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This Week in AP Physics
This week we will begin Unit 8, which covers fluid mechanics. On Tuesday your spring force constant lab is due. Please be sure to hand in a hard copy at the start of class and upload to TurnItIn.com by Tuesday at 3:00. Please also turn in your Unit 7 Practice Problems by Friday.

This Week in Physics
We begin Unit 5 on momentum. For Tuesday, please take notes on Momentum Podcast 1 – Introduction to Momentum. We will discuss this podcast and begin assignment 1 in class on Tuesday followed by a quiz, as announced. Please take notes on Podcast 2 – Conservation of Momentum part 1, Podcast 3 – Conservation of Momentum part 2, and Podcast 4 – Conservation of Momentum Sample Problem by Wednesday. We will explore this concept, do assignment 2 together, and conduct a fun experiment involving crashing our Pascars.

This Week in Astronomy
Welcome! We will begin our exploration of the cosmos by learning how to map the stars. Please explore the Unit 1 webpage to get a feel for the resources available to you as we learn basic star mapping skills. Yes, we’ll be in the planetarium for much of the week! That means you need to bring in a dim flashlight (not LED) so that you can see your maps in the dark. Come prepared for some fun! 🙂 You do have one assignment this week, which is to read the Astronomy Course Policies and Procedures, print the last page, collect signatures upon it, and turn it in by Friday. This is a graded assignment.

Cool Science of the Week
In astronomy at the end of the first semester we had some cool discussions about the shape of the universe, namely that there is no “outside” and that it is finite, yet without an edge. Brain-numbing stuff! Here are the first two parts of a three-part series of short, fairly understandable videos explaining different theories about the shape of our mysterious home. (Part 3 isn’t released yet.)

Happy New Year!
This post covers the final week of the semester along with mid-term exam week. For all classes, please begin studying over winter break. The exam schedule is as follows:

These Weeks in AP Physics
Revised 1-8-14 to account for severe weather days: We will complete our study of oscillations and gravitation, ending our look at Newtonian mechanics. This week the following are due:
* Wednesday: Guided reading #3 and a semester review graphic organizer (described below)
* Thursday: Unit 7 homework problems
* Thursday and Friday: We will finish the unit 7 practice FRQ problems and go over the graphic organizers.
* Tuesday, January 21st: Lab report for the Spring Force Constant lab is due both as a hard copy (at the start of class) and to TurnItIn.com (by 3:00.)
* Graphic organizer assignment: Create a cognitive map (“web”) with ALL of the topics and formulas used so far this year. We will compare our organizers and create a giant poster-sized one in class, which I will photograph and post for you. This will be our only in-class review, and it will be brief. Therefore please be sure to use your time over break to begin your mid-term exam preparations. (Feel free to email me if you have questions. 🙂 ) The exam covers units 1-7, and all learning objectives are available on the front page of your notes for each unit.
OUR AP PHYSICS GRAPHIC ORGANIZER
From January 10th, just covering units 1-3 and part of 4: Graphic Organizer

These Weeks in Physics
Revised 1-8-14 to account for severe weather days: We will finish our energy unit by doing assignment 3 and 4 in class. We will NOT take an energy unit test as originally planned, although energy is on the mid-term exam. There is no in-class review, so please use your time wisely outside of class. The mid-term covers units 1-4, and all topics covered are in the learning goal packets. Reminder: Your energy research paragraphs must be uploaded to TurnItIn.com by Friday, January 10 at midnight. The class ID is 6936831, and the password to join the class is Tesla. For your reference, the paragraph rubric is here: Paragraph Rubric
OUR GRAPHIC ORGANIZER (Units 1 & 2 from review sessions): Physics Semester 1 Graphic Organizer

These Weeks in Astronomy
It doesn’t get a whole lot cooler than this! This week we will discuss all of the big mysteries of the universe! Prepare to have your mind blown! As for the exam, it covers all topics in units 1-6. All of these are listed in your learning goal packets…and in the notes you expertly took all semester. 🙂

Cool Science of the Weeks
Here are the coolest science images of 2013 as compiled by the folks at i09. Enjoy!

With one week to go before break, we are close to the end of the semester! When we return, we have one week plus a day before finals. Stay focused, and have fun!

This Week in AP Physics
On Tuesday the  FRQ Practice Problems FRQ Practice-Problems from unit 6 are due. This week we will begin to explore oscillations and gravitation in Unit 7. Guided reading 2 will be due, as announced. Depending on our progress we may complete a spring force constant lab this week, although there will be some disruptions to our schedule. Expect a quiz at some point during the week, but we will not test this unit before break. It marks the last of the content covered on the mid-term exam.

This Week in Physics
We will continue to explore the work-energy theorem. If you have not yet completed the notes on the following podcasts, please be sure to do so by Monday: Podcast 7 – Work-Energy Theorem, Podcast 8 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 1, Podcast 9 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 2, Podcast 10 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 3, and Podcast 11 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 4. On Monday and/or Tuesday we will complete assignment 2 and take a quiz the next day. When announced (likely for Wednesday,) please take notes on Podcast 12 – Conservation of Energy, Podcast 13 – Conservation of Energy Sample Problem 1, and Podcast 14 – Conservation of Energy Sample Problem 2. We will cover these topics and begin assignment 3 together. When we return from break we will complete this unit, which marks the final topic covered on our mid-term exam.

This Week in Astronomy
We will complete our prep-work on our planet presentations and then share the material with the class. We will cover comets, asteroids, and meteors and test this solar system unit on Friday. Please plan ahead to be prepared, since you may have tests in other classes that day.

Cool Science of the Week
We talk a lot in class about being ready for college and career with your 21st century skills, and one of the most important skills is a creative mindset. Invention involves science and technology, but it also involves imagination. Check out these 25 inventions that Time Magazine has recognized as the best inventions of 2013. These inventions can help blind people see, paralyzed people walk, and can bring extinct animals back to life. What could you do if you used your imagination and science skills?

While it seems as if we are almost done with the semester, we have just passed mid-quarter. Lots of time left…Let’s keep moving!

This Week in AP Physics
We will continue to work on our linear momentum unit. The homework is due Tuesday, and our test will be Thursday. The Impulse-Momentum Theorem lab report is due Friday. Also for Friday to begin our next unit, please do Guided Reading 1 for Unit 7.

This Week in Physics
For Monday please take notes on the following podcasts: Podcast 1 – Gravitational Potential Energy, Podcast 2 – Positive & Negative Potential Energy, Podcast 3 – Elastic Potential Energy, and Podcast 4 – Kinetic Energy. We will discuss these and then do assignment 1 in class, followed by a quiz. As announced, please take notes on Podcast 5 – Work, Podcast 6 – Positive & Negative Work, Podcast 7 – Work-Energy Theorem, Podcast 8 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 1, Podcast 9 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 2, Podcast 10 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 3, and Podcast 11 – Work-Energy Theorem Sample Problem 4. We will cover these topics and then do assignment 2, followed by a quiz, which will likely be the following week.

This Week in Astronomy
On Monday we will finish our exploration of The Motion of the Inferior Planets followed by a quiz on Tuesday. We’ll spend the next day or two looking at The Motion of the Superior Planets followed by another quiz, after which we’ll turn our attention to the individual planets in a giant jigsaw activity. Other due dates: The Unit 4 – Homework Questions are due on Monday, and because of clouds we extended the due date for the Unit 3 – Outdoor Lab to this Friday.

Cool Science of the Week
An eagle stole a camera! Flew right off with it…and then took a cute selfie. Check it out!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

These Weeks in AP Physics
We will complete our exploration of energy and turn our attention to momentum in Unit 6 with the following due dates:
Monday, November 25: Unit 5 homework is due.
Tuesday, November 26: Work-energy theorem lab report is due.
Tuesday, December 3: Unit 5 test
Wednesday, December 4: Unit 6 Guided reading 1

These Weeks in Physics
On Monday, November 25 a hard copy of your friction lab report is due by the start of class. Please remember to share your Google document with me at [email protected] (not used for email) by this due date. By Tuesday, November 26 at 3:00 please upload your report to TurnItIn.com. The class ID is 6936831, and the password to join the class is Tesla. By Monday, November 25 please take notes on  Podcast 14 – Terminal Velocity, Podcast 15 – Kinematics Problem with Newton’s Second Law part 1, Podcast 16 – Kinematics Problem with Newton’s Second Law part 2. By Tuesday, November 26, please take notes on Podcast 17 – Complex Problem, Podcast 18 – Tying Concepts Together. In class we will spend a good amount of time practicing analyzing dynamics and kinematics problems to be ready for assignment 5, which we will do in class, followed by a quiz, as announced. This will take us into the week of December 2 when we will explore Newton’s 3rd law, perform some informal experiments, and complete assignment 6. By the end of the week will will take the unit 3 test.

These Weeks in Astronomy
On Monday, November 25 we will complete our exploration of solar eclipses and take a quiz over them on Tuesday, November 26. Podcast 2 – Solar Eclipses will help you study. We will also begin our examination of lunar eclipses, concluding our study of unit 4 by the beginning of the week of December 2. Expect the unit 4 test around the middle of that week. The next topic is the solar system. While we will of course take the traditional approach of looking at the characteristics of each planet, we will also take a look at how the planets appear to move in our sky so that we can walk outside at night and spot them, which is cool! 🙂

Cool Science of These Weeks
Scientists have uncovered an enormous abandoned ant colony somewhere in the world at some time. The details are sketchy, but the colony is fabulous. (Note that a few ants get swallowed up by cement here, and I’m not saying I’m cool with that.) It’s a pretty amazing testament to the fabulousness of ants. Check it out!

This Week in AP Physics
If needed we will finish collecting data for our work-energy lab and will then begin our exploration of the conservation of energy. Guided reading 3 is due on Monday in preparation for this. We will develop and solve multiple practice problems before exploring the concept of power to finish the unit. Guided reading 4 will be due as announced to support our efforts. We will spend the latter half of the week doing a one million practice problems. Ideally we’ll be ready for the homework assignment to be due on Friday so that we can take the unit test by the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break. Plan ahead for your studying, since many teachers give a test that day.

This Week in Physics
Tuesday is your quiz over elastic force. For Monday please take notes on Podcast 9 – Inertia and Podcast 10 – Static Equilibrium. As we go over these podcasts, you will design a mini-experiment to demonstrate inertia and static equilibrium. Following this we will complete assignment 4 together in class followed by a quiz the next day. We will then perform a mini-experiment involving the relationship between mass, force, and acceleration allowing us to deduce Newton’s Second Law. As announced, please take notes on the following podcasts, which will not all be assigned at the same time: Podcast 11 – Newton’s Second Law, Podcast 12 – Elevator Problem part 1, Podcast 13 – Elevator Problem part 2, Podcast 14 – Terminal Velocity, Podcast 15 – Kinematics Problem with Newton’s Second Law part 1, Podcast 16 – Kinematics Problem with Newton’s Second Law part 2,  Podcast 17 – Complex Problem, Podcast 18 – Tying Concepts Together. It is likely we will finish these after this week, as we will spend a lot of time analyzing and practicing problems related to these podcasts. LAB INFORMATION: Your lab report hard copy for the friction lab is due on Monday, November 25 at the start of class. You must share your Google document with me at my Gmail address, not my school email address. You must then upload your document to TurnItIn.com by 3:00 p.m. on November 26. The class ID is 6936831, and the password to join the class is Tesla.

This Week in Astronomy
On Monday we will take a quiz over the basics of eclipses as covered in class and on Podcast 1 – Introduction to Eclipses. Then we will do a jigsaw game involving the types of solar eclipses. After the activity we will debrief the information and then do a second activity to reinforce what we learned. Then we’ll take a quiz over solar eclipses. (Podcast 2 – Solar Eclipses will help you study.) Following the quiz we will explore lunar eclipses. My goal is to finish this unit by next Monday so that we can test before Thanksgiving break. Let’s bring our A-game (and use cliches!) so that we can finish on time. 🙂

Warm Science of the Week
This week’s “Cool Science” feature is about warming. Say goodbye to Florida as you use this interactive map to explore what Earth’s continents might look like if all the ice on the planet melted. Hopefully this isn’t our future!

With gratitude, we start this week recognizing Veteran’s Day on Monday.

This Week in AP Physics
We will continue to move through our energy unit (energy pun intended.) Our focus will be on work and the work-energy theorem. We will conduct a very cool experiment involving this theorem as well as analyze multiple problems. Guided reading 2 is due on Monday.

This Week in Physics
We will complete the friction lab and then explore elastic force in more depth, completing assignment 3 together in class. We will spend a significant portion of the week practicing our lab analysis skills and going over proper lab report writing format extensively. Next we will turn our attention to Newton’s Laws. As announced, please take notes on Podcast 9 – Inertia and Podcast 10 – Static Equilibrium. As we go over these podcasts, you will design a mini-experiment to demonstrate inertia and static equilibrium. Following this we will complete assignment 4 together in class.

This Week in Astronomy
On Monday we will test the moon unit. To prepare, please study and then do the Unit 3 homework for Monday. Everything you need to know except the lunar geology piece is available on the unit’s podcasts. You are nonetheless also responsible for the lunar geology information as covered in class. Remember also that your unit 2 outdoor lab is due this Monday, as well. That brings us to your next outdoor lab, the unit 3 outdoor lab, which sends you outside to observe the moon. This lab will be due on December 6, which is the the Friday after we return from Thanksgiving break. Start now, as you will need to make outdoor observations many days apart. On Tuesday we will begin our unit on eclipses.

Cool Science of the Week
This week NASA announced that it’s Kepler Mission, designed to find planets, now estimates that 22% of stars similar to our sun (which is a very typical star) have planets in the “habitable zone” where heat and light conditions could allow life. With around 20 billion Sun-like stars in the Milky Way galaxy, that amounts to billions of potentially Earth-like planets that are in their respective habitable zones!

Below is an artist’s illustration of Kepler-62f, a planet in the “habitable zone” of a star that is slightly smaller and cooler than ours. Kepler-62f is roughly 40 percent larger than Earth.

Please remember (like you need the reminder! :)) that we have no school on Tuesday for Election Day. Hey, some of you are 18 now and can vote! Go do it! 🙂

This Week in AP Physics
We will test on unit 4 (circular and rotational motion) on Monday. The lab report for our circular motion lab is due on Wednesday when we will also begin unit 5, which covers energy. Your first guided reading from this unit will be due on Thursday.

This Week in Physics
We will continue our exploration of forces by going into depth regarding friction. We will do practice problems, conduct an experiment, and do assignment 2 together in class, followed by a quiz. It will be a rough week (ba dum bum!) Depending on our rate of progress, we may get to elastic force by Friday, in which case you should take notes on Podcast 7 – Elastic Force and Podcast 8 – Elastic Force Sample Problems if announced. NOTE: If you are in 3rd period only, you have a quiz on Monday over our first set of learning goals.

This Week in Astronomy
We will continue to analyze the motion of the moon during a lunar cycle so that we will be able to predict appearance, rise/set/appear/disappear times, and alignment for all moon phases. On Monday we will finish our “puzzle” and go over it. Then we’ll do one final activity to help us seal the deal on this set of learning goals. Your graphic organizer (handed out on Friday) will also be due. We should be ready for a super big quiz over these learning goals on Wednesday or Thursday, when we will also go over lunar geology. We will likely take the test for this unit on Friday. If you are confused, remember that there are two podcasts that cover this material in depth: Podcast 2 – Lunar Phases and their Appearances and Moon Podcast 3 – The Phases and their Timings. The Lunar Phases Interactive website we used in class is also helpful.

Cool Science of the Week
In astronomy we’ve talked about how the far northern latitudes receive little to no direct sunlight during the months between the autumnal equinox (late September) and the vernal equinox (late March.) Check out what this Norwegian town did to capture some sunlight!

Welcome to the first week of second quarter! Let’s make it great! 🙂

This Week in AP Physics
We will finish unit 4 over circular and rotational motion. Guided reading #2 is due on Monday when we will begin to look at rotation and torque. We will spend the week doing “AP Problem Solving with Physics” and will test by Friday. Your circular motion lab report is due by next Monday, November 4.

This Week in Physics
Please take notes on the following podcasts by Monday: Force Podcast 1 – Net External Force, and Force Podcast 2 – Weight. We will do activities with this information followed by assignment 1 in class (and then the inevitable quiz!) When announced please take notes on Force Podcast 3 – Normal Force, Force Podcast 4 – Introduction to Friction, Force Podcast 5 – Static Friction, Force Podcast 6 – Kinetic Friction. We will spend lots of time analyzing problems involving friction and will also do a great lab involving friction.

This Week in Astronomy
We will continue to analyze the appearance, alignment, and rise/set/appear/disappear times for the various phases of the moon by collecting and analyzing more data and synthesizing the information into one big masterful understanding of the phases of the moon. It will rock. (LAWLZ) These podcasts cover the material, so you can use them to support your study: Moon Podcast 2 – Lunar Phases and their Appearances, Moon Podcast 3 – The Phases and their Timings. We will end the week by exploring lunar geology (or is it “lunology”?) and will probably test early next week.

Cool Science of the Week
In the past couple of weeks in two separate instances, two giant (sadly, dead) “sea serpent” oarfish washed up on the Pacific coast. These incredibly deep-water fish are fantastically long, by some estimates reaching 45 feet! It is speculated that these have inspired “sea monster” myths of the past and that their deaths may portend geological activity such as earthquakes. Check out the photo (bottom) and this video (top) of an oarfish swimming deep beneath the sea.

Welcome to the last week of the first quarter! (Seniors, can you believe it?) Ready for it or not, be sure to check PowerSchool to make sure all of your assignments are turned in.

This Week in AP Physics
With an incredible array of basic tools in our toolbox, we can now explore specific types of motion. Our first specific applications will be circular and rotational motion. This will be a fast-paced week, as we’ll complete most of the work for this unit this week. Guided reading #1 will be due on Tuesday, and #2 will be due by the end of the week, as announced. Remember that your lab report for last unit’s Newton’s Second Law lab is also due on Tuesday.

This Week in Physics
We will finish all assignments for unit 2 in class on Monday and Tuesday and prepare for the test, which will be on Wednesday. Following the test we’ll do one of my favorite labs of the year, the Human Cannonball Projectiles Lab! Following the lab we’ll start a terrific unit on Newton’s laws. When announced the following podcasts will be due, either by the end of the week or the beginning of next week: Podcast 1 – Net External Force, Podcast 2 – Weight, and Podcast 3 – Normal Force.

This Week in Astronomy
Just in time for Halloween we look to that mysterious orb in the sky, the moon! We will start by analyzing data about the position and appearance of the moon from day-to-day to put together a deep understanding of why the moon appears as it does during different times of the evening, night, and morning. Three podcasts will support your learning through this unit: Podcast 1 – Introduction and Orbit, Podcast 2 – Lunar Phases and their Appearances, Podcast 3 – The Phases and their Timings.

Cool Science of the Week
We’ve been hearing about 3-D printing for some time now. The Science Museum in London recently opened an exhibit highlighting applications of this technology, including making prosthetic body parts! …and toys!!! 🙂
Check it out!