Let it Fly!...in 2 Dimensions☺

By playing we learn. So, let's play. On the left side of the blog is a link to a game called "Bazooki: A Silent Affair" and it's all about 2D projectile motion. Play the game for at least 10 minutes, and BE OBSERVANT while you play. Mess around with different angles and different amounts of force, and look at how it affects the flight path of the projectile and the distance it covers.

After you've played, post a reply of something you learned/observed about 2D projectile motion. Talk about vectors (horizontal versus vertical), force, or angles -- or all three!

Make sure to complete this by the end of the day Friday. Have a great one, and I'll see you soon. :)

Mr. R

Words of Power

Hi, A & H Periods! Here's a little extra special assignment for you. Words are the most powerful thing we have in our arsenal -- for good or for ill. But to easily we forget their impact and their value. So, the question I'm posing to you is this: if you could only say one last sentence before being mute for life, what would it be?

In your post, tell me this last sentence AND tell me WHY you chose it. All told, you should produce a decent paragraph of writing.

What final words will you leave to your friends, your family? What final tone to you want to leave to the world?

Acceleration....Getting You Up to Speed!

Thanks to our outstanding demonstrators (Nick C. and Georgie!), we were able to get this cool shot of "Newton's apple" dropping. And thanks to some clever engineering by Casio, we see five different images stitched into one. Important: the SAME amount of time elapses between each image of the apple.
So, what does it mean to ACCELERATE?! There are several different points of the ball's location in each image. In your own words, respond to the two following questions:
1. What's different about the ball's velocity in at each point where it appears in the image?
2. Why is there more distance between each point where the ball appears in the image?
(Show me that you understand the concepts of velocity and acceleration by being detailed in your response!)

 

 

 

Fly Squirrel Mr. R

A Deeper Look...

Hi, Awesome Observers!

Tonight, I'd like you do one (deceptively) simple thing: observe your world. Then post a question you have about it. The key word to remember is, "WHY?"!!
Post your interesting and essential question on the blog. The question doesn't need to be mind-blowing or on a cosmic (or quantum) scale. If it is, cool. And it's just as cool if it's a question from daily life about why something in the world behaves as it does. Put on your keen observer glasses and take a look at things. You'll be surprised with what you see.

See you tomorrow!☺

Mr. R

P.S. Don't forget to log in at the top right (for BlogSpot) and down the page at the bottom right (for our physics blog).

Let's start by...

....taking a deeeep breath. In all likelihood, you've heard things about taking physics. Maybe scary things. Let me tell you this loudly, clearly, and from the get go.... physics isn't hard.

Ok, that statement might be a little misleading, but the point is that physics doesn't have to be hard. That's my approach. We're going to be learning what I like to call "practical physics." You know, learning about WHY things work and act the way they do. We'll throw in some of the essential math (you can't have physics without math; that's like having music without notes), but this won't be a course in number crunching. We'll be doing things "hands-on," creating full-scale demonstrations/experiments, gathering our own data, and do all that in order to identify the laws and forces at work in our world.

So, welcome to a year of learning and investigation together. And let me emphasize the word "TOGETHER." Learning is a two-way street. I'll do my job, but it's up to you to carry your end of the bargain. Engage in the learning, ask questions, be a team player, and follow through on the handful of responsibilities thrown your way. That's what makes good teamwork and that's what makes good learning.

Let's do it.