03/19/2009
This unit involves the study and analysis of objects that are in motion and traveling in a straight line--either at a constant velocity or in uniform accelerated motion (constant acceleration)
Linear motion involves horizontal motion (like a car accelerating along an interstate on-ramp) as well as vertical motion (like a diver free-falling from the high dive platform)
Quantities that are represented as vectors are those which have a directional component. By understanding how to work with vectors, we are able to further understand what these physical quantities mean. Some vector quantities that we will be dealing with include displacement, velocity, force, acceleration, and momentum.
It is extremely important to be able to master the concept of a vector property, and how to report and/or recognize the direction that a quantity has and how that direction may affect our system (for example, by understanding vectors, we can understand more completely how something can be accelerating in a direction opposite of that in which it is moving).
So we all know that the most exciting part of first semester is the catapult project, right? :) In this unit we will be putting together the various pieces we have learned in units 2, 3, and 4 in order to fully understand how objects behave when they are moving in 2 dimensions (both vertically and horizontally). What causes that familiar arc that a football takes when thrown to a receiver?
image from: http://webphysics.iupui.edu...2.html
We all know what Newton's three laws of motion are--we memorize them in middle school! But do we really know what they MEAN, and do we really understand how they are applied in every day situations?
In this unit we will be looking at what exactly forces can do, as well as the different types of forces that can all act on an object, whether it is in motion or at rest!
image from: http://library.thinkquest.org/...
We just studied motion in two dimensions, but what happens when you have forces acting in multiple directions all at once, too? How does a box stay in place on a ramp? When will it begin to slide down the ramp (and why?)? This unit involves a bit more geometry and trigonometry than some previous units, but it's not impossible! :) We're just going to take what we learned and go one step further...up a ramp!
What is energy? We will be looking at the various forms of mechanical energy (mainly kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy) and we will be looking at how the forces that are applied to an object can help change the amount of energy that something has. For example, if you give someone a push when they're on a wagon, why do they speed up? Where did that extra energy come from?
We'll be looking at several applications for how mechanical energy can be transferred (but never destroyed!).
What is more applicable to you in high school than driving your car? And what can be more nerve-wracking than the thought of getting into a car accident? By the end of this unit, you'll have done labs and activities to help you understand what actually happens in a car accident, and to help you understand why seat belts and air bags (not to mention a great crumple zone in your car!) can help save your life if you ever ARE in an accident!