of the period was yours to take data, including about half an hour of the whole class going outside to drop the balls off of the bleachers.

To save time (and prevent the loss of the Koosh balls through a certain fence) the whole class timed the ball drops from the tallest bleachers as a group.

You have no additional homework tonight. This is due on the day of your test (Friday). I will be checking it in your notebooks while you take the test.

Edit: it was way to hot for 6th period to go outside (above 104), so they got to steal some of 4th period's data. It is on the picture of the whiteboard below.

Problem Solving Method

Today we went through a problem solving method for story problems. You don't have to use this method, but I recommend using it at least at first.

Notes: Solving Kinematics Word Problems

Homework is p.52 #37, 43, 46, 51, 54. You will turn this one in.

We will be doing a lab on Monday/Tuesday. Please read over the lab instructions this weekend and bring your lab notebook to school.

Part of the lab will be outside. You may want to bring sun protection.

Today we also went over how to register for this class on the College Board website. Here's how:

1. Go to myap.collegeboard.org
2. Login with your College Board credentials, or create an account if you don't have one.
3. Once you are in, click Join a Course or Exam
4. Submit your join code. The join codes are unique to your teacher, class, and class period, so make sure you use the right one! You were given it in class, and I will also text it out on Remind.
5. Make sure the info that comes up is for the course you are taking. If it is, click Yes.
6. The first time you enroll in an AP course in My AP, you’ll need to fill out some registration information. It’s important to provide accurate information. You only have to do this once.
7.You're done! Good job.

1-D Motion Equations

Today we finally got some equations that will let us solve for position, velocity, and acceleration at a given time.

Notes:1-D Motion

Suggested homework is p.52 #31, 33 a&b, 45. We'll have a Plickers problem tomorrow.

Graphs of Motion - Backwards

More graphs! Just going from acceleration to velocity to position instead!

Notes: Graphs of Motion-Backwards

Homework is Kinematics TIPERs #3. Email me for an electronic copy if you need it.

Acceleration and Graphs of Motion

During bellwork we talked about your Constant Velocity labs (please turn in ASAP) 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.

Here is the Powerpoint: Acceleration and Graphs of Motion

Suggested homework is p.51 #24 and p. 55A # 1&2 (55A is a special page only in the "AP Edition" of the textbook. You might not have it in your textbook; contact me if you do not and I will send you a picture). Instead of you turning this in, we will have a Plickers question for Bellowork on Wednesday.

Below are the answers for the bellwork.

Velocity and Graphs

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. You're actually going to turn this one in.

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: Kinematics TIPERS #1. This is our first "suggested" homework, which means that instead of turning it in you will have a similar Plickers question tomorrow. Your performance on that will give you your homework grade.

The answers to all homeworks, whether suggested or turned in, are in the white binder in the back of the classroom, so you can check your own work if you want.

Mini Labs

Today played with the equipment from upcoming labs so that you can figure out the best way to take data. If you were here and participating, you earned some lab points. If you were absent, it will just be excused.

But first, we learned how to use Plickers with some practice problems about graph shapes.

No homework!

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:

• Time for a ball to fall a certain distance
• Distance a projectile travels
• Height a ball bounces up to
• Time it takes a toy car to travel 2 meters

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  a letter for your parent/guardian, a safety contract, and an equation sheet. To save paper, I did not print out the syllabus, but it can be found here: syllabus. Please note that on the parent/guardian letter, the Remind code is @volkening[period], where you put your period number where the brackets are. So if you are in my 4th period, you would use @volkening4 .

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

The End

Well, it is now the last week of school. Here's what's going on:

Monday, May 20th: Your final lab is due. Come turn it in today even if your class period does not meet.

Monday/Tuesday: We are watching the documentary Tim's Vermeer. There will be an extra credit Plickers quiz at the end.

Wednesday, May 22nd: This is the last day to make up or retake a test and to get regular labs checked. This is the last day I will be available to students. It is a half day with periods 1,3,5 only. We will not be doing anything in class.

Thursday, May 23rd: This is the last day to turn in missing homeworks and extra credits. I will not be here, so just leave everything in the basket. I will not be available to help students as I will be working at graduation all day.

If you will be a senior next year, please fill out the survey at http://bit.ly/UHS2020information  to help me do all the graduation/senior year stuff I have to do. Please also join my Remind by texting @uhs2020fyi to 81010.

Work Time

Weeks of unstructured work time stretch before us. Here are some things you can do:

The Final Lab referenced above is here: Final Lab. It is due May 20th for all classes.

Practice Time

The rest of the week is work time for you to finish all of your homework and to study for the test. You have one last homework, Electricity TIPERs #4, which is due tomorrow. The practice test was also available.

Electricity Test Practice
Key:

Here are some old solutions videos:

#6

#7

#9

#11

#13

#14

#15 (the reading HW I mention in the video wasn't done this year)

Your test is either Monday or Tuesday. You will have a little time to study before it starts.

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 result:

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

Whatever time we didn't spend on this problem (which is a lot of time) you were working on two worksheets: Concept-Development 35-2 and Compound Circuits Practice. Whatever you didn't finish in class is homework.

Circuit Breakers

Today we briefly talked about circuit breakers (and fuses) - how they work, why we have them, etc. Most of the day was work time, though. I need you all to get your labs done and checked.

Homework is p.644 #37, 38, 40

Electrical Power

Today we talked about electrical power.

Notes: Electrical Power

Here is the setup for the practice problem:



Homework: Concept-Development 34-2

Solving Series and Parallel Circuits

Today we solved one series and one parallel circuit together on the board:


Then you practiced on your own with the worksheet Series and Parallel Circuits Practice, which is homework if you didn't finish in class.

Circuit Lab #3 + Series and Parallel Circuits

Today you completed another conceptual lab, then we had some notes about the two arrangements of light bulbs you created.

Circuit Lab #3 + Series and Parallel Circuits

Homework is Concept-Development 35-1

Circuit Lab #2 + Ohm's Law

Today and tomorrow are modular! We are completing a quantitative lab, Circuit lab #2, then using it to derive Ohm's Law.

Lab Instructions + Ohm's Law notes

Diagrams for setting up the multimeter:

If you were gone. you may be able to complete Circuit Lab #2 with the online simulator PhET: Ohm's Law. This is pretty easy and fast to do in person, though, so you should complete it in person if at all possible.

Homework is p. 611 #10, 11, 13, 15, 20, 51

Circuit Lab #1

Today you completed a conceptual lab. The instructions and also a little bit of notes about circuit diagrams are here: Circuit Lab 1. You may also be able to complete Circuit Lab #1 with the online simulator PhET Circuit Construction Kit .

Homework is Concept-Development 34-1.

ACT

Today you all took the ACT, so I only saw 5th and 6th periods. Those were simply work time.

Electrical Resistance

Today we are talking about the last of the three fundamental quantities we need to talk about circuits.

Notes: Electric Resistance

Homework: p. 609 MC #3, 4, 14 + Problem #14

This is due on WEDNESDAY - please do not spend time on this tonight. Tonight you should be resting for the ACT, which is tomorrow.

Electric Current

Today we made the jump from static charges to moving charges (electricity).

Notes: Electric Current

Homework tonight is Ch. 17 (p. 610) Conceptual #3&7 + Problem #1

Monday is a sequential schedule!

Electric Potential Energy and Potential Difference

Today we talked about the energy stored by a charge when you move it in relation to another charge.

Notes: Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential

Homework is Electricity TIPERs #3.

Coulomb's Law

So, we already know that like charges repel and unlike charges attract. Today we learned an equation to calculate the force with with charges attract or repel.

Notes: Coulomb's Law

Here is an old video of me demonstrating #3 on the bellwork: Balloon and Paper Pieces.

Homework tonight is Electricity TIPERs #2.

Charge Conservation

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. You only turned in the last two pages.

Later we used your results to talk about charge, moving charge around, and polarization/induction.

Notes: Charge Conservation

I might have bent some water in class. Here is a video of that: Balloon Attracts Water


Your homework tonight is Electricity TIPERs #1 (email miss.volkening@gmail.com for a copy)

Work Day

Today is a workday. Here is the practice test again: Sound and Standing Waves Practice Test. Here is the key: KEY

Lab: Speed of Sound in Air

Today you are completing a lab to verify the speed of sound in air:

Lab: Speed of Sound in Air

Here are some tips/reminders that were on the board:

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.

You also received a practice test for your test on Thursday:

Sound and Standing Waves Practice Test
Here is the key: KEY

Wednesday will be a work day.

Sound and Harmonics

Today we just looked at a few things that I didn't have time for earlier in the week:

Harmonic Waveform Generator from meettechniek.info

Veratasium: 2-D Ruben's Tube

Steve Mould: Laser + Mirror + Sound (we only watched the first 5 minutes or so)

Brusspup: Amazing Water and Sound Experiment

You do not have any homework tonight. If you are missing any homework, especially for this unit, please work on that.

Coming up:

• You have a test next week on Thursday. The test grade will not go on the quarter grade.
• You have a lab on Monday/Tuesday that you will be turning in instead of just getting it checked. It will not go on the quarter grade.
• You have a work day next Wednesday. You can pick up the practice test today if you want it.
• 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 discussed the standing longitudinal waves that can form inside a hollow tube. This is how wind-based instruments work.

Notes: Standing Waves Part 2

Homework is p.506 CON #10 + p.510 #51 & 52a

Standing Waves Part 1

Today we started talking about standing waves and how stringed instruments create certain frequencies.

Notes: Standing Waves Part 1

There are a lot of sites we visited and videos that we watched; they are linked in the Powerpoint.

Homework is in two parts and you probably got a good start in class:
p.510 #41 & 46
AND
2015 FRQ 5 (this is an old FRQ from the AP test).

Resonance and Beats

Today is another mostly conceptual day:

Notes: Resonance and Beats

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

For those that asked, here is the video of the boy breaking the glass:

Boy Breaks Glass With Voice

If you try this yourself, PLEASE wear eye protection and do not use someone's nice glasses. Go get some wine glasses from a thrift store or something.

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

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.

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: There is almost nothing to practice interference in the textbook, so your homework tonight is to play a game. Download the app Kerflux and get to at least level 30. Please note you do NOT have to pay anything for this game. If you do not have a device that can run Kerflux, that's okay too; I'm not actually checking this.

On Wednesday you will have a work day to prepare for your unit test.

Your unit test is on your next modular day. Below you will find a link to the practice test as well as a key.

SHM and Waves Test Practice

Solutions videos (note that the numbers of the problems have changed but the problems themselves have not):
#9
#10
#11
#12

EM Waves

Today was a half day, so we very briefly discussed a type of non-mechanical wave called an electromagnetic (EM) wave.

Electromagnetic Spectrum
United States Frequency Allocations (NASA)

Homework: p. 469 #43, 45, 46

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

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.

Here is a great video that explains how patterns are made using a pendulum with different periods in different dimensions of motion: YouTube: Sand pendulums - Lissajous patterns - part one // Homemade Science with Bruce Yeany. The explanation of how they work starts at 4 minutes in.

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

Tomorrow is a half day!

SHM Practice Problems

Today you worked on practice problems while I was in meetings elsewhere.

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

Anything you don't finish is homework, and we will go over your period of a pendulum labs tomorrow. Please have them done.

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.

Mechanical Waves

Because I will be out next Wednesday, I have had to rearrange some things, and that means today we are taking a little break from SHM to talk about mechanical waves. We will go back to SHM on Monday/Tuesday with another lab, so bring your lab notebook next time. I will also be checking your Period of a Spring Lab on Monday/Tuesday.

Here are the notes for today:



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

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

Here is the stuff about earthquakes:
Types of Seismic Waves (L. Braile, Purdue)
Seismic Waves (YouTube)


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

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: HW: Period of a Mass/Spring System

Lab: Period of 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 (tip: if you set the friction to "lots" for this part, it will keep the mass from bouncing and let you measure the stretch more easily). 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.