Fwd: science essay competition for HS students--deadline 9/30/12

Hi folks,

I hope everyone's having a great summer!

I thought some of you might be interested in this.

The Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science is sponsoring an international science essay competition for high school students.  I am writing to ask your help in sharing this information with students in your schools who may be interested in participating.

By providing an interdisciplinary forum for sharing undergraduate research, the Dartmouth Undergraduate Journal of Science highlights the important and exciting work being done by Dartmouth students and faculty.  Through the international science essay competition, the undergraduate editorial board seeks to include a broader array of voices in exploring the recent effects and future promise of science in our society.  A complete explanation of the contest, along with rules for participation, can be found online.

Thank you in advance for sharing this with your students and best wishes for the upcoming summer.

Maria Laskaris
Dean of Admissions and Financial Aid
Dartmouth College

--
Kathleen Jackson

College Counselor

Emerson Waldorf School

6211 New Jericho Road

Chapel Hill, NC  27516

919-932-1195

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Physics 2011-2012 Course Syllabus

Hi folks,

I've included two .pdf's for you.  One is the Curriculum Support for the North Carolina Standard Course of Study of Physics.  These are the guidelines for the concepts that should be covered in a typical high school level physics course in 180 days.  The other is the Syllabus for the 2011-2012 Physics Class.  These are the concepts that we covered this year.  I've cut and pasted the goals and objectives from the Curriculum Support document into the Syllabus that we covered in class this year.  If you take a look at the two documents, you'll notice that we covered at least 95% of the material even though we only had 33 days of class.  The students worked quite hard and we were able to move smoothly through the material

It's been an honor teaching your children this year.  Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to do so.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Science Jim's High School and Middle School Classes

Hi folks,

Just wanted to let you all know what classes I'm planning on offering next year.  Please feel free to post these as far and wide as you wish!  : )

I apologize ahead of time if you get this email a couple of times.  I think some of you may be on a couple of my email lists but I wanted to make sure you all got this at least once.

May you all have a wonder-filled summer!

High School Level Physics
Mondays 1:30 - 3:00 or 3:30 (See Below)

Ages 13 and up

Location -  3105 Whitfield Dr. Chapel Hill (Very close to where Rt 86 and 40 meet)

Cost for 1.5 hour class: 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $186 or one payment of $540 (save $20)

Cost for 2 hour class (with homework and grade reports): 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $250 or 1 payment of $720 (save $30) $50.00 or less for Conceptual Physics Textbook

Dates - Sept. 17 to May 20, (30+ classes skipping several Mondays for holidays and winter/spring breaks)

A fun, hands-on and thorough approach to physics.  The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Physics.  We will be covering mechanics, linear motion, energy, sound, and more during this year long course.   The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture. Students are recommended to be fairly comfortable with math at a level of algebra 1 or above. Class will be held for 1.5 hours for all students.  Students interested in receiving progress and grade reports have the option of staying an extra half hour for extra instruction, homework review and quizzes.  Extra instruction folks will also be responsible for homework, lab reports and take-home tests.  

Email Science Jim to register or with any questions.

High School Level Chemistry

Fridays 1:30 - 3:00 or 3:30 (See Below)

Ages 13 and up

Location -  3105 Whitfield Dr. Chapel Hill (Very close to where Rt 86 and 40 meet)

Cost for 1.5 hour class: 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $186 or one payment of $540 (save $20)

Cost for 2 hour class (with homework and grade reports): 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $250 or 1 payment of $720 (save $30) $50.00 or less for Conceptual Chemistry Textbook.

Dates - Sept. 21 to May. 24, (30 + classes skipping several Fridays for holidays and winter/spring breaks)

A fun, hands-on and thorough approach to basic chemistry. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Chemistry. We will be covering the periodic table, chemical equations, stoichiometry, atomic structure and much more.  The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture.  Class will be held for 1.5 hours for all students.  Students interested in receiving progress and grade reports have the option of staying an extra half hour for extra instruction, homework review and quizzes.  Extra instruction folks will also be responsible for homework, lab reports and take-home tests.   Please email jim@sciencejim.com to register or with any questions.

High School Level Biology
Wednesdays 1:30 - 3:00 or 3:30 (See Below)

Ages 13 and up

Location -  3105 Whitfield Dr. Chapel Hill (Very close to where Rt 86 and 40 meet)

Cost for 1.5 hour class: 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $186 or one payment of $540 (save $20)

Cost for 2 hour class (with homework and grade reports): 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $250 or 1 payment of $720 (save $30) $50.00 or less for Biology Textbook.

Dates - Sept. 19 to May. 22, (30+ classes skipping several Wednesdays for holidays and winter/spring breaks)

A fun, hands-on and thorough approach to biology. The class content will follow the North Carolina Standard Course of Study for Biology.  We will be covering, genetics, biological molecules, DNA, ecosystems, cell biology, evolution and more.  The class will be a combination of hands-on lab work as well as lecture.  Class will be held for 1.5 hours for all students.  Students interested in receiving progress and grade reports have the option of staying an extra half hour for extra instruction, homework review and quizzes.  Extra instruction folks will also be responsible for homework, lab reports and take-home tests.  

Email Science Jim to register or with any questions.

Middle School Level Earth Science

Thursdays 1:30 - 2:30

Ages 11 and up

Location KatieBeth's 2 8800 Seawell School Rd.  Chapel Hill

Cost - 3 payments at 10 week intervals of $120.00.

Dates - Sept. 20 - May 23

A fun, hands-on and thorough approach to Earth science.  Earth Science focuses on planet Earth and the energy transfers taking place within and without the earth system.  We will be covering earthquakes, our place in space, weather, volcanoes, rocks, minerals and more during this 30+ week course.  

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Science Jim's Class Evaluation

Hi folks,

I hope you don't mind, but if you have a chance would you mind filling out this small evaluation.  It's only 4 quick questions and I'd really appreciate hearing your thoughts on this past year. 

 Click here when you get a chance.

Again, thank you so much for choosing me as your science teacher this year.  

May you all have wonder-filled summers!

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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5/25 Physics update

Hi folks,

Well this was it!  The last day of physics.  I have to be honest…I'm really going to miss this class.  It was very well behaved, inquisitive and cooperative but, at the same time, had a great sense of humor and fun.  I had a great year this year and I hope everyone else did too.

My plan is to grade the finals as soon as possible and email the test results and grades by next Friday if not sooner.  I also plan on getting everyone a full detailed syllabus that includes everything we covered this year (which was quite a lot).   I'll "snail" mail the finals to anyone who would like it back.  Please, just send me your address so that I can get that out in the mail once they are all set.

I also hope to get a schedule of high school and middle school classes ready by next week as well, for anyone who might be interested.

Thanks again for a great year.  There are many choices out there for classes and I truly appreciate the fact that you chose me for your physics class.  Thank you very much.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Physics update 5/18

Hi folks,

Today we wrapped up our physics lectures/labs with electricity.  We took a look at voltage, resistance and amperage.  I challenged everyone to create 3 different circuits.   One with just one light bulb and then two different ones that lit 2 bulbs.  To light the two bulbs they needed to create a series and a parallel circuit.   We took a look at the differences between the series circuit and the parallel circuit as far as resistance, amperage and voltage goes.  We also talked a bit about Ohm's law, voltage = amperage/resistance.  

No homework this week since next week is the final exam.  Depending on the student, the final may or may not take 2 hours, so rides may want to be on call or the students may want to bring something to do if they finish early.

All content that has been covered, including last week, will be fair game for the final.  Today's content, electricity, will not be on the final.  I will provide all formulas and constants.

Don't hesitate to contact me if you need any help this week.  We can set up virtual "office" meetings with my online classroom if you need any help.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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5/11 Physics update and Homework due 5/18

Hi folks,

Today, I showed everyone the light!  Well, specifically, we talked about light and how it works.  We covered reflection, refraction and a little bit of color.  The students had the opportunity to play with lasers and many different lenses and prisms.  We also explored the difference between the angle of refraction between oil and water.

Homework for this week is:

Read pp. 442 - 457

Do Think and Explain questions pg. 461 #'s 1 - 10

Review your old quizzes!!!  Bring in any questions you may have next week so we can go over them in class.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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5/5 Physics Update and Homework due 5/12

Hi folks,

Today we covered static electricity.  We looked at what charges are, which charges attract and which repel, and how to move charges from one object to another.  We also saw how some objects are easy to charge while others are more difficult.

Homework due 5/12 is

Read Conceptual Physics pp. 500 - 514

Do review questions #'s 1- 25

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Physics update 4/27 and Homework due 5/5

Hi folks,

Today we finished off our energy block and our sound block in one shot!  And had a lot of fun to boot!  We discussed wave interference, doppler effect, and sonic booms as well as sound waves and musical instruments.  Oh, and the speed of sound compared to the speed of light.  Not only that, but in order to take a look at the concept of sound waves and musical instruments we created the most annoying musical instrument ever!

You may want to start thinking about the final at this point.  The best way to prepare is to go over all those old quizzes and, I'd recommend, retake them.  Make sure you feel comfortable with most of the material in the quizzes since that's the material that will be on the test.  Let me know if there's material you're struggling with.  We can always spend time on it.

Homework for this week is 

Think and Explain questions pg 389 #'s 6 - 10

Think and Explain questions pg 402 #'s 1 - 11

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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4/20 physics update and Homework due 4/27

Hi folks,

Today we took a look at the concept of resonance.  Resonance is basically the way waves carry energy from one object to another object.  We took a look a several videos for examples of resonance and also had fun resonating a balloon using a virtual piano.  Very cool.  Lastly, we made a 6 pendulum pendulum where the swings of some pendulums caused others to swing as well.

Homework for next week is to:

Read Chapter 26 in Conceptual Physics.  Pages 390 - 400

Do Review questions #'s 1- 20 (Seems like a lot but they should all be quick.)

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Physics Update 4/13 and Homework due 4/20

Hi folks,

Last week we spent time looking at the definitions of waves and wave behavior.  Today, we made some waves.  We went outside and, using rope, looked at the relationship between frequency, wavelength and speed of waves.  (And we really befuddled a poor grumpy mail man!)

Homework for this week is to...

Do Think and Explain problems pg 388 #'s 1 - 5

Do Think and Solve problems pg 389 #'s 1 - 3

By the way, everyone did excellent on today's quiz!  Congratulations!!!

 

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Revision on Homework due 4/13

Hi folks,

Sorry about this but I assigned too many problems.  The problem set should really only go to #11.  If you've done them all don't worry about it.  You'll just have a head start on next week!

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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4/6 Physics update and homework due 4/12

Hi folks,

Today we spent time studying waves and the definitions of the properties of waves.  Next week we will do more with this as well.

Homework for this week is to:

Read pp. 372 - 379 in the Conceptual Physics book

Do Review Questions pg. 387 Odd #'s 1 - 19

Do Plug and Chug 1-5

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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3/30 Physics update and homework due 4/6

Hi folks,

Today we began the next part of our energy unit with is energy in motion, in other words, waves.  Today we worked on the concept of frequency and hertz.  

In order to work with this, the students created 3 pendulums.  One of which had a frequency of .5 Hz, one had a frequency of 1 Hz and the last had a frequency of 2 Hz.  From their data, they then predicted what length of string would have a frequency of 1.5 Hz.

Extra Credit possibility.  Continue working with pendulums and do a lab exploring one of the many variables you thought of today during class.  For example, changing the weight of the bob.  Does the height of the swing matter?  Does interference of the swing matter.  

Homework due 4/6

Read Conceptual Physics pgs 103-118

Do Review Questions pg 119 and 120 #'s 7-12, 18 and 20

Do Plug and Chug pg 120 #'s 4-7

Do Think and Explain pg 120 and 121 #'s 2 and 3.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Link for the simulation for the physics homework

Hi folks,

I sent the homework but I don't think I sent the link to the simulation on PHET.  Here you go.

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/energy-skate-park

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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3/23 Physics update

Hi folks,

Today we spent a lot of time on the inverse relationship between potential energy and kinetic energy.   We also did a lab where the students compared the energy of two different objects using two different techniques.  They also looked at energy "lost" due to friction.  Lastly, they predicted the behavior of a final trial based on a graph of their previous trials.

1. Homework for 3/30 is to do the enclosed document and answer the following questions about the lab.

2. What was your percentage error between your prediction and your actual result?  

% error = (prediction - actual) / actual x 100, in absolute value.

3. Which of the balls was the most energy efficient?  In other words, which transferred most energy to the cart?  Please show me your calculations for all four balls.  

Energy efficiency = Work in (ball rolling)/ work out (cart moving) x 100.

What hypotheses can you make based on the results you saw?

3/16 Physic update and Homework due 3/23

Hi folks

Today we went over more details on work and energy and simple machines.  We also began talking about Potential and Kinetic energy.

For homework this week, read the Potential and Kinetic energy chapter of the eBook.  Also, give a try to the enclosed .doc.  It covers a lot of what we've done in class so far so it may be a bit challenging.  Feel free to email me with any questions.  Good Luck!

Another great science joke

>
> Jim,
>
> When I was a chemistry major at Cornell we had this one:
>
> "The radius of the stain produced on the ceiling is inversely proportional to the force of the explosion!
>
> Best
> Jim Chickos
>
>
>
>

3/9 Physics update and homework due 3/16

Hi folks,

Today we spent some time with W=FxD and how it relates to simple machines.  We learned that simple machines basically swap distance for force to make the work easier to accomplish.  We did a lab with pulleys today to illustrate the point.

Homework for this week is to: 

Read the "Pulleys" chapter in the eBook I sent last week.

Read 111 to 114  in the Conceptual Physics book

Take a look at the data from this weeks experiment and answer the following questions.

1.  How did work in (work you did) compare to work out (work on the battery).?

2.  Did work change much for work in?  Did it change much for work out?

3.  Did force change for work it?  How about distance?

4.  What was the relationship between the change in distance and the change in work?

5.  What is the point of using pulleys?  If the work is always the same, what does the pulley do for you?

6.  Is there a disadvantage to using pulleys?

Answer review questions on page 120 #'s 13, 14, 15, 16

Plug and Chug questions #'s 8, 9

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Wrong problem in the homework

Hi folks,

I listed 2 and 4 in the Think and Solve problems.  It should be 2 and 3, we haven't gone over potential energy yet.

Sorry for the confusion on that.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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3/2 Physics update and Homework due 3/9

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 figured out the amount of energy it takes to lift ones body off the ground by jumping and then we figured out the amount of energy it takes to climb a 3.15 m set of stairs.  After we saw what energy we used to climb the stairs, we used the time it took to climb the stairs to get our power in Watts.  Power is work divided by time.  We then compared our power to the power it would take to run light bulbs, computers, water heaters etc. 

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 for due 3/9 is to 

Read pp 103 and 104

Read the Energy and Work chapter in the eBook

Do Review Questions on page 119 #'s 1 - 5

Plug and Chug Pg 120 #'s 1 and 3

Think and Solve # 2, 4

Extra Credit:  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.

Great Picture

A great picture shared by the Chemistry students.

>
>

2/24 Physics Update and Homework due 3/2

Hi folks,

We 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.

The homework due 3/2 is to do the enclosed .pdf called "Questions from the Phet sims". The questions may look quite familiar since they were been created by you guys last week! Good Luck!

Note regarding homework due 2/24

Hi folks,

Not only do you have to create the questions, but you have to give the answers as well.  : )

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Physics update 2/17 and Homework due 2/24

Hi folks,

Today we finished up our mechanics block.  We watched a small amount of Magic School Bus where the kids have fun on a frictionless baseball field.  This allowed us to see, discuss and critique what we've been studying in a very different way.

I also had everyone do "Newton's Scavenger Hunt of Doom!!".  This is basically a fun way to review the concepts we've been working on where the students have to show me real life examples of the different concepts.

Next week we will be starting a new block on the physics of energy.

Homework for this week is:

Make up your own homework!  Check out the following two Phet simulations.  Create 5 questions for each simulation.  I'm going to use several of your questions for the homework assignment next week.  5 points extra credit if I use your question on the homework for next week (maximum of 10 extra credit points)!  Focus your questions on the material we've covered.  Momentum, impulse, vectors, acceleration, velocity, Newton's Laws etc.  Feel free to look at the "Sample Learning Goals" to give you some ideas.  Have fun with this.  Be creative and have fun!    

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/maze-game

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/lunar-lander

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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2/10 physics update and Home Work due 2/17

Hi folks,

A very fun day today!  We took a look at conservation of momentum by crashing balls together.  We took a look at impulse by shooting spit balls and we took a look at the relationship between impulse and momentum by dropping eggs out of my window!  Physics rocks!

Homework due 2/17 is:

Read Chapter 7 pgs. 86 to 99

Review questions #'s 1 - 9 Pg. 100

Plug and Chug questions #'s 1 - 4 Pg 101

Extra credit possibility.  2 pts for each think and solve on pg 102 (Sorry, not much fun I'm afraid.)

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Clarification on PHET worksheet

Hi folks,

For the PHET worksheet question #9.  The third ball should have a mass of 2 and a velocity of 0.

(Thanks for the catch Gideon!)

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Fwd: Physics Data: 2/3/2012 (jim@bitesizephysics.com)

Hi folks,

It sounded like some folks had some issues with their data.  In case you don't feel good about the data you got from this week's lab you may want to use this data below.  

Begin forwarded message:

From: "Gideon Chickos (Google Docs)" <gchickos@gmail.com>

Date: February 4, 2012 8:11:22 PM EST

To: jim@bitesizephysics.com

Cc: michaeljonbennett@gmail.com, cchickos@gmail.com, annabanana233@gmail.com

Subject: Physics Data: 2/3/2012 (jim@bitesizephysics.com)

Attached: Physics Data: 2/3/2012

Message from gchickos@gmail.com:

Here's the data from yesterday's lab. =D

Google Docs makes it easy to create, store and share online documents, spreadsheets and presentations.

2/3 Physics Update and Homework Due 2/10

Hi folks,

Today we took a look at momentum.  Which is basically, how hard it is to get something to stop.  

Homework due next week is to...

Take the data from today and create two graphs.  One momentum vs. distance and the other diameter vs. distance.  Plot all 5 balls on each graph.  Take a look at the results.  Do the graphs make sense?  Can you draw any conclusions?  Thinking about momentum...is this what you would expect to see?  Can you think of any hypotheses to explain why what you expected to see did not match what the data shows?

Go to this website http://phet.colorado.edu/sims/collision-lab/collision-lab_en.html and using that simulation fill out the worksheet .pdf. I attached to this email.

Don't hesitate to ask any questions you may have!

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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1/27 Physics Update and Homework due 2/3

Hi folks,

Today we spent a little bit of time going over free body diagrams but most of class was spent on Newton's 3rd law.  

Homework for next week is...

Read pages 74 - 82 in the book.

Do Review Questions Pg 83 #'s 1, 7, 8, 9, 13

Break out that camera again and take shots of 4 examples of Newton's third law in action!

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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1/20 Physics update and Home Work due 1/27

Hi folks,

Today we spent time working with net forces and terminal velocity.  We used a lego cart, pennies and washers to investigate net forces and acceleration.  We noticed that at certain masses and forces we could get the cart to maintain a constant velocity with little or no acceleration.  It was at this point that the forces balanced and the cart reached a terminal velocity.

Homework this week is to work with the following two websites.  I was hoping to discuss this in class today but the lab took much longer then I expected and so we didn't get to it.  I think the material is fairly self explanatory but please don't hesitate to email me if you have any questions.  The answers are also available.  However, be sure check the answer AFTER doing the problem.  If you get it wrong try to figure out why.  These will be on future tests and quizzes so don't take a short cut and hurt yourself in the long run.

Read this website http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/U2L2b.cfm

Read this website http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/u2l2c.cfm#2 and do all the practice questions on the bottom.

Read this website http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/U2L2d.cfm and do the Check Your Understanding questions at the bottom.

Never Stop Wondering

"Science Jim"  Mueller

(919) 929-9791

A Fun Approach to Serious Physics!

Sciencejim

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Fwd: 1/13 Physics update and HW due 1/20

Hi folks,

Today we spent time pushing my van around.  No, I wasn't out of gas.  This was a great way to get the students more familiar with Newton's 2nd Law.  By pushing the van, the students were actually able to be the force that accelerated the mass of the vehicle.  We also had teams of students push and noticed that the more force that was applied, the more acceleration there was.  Each student was able to figure out the amount of force they put on the van by figuring out the velocity (d/t), then the acceleration (v/t)  and then the force applied f=ma.

Homework for 1/20 is to use the Phet simulation Forces and Motion to answer the following questions.

Here's the link http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/forces-and-motion

Click on the picture of the crate and drag to the right.  Notice that as you do there are two force vectors.  One is for the force the man is applying and the other is the friction force.  

1.  What happens to the friction force the second the crate begins to move?  Why?

2.  What is the minimal amount of force you need to apply to get the crate, filing cabinet, sleepy dog, refrigerator, and textbook to move?   (You may want to use the "Applied Force" slider for this.)  How does this relate to mass?

3.  If you stop applying force to any of the objects what happens on wood?  How about on ice? (Use the radio buttons in the upper right hand side to switch.)  Describe what's happening there using Newton's First Law and then by using Newton's Second Law.

4.  Click on the radio button for sum of forces.  What is that green arrow showing?

Click on the "Friction" tab at the top of the screen and do the following questions.

5.  What happens to the pushed objects as you increase and decrease the amount of friction?

6.  What happens to the Fg and the Fn if you change the gravity?

7.  What happens to the Fg and the Fn if you change the object mass?

Click on the Force Graphs tab at the top of the screen for the following questions.  Click on the acceleration and velocity buttons in the bottom right to bring up those graphs.

8.  Mess with the forces a bit and then draw all three of the graphs that was created by something you tried.  Label the graph at any location where change took place.  Notice the correlation between force, acceleration, and velocity.

9.  Turn "ice" on and draw another three labeled graphs.  

10. With "ice" and "bouncy walls" on draw another 3 labeled graphs.