Syllabus for Physics

Hi everyone,

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer so far.  We seem to have wandered into the hot part of NC summer a bit early but that's part of the joy of living in NC (and I'll happily have that over an Illinois winter any day!  :)  )

Thanks so much for being a part of this year's physics class.  I know there are many options for homeschoolers and I'm honored that you chose me to be a part of your education process.  I truly hope everyone felt that class was enjoyable and educational.

I hope to see many of you again next year, either in the Raleigh biology class or perhaps in my Chapel Hill physics class.

I've included a syllabus below that details all the concepts and topics we've covered this year.

As always, please don't hesitate to contact me if you have any questions.

May your summer be wonder-filled,

Jim Mueller

(919) 907-3217

Physics Finals

Hi everyone,

Just wanted to let you all know that if you'd like to see your final exams I'd be happy to send you .pdf's of them. Just let me know when you get a chance.

I hope summer is going well for all of you.

Jim Mueller

Recording for 5/13 - review and colors

https://youtu.be/kX8uMdalCBI

5/13 Physics update

Hi folks,

Today we spent most of our time reviewing for the final. However, we also had a bit of time to get into color as well.

No homework this week but I would really recommend taking some time to understand color. There may well be some questions about color on the final.

Other than that, just keep reviewing those old quizzes. Let me know if you have any questions. I'll try to help ASAP.

Good luck everyone!

Jim Mueller

5/6 physics update and homework due 5/13

Hi folks,

Today we, hopefully, deepened the understanding of how light reflects and refracts. We also discussed the properties of convex and concave mirrors.

The week after next is the final exam. The final will be on material from the beginning of the year to now. The best way to study for the final is to look over all old quizzes. So… homework for next week is to REVIEW ALL OLD TESTS AND QUIZZES!!! I'll take as much time as needed next week to answer questions so please take this week to look over old material and see if you have any problems understanding any of it.

Also, if you feel you have any homework missing please feel free to email me so I can give you a list of what you may be missing.

Have a good week.

Jim Mueller

Web page for Concave Lens Ray Diagrams

Hi folks,

Here's a good web page to give more information on Concave lens ray diagrams if you feel you need it.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-5/Diverging-Lenses-Ray-Diagrams

4/29 physics update and homework due 5/6

Hi folks,

Today we did a bunch more stuff with light, lenses and the grand and glorious ray diagram.

Homework for this week is to read chapter 30 in the book and
do the Think and Explain questions 1-12 on page 479.

Also, make sure you feel comfortable with the convex and concave lens ray diagrams. Chances are quite good that there will be a quiz on that next week.

Answers to last quiz/homework assignment

Hi folks,

I would highly recommend you guys take some time with this. Hide your answers and take the quiz from scratch. At least do the questions that you got wrong. This action will serve you well in the future. :)

4/22 Physics update

Hi folks,

Today we took a much deeper look at refraction and learned how to predict the behavior of a lens using the 3 laws of refraction.

Homework for next week is to create five different ray diagrams for a converging (convex) lens.  For each diagram, move the location of the object.  Do at least two diagrams with the object between the focal point and the lens and at least 2 with the object beyond the focal point.  Please use a ruler to create your rays.

If you need, this website  does a very nice job explaining how to do ray diagrams.  They go about it a little differently than I did in class but the results are identical.  

Have fun! :)

Recording for 4/15 Physics class - Light 1

https://youtu.be/1_TDmLJWiRQ

4/15 Physics update and homework due 4/22

Hi folks,

Today we started our unit on light by investigating different lenses and their effect on light. We played with many convex and concave lenses to see how they bent light and affected the images that we see. We will get into mirrors next week and then begin taking a look at ray diagrams.

Homework this week is to:

read pages 404-418 in the Conceptual Physics book

Do Review questions 1 - 23 on pages 419 and 420

4/8 Physics Update and homework due 4/15

Hi folks,

Today we took our discussion of waves a bit farther as we got into quite a bit more detail about sound.

Homework for this week is to do the enclosed .pdf. It is a review of many of the problems that are giving many of you quite a bit of trouble on the quizzes. Consider this a partial review for the final exam. All of these problems have been on past quizzes and most, if not all, of these problems will be on future quizzes and/or the final. You should have answers for all of these in your notes or on past quizzes.

Good luck!

Recording for 4/8 Physics class - Sound

Part one https://youtu.be/ZzfxN4c9Fh4

Part two https://youtu.be/ZzfxN4c9Fh4

Physics Recording 4/1 - Resonance

http://youtu.be/YxzVSkFg7WQ

4/1 Physics update and homework due 4/8

Hi folks,

Today we took time to learn about natural frequency and resonance as well as a few more bits and pieces regarding waves and how they transfer energy.

Homework for next week is to:

Read the Sound chapter in the book. Pages 390 to 400 (We've been talking on and off about sound this entire unit. This chapter will help to solidify a lot of the concepts we've already been discussing.)

Do Review Questions on page 401 #'s 1 - 20.

Homework Change for Physics again

Hi folks,

Sorry for all the confusion on this. Just do the Review Questions 12 - 20 on page 388 for homework this week.

Adjustment on this weeks homework assignment

Hi folks,

I made a mistake in my last homework assignment. Here's the adjusted assignment.

Read 379 - 386 in the book.
Do Review Questions on page 388 #'s 12 - 20
Do Think and Explain Questions on page 388 and 389 #'s 1 - 5

Recordings of 3/25 class - Wave interferance

Part 1 http://youtu.be/SY1CwNnVYPQ

Part 2 http://youtu.be/dbjMCmWtvAY

3/25 Physics update and homework due 4/1

Hi folks,

Today we took a look what wave interference is and how it relates to sound and light. We also spent a bit of time looking at how the concept of wave interference was crucial in discovering the strange world of quantum physics.

Homework for this week is to:

Read 379 - 386 in the book.
Do Review Questions on page 388 #'s 12 - 20

Do Think and Solve Page 389 #'s 1 - 4

Recording of 3/18 Physics class - Waves 2

https://youtu.be/EuWWRjfogFA

3/18 Physics update and homework due 3/25

Hi folks,

Today we spent a bit of time reviewing some energy and momentum concepts that the quizzes indicated may need a bit more work. We also spent quite a bit more time clarifying and working with waves. Using a rope, the students explored the relationship between frequency and wavelength.

Homework for this week is to:

Do the Think and Explain Questions on page 388 of the Conceptual Physics book #'s 1-5

Do the think and solve problems on page 399 #'s 1 - 4

Answer the following questions:

1. When you shook the rope, how did moving your hand effect the frequency of the rope wave?

2. When you shook the rope, how did moving your hand effect the wavelength of the rope wave?

3. What is the relationship between frequency and wavelength?

4. What did you do the affect the amplitude of the rope wave?



EXTRA CREDIT: Find a swing and figure out the frequency and period of the swing.

EXTRA CREDIT: Go to a pond or a pool and find the frequency, wavelength and velocity of some water waves you create.

Recording of 3/4 Physics class - Introduction to Waves

http://youtu.be/hT8qUZILfkM

3/4 Physics update and homework due 3/18

Hi folks,

First off, NO CLASS NEXT WEEK. Next week is spring break so we will not be holding class.

Today we spent time studying waves and the definitions of the properties of waves. As a lab, I had the students investigate one of the amazing properties of a pendulum as we explored the concept of frequency and Hertz. Their job was to create a pendulum that had a frequency of .5 Hz, 1 Hz and 2Hz.

Homework for this week is to:

Read pp. 372 - 379 in the Conceptual Physics book
Do Review Questions pg. 387 #'s 1 - 11
Do Plug and Chug 1-5

2/25 update and homework due 3/4

Hi folks,

Today our future physicists under took a little mechanical engineering task. I gave them the task to create the most energy efficient vehicle that they could. Using a variety of materials, they were to create a vehicle that uses as much of the energy they gave it as efficiently as possible. They had to measure the energy they put into the vehicle (primarily gravitational potential energy) and the energy out and figure out how energy efficient their vehicle was.

Homework for 3/4 is to do the enclosed questions.

1. Thinking about the energy formulas, tell me if it make sense to have a heavy vehicle or a light vehicle as far as gPE goes.

2. If you created a balloon car, would you want it to be heavy? Why or why not?

3. If you and a friend were on identical sleds and your friend weighs twice as much as you do, which of you would go farther? Which of you would have more velocity? Describe this in relation to momentum and describe this in relation to energy.


Use these formulas to solve the following Olympic energy problems. Answers below.
gPE = MgH
KE = ½ MV^2 (^2 means squared)
W = FD

1. A ski jumper who has a mass of 70 kg stands at the top of a ski jump that is 20m tall.

a. What is his potential energy?


b. If there's no friction, what would his speed be as he launches from the jump?



c. If his speed is 14 m/s, what is the energy efficiency of the ramp?


d. What work did friction do on our ski hero?


e. What was the average force of friction between the ramp and his skis if he travels
75 m down the ramp


2. a. If the Jamaican bob sled with a mass of 300 kg reaches a top speed of 150 km/h (42 m/s), what was the least amount of energy the bob sled started with?

b. What was the lowest height the bob sled started at?

c. If the track is 2200m long, what work did friction do on our Jamaican bob sledders by the time the team comes to a complete rest at the bottom?

d. If the height of the track was really 200 m, what was the energy efficiency of the bob sled?




1. a. gPE = Mgh
70kg x 20 m x 10 m/s^2 = 14,000J

b. KE = ½ MV^2
14,000 J = ½ 70 kg x v^2
v = 20 m/s

c. KE = ½ 70kg x (14)^2
KE = 6860 J
Work out/ Work in x 100
6860/14000 x 100 = 49% Efficient

d. 14,000J - 6860J = 7140 J

e. W = FD
7140J = F x 75m
F = 95.2 N



2. a. KE = ½ MV^2
KE = ½ 300kg (42 m/s)^2
KE = 264,600 J

b. gPE = MgH
264,600 = 300kg x 10m/s^2 x H
H = 88.2 m

c. W = FD
264,600 J = F x 2200 m
F = 120.27 N

d. gPE = MgH
gPE = 300 kg x 10 m/s^2 x 200 m
gPE = 600,000 J That's the maximum amount of energy. Since their energy was 264,600 J their energy efficiency was…
Work out / Work in x 100
264,600/ 600,000 x 100 = 44%

Recording for 2/25 Physics Class - Calories and Joules

http://youtu.be/CvhyAUcV1VM

Physics Class is ON for today

Hi folks,

From what I'm hearing and seeing it looks like the roads are in decent shape so I'm going to hold class today. Be safe and we'll see you all soon.

Jim Mueller

Physics Class Today

Hi folks,

The roads are fine by me but I want to check in and see how things are by you all. I'm planning on holding class today but let me know if you can't make it in. If too many folks can't make it we may need to cancel class again.

Jim Mueller

No Physics Class Today!

Hi folks,

From the reports I'm getting in, it looks like quite a few folks are still stranded by their driveways.

Let's skip class for this week.

Be safe and warm everyone.

Jim Mueller

Physics Class Today?

Hi folks,

So, how are things looking? New on the "things to think about" is that it may snow today starting around 4:00. Looks like that should be a light dusting, however, with accumulation less then half of an inch.

Let me know how you feel about getting to class and I'll make a decision around 12:00 at the latest.

Jim Mueller

Physics class and the weather

Hi folks,

I'm seeing reports that quite a few schools are planning on being closed due to road conditions tomorrow.  What I would like to do is email everyone around 10:00 tomorrow and see how you all feel about driving to class.  Hopefully a miracle will happen and the roads will be clear and safe.

In the meantime, have a warm and safe night everyone.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 907-3217

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

Join my Facebook page!

Facebook | Science Jim

Physics Update 2/11 and homework due 2/18

Hi folks,

Today we got a bit more specific about energy and talked about potential energy, kinetic energy and conservation of energy.  

For homework this week I want you to answer the following questions.  Good luck!

Assume the following to answer the questions below:

Mass of ball = .05 kg

Velocity of ball on ramp = .4 m/s

Time on ramp = .3 s

Time to stop rolling after getting off ramp 3 s

Distance ball rolled after getting off ramp = 3 m

What makes the ball stop after getting off the ramp?

What was the velocity of the ball after getting off the ramp?

What was the gPE of the ball at the top of the ramp?

What was the gPE of the ball at the bottom of the ramp?

What happened to the gPE?

What was the KE of the ball at the bottom of the ramp?

Where did the energy of the system originally come from?

What amount of work did friction do to the ball after it got off the ramp to the point where the ball stopped rolling?

Where did the energy go that caused the ball to stop?

What is the friction force of the carpet?

Recording for 2/11 Physics Class - Potential and Kinetic Energy

http://youtu.be/odZraZiFhZk

2/4 Physics update and homework due 2/11

Hi folks,

Today we continued our investigation into simple machines and their relation to work. We did some work with pulleys and discovered the inverse relationship between distance and force.

For homework this week:

Read the pulley chapter in the book.

Take a look at the enclosed .pdf and do all the questions at the end.

Also, answer the following questions.

1. With the pulleys, how did work out relate to work in?

2. With the levers, did work out relate to work in? It should have. So what wasn't measured that caused work out to not relate to work in in the same way as the pulleys?

3. What relationship did force have in regards to distance as you worked with the pulleys?

4. As you increased the number of pulleys, what effect did that have on the effort force? What effect did it have on the effort distance?

5. a. If you were lifting a load that required a force of 10N with one pulley, what effort force would be required?
b. Same question, but now you're using 2 pulleys?
c. How about 10 pulleys?

6. a. If you were lifting that load 1 meter, what would the work in distance be for one pulley?
b. 2 pulleys?
c. 10 pulleys?

Physics update 1/28 and homework due 2/4

Hi folks,

Today we did a bit of work reviewing many of the problems on the most recent quiz to try to master those concepts.

Also, today, we introduced the concept of simple machines.  We will be working with levers and pulleys to explore their relationship with work.  

Finally, we did a lab using levers to see how force, distance and work interrelate. 

Homework this week is to answer the questions in this email and

Read the Levers chapter in the Bite-Size Physics book I sent and do all 5 questions at the end of the chapter.  Please use the answers as reference only!  Answer them yourself first.  :)

Create the graph i've included below and use that to      answer the following questions.

1. What happened to the effort force as the fulcrum got closer to the load?

2. What happened to the effort force as the fulcrum got farther from the load?

3. What happened to the load force as the fulcrum got closer to the load?

4. How about when the fulcrum got farther from the load?

5. If you wanted to lift an object that you couldn't lift by yourself, where would you put the fulcrum? Close to, or far from the load?

6. What relationship does distance have to force in regards to the lever?

 

1/21 Physics Recording - Energy and work

http://youtu.be/rnrcxEy6bes

Physics eBook

1/21 Physics update and homework due 1/28

Hi folks,

Last week we did a nice conceptual overview of what energy is and this week we got a bit more into the nitty gritty and mathematics behind energy. We introduced the concept that energy is the ability to do work and that work is equal to force times distance. To make that more concrete, we went outside and pushed my car again. This time, however, we measured the amount of force it took to move the car and measured how much time it took to move it. Using those measurements we calculated the energy it took for us to move the car and we found how many Watts and how much horsepower we used.

In my opinion the text that we're using goes into too little detail on energy. I'm including my Energy eBook to help supplement the text

Homework due 1/28 is to

Read the Energy and Work chapter in the eBook

Plug and Chug Pg 120 #'s 1 and 3
Think and Solve # 2, 4

Also, do the "Find the Power" experiment in the eBook. We did the first part where you find your wattage in class. (Email me if you can't remember your wattage.) Compare yourself to at least 5 different appliances.

Recording for 1/14 Physics class - Energy introduction

http://youtu.be/NrAJeqr33RE

1/15 Physics update and homework due 1/22

Hi folks

We have finished our study of Newton's Laws and mechanics and have started our energy block today. We discussed how we perceive energy using our energy "antennae", our ears, eyes and skin. We also discussed how energy is like a phantom. It's invisible until it interacts with matter, it changes forms and it can neither be created nor destroyed.

For homework this week:

Read chapter 8 pages 103- 119. (This will give you a brief overview of what we will be spending a lot of time on over the next few weeks. The book doesn't go into nearly the detail I think we need to spend on this topic.)

Do Review Questions 1 - 13 on page 119

Physics class is a GO

Hi everyone,

From the reports I'm getting it seems like most of you feel OK about driving in. I hear Whitfield was slick this morning so be careful there but apparently the main roads seem fine.

Be safe everyone and I'll see you soon.

Jim

High School Physics Class and the weather

Hi folks,

From yesterday's reports I thought we would only have morning road issues that would clear up by class time.  However, it seems like the problems may last longer into the day than previously predicted.  Many schools have cancelled for the entire day.  There is a weather advisory dealing with black ice and freezing drizzle that lasts until 12:00 as well.

Please let me know how you feel about class today.  I'd hate to cancel if most folks feel comfortable driving in.  At the same time, I don't want to hold class if most folks can't be there.

Please email me as soon as you can.  I'd like to make a decision around 12 at the latest.

Ahhh, the joys of winter.

Jim

(919) 907-3217

1/7 Physics update and homework due 1/14

Hi folks,

Today we covered the concept of impulse which is what causes something to change momentum. To make this concept more real, we shot spit balls to see how moving the spit ball farther into the straw allowed the force of the breath to be applied for a longer time causing the spit ball to gain greater momentum. Sometimes science is messy business.

We also applied all of our concepts that we've learned so far to the game Angry Birds. In quite a challenging activity, the students had to measure and describe momentum, gravity, force, acceleration and more in the Angry Birds universe.

Homework for this week is to:

Finish the Angry Birds activity if you didn't in class.

Do Review Questions 10 - 18 on pages 100 and 101 in the text book.
Do Think and Solve questions 1 - 6 on page 102

Recording for 1/7 Physics Class - Impulse

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3OnCWdSX9M&feature=youtu.be