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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