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