Timeline of AP Physics posts

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2020
February 19

2/19 AP: More momentum problems.

photo showing cue ball breaking a triangle of billard balls

It looks like I’ll be back on Thursday. Still a rough throat, but the doc thinks I’ll be ready by then. I’ll probably have a wireless mic so I don’t have to strain my voice 😊 . You might also find these instruction helpful. I hope to post some videos…Read More

February 18

2/18 AP: Conservation of momentum book problems

animated gif showing Collision carts m1 greater than m2

Book reading/review Review 6.2 Conservation of Momentum, pages 166-168 Read 6.3 Collisions, pages 168-175 Pay particular attention to the Problem-Solving Strategy method described on page 173. Problems (pages 182-184) Remember that only when a collision is described as elastic can you use conservation of kinetic energy. 6.2 Conservation of momentum…Read More

February 13

2/13 AP: p and K spreadsheet calculations

Photo showing two cars that collided front to side

Today you will finish your spreadsheet calculations. Remember, momentum is a vector, so some of your velocities will be negative. Be sure to include these, and that they match the relative directions of your carts. Start with one trial and: Use formulas in the spreadsheet to calculate p, K, Δ…Read More

February 12

2/12 AP: Final momentum lab day

Screenshot of a spreadsheet

OK, unless I get hit by a truck, I will be back on Thursday. Today, please work together to help all students complete their data collection and analysis Data analysis should include: Description of each type of collision/explosion you created. A list of the percent momentum and percent kinetic energy…Read More

February 11

2/11 AP: More on momentum

'Gritty people train at the edge of their comfort zone.'

My lengthy illness (severe sore throat, doc says it’s not coronavirus, but I did get tested for strep today) has presented an opportunity that I have always wanted to do, but never had the nerve to go through with: Set a class to work on a topic and let them…Read More

February 10

2/10 AP: Momentum lab spreadsheet

Screenshot of a spreadsheet

Hi all. I’m out for another day or two (extreme sore throat, no, not caronavirus!) From the feedback I’ve received on Remind, it looks like most groups have completed, or are successful at gathering, the data. Please take Monday to complete gathering data and entering it into a spreadsheet. I’m…Read More

February 7

2/7 AP Phys: Analyzing data

Image showing carts and photogates

Data collection Please finish data collection for both collisions an explosions. Remember that an explosion uses the spring on one cart, and both carts start with zero momentum. Data analysis Analyze all your trials, calculating the momentum and kinetic energy changes for each scenario. If you would like, you can…Read More

February 6

2/6 AP: Collecting momentum data

Image showing carts and photogates

Your goal today is to collect pre- and post- collision data for both of your carts in four different variations (e.g. changing the mass, changing the velocity, changing the direction of the cars).

February 5

2/5 AP: Tips on Vernier photogates

Phhoto of Vernier photogate

Tips to support data collection for yesterday’s lab. Photogates The Vernier Photogates use a beam of light to detect objects between the two ‘arms.’ LoggerPro identifies the gate state as “Open” or “Closed.” Open implies that nothing is blocking the light beam Closed implies there is something blocking the light…Read More

February 4

2/4 AP: Impulse and momentum labs; 1 dimension

Photo showing two cars that collided front to side

These labs will take about three days to complete. Tuesday will be preparing/practicing. Wednesday will be completing Part 2 and 3. Thursday will be sharing your trends/conclusions with the class, where we will look for overall trends/conclusions. Prelab discussion (much yesterday) Part 1: Qualitative construction of momentum Part 2: Collision…Read More