Physics 30 - Dec 7

Today in class we then went on to learn about an extension to lab 4.2, the existence of something called dark matter.   We learned in the lab that more mass causes more speed for the centripetal motion.  This applies for simple motion that we see on Earth, like a stopper spinning around on a string, as well as the motion of stars in galaxies. 

We learned about a currently anomaly in physics.  This was the fact that stars in a galaxy are moving much faster than they should be.  The mass that consists within the galaxy that we can see is not enough to make the stars move so fast.  This is the basis for the search for dark matter. 

We watch a video today to explore these ideas a little further and to learn more about dark matter research.  Students answered a worksheet that went along with the video.  The worksheet is found here.  It is called Lab 4.2 Supplemental Worksheets.  The video is linked in 3 parts in the Course Video Youtube playlist.  It is called the Mystery of Dark Matter.  If you were absent today, please watch the video there.

Physics 30 - June 8 & 9

Today we started Unit 6 on Nuclear physics.  Students learned about atomic models and particularly the make up of the nucleus.  We then learned about the strong nuclear force that binds the nucleus together as well as the mass defect and binding energy.  We calculated the mass defect and binding energy for an isotope.  Students were then given sometime to work on Assignment 6.1.  On Monday we will review radioactivity and learn about radioactive decay equations.

Physics 30 - June 7

Today we finished Unit 5 by looking at how magnetic fields affect current carrying wires as well as learning how a current can actually create a magnetic field.  Notes today were from slides 51-58.  We did these notes after students wrote their quizzes for Lab 4.2.  Tomorrow we will begin Unit 6 on Nuclear Physics.  If students wish, they can print off the notes and bring them to class.

Physics 30 - June 6

Today in class students learned how magnetic fields can create circular motion of a charge, since the magnetic force acts perpendicular to the direction of the motion of the charge.  We then learned how a device called a mass spectrometer operates and how it is used to determine the identity of a substance based on its charge to mass ratio.  Notes today were from slides 42-50.  Students were given Assignment 5.4 today.  We will go over this tomorrow and finish Unit 5.

Physics 30 - June 5

Today we started looking at magnetism and magnetic fields.  We learned how magnetic fields effect charges as well as the forces that are applied to charges in magnetic fields.  Students then learned how to determine the direction of these things using the right hand rule.  The notes today were on slides 27-41 on the Unit 5 powerpoint.  Students were assigned Assignment 5.3 at the end of the class.  We will take this up tomorrow.

Physics 30 - June 2

Today in class we learned about the electric field, the work done on a charge and the electric potential difference.  This was on slides 13-22 in the Unit 5 Notes powerpoint.  Students are to work on Assignment 5.2 over the weekend.  We will take it up on Monday and begin to look at magnetism and magnetic fields.

Physics 30 - May 31

Today in class students wrote their quiz for the radioactivity lab we did on Monday.  We then finished up Example 5 in Unit 5 and students had a chance to work on Assignment 5.1.  Tomorrow is retreat so there will be no class.  We will continue Unit 5 on Friday by looking at electric fields and electric potential difference.

Physics 30 - May 30

Today we began Unit 5 on electricity and magnetism.  We learned about the electric force and the law of electric charges.  We did a couple of examples related to Coulomb's Law but didn't quite get to the assignment for this section.  We will do that tomorrow and get sometime to work on Assignment 5.1.

Physical Science 20 - May 30

Today we began looking at waves by studying what causes waves.  We learned about periodic motion and how waves are generated.  Terms such as frequency and period were discussed as well as other important concepts such as phase difference and resonance.  These notes were on slides 110-119. We finished of by watching a video on resonance.  This video is located in the Physical Science 20 course video list.  Tomorrow we will look at another example relating frequency to period and then get some time to work on the assignment associated with this.

Physical Science 20 - May 26

Today in class we finished looking at the other properties of light.  We then started fitting those properties to different scientific models.  Today, we looked specifically at the particle model.  In this model, we assume that light is made up of tiny hard balls or particles.  We then ran through a series of tests to see if these particles behaved the same as light did.  As it turns out, particles do a great job of modelling some of the properties of light but not all.  The next model that we will examine is the wave model.  We will begin our examination of it on Monday.  The notes today were on slides 96-109 from the powerpoint called Physics Notes in the physics folder of the physical science 20 course notes link on the right.  Have a great weekend everyone!

Physics 30 - May 24

Today was a work period for students.  They needed to hand in the worksheets from the video we watched yesterday.  They were due at the end of the class.  Students also spent time studying for their exams that are on Friday.  Since we won't have class on Thursday, this will be students last chance to ask me questions before the exam.

Physical Science 20 - May 24

Today in class students wrote their exam for the first part of the physics unit.  Tomorrow we will look at the remaining properties of light and start fitting those properties into models.

Physics 30 - May 23

Today in class we then went on to learn about an extension to lab 4.2, the existence of something called dark matter.   We learned in the lab that more mass causes more speed for the centripetal motion.  This applies for simple motion that we see on Earth, like a stopper spinning around on a string, as well as the motion of stars in galaxies. 

We learned about a currently anomaly in physics.  This was the fact that stars in a galaxy are moving much faster than they should be.  The mass that consists within the galaxy that we can see is not enough to make the stars move so fast.  This is the basis for the search for dark matter. 

We watched a video today to explore these ideas a little further and to learn more about dark matter research.  Students answered a worksheet that went along with the video.  The worksheet is found here.  It is called Lab 4.2 Supplemental Worksheets.  The video is linked in 3 parts in the Course Video Youtube playlist.  It is called the Mystery of Dark Matter.  If you were absent today, please watch the video there.

Physics 30 - May 16

Today we learned about Einstein's view of gravity.  We learned about the general theory of relativity.  Einstein believed that gravity wasn't a force itself, but an effect on space itself.  We watched a couple of videos that are linked below to try to explain this idea a little bit better.  If you were absent today, please watch the following videos to get a sense of general relativity.  

Physical Science 20 - May 23

Today in class we went over the answers to Homework P7 which was assigned before the break.  After this, students had the remainder of class to prepare for their exam tomorrow on reflection and refraction.

Physics 30 - May 18

Yesterday in class we did lab 4.2 on measuring mass using circular motion.  If students were absent yesterday, there is some sample data found in the Unit 4 folder of the Physics 30 notes.  You can use one set of the sample data (there are 3 of them).  Today we went through the analysis of this lab.  It is quite complex, so I tried to help the students with it.  I took some pictures of this and posted them in the Unit 4 folder as well.  It is called Lab 4.2 Analysis Aid.  The formal lab report for this is due on Tuesday after the long weekend.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

Physical Science 20 - May 18

Today in class we finished up our notes on optics by looking at common eye problems and how they are fixed.  We learned what causes myopia and hyperopia and how to correct them  We watched a video on laser eye surgery and then talked about corrective lens power.  Notes were taken from slides 87-93.  We then had a chance to work on Homework P7.  We will take this up on Tuesday after the break.  Have a great long weekend everyone!

Physical Science 20 - May 17

Today in class we took notes on how the human eye works.  We learned about a subject called lens accommodation, or basically how the lens in your eye adjusts to focus on objects at all different distances.  These notes were on slides 83-86 in the powerpoint.  After the notes, I let students work on the lab report for Lab P4.  This formal lab report is due tomorrow.

Physical Science 20 - May 16

Today in class we did Lab P4 on forming images with converging lenses.  Students were able to get their data today and then started working on their lab reports.  We will have more time tomorrow to do the lab report.  This will be du eon Thursday.  Tomorrow we will start into looking at how our eye works.  If students were missing today, they can use the sample data located in the Physics folder of the Physical Science 20 course notes link along the side.  The file is called Lab P4 Sample Data.

Physical Science 20 - May 15

Today in class students wrote their quizzes for refraction and critical angle.  This took the majority of the class.  After they were done, we went over the solutions to Homework P6 which was assigned on Friday.  This took the remainder of the class.  Tomorrow we will be doing Lab P4.

Physical Science 20 - May 12

Today in class we learned how to find the image using a set of equations.  We also then learned how to describe the characteristics of the image based on the solutions to those equations.  This is almost identical to the equations that we learned for curved mirrors.  Students took some notes on the equations and then we went through a couple of examples. These notes were on slides 76-81. For the remainder of class, students worked on Homework P6.  We will take this up on Monday.

On Monday, we will be having a quiz on refraction.  Students should study Homework P5 and Assignment P2.  This stuff we have been learning about lenses will not be on the quiz.

Physical Science 20 - May 11

Today in class students learned how to find images in lenses by drawing ray diagrams.  They followed a series of instructions on a handout and learned how to find images in both converging and diverging lenses.  After they completed the handout, students then worked on Assignment P3.  This is due tomorrow.

Physical Science 20 - May 10

Today in class we went over Part C to Homework P5.  We then started looking at an application of refraction.  We learned some terminology involved with studying lenses and optics.  This didn't take too long.  After which, we watched a video on optics.  There was no assignment today.  The notes were on slides 64-72.  Tomorrow we will look at finding images in lenses graphically.

Physical Science 20 - May 9

Today students handed in Assignment P2.  Afterwards we continued to learn about critical angle and total internal reflection.  We reviewed what we had learned yesterday and then took some more notes on total internal reflection and some applications of this knowledge.   These notes are on slides 60-62.  Students then had some time to work on Part C of Homework P5. We will go over this tomorrow.

Physical Science 20 - May 8

Today in class we went over Homework P5 Part B.  Afterwards I let students work on Assignment P2 for about 20 minutes and then we started to learn about critical angle and total internal reflection.  I showed the students some demonstrations on the topic and then we took some notes on it and went through one example.  The notes were on slides 57-59.  We didn't get to an assignment today with this but students need to make sure to hand in Assignment P2 tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will finish up learning about critical angle and total internal reflection and then get a chance to work on an assignment in it.

Physical Science 20 - May 5

Today in class students handed in their lab reports for Lab P3.  After that, we took some notes on the laws of refraction and then learned in detail Snell's Law.  This is the law that governs the angles of incidence and refraction.  We also did an example that showcased Snell's Law.  The notes today were on slides 53-55.  Students were assigned Homework P5 - Part B to have done for Monday.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Physical Science 20 - May 4

May the Fourth be with you all!!  Students have had a couple of days to work on their formal lab reports for Lab P3.  Yesterday we had our quiz on Homework P1, P2 and P4.  So we didn't have much time to work on the lab report.  Today I wanted to give a little lesson on graphing.  After the lesson today, students then had time to work on the report.  This is due tomorrow.  We will continue tomorrow with our study of refraction.

Physical Science 20 - May 2

Today in class we studied the relationship between the incident angle and the refracted angle.  Students did this with Lab P3.  We will get time tomorrow to analyze the data from this lab.  If students were absent today, there is some sample data called Lab P3 sample data that you can use.  It is in the Physics folder of the Physical Science 20 course notes link on the right hand side of this webpage.

Physical Science 20 - May 1

Hello everyone.  Today we went over Homework P4 and then started into our next property of light - the property of refraction.  This is how light behaves when it passes through substances.  When light moves from one substance to another, it will change paths or bend.  We learned some new terminology today as well as why this bending happens.  Notes today we from slides 43-51.  Students then had some time to work on Part A from Homework 3.5.  We will take this up tomorrow.

Physical Science 20 - April 28

Today student handed in their assignment from yesterday,  Assignment P1.  Today we learned how to find the image and its characteristics mathematically using a set of formulas.  We talked about how to use the formulas and how to interpret the results.  We then went through a couple of examples, one for a converging mirror, one for a diverging mirror.  After this students had some time to work on Homework P4.  We will take this up on Monday and then start into refraction.  The notes today were on slides 32-37.

Physical Science 20 - April 27

Today we learned how to draw ray diagrams for the two different types of curved mirrors.  This involved drawing a set of three different rays of light and determining the image characteristics based on those rays of light.  I guided students through these diagrams today and then let them work on Assignment P1, which students will hand in tomorrow.  Students who were absent today have these notes on a handout called Drawing Ray Diagrams for Curved Mirrors.  The instructions are there, students just have to follow them.  Tomorrow we will examine how to find the image characteristics using a set of equations.

Physical Science 20 - April 26

Today in class we started to learn about how curved mirrors work.  We looked at some demonstrations of these mirrors and then took some notes on some of the terminology we will be using to study curved mirrors.  These notes were on slides 27-31.  There was no assignment today.  Tomorrow we will begin finding images in curved mirrors.

Physical Science 20 - April 25

Today students handed in their labs from yesterday and then we learned about image characteristics and the laws of reflection.  We discussed the difference between specular and diffuse reflection and then students were assigned Homework P3.  This will be checked tomorrow.  Students are to start to bring a protractor and a ruler to the class on a regular basis.  Tomorrow we will begin to look at curved mirrors and how to find images in them.  The notes today were on slides 18-26 of the Physics Notes powerpoint.

Physics 30 - April 24

Welcome back from the break everyone!  I hope you are ready to finish of the rest of the semester and your high school career!!  I know....exciting and scary all at the same time.

Today we reviewed the end of unit 3 which we finished before the break.  This was about collisions and particularly 2D collisions.  Students were to work on Assignments 3.7 and 3.8 over the break and we took up questions from those assignments today.  After which we got started on Unit 4 which is on gravitational motion.  We first will begin by looking at how gravity effects motion close to the surface of the Earth and then move beyond the Earth.  This starts with looking at projectile motion at the Earth's surface.  We took some notes today and looked at some examples of this motion.  We will continue this tomorrow.

Reminder that this week we have 2 major assessments.  On Wednesday, you will have your 2nd in-class assignment for Unit 3.  This one will be on momentum and cover assignments 3.6-3.8.  Then on Friday we will be having the Unit 3 Exam.  Study the review questions that were posted at the end of the notes for Unit 3.

Physical Science 20 - April 24

Welcome back from the break everyone!  I hope you had a relaxing time and are ready to finish up the course.  Today we reviewed what we started before the break.  We were talking about the properties of light and reviewed the 2 properties were learned before Easter.  We went over the homework from the break, Homework P1 and P2.  We then examined the property of reflection.  We did this through a quick activity called Lab P2 - Reflection from a Plane Mirror.  If students were absent today, they will need to do this at lunch sometime.  It is a simple activity but requires some specific equipment.  Students will be handing in their results to this activity tomorrow and we will continue to discuss the results of this as well as learn more about reflection.

Physics 30 - April 13

Today in class we finished up Unit 3 by looking at 2D collision problems.  These are particularly tricky problems to solve but we learned a technique to solve them.  We worked through 1 example yesterday and 2 examples today.  After we finished Example 26, I gave them Assignment 3.8.  Work on this over the Easter Break and we will take this up when we get back.  Have a great break everyone and stay safe!

Physical Science 20 - April 13

Today students learned about another property of light.  This one is called the rectilinear propagation of light or simply put, the fact that light travels in straight line.  We learned this with the use of a piece of technology called a pinhole camera.  This allowed us to discover the magnification equation.  We went through an example involving the magnification equation.  This was all covered on slides 9-16 of the Physics Notes powerpoint.  I assigned Homework P1 today as well as Homework P2.  Work on those over the break and we will go over the answers to them after the Easter Break.  Have a great break everyone!

Physical Science 20 - April 12

Today students wrote their exams for the heat unit.  Tomorrow we will continue looking at the properties of light.

Physics 30 - April 11

Today in class we finished looking at collisions in one dimension.  We went through examples 21, 22 and 23 in class and then students were given assignment 3.7 as homework.  Tomorrow we will continue this by looking at collisions in two dimensions.  Reminder that tomorrow students will have their quiz on Lab 2.1.

Physical Science 20 - April 11

Today in class we started to look at the properties of light to see what light can do.  The first property we examine was the speed of light.  We did a little activity where we measured the speed of light and then compared that to the known value for the speed of light.  We learned that we do not have the capabilities in our classroom to accurately measure the speed of light.  We then learned how to use the speed of light to measure large distances.  This led to looking at astronomical distances.  We learned about the definition of a light year, an astronomical unit, and a parsec.  We went through an example about how to convert these units to meters and then had time to work on Homework P1.  We will take this up on Thursday.  Tomorrow students will be writing their exams on heat.

We have a new powerpoint to go along with our physics unit.  It is called Physics Notes and found in the Physics folder of the Physical Science 20 Course Notes link along the right hand side of this web page.  Today we covered slides 1-7.

Physics 30 - April 10

Today in class we finished up the notes on momentum and impulse and started looking at conservation of momentum in one dimensions.  We solved a couple of examples involving an explosion, where 1 object breaks into 2 or more.  We then also began looking at collisions.  We classified them as either elastic or inelastic but we didn't begin to solve any problems related to collisions.  We will do that tomorrow.

Physical Science 20 - April 10

Today in class we went over Homework H5 on enthalpy and discussed the exam on Wednesday.  Afterwards, we started into physics with a little introduction activity.  The purpose of this activity was to get students to think about some of the topics of physics and the different things that physics can examine.  There was no homework with this lesson.  We will continue tomorrow by examining light and seeing what light can do.

Physics 30 - March 30

Today students learned about potential energy and how to calculate it.  The concept of defining a reference level is important in understanding potential energy.  Students were given Assignment 3.4 to work on. The notes today were on slides 24 -29.  On Monday, we will begin to look at the law of conservation of energy and how to work with it.  Reminder that tomorrow class will be cancelled.  Have a great weekend everyone.

Physics 30 - March 29

Today in class we looked at kinetic energy and how it relates to work done moving an object.  Notes and examples were taken from slides 15-23.  Students were given a little time to work on Assignment 3.3.  We will take this up tomorrow and then look at potential energy.

Physical Science 20 - March 28

Today in class we looked at a process we will be using to solve problems in the class moving forward.  The main focus of the remainder of the class will be to solve word problems utilizing formulas learned studying relationships in nature.  That process was outlined today and we went through a couple of examples.  We also learned how to manipulate these formulas.  The notes we took are called Equations and Word Problems and they are found in the Heat folder of the Physical Science 20 course notes.  Students then had the remainder of class to work on Homework H1 and Assignment H1.  Both are due tomorrow.  Assignment H1 will be handed in.

Physics 30 - March 23

Today in class we talked about power and how to calculate it.  We went through a couple of examples covered on slides 10-14 and students had the remainder of the period to work on Assignment 3.2.  This will be due tomorrow.  Tomorrow we will move one to look at energy and specifically kinetic energy.