Class 32: Tuesday, 12/12/2023
 Warm Up: 

Today:

  • Quiz:  Evidence for the Big Bang

Homework: 

Class 31: Friday, 12/8/2023
 Warm Up: 

The picture on the right shows an explosion.  This explosion shares some similarities with the Big Bang theory of the Universe's formation.

1.  In the picture, which bits of matter are traveling fastest?  How can you tell?

2.  One result of this explosion is the movement of bits of matter.  What are some other results of this explosion?

The expansion of the Universe after the Big Bang was not like the expansion after the explosion above.  It was more like the expansion of the surface of a balloon.  Coins glued to the balloon represent galaxies. 

 

3.  If we drew some waves between the coins, what would happen to the wavelengths as the balloon expanded?

Today:

Homework:  Complete the practice quiz relating to the Big Bang
Class 30: Wednesday, 12/6/2023
 Warm Up:  If you're standing next to a race track, which of the following do you hear as the cars pass you?

     a.  The cars' pitch changes from high to low.

     b.  The cars' pitch changes from low to high.

     c.  There is no change in pitch.

Today:

Homework:  Study -- quiz next class over the lives of large stars
Class 29: Monday, 12/4/2023
 Warm Up: 

1.  Do this:  hold a tennis ball on top of a basketball and drop them to the floor together?  See what happens.

2.  Guess why it happens.

3.  Watch this video to find the answers and to see how this relates to supernovas.

Today:

Homework:  Study for a quiz next class over medium-sized stars
Class 28: Thursday, 11/30/2023
 Warm Up:  Where does the "helium ash" come from, and how does it get to the center of the Sun?

Today:

Homework:  None
Class 27: Tuesday, 11/28/2023
 Warm Up:  What are the hottest and coolest parts of this picture?  How can you tell?

Today:

Homework:  Quiz next class over the information on today's quiz review.  Study!
Class 27: Friday, 11/17/2023
 Warm Up:  The diagram on the right shows the life cycle of a star like our Sun.  What's wrong with the diagram?

Today:

Homework:  None!
Class 26: Wednesday, 11/15/2023
 Warm Up:  How can you demonstrate static electricity with ordinary clear tape? Good YouTube demo

Today:

Homework:  None!
Class 25: Monday, 11/13/2023
 Warm Up: 

1.  The first diagram on the right shows four hydrogen atoms that combine to make one helium atom.  This is what happens in nuclear fusion.  What looks wrong?

2.  E = mc2 is a famous equation.  What do each of the letters in the equation represent?

 

Today:

  • Return quizzes
  • Return Stirling Engine grading sheets and go over the answers.  Make a VIDEO and put it in the Google Classroom assignment.
  • Review the questions from last class (homework if you didn't finish).  Make a VIDEO and put it in the Google Classroom assignment.
  • Work on correcting the Stirling Engine Slideshows.  Turn in your corrected slideshow by Friday.

Homework: 

  • Study for a Quiz next class over the practice questions that were due today.
  • Correct the Stirling engine slideshows -- make sure that you put things into your own words.
Class 24: Thursday, 11/9/2023
 Warm Up: 

Why does the bird keep drinking?

Today:

Homework:  Complete the Solar System Formation practice questions (PDF)-- If we didn't finish them in class.
Class 23: Tuesday, 11/7/2023
 Warm Up: 

1.  If you rub a balloon on your head and then hold it next to your hair, your hair is attracted to the balloon.  Why?

2.  Your hair may also stand on end after being rubbed by a balloon.  Why?

3.  How can we produce this same effect with tape?
4.  How does this relate to the Earth's formation?

Today:

Homework:  Study for the uiz next class over Birth of The Earth questions
Class 22: Thursday, 11/2/2023
 Warm Up: 
1.  Why does frost sometimes form on propane tanks, even when the weather isn't very cold?
2.  Does this frost make the propane tank perform better or worse?  Explain why.
3.  Is the propane in a tank solid, liquid, gas, or a combination of states of matter?

Today:

  • Work on Stirling Engine Slideshows.  They are due on Tuesday, but you won't have class time on Tuesday to work on them.
  • Finish the "Birth of the Earth" video?
  • Next Unit -- History of Space
    • Formation of the Solar System (including Earth)
    • Stars, from birth to death (various types of stars)
    • Formation of the Universe (the Big Bang)

Homework:  Stirling Engine Slideshows are due on Tuesday, by midnight.  There won't be class time to work on this on Tuesday, but I will remind you.
Class 21: Tuesday, 10/31/2023
 Warm Up:  If you add heat and coolness to a Stirling engine, this generates force and causes movement.  You can reverse the process if you add force, turning the flywheel of a Stirling engine to cause heating and cooling.  Explain.

Today:

  • Return make-up stuff.
  • Look at grades
  • Work on Stirling Engine Slideshows (in Google Classroom -- Due next Tuesday)
  • What kind of donuts?

Homework:  Stirling Engine Slideshows are due on Tuesday
Class 20: Friday, 10/27/2023
 Warm Up: 
1.  How does a simple D.C. electric motor work?
2.  What does D.C. mean?
3.  How does this Genecon generator work?
4.  What interesting thing can we do with two Genecon generators?

Today:

  • Make-up day
  • Work on Stirling Engines.  Remove the flywheel when you're done, but leave the rest on the stand. Do label it with your names!

Homework:  None!
Class 19: Wednesday, 10/25/2023
 Warm Up: 

The diagram on the right shows a basic refrigeration unit.  I have circled the compressor and the expansion valve.  In this system, a substance called a refrigerant, moves through the pipes.

1)  What happens to the temperature of the refrigerant when it is compressed?

2)  What happens to its temperature when it is allowed to expand?

3)  In which direction is the refrigerant flowing through the pipes?

4)  Can you guess the purposes of the fans and radiators?  Do you know what a radiator does?

Today:

  • Return quizzes
  • Stirling Engine Update:
    • I think I patched most (hopefully all) of the reservoir leaks.
    • I want to make some more stands, so that you don't have to take your engine apart between classes -- so we're pausing the project for today.  The plan is to resume on Friday.
  • Today we will watch a video that we would usually watch later on, but this will be a good time to do it, so we're not wasting time while we wait on me to make new Stirling Engine Stands.

Homework:  Friday's class will be a make-up day, when you can make up any missing assignment or retake any quiz.  Take a look in PowerSchool and decide what you might need to do to prepare for Friday.  Here are some materials to help you prepare for a retake...
Class 18: Monday, 10/23/2023
 Warm Up: Nuclear fusion happens when the core of the star is hot enough to fuse Hydrogen into Helium.  This diagram was made to help explain how stars keep "burning" evenly, without cooling off or heating up.  For most of their lives, stars don't overheat, and they don't cool off.  These questions explore why this happens...
  1. Suppose the star happened to cool off a little.  How would the star's volume change?  Why?
  2. What force would cause the star's volume to change?
  3. Explain why that volume change would cause the star to heat back up?
  4. Now suppose the star happened to heat up a little.  How would the star's volume change?  Why?
  5. Explain why that volume change would cause the star to cool back down?

Today:

  • Quiz
  • Check/review page 2 of the stirling engine questions
  • Copy notes
  • Finish the stirling engines?

Homework:  Friday's class will be a make-up day, when you can make up any missing assignment or retake any quiz.  Take a look in PowerSchool and decide what you might need to do to prepare for Friday.
Class 17: Thursday, 10/19/2023
 Warm Up: 
When you go outside on a clear, moonless night, how far away are the closest and farthest objects that you can see with your "naked eyes?"

Today:

  • Add ice water reservoirs to your stirling engines.  Secure the reservoir with tape.  Caulk the seams and set the cylinder aside to cure.  We will finish the stirling engines on Monday.
  • Check out the 5th and Final Objects In Space Quizlet: Beyond The Solar System together. 
    • Look at the links on this page that go with the 3rd Quizlet.
  • Stirling Engine Questions (PDF)

Homework: 

  • Part 1:  Study Quizlet #5 to prepare for a short quiz next class.  Then submit the assignment in Google Classroom. This quiz will be fill-in-the blank, just like the flash cards.  There will be one bonus.
  • Part 2:  Finish the Stirling Engine Questions, if you didn't finish them in class.
Class 16: Tuesday, 10/17/2023
 Warm Up: 
How can we make a stirling engine go even faster?

Today:

  • hand out old work
  • Stirling engine work time

Homework: 

  • no homework
Class 15: Friday, 10/12/2023
 Warm Up: 
1.  What is the purpose of a flywheel?
2.  How do gasoline engines work?
3.  What are some differences between 2-stroke engines and 4-stroke engines? (better 4 stroke animation)
4.  How is this diesel engine different?  Is it a 2-stroke or a 4-stroke?
5.  What does a crankshaft do?  How many cylinders does the engine in the video have?

Today:

  • Cell phones in the caddy. 
  • Return Quizzes
  • Get grades straightened out.  Pay attention to Google Classroom assignments.  Don't forget to submit them.
  • Work on Stirling engines
    1. Finish your displacer.
    2. Add a string to your displacer.
    3. Duct tape the hole, thread the string, and add a plastic connector to your string.
    4. Add a connector to your membrane.
    5. Get a stand and write down the number next to your name on the board.
    6. Test your displacer.  Add a decapitated balloon to your cylinder.  Put your cylinder on the stand.  Light an alcohol burner. Raise and lower your displacer, using the string, and observe.
    7. Measure the movement of your balloon and displacer, in cm.  Divide those numbers by 2.
    8. Make a crankshaft.
    9. Connect your crankshaft to a flywheel.  Write your flywheel number on the board.
    10. Connect the power piston to the crankshaft with wire rod.
    11. Connect the displacer to the crankshaft.
    12. Test your engine!

Homework: 

  • None!  Enjoy your weekend!
Class 14: Wednesday, 10/11/2023
 Warm Up: 
What makes this Stirling engine puff out and "suck in?"

Today:

Homework: 

  • None!
Class 13: Thursday, 10/5/2023
 Warm Up: 
I measure the amount of force it takes to open my freezer door.  I close the door again.  Then I measure how much force it takes to open the freezer door a second time.  Video
1.  How is the required force different the second time? 
2.  Why?

Today:

  • Cell phones in the caddy. 
  • Return papers
  • Check/review homework
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts: practice quiz
    • PDF
  • How does a Stirling Engine work?

Homework: 

  • Study for a quiz next class (next Wednesday), very similar to the practice quiz from today (and similar to the homework that was due today).  Then submit the assignment in Google Classroom.
Class 12: Tuesday, 10/3/2023
 Warm Up:  In the Phet States of Matter simulation, the container has a movable lid.  What happens if you use the finger to push the lid downward when the substance is in gas phase?
1.  What happens to the volume?
2.  What happens to the pressure?
3.  What happens to the temperature?
4.  Why?

Today:

  • Cell phones in the caddy. 
  • Return Quizzes.  You can retake the quiz any time in FLEX.  I haven't finished grading the video resubmissions.
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts: 

Homework: 

  • Packet p. 12, (#17-28)
Class 11: Friday, 9/28/2023
 Warm Up: 
1.  What would happen if you made a hole through the center of the Earth, and you jumped in? 
2.  If you made it all of the way through, where would you come out?  (antipodes map)

Today:

  • Cell phones in the caddy. 
  • Quiz
  • Return (original copies of) the hot air balloon video grading sheets.  Go over the answers.  Prepare to do video corrections.

Homework: 

  • Unless your score was 36/36, correct your video for more points.
Class 10: Wednesday, 9/25/2023
 Warm Up: 

  1. What are the lines in the sky?
  2. How was the picture created?
  3. Why are the lines arranged in a circular pattern?
  4. If this picture was taken in the Northern Hemisphere, in which direction did the circles form? (clockwise or counter-clockwise)
  5. Which stars are moving faster, the inner ones or the outer ones? ** this is a trick question**
  6. If there is a star near the center, what is its name?
  7. Why did the photographer have to stop the picture before the stars made a complete circle?

Other long-exposure photos

Star trails on the equator

Today:

  • Cell phones in the caddy.  If they're ever needed, ask Mr. S. first.
  • Check to see that the videos are submitted correctly in Google Classroom. Make sure that I have access.
  • Look at the links on this page that go with the 4rd 4th Quizlet:  The Sun and Other Stars.
  • How should you study?  Do some quiz preparation together -- practice studying.

Homework: 

  • Study for the quiz next class (over Quizlets #3 and #4).  When you're done, submit the assignment in Google Classroom.
Class 9: Monday, 9/25/2023
Warm Up:

1.  Find Polaris (the North Star) in the picture on the right

2.  Why might Polaris be harder to find tonight?

3.  Suppose you went out last night and looked at the night sky, and it looked like the picture on the right.  What time was it?  Follow these directions for telling time with the Big Dipper.

Did you know that the Big Dipper isn't a constellation -- it's an asterism?

Today:

Homework: 

  • See Google Classroom -- submit your hot air balloon discussion video before next class
Class 8: Thursday, 9/21/2023
Warm Up:
What do you notice about this hot air balloon that I saw yesterday?

Today:

  • Return quizzes.
  • Check/review homework
  • Hot Air Balloon Activity
    • Make a hot air balloon.
    • Make (and save) a video of your balloon being heated, beginning to fly, and then flying.  Let's try to use Screencastify.
    • Next class:  Create a presentation explaining what's going on.

Homework: 

  • No homework!
Class 7: Tuesday, 9/19/2023
Warm Up:

1.  What will happen if I put a balloon over a flask of water and then boil the water? 

2.  What will happen if I put the flask on ice?

3.  Will the balloon behave differently if I put it on after the water is already boiling?

4.  What will happen if I inflate a balloon, tie it off, and then place it in cold water?

5.  Why does all of this happen?

Today:

  • Warm-up/Attendance
  • Optional Quiz retake
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts: 

Homework: 

Class 6: Friday, 9/15/2023
Warm Up:
1.  According to this diagram from Wikipedia, on what date are we closest to the Sun?
2.  Is this diagram correct?
3.  Seasons on the Earth are not the same length.  In Vermont, which of our seasons would you guess is the longest?  Which is the shortest?
Orbit Simulation -- Explore a bit... Can you make the basic orbit more ellptical?  When, why, and how does the speed of the satellite change?  Is the Moon's orbit circular?  What happens if we get rid of gravity?

Today:

  • Warm-up/Attendance
  • Return Quizzes -- do you like your score?  What happened?  Does it need to be fixed, and if so, how?
    • Quiz score distribution
  • Take another look in PowerSchool.   -- what will your grade be when I put the quiz in?
    • Let's make sure everybody understands the grade they're seeing. 
    • Let's make sure everything is correct. 
    • Finally, if you need to fix something or complete a missing assignment, let's make sure that you know how to do that.
  • New Objects in Space --
  • Take a walk through a scale model of the solar system -- experience the vastness of space!
  • PUT UP CHAIRS

Homework: 

  • Practice the 3rd Quizlet: Satellites, Moons, Comets, and Orbits until you can answer the questions.  When you're done, submit the assignment in Google Classroom.
  • Optional:  If you want to improve your quiz score, study for a quiz retake next class.
Class 5: Wednesday, 9/13/2023
Warm Up:
1.  Suppose you hold an object at arm's length and use it to cover up the moon.  How large does the object need to be to perfectly cover up the moon?  Quarter sized?  Dime sized?  Something else?
2.  What if you wanted to cover up the Sun?  What object would be just the right size?
3.  This picture shows how eclipses happen as the moon revolves around the Earth.  Why don't we have two eclipses every month?

Today:

  • Attendance
  • Discuss homework
  • Quiz over the first two Quizlets
  • Practice with:
    • Google Classroom
    • PowerSchool
  • Postponed for a drier day...Walk through a scale model of the solar system

Homework: 

  • None!
Class 4: Monday, 9/11/2023
Warm Up:
1.  How can I crush a soda can using a hot plate and ice water?
2.  Forces are either pushes or pulls.  Is the force that crushes the can a push or a pull? 
3.  What exerts that force?

Today:

Homework: 

  • Study the second quizlet.
  • Quiz next class over the first two quizlets.
Class 3: Thursday, 9/7/2023
Warm Up:
1.  Why can't we see our breath right now?
2.  What can I do so that you can see my breath?
3.  How does that work?
4.  How does this relate to meteors?

Today:

  • Attendance
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts: 
    • Finish the The Floating, Sinking, Floating, Sinking, Floating Challenge!  -- fill out a neater version of the worksheet.  20 minutes of work time.
    • Test your methods and award fruit snacks to the ones that work.
  • New seats
  • Check/review homework

Homework: 

Class 2: Tuesday, 9/5/2023
Warm Up:  Suppose one egg floats, one egg sinks, and one egg neither sinks nor floats.  What can you infer from this?

Today:

  • Phones in the caddy
  • Check/review homework
  • Note:  Tardies count, starting today!
  • Same seats -- I'm still working on names  -- I read about some of your seating preferences, and I will try to accommodate those on Thursday.
  • Check/review homework
  • Warm-up
  • Objects in Space -- I added a little to the Quizlet.  Check out the new bonus questions.
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts:  Exploring Physics and Chemistry concepts that help explain astronomy
  • Get phones.

Links

Homework: 

Class 1: Thursday, 8/31/2023
Warm Up: 

The bottle on the right contains a "cartesian diver."  The diver dives when the bottle is squeezed, and the diver rises when the bottle is released. 

1.  Why does this happen?

2.  How does this relate to space science?

Today:

  • Phones in the caddy
  • Seating chart -- so I can learn names of students without pictures
  • Warm-up
  • Discuss passes
  • Practice names/pronunciations.  Get into seats (front rows).
  • Fill out the Student info sheet (PDF)
  • Get the ESS Course Expectations.  Important things you need to know...
    • Phones
    • Hall passes
    • The plan for the next few weeks:
      • "Objects in Space"
      • Modeling Astronomy Concepts: hands-on activities to experience some of the same processes that happen inside stars and during the Earth's formation
  • Objects in Space -- Begin Structure and Scale of The Universe -- making sense of the Quizlet facts
  • Modeling Astronomy Concepts:  Exploring Physics and Chemistry concepts that help explain astronomy
    • Begin Film Canister Submarine lab.
    • Clean up (B5/6 -- 1:05, B 7/8 --3:05)
  • Wait to get phones.