Physics Class 2011-2012

Saturday, April 28, 2012

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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Friday, April 20, 2012

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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Friday, April 13, 2012

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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Thursday, April 12, 2012

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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Friday, April 6, 2012

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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Friday, March 30, 2012

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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