2/27 Physics Class and homework due 3/13

Hi folks,

First off NO CLASS NEXT WEEK!!! Next week is Spring Break so there will be no class.

To start with today, we spent a bit of time working more with those pesky energy formulas.

Then, I had the students spend time figuring out everything they possibly could using Hot Wheels stuff. On their own, they set up experiments and took measurements in order to try to find potential energy, kinetic energy, velocity, impulse, energy efficiency and more. It does an old physics teacher's heart good to see a batch of students debating the appropriate approaches to creating and solving practical physics problems.


For homework this week, please write up your methods and results.


In other words,


a. What did you try to find,


b. How did you go about trying to find it.


c. What was your raw data (times, distances etc).


d. What were your calculations.


e. What are your conclusions.


f. Do you feel you conclusions are valid or could there be some errors in your procedure?


g. What would you do differently, if anything, if you were to try to find the same data again?



Also, after playing with the materials, did any activities occur to you that would be fun/interesting/educational for kids aged 8 - 14? Try to come up with at least two activities.