Science 90 - Hubble Ultra Deep Field

Link to the document to help you identify the types of galaxies - Here

Science 90 - Lab P2 - Circuit Simulation Lab

Click to Run

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.