Friday, October 22, 2010

Introduction to Chemistry and Physics
Unit Project

1) We’ve discussed five of the most important concepts in Physics. Newton’s First Law of Motion, Newton’s Second Law of Motion, Newton’s Third Law of Motion, the Law of Conservation of Momentum, and the Law of Conservation of Energy. I would like for you to choose one of these as the topic of your project.

2) You have the choice of the following:

a. An essay (2 page minimum, citing at least two sources other than your text, explaining the Law of your choice.)

b. An editorial-style cartoon demonstrating the Law of your choice. Make it as creative, funny, and imaginable as possible! Have fun with it.

c. A newspaper article describing the arrest, arraignment, and conviction of a citizen for “breaking” the Law of your choice. Use fake names, of course. Describe the Law, how the person broke it, what the consequences were, etc. (This could be the most fun! Include quotes from witnesses, quotes from the lawyers from both sides, quotes from the defendant, etc.) Two pages. Again, have fun with it!

d. Similar to the Newspaper article, write an article announcing the “passing” of a new law by the Supreme Court of Physics. Describe why the Law was necessary (i.e. list how life was pre-law, how things just weren’t right) and how this will benefit society going forward).


3) Grading will be based on accuracy of the Law (showing an understanding of the details of the Law of your choice), creativity, grammar/spelling, and overall appearance of the final product.

4) You will be allowed to work on this in class time. The final product is due Tuesday, October 26th.

5) Please come to Mr. Porter with any questions concerning the project.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Update on Chapter 4 Test

The test will be on Thursday. It will do you well to know the following:

Acceleration due to gravity on Earth's surface is 9.8m/s2.

Terminal velocity is the highest velocity a free-falling object can attain.

Weightlessness - free fall.

Friction opposes motion.

Path of projectile is curved.

Know all three of Sir Isaac's Laws!!!!

Gravity depends of the mass of the objects and the distance between them.

PLEASE know units!!! (kg m/s) (kg m/s2)...and others.

And for some bonus points, all you have to do is post a comment here and tell me what your favorite physics concept is so far. (Mine is Newton's Second Law. Conservation of Momentum is a close second, though.)

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Chapter 4 Test

Our next test will be on Wednesday, September 29th. As usual, we'll have a very thorough review of all concepts on Tuesday. I'll also post a good review of the concepts on here, as well as a hint to a possible BONUS POINT opportunity!

Stay Tuned...

Monday, September 20, 2010

Good Luck!

I want to wish you luck on your tests the next couple of days. I think that you'll come to see that you've been prepped well and you're gonna knock it outta the park!!

And remember...F=ma.

F=ma!!!

F=ma!!!



Sunday, September 19, 2010

I'll Give This A Shot...

Wonder how it'll work out.

I'm going to have a blog for each class. (One site for the two ICP classes, one site for the two Active Physics classes, and one site for Physics 1.)

Maybe you'll check it out, maybe you won't. BUT...it'll be here, and it'll be a resource. I'll post regularly, and the posts will be about topics we discuss in class. You can post questions in the "comments" section, and hopefully there'll be some answers posted there too.

I'll also post occasionally about things that I find interesting which may or may not be class related, but it WILL be "critical thinking"-related, which as we all know is crucial to science. (And that's probably a run-on sentence. Good thing I'm not an English teacher...)