Review sheets and snowday updates for those of you that check this.

I want to still keep the test for the end of next week.

I'm extending the homework so that everyone has time to ask about the it in class.  There will be a day in class for hmwk questions and review.  Periods 2 and 3 will get the gravity lecture in class on Monday.

Here are the review sheets for the unit if you want to start early.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B54jRZBDezIHdzV2c0NiVG5rdms/view?usp=sharing

And here are the links  to the Answer Sheet.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B54jRZBDezIHUGRGMVFTb3MzR2s/view?usp=sharing

circular motion preview assignment

After the test, please either read chapter 7.2 (p163) in your textbook, or lessons 1 and 2 about circular motion at this link.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/circles/

Then, try the next Quest assignment.  It will be due next week on Tuesday.

Force Unit Review

 You can start the review packets now.

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B54jRZBDezIHNVplQ1llazI2YkU/edit

Here is the key also.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B54jRZBDezIHYU4wOEZpOXhWdkE/view?usp=sharing

Unit 3 Overview - Newton's Laws

Goals
1.  Draw Force Vectors.
2.  Calculate Weight.
3.  Solve Problems with Net Force.
4.  Know that when an object is at rest or moving with constant velocity that Fnet = 0 and all of the forces are balanced.
5.  Understand what terminal velocity is and how it is reached.
6.  Be able to explain why all objects in freefall have an acceleration of 9.8 m/s2
7.  Understand that forces are interactions between two things and that each object exerts an equal and opposite force on the other.
8.  Know Newton’s Three Laws of Motion by name.

In general, understand Newton’s 3 laws and apply them to explain motion.

 Lab Due Date: Oct. 26 or 27

 Homework due in the evening of Oct. 25, and Oct. 31

Test Date Nov. 2 and 3

Introduction to Forces

Forces Preview:
There's a short assignment about mass, weight and net force.  It's due Monday night.

The readings linked to here should help you answer the questions.

http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Physics-Tutorial/Newton-s-Laws

Read lessons 1 and 2.  Pay particular attention to the section "Confusion of Mass and Weight" on the Types of Forces page, and the Determining the Net Force Page.

When you're done answer the new questions on the UT homework page.

Answers for the Review Questions and even more review questions and instructions

Vectors in 2 dimensions practice
answers are on the last page

Review Answers 2013

Vector Unit Overview

Unit Goals:
1. Know that perpendicular vectors are independent
2. Add vectors graphically with parallelogram and head to tail methods.
3. Use trig and Pythagorean theorem to find resultant.
4. Break vectors into perpendicular components graphically and with trig.
5. Solve motion problems in 2D.

Covers Sections 4.1, 4,2 and 7,2  or  continue reading from the links on the physics tutorial website http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/vectors/

Unit 1 Review and Practice Key

Kinematics Review Key 2013

Fun Graph Matching Game

http://www.theuniverseandmore.com/

Keep the graph within the green band. Get ice cream. Avoid meteors.

Be the first to find out what happens when you get through all of the levels.

Lab 1: Galileo's Dilemma

Here is the link to the questions for the first lab.

Galileo's Dilemma

You will submit it using Google Classroom.  I will soon post details about how to do this

Let me know if you have questions.  The lab is due by class time on Wed. Sept. 7, or Thurs. Sept. 8.

Installing Logger Pro on your computer

Grant H.S. has a site license for Logger Pro the software that we use frequently in physics.  As a Grant Student you may download it on your home computer.  Follow the instructions below.  You will need to get the password from me to decompress the software.


Here are links to download the software you requested from Vernier Software & Technology. After the file has downloaded to your computer, double-click the file, and enter the password to install the software.

LOGGER PRO DOWNLOADS

     Windows 10, 8, 7
     Logger Pro 3.11 with sample movies (Windows)
     Link: http://www.vernier.com/d/6g3m1
     Password: 
     Mac OS X 10.11, 10.10, 10.9, 10.8
     Logger Pro 3.11 with sample movies (Mac OS X)
     Link: http://www.vernier.com/d/cygfe
     Password: 

     Detailed Instructions
     For more details on how to download and install Logger Pro, see:
     http://www.vernier.com/til/2069/


FOR OLDER COMPUTERS

For Windows and Mac computers that are no longer receiving updates, you will need an older version of Logger Pro. If your version is not listed below, please contact us at support@vernier.com.

     Windows XP and Vista
     Link: http://www2.vernier.com/download/LoggerPro3_8_7.exe
     Password: 

     Mac OS X 10.7
     Link: http://www2.vernier.com/download/LoggerPro3_9.dmg
     Password: 

     Mac OS X 10.6
     Link: http://www2.vernier.com/download/LoggerPro3_8_7.dmg
     Password: 

Creating an Online Homework Account

Please go to this link and start an online homework account. First Follow the link Log In to Quest.  Then choose "I need a UT EID" below the red button. In the next windows and pages answer the questions to get an ID number from the University of Texas.  After you submit your information it will send your ID code to your email account. With this code you will will sign in to my class and start the first assignment. You may proceed to sign in now or bring your EID code and password on Friday/Monday.  In class we will log in, I will start accepting your enrollment and we will start the first assignment.

This is how to sign in:
Return to the link above and log in.
You will then need to select a class based on a unique number. For Physics the unique number is 2232016. Enter the number and then select "look up course info". Scroll down by clicking the arrow on the window that appears through the many other classes designated with that unique number until you find Physics (Grant High school 2016 Fall). It will probably be the only one. Select it and then select request enrollment.

I will have to admit you into the class. The next time you log in, after I admit you, you will be able to use the "select course" and "select assignment" windows to start the Kinematics homework.

Unit 1: Kinematics

Goals:
1. Know and apply the definition for average velocity.
2. Know and apply the definition for average acceleration.
3. Differentiate instantaneous and average velocity.
4. Interpret graphs of position, velocity and acceleration, including through the use of slopes and the area under the graph.
5. Draw position, velocity and acceleration graphs for described motion.
6. Know the acceleration due to gravity.
7. Solve problems by using 5 basic mechanics equations.
8. Properly use sign conventions for positive and negative acceleration and velocity.
9. Describe sources of error as either random or systematic and suggest basic ways of reducing error such as controlling variables, doing multiple trials, collecting data over a wide range and using big sample sizes.

Homework:                             Due Date

Letter to Teacher                     8/30

Lab 1 report                            9/12

First Quest hmwk assignment  Wed 9/13
Second Quest hmwk assig      Mon 9/18

Unit Test                                 9/20

Welcome to Physics

The 2016-2017 school year has started. Welcome to Physics.

Here is some general information about how the class runs.

Grades:
Approximately 50% Tests, 30% Labs, 20% homework

Tests: About twice a quarter, with semester finals also. Retakes are available, but only half the missed points are recoverable.

Labs: Although we’ll have weekly hands-on lab assignments, I’ll only have you write up formal lab reports about twice a quarter. (The first one will be due Sept. .) Late labs are penalized at 10% a week.

Homework: Most homework will be submitted online through the web site https://quest.cns.utexas.edu/   It will be graded for accuracy, but on a generous scale because I recognize that homework is practice and created to find mistakes. Students who have difficulty getting internet access should talk with me. Accommodations will be found. No late homework accepted except for excused absences.

Grading Scale: 100-90 A, 90-80 B, 80-70 C, 70-60 D,  0-60 F.

Supplies:
Textbook
Notebook, or section of a notebook
Calculator
Protractor


I hope you find the class challenging and fun.
Ethan Medley

Second Semester Review Key

Second Semester Review Answers (Blank Questions at End)

Electricity Review Answers

Electricity Review Key 2014

Light Bulb Lab

Last lab write-up of the year.

Copy the questions from the linked document and answer them in your lab document.  Be sure to read them carefully and answer them fully.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1phWUo9RAyrRZdyMLc8q_p6kHhW2aP-dgJtW5K1Rq3n4/edit?usp=sharing

Due May 10 and 11

Electricity Unit

GOALS

Process:

·      Use electrical measuring equipment such as voltmeters and ammeters

·      Draw and interpret circuit diagrams

·      Create and interpret graphs relating voltage to resistance

Content:

·      Correctly apply equations P=IV and V=IR in order to determine the power, potential difference, current, and resistance for any point in a circuit

·      State the differences between parallel and series circuits

o   Calculate resistance in parallel and series circuits

·      Properly use terms resistance, current, voltage, power, and charge and know their associated units

·      Describe the function and structure of electrical equipment (batteries and capacitors)

·      Describe what resistance is and what affects an object’s resistance

·      Know the difference between direct and alternating current

KEY DATES

Homework due:  April 25, May 3, May 9

Lab due May 10/11 tentative

Test May 10/11

Material in the unit corresponds to chapters 22 and 23 in the text book and here at the physics classroom.

Here is a link to the findings after our first two activities.  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1TF1CiyJNbJ0NP9EfJUVYrcKu2SInQ2e4zNJ6p3maclQ/edit?usp=sharing

Light Test Review Materials

Review Questions

Review Questions Key

Finally about 20% of the unit test will be about how scientists understand the nature of light.  We have not only investigated the particle and wave models we have looked at how experiments have caused our understanding of light to switch models.  This document summarizes some of the major observations and experiments we have considered and identifies which model they support more strongly.

More review answers are here Snell's Law Worksheet - Key

Summary of Light Experiments

Here's a link to a summary of the experiments we've talked about in class.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1k7Nxuhm3AfzBQbOk58xCCizxZB0Yy8fuuRH6ySFF6T0/edit

How to Stay Caught Up in Class Despite Field Trips, Testing and Other Disruptions

Of course the best thing is to be in class.  None of these alternatives will have all of the nuances of my presentation, but they are good, and doing some of these outside of class will make it easier to make sense of what is going on when you come back to class.

These descriptions are labeled by the dates that periods 2,3 and 4 will cover this material.  Period 6 always hits it the next day.

Wed 3/9 - Converging lens activity and notes on principle rays and ray diagrams
Something similar online :  Most of lesson 5 here  http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn  Also the interactive that is linked to throughout the lessons will be good.

Friday 3/11 - More practice with converging lenses, ray diagrams, and the lensmaker's equation.  Also introduce diverging lenses.
Something similar online:  More of lesson 5 here:  http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn  and the interactive

Tuesday 3/13 (ACT day)  - More details about the wave model - interference, the 2 slit experiment, and the electro magnetic spectrum
Something similar online:  http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/light lessons 1 a,b,c 2a and 3a

Thursday 3/15 - Review, the photoelectric effect, Compton x-ray scattering

Online possibilities: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uBekxM4vEc

http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/photoelectric

Particle Model for Light

Here is the prompt for the lab report.

Write a  two paragraph conclusion for the lab.  It should focus on the plausibility of light being made of particles and show logical reasoning based on the results of our lab.  You may want to start it with one of the sentences below.

The results of this lab allow me to state that there is evidence that light could be a particle, because…

The results of this lab allow me to state that there is evidence that light probably isn’t a particle, because…

The results of this lab do not allow me to state that there is evidence that light is a particle or isn’t a particle, because… In order to have had more useful data, I would have needed to …

The second paragraph should propose a further test you could perform on either particles or light to confirm or deny the possibility that light is made of speeding “photon” particles.  It would be great if it was an experiment that you could actually perform in the classroom, but it is probably more realistic that it is simply an experiment that people could perform assuming that they had better equipment than we do.

This is not a research project.  I don't expect a historical or established experiment.  In class we listed a number of assumptions necessary to make a particle model for light workable.  Some of these were assumptions about light.  Some were assumptions about the necessary particles.  Focus on one of these assumptions and imagine/invent a test that probes its validity. 

In addition to the conclusion, please include a screen shot of your data table and graph.

Refraction Lab Guidelines

Here's the Link to the Refraction Lab Report Description.
Please include it in your normal Lab Report Document.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1-knh8aRX4Hr7FplCFDqN1e7nJbI_9q7ftO1FxGCk2Gs/edit?usp=sharing

Light Unit

Light Unit Goals

1) What is light?

• Be able to describe strengths and weaknesses of the two models of light.
• Be able to give effective examples showing the strengths of each model.

2) How light behaves

• Colors.

1. What are primary, secondary and complementary colors.
2. How are colors produced by dispersion, addition and subtraction of light.

• Reflection

1. What is the law of reflection.
2. Be able to locate images and make ray diagrams for reflection from flat mirrors.

• Refraction

1. What is it?
2. What is Snell’s Law
3.  How did we determine a law for refraction?
4. Be able to solve problems and draw ray diagrams, including for complete internal reflection.

• Lenses

1. Be able to draw ray diagrams for converging and diverging lenses.
2. Identify images as real or virtual.

Sections in book: most of chapters 16-19

Important Dates:

Homework Sets Due:  2/25, 3/6, 3/31

Refraction Lab due 3/8

 Particle Model Lab due 3/11
Test 4/5-6

Bev Cleary Presentations 4/7 and 4/11

Sound Review Answer Key

Link to Sound and Waves Review Answer Key

Speed of Sound Lab

The link below takes you to the questions for the Speed of Sound Lab Report.

Paste them into your lab document and answer them for the next lab report.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1p0nxp0nsDpM8I6ggPzWdPe98FNx6AAjz3j91H_LJGmc/edit?usp=sharing

Wave Investigation

Sound Unit

Goals

1. Explain what a wave is.
2. Differentiate between longitudinal and transverse waves
3. Correctly use the vocabulary: medium, pulse, crest, trough, compression, and rarefaction.
4. Define and apply the following wave characteristics: period, frequency, velocity, wavelength, amplitude, and energy.
5. Apply the following relationships: T=1/f and v =f*wavelength.
6. Explain how standing waves are produced and correctly use the terms nodes and antinodes.
7. Explain the following wave behaviors, interference, beats, resonance, doppler effect and sonic booms.

Key dates:
Online Homework : due Monday  2/8
Speed of sound lab : performed 2/3-4. due: negotiable, but probably 2/11-12

Test 2/11-12

Preparing for the Final

Te physics finals are on Wed. and Thursday.  We will spend time in class reviewing for it.  Here is a list of learning targets for the semester and some other resources for reviewing.

Here is a link to the solution key for the problem set I will distribute in class.
answer key

Here is a link to a blank copy of the review questions.  review questions

You can also use UT quest to make a customized review set of questions, focusing on all of the homework questions that you missed the first time around.  Follow these steps  (copied from their help menu)

• Customized Review 
• To help you review for an upcoming test, use the Custom Review option to create customized reviews that focus on your weakest areas. Choose Grade Summary from the left menu, then the Grades by Subject Area link to see the Custom Review option.  

Remember also that there are good review questions at the physics classroom here

Unit One Goals. 1. Know and apply the definition for average velocity.
2. Know and apply the definition for average acceleration.
3. Differentiate instantaneous and average velocity.
4. Interpret graphs of position, velocity and acceleration, including through the use of slopes and the area under the graph.
5. Draw position, velocity and acceleration graphs for described motion.
6. Know the acceleration due to gravity.
7. Solve problems by using 5 basic mechanics equations.
8. Properly use sign conventions for positive and negative acceleration and velocity.
9. Describe sources of error as either random or systematic and suggest basic ways of reducing error such as controlling variables, doing multiple trials, collecting data over a wide range and using big sample sizes.

Unit 2 Goals:
1. Know that perpendicular vectors are independent
2. Add vectors graphically with parallelogram and head to tail methods.
3. Use trig and Pythagorean theorem to find resultant.
4. Break vectors into perpendicular components graphically and with trig.
5. Solve motion problems in 2D.

Unit 3 Goals

1.      Draw Force Vectors.

2.      Calculate Weight.

3.      Solve Problems with Net Force.

4.      Know that when an object is at rest or moving with constant velocity that F_net = 0 and all of the forces are balanced.

5.      Understand what terminal velocity is and how it is reached.

6.      Be able to explain why all objects in freefall have an acceleration of 9.8 m/s²

7.      Understand that forces are interactions between two things and that each object exerts an equal and opposite force on the other.

8.      Know Newton’s Three Laws of Motion by name.

In general, understand Newton’s 3 laws and apply them to explain motion.

Unit 4 Goals
• Be able to add forces in two dimensions.
• Understand and apply conditions for equilibrium.
• Calculate the frictional force when given the coefficient of friction and vice versa.
• Determine the normal force, and the parallel and perpendicular components of gravity for inclined plane problems and solve for acceleration.
• State and apply equations for centripetal acceleration and force.
• Distinguish between the centripetal force and the fictitious centrifugal force.
• Analyze examples of circular motion in terms of Newton's three laws of motion.

Unit 5 Goals
1.Define and determine work, and energy.
2.List a variety of types of energy and classify them as potential or kinetic.
3.Solve problems using equations for gravitational potential energy and kinetic energy.
4.State and apply the law of conservation of energy.
5.Account for energy in its various forms through a series of transformations, including energy “lost” to heat.
6.Define impulse and momentum and describe how they’re related.
7.State the law of conservation of momentum and use it to solve problems in one and two dimensions.

8.Classify collisions as completely elastic, completely inelastic or somewhere in between.