It’s October already! Time is flying fast as we enter the last four weeks of the first quarter, which ends on October 26!

This week in physics: Due to the preponderance of tests in other classes, we moved our unit 1 test to this Monday, October 1. Here are important resources to help you study over the weekend:

• Your learning goals: What you’re being assessed on…
  • Motion in One Dimension – Unit Overview
  • Motion in One Dimension – Ohio Department of Education Standards
• All of the unit 1 podcasts
• Practice problems from the book (Remember to use your completed assignments to check your work.)
• Graph analysis practice:
  • The Physics Classroom Animations List
  • Moving Man Website
• Overall tutorials and review:
  • Physics Tutorials
  • Physics Review
  • Khan Academy
• Finally, it’s important to study right, not just to study. This Test Taking Skills guide will help you.

With the test on Monday, we’ll have lots of time left in the week to work on Unit 2: Motion in Two Dimensions. Here’s how to begin. Watch and take notes on the following podcasts by Tuesday.

• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 1 – Vectors vs. Scalars
• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 2 – Vector Diagrams
• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 3 – Introduction to Vector Addition
• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 4 – Vector Addition Sample Problem

We’ll practice vector addition problems with the ActivExpressions a whole bunch and then do assignment fun 1 in class. Following that we’ll take a quiz. By the day of that quiz, you should be ready for the next set of learning goals, so watch and take notes on the following podcasts:

• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 7 – Introduction to Projectile Motion part 1
• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 8 – Introduction to Projectile Motion part 2
• Motion in Two Dimensions Podcast 9 – Introduction to Projectile Motion part 3

It seems like a lot; I know. Really it’s manageable. It will be a nice week. Not to worry! 🙂

This week in astronomy: We will be doing a lot of activities to support our study of The Ecliptic Motion of the Sun, unit 2. We’ll do most of these activities in class. They include Equinoxes and Solstices around the World, Earth’s Tilt and the Equinoxes and Solstices, and a lab about Solar Radiation. (These documents are not available to you online. You’ll receive copies in class and on our student server here at school.) This is a very quick unit, so expect a test sometime next week. Please be sure to check out the Astronomy Unit 2 – Readings to help support your learning. The day before the test, the Astronomy Unit 2 – Homework Questions will be due. The Astronomy Unit 2 – Outdoor Lab won’t be due for a few weeks because it requires you to take observations over an extended period of time. We’ll go over the instructions in class, but it should be on your radar for now.

Cool Science of the Week: Check out the fun page from the xkcd crew! They answer a new “What if?” question about physics every Tuesday. This week’s installment asks if we could make the moon brighter by aiming laser pointers at it!

A special “thank you!’ goes out to Beth Cruz for sending this in!

This week in physics: Greetings! 🙂 In class on Monday we will do assignment 4 over the kinematic equations (podcast 7 and podcast 8) followed by a quiz the next day. Then Podcast 9 – Introduction to Free Fall, Podcast 10 – Free Fall Sample Problems, and Podcast 11 – Terminal Velocity will be due, followed by our final unit assignment, assignment 5. Expect the unit one test at the end of the week. Your study guide is the Motion in One Dimension – Unit Overview. Other resources include the podcasts, the Moving Man Website, and The Physics Classroom Animations we used in class. Start studying early for best results! 🙂

This week in astronomy: Greetings! 🙂 On Monday and Tuesday we will finish the Celestial Travel Agency project to prepare for Wednesday’s test over Unit 1. Start reviewing early using the Astronomy Unit 1 – Unit Overview document as your study guide. Remember to watch the podcasts and then draw meridian diagrams for various latitudes to help you prepare. I also recommend downloading (free!) Stellarium and playing with it the way we did in class. On Thursday we will begin our second unit, The Ecliptic Motion of the Sun, by doing research on the sun’s positions at various times of the year. By analyzing the data from this research, we will establish our understanding of the sun’s varying path in the sky from month to month.

Cool Science of the Week: Scientists have found a creature, the Tardigrade, or “water bear”, that survives the harsh conditions of outer space. Noting also that its anatomy is very unlike the anatomy of any other animal, these results have prompted scientists to ask whether the creature actually is from outer space! Yikes! (Disclaimer: I am not a fan of sending critters into outer space to see if they survive. 🙁 )

This week in physics: We will take a quiz over the concepts related to velocity that we covered in podcast 3, podcast 4, the Analysis of Uniform Motion lab, and assignment 1. (Note: If you are in 6th period, you already took this quiz on Friday.) We will continue to look deeply into the concepts related to acceleration found in podcast 5 and podcast 6 by analyzing graphs of motion both with Moving Man and with an activity using PASCO. We’ll do assignment 2 and 3 in class in the middle of the week followed by a quiz. Next we’ll amp up the math by exploring the kinematic equations. To prepare you’ll watch and take notes on Motion in One Dimension Podcast 7 – Introduction to Kinematic Equations and Motion in One Dimension Podcast 8 – Kinematic Equations Sample Problem as homework (due date TBA.) Next week look for us to finish the chapter through our exploration of free fall. Be ready for a test at the end of next week. IMPORTANT: (CAPS LOCK IS ON!!!) IF YOU DO NOT HAND IN YOUR EXTRA MATH PRACTICE BY THIS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, YOU WILL RECEIVE AN INCOMPLETE FOR EVERY ASSIGNMENT UNTIL YOU HAND IN THE EXTRA MATH PRACTICE ASSIGNED TO YOU AND EARN AT LEAST A 90%. You must master these skills to be ready for the kinematic equations. (Parents and Guardians, if you see a “Missing” or a score of 8 or lower in Gradebook Wizard for this assignment, your child has not fully completed the assignment.)

This week in astronomy: On Monday we will take a quiz over the celestial equator, celestial north pole, and the circumpolar stars. Two podcasts will help you prepare: Celestial Sphere Podcast 2 – Celestial Equator and Celestial North Pole and Celestial Sphere Podcast 3 – Circumpolar Stars Next we’ll explore diurnal and annual motion of the celestial sphere and differentiate between a siderial day and a solar day, exploring how this difference affects the stars we see. We’ll take a quiz over that topic and then spend 15 seconds exploring the teeny tiny concept of star magnitude. Spilling into next week, we’ll wrap up this unit with a culminating project, The Celestial Travel Agency in which you’ll practice creating meridian diagrams to express how a tourist would experience the sky differently at different latitudes. Expect a test late next week. 🙂

Cool science of the week: Snow on Mars?!? It seems that Mars, too, enjoys the quiet sweetness of snowfall! If you enjoy carbon dioxide snow (also known as dry ice, or the awesome stuff you can put in a cauldron to make it look cool on Halloween) then Mars may be the place for you!

Hello, Most Excellent Students!

This week in physics: We will practice analyzing graphs of motion using a sweet online app, and then we’ll work our way through assignment one (Motion in One Dimension – Assignments) in class. Via the flipped classroom method, you won’t be doing this on your own at home unless you don’t finish during our class time. We’ll collaborate, and I’ll be around to help you, so we’ll be just fine! As soon as we finish, the very next day you’ll have your first physics quiz, which will cover all aspects of velocity that we’ve explored. Remember that your average test/quiz score counts as 50% of your quarter grade, so please give emphasis to studying for this quiz. Following that you should watch and take notes on Motion in One Dimension Podcast 5 – Introduction to Acceleration and Motion in One Dimension Podcast 6 – Acceleration Signs vs. Velocity Signs as homework. We’ll answer questions you have about those podcasts and then dive straight into assignments two and three, followed again by a quiz perhaps late this week or early next. We’ll also run a quick lab (no lab report) in class. IMPORTANT: Your “Speedster” lab reports are due on Wednesday and must be uploaded to www.TurnItIn.com by Friday at 3:00. When adding this class to your TurnItIn account you’ll need to use the class ID, which is 5463766, and the password, which is physicsrules. Finally, we’re really about to step up the math significantly next week. If you haven’t done your assignment (if any) on the Extra Math Help Information and Practice Page, you should do it. It’s important that you’re ready! 🙂 (PARENTS and GUARDIANS, PLEASE NOTE: If you see anything other than an “excused” or a 10/10 on this assignment in GBW, your student has not fully completed the assignment.)

This week in astronomy: We’ll start drawing a lot of meridian diagrams for a wide variety of terrestrial latitudes and explore the diurnal (daily) motion of the Earth and how it affects our experience of the sky. We’ll follow that with a mighty quiz. Next we’ll explore the annual motion of the Earth and how it affects our experience of the sky. You should begin the Astronomy Unit 1 – Outdoor Lab as early as possible this week after we’ve gone over the circumpolar stars (Monday.) It requires you to go outside over a period of three hours on a clear night. It will be due next Monday, September 17. If you wait too long, you might not find a good night to do it, so on the first clear night you’re free, please get started. 🙂

Cool science of the week: Again, there is too much from which to choose! I can’t pick just one, so here are three:

• ASTEROID NAMING CONTEST!!! NASA is about to send a probe to an asteroid that’s currently called (101955) 1999 RQ36. This asteroid is ashamed of its name, feeling that it’s overly-technical and doesn’t reflect its solid personality. Therefore it has requested a new “Rock Star Name”. If you think of the best name, you’ll be a part of NASA history. That would rock.

• NASA’s Kepler mission uses a high powered telescope to seek out potentially habitable planets beyond our solar system, and it’s just found multiple planets that orbit a binary star system, which means that these planets orbit TWO SUNS! Brilliant!

•  Finally, this Venezuelan Poodle Moth is adorable. I’d adopt one if I could and hold a naming contest.

Have a great week! 🙂

This week in physics: Having completed the data collection phase of our first lab, we will journey to the computer lab to begin writing our lab reports “physics style” (which, by the way, is very stylish. :)) For a preview, you can check out our Lab Report Writing Guide and the Analysis of Uniform Motion Lab Rubric. In addition, we will learn to use Google docs to write our lab reports. If you do not already have a Google account, you will create one in class through our school’s Google accounts. Following our work on the lab reports, we will dive deeply into analyzing graphs of motion. (For a preview, you can check out The Moving Man if you’d like. It’s fun! :)) Finally, by the end of the week we will begin our first real set of “homework” problems, which, in keeping with the flipped classroom model, we will do in class. Look for your first quiz mid-week the following week. Note: If I assigned extra math practice problems to you, please be sure to do those asap. You can find them here: Extra Math Help Information and Practice Page

This week in Astronomy: We will wrap up the star mapping phase of our first unit as we complete the constellation project on Monday and Tuesday. Then we’ll explore the Celestial Equator in more detail followed by the Celestial North Pole and the Celestial South Pole. Look for a quiz mid-week on star mapping.

Cool Science of the Week: There was WAY too much cool science this week just to pick one thing! Here are some terrific things that happened this week:

SUGAR STAR!!!
How delicious does that sound? Chilean astronomers have identified sugar crystals surrounding a star. What’s the significance? Sugar is one of the building blocks of life. Interesting!

                                                                                                                     

MUSIC FROM MARS?
Find out how this guy played the first song broadcast from another planet!

Photos of Mars…Taken on Mars!
So, seriously, these are amazing. The Curiosity rover on Mars has a Mast Camera (“MastCam”) that’s taking beautiful pictures. It’s almost like you’re there!

Finally, this past Saturday America lost one of its great scientific pioneers, Ohio native Neil Armstrong, who was the first human to set foot on the moon back in July of 1969. To read more, you can check out this tribute from NASA.

Neil Armstrong
August 5, 1930 – August 25, 2012
Moon walk: July 20, 1969

A big “GOOD JOB” goes out to all of you for a great start to the school year! You were prepared and focused, and I’m excited to work with you!

This week in physics: If you have not already brought in a composition book for this class, you really need to do so by Monday, as we’ll be using it all the time. Also be sure to bring your scientific calculator and notes with you every day. If you haven’t already done so, you must take good notes on the following podcasts by Monday at the latest: Motion in One Dimension Podcast 1 – Distance v. Displacement, Motion in One Dimension Podcast 2 – Displacement & Direction, and Motion in One Dimension Podcast 3 – Speed vs. Velocity. We’ll be going over these on Monday and then doing classwork based on the notes you take. Come prepared! As the week goes on we’ll also cover Motion in One Dimension Podcast 4 – Slope of Position vs. Time Equals Velocity (I will announce when these notes are due), and we’ll learn how to use the lab equipment and software. By the end of the week we’ll be working on the Analysis of Uniform Motion Lab and will explore how to write our lab reports. Finally, everyone should read over the Math & Measurement Reference Sheet to be up to speed on skills I expect you to bring with you to this course. If you found via the pre-test or from reading the Math & Measurement Reference Sheet that you need to boost your math skills, please go to https://sgbscience.com/helpful-how-to-podcasts/ and view the relevant podcasts.  You also should consider coming to see me for extra help. My interest is to help you be prepared for success! 🙂

This week in astronomy: We will dive into star mapping! The podcast Celestial Sphere Podcast 1 – Star Mapping will help you be successful by reinforcing what we will cover in class. Absolutely positively bring your flashlight every day this week.   We will do a star mapping lab and then have a quiz. After that we’ll explore the Zodiac constellations! 🙂

Cool science of the week: As (I hope!) you know, this summer NASA landed a rover on Mars to collect and send data back to Earth. This week they shot Mars rocks with lasers! Read about it!

Welcome to the start of a great new school year! I can’t wait to get to know you and work with you this year in physics or astronomy! This is the weekly assignment blog. It is important you take a moment to subscribe to it via the link at the right. Please read and digest the Physics Course Overview and Policies document or the Astronomy Course Overview and Policies document. You will need to print and sign the last page and return that page to me by the end of the first week. (Parent/Guardian signatures also required.) We will begin the week with introductory work, going over course descriptions, expectations, and class policies. We’ll also set goals for the year and get to know important tech resources that you will use. In addition, we will do specific work in each course, as follows:

Physics this week: Welcome! This week in physics we will take an important skills assessment test on Thursday. This test requires a scientific calculator. If you do not bring one, you will have to retake the test during a study hall or after school when you do have a calculator. I do not have extra calculators for class use. By Friday you should view and take notes on the following podcasts: Motion in One Dimension Podcast 1 – Distance v. Displacement, Motion in One Dimension Podcast 2 – Displacement & Direction, and Motion in One Dimension Podcast 3 – Speed vs. Velocity.  There are certain materials you will need for class. You should bring these to class starting this week. You will need:
1.) A scientific calculator (This may be graphing or non-graphing; our math department offers a low-cost calculator rental program.) – have by Thursday
2.) A spiral notebook or binder with loose leaf paper – have by Thursday
3.) A composition book (like the one you used for chemistry labs) – have by Friday
Finally, please ask your parents to view the video on the Introduction to Flipping.

Astronomy this Week: Welcome! This week we will take a skills assessment test on Thursday followed by the start of our work in the planetarium mapping stars. Please be sure to bring a flashlight to class with you starting Thursday.

Thank you all for a wonderful year! I hope you have a relaxing, productive summer! You worked hard and deserve it! 🙂

SENIORS… CONGRATULATIONS!!! Well done!!!!

JUNIORS… Congratulations on reaching the last week of the course! We’re almost there, so let’s finish strong with a great final exam! To prepare, please go to the Exam Review Guide. I recommend at least four to six hours of concentrated study and practice. It’s worth it!

FUN SCIENCE OF THE WEEK: Are invisibility cloaks possible? It appears scientists have developed them…