• Test
• Mr. Stapleton out. 

Warm-up: 

2.  I have two balloons separated by a closed tube.  One is almost fully inflated.  One is just partially inflated.  What will happen when air is allowed to flow through the tube?

Today:  

• Pass out grade reports and discuss
• Questions about the test?
• Make hot air balloons and determine their temperatures.  Measure empty mass, inflated volume, mass lifted.

Homework:

• Study for the test (see below)

Warm-up: 

Suppose you are given a 6" x 9"  sheet of paper, and you are asked to create a box with 6 rectangular sides. 

1.  What is the maximum volume that your box could have?

2.  What is the minimum volume that your box could have?

3.  Describe how you would use that paper if you wanted your box to have the lowest possible density.  Explain.

Today:  

• Discuss "more pressure problems" #2-9
• Make hot air balloons and determine the temperature inside

Homework:

Study for test next Thursday over material since 2/21.  See list below.  Scroll down this page to see individual classes and find video links supporting each item below.  **I will break some of the problems up to give hints/landmarks, like I did on the rotational motion test.  Some critical metric/english conversions will be provided.

• Pressure and Fluids notes (1-3, 5-8, 16-17)
• pressure questions and problems 1-8 and 11-13
• Why the flame in a jar sucks up water
• Potato gun problems
• "More pressure problems" 2-9, 17-18.  On #8, the density of air will be provided.

Warm-up: 

How can we determine (with precision) the volume of air in a large, irregularly shaped balloon?

Today:  

• Interest in Great Escape field trip? If so, get a form.  Cost = $40. 
• Check/discuss homework problems  Link to SchoolTube video page with solutions.
• Discuss tweaked project proposals. 
• ??
• Begin making hot air balloons?

Interesting link

Homework:

Check your homework answers and work.  Here are the solutions.

Warm-up: 

The North Pole is a desert because it is cold.  The major rainforests of the Earth lie on the Equator because the Equator is hot.  Explain how those regions' temperatures influence their climates in this way.

Today:  

• Check/discuss homework problems 
• Discuss #12 and 13 from last homework.
• Brainstorm and Discuss: what makes a good project/competition?
• Propose a project relating to pressure and/or buoyancy.  What is the goal?  How will it be graded?  What aspects of the project will we be able to measure, quantify, and/or calculate?  What materials does it require?  Where will the materials come from?
• Clean out the black cabinet!!!
• ??

Homework:

"More pressure problems": 2-9 and 17-18.  17-18 relate to Pascal's Principle, which can be found in the textbook around page 280.

Warm-up: 

1.  How do Frisbees (TM) stay in the air?

2.  Why don't diesel engines need a spark plug?   http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel1.htm

Today:  

• Check/discuss homework problems  Solutions to all of the pressure practice problems
• What determines potato speed?  Potato gun problems , followed by more potato gun shooting. Solutions to examples  Video showing how to solve the problems.

Homework:

• Complete "more potato gun practice."
• Brainstorm ideas for our next project/competition.  Come to next class with at least one proposal.

Warm-up: 

1.  Do you know how a siphon works?  Do you know how to siphon?  In what situation(s) might siphoning be useful?

2.  What is the purpose of a "water level?"

3.  Which of the two (if either) would work on the moon?

Today:  

• PV=nRT.  Do an example pressure and temperature problem, and discuss the homework problems.  Video introducing problems
• Hot air balloon videos
• Potato gun problems and potato gun shooting.  Pressure test potato guns.  What maximum velocity can you achieve with the provided pressure?  What are the "tricks" that help you maximize velocity?

Homework:

• pressure questions and problems 11-13  Video introducing problems

Warm-up: 

Sometimes you can "see your breath."  Why can't you see it right now?

I know a way to make my breath visible right now.  Can you guess how I do it?

Today:  

• Finish cloud handout  notes for absent students
• Ride the hovercraft

Homework: 

Warm-up:  Calculate the densities of objects A and B

Today:  

• Hire outbox person(s)
• Check homework  Here are the solutions
• PV=nRT
• Sat?

Homework:

None

Warm-up: 

A freshwater iceberg floats in a freshwater lake.  What happens to the water level when the iceberg melts?

Today:  

• Finish notes  [Link to completed notes.  Link to blank notes]

Homework:

• pressure questions and problems 1-8

Warm-up: 

The Bathyscaphe Trieste is the only manned vessel to have reached the deepest part of the ocean.

1. Where is the deepest part of the ocean?
2. How deep is it?
3. Geologically speaking, why is that part of the ocean so deep?
4. What are the dangers of traveling that deep?
5. Why is most of the bathyscaphe filled with gasoline?

Today:  

• Return and discuss tests
• Introduction to fluids and pressure.

Homework:  Think of ideas for our next project

Absent People:  Copy of today's stuff, with answers.

Warm-Up:  

1.  Suppose you want to whip something with a towel.  Describe the best technique.  Can you explain why it works?

2.  If you hold a horizontally spinning bike tire in your hands, step onto a large "lazy susan," and flip the tire over, what happens?  Why?

3.  What's the connection between questions 1 and 2?

Today: 

• Test
• "...dude flies off" video

Homework:

• Optional Extra credit -- extra time to complete the bonus questions from the test.  Due next class (2/21/12).  Here's a copy.

Warm-Up:  

Today: 

• Discuss field trip stuff.  What did you think? pendulum, nail bed, rotation, light
• Test review -- go through the problems and briefly explain how to do them.

Homework:

• Complete reflective writing -- due Friday.
• Test Friday

Warm-Up:  

1. What kind of rear tires do dragsters use?

2. Why do drivers do a "burnout" before each race?

3.  How else do dragsters increase traction?  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Top_Fuel

4.  What do dragster tires look like in slow motion? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ug6w4ZjwVo&feature=related

Popular Mechanics Dragster Info

http://iml.jou.ufl.edu/projects/spring06/gregorzek/tires.html

Today: 

• Turn in Field Trip Forms.
• Complete Final analysis

Next Week:

• Wednesday:  Test review.  Take a quick look at car data.  New unit -- pressure.
• Friday: Test -- will be the 2009 test with different numbers. (interactive version)  Video help: 4-16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22  Link to copy of actual test

Warm-Up:  

1. What is a car "transmission?"

2.  Why is a transmission necessary?

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/transmission.htm

Today: 

• Turn in Field Trip Forms.
• Final Road Test

Next Week:

• Monday:  Complete final analysis.
• Wednesday:  Test review.  Take a quick look at car data.  New unit -- pressure.
• Friday: Test -- will be the 2009 test with different numbers. (interactive version)  Video help: 4-16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22  Link to copy of actual test

Warm-Up:  

The contraption below comprises two records connected by a metal bar.  A string is wrapped around the bar.  At one end, the string is tied snugly to the bar .  At the other end, the string is tied to a small but heavy weight.  What will happen when the contraption is released on a smooth, hard, level surface of unlimited size?

Today: 

• Turn in Field Trip Forms.
• The final road test is next class. Make a plan.  Will you need to come in outside of class?
• Improve cars

Next Class:  

• Road test.
• Close-up video to see if wheels are slipping.
• Final measurements.

Warm-Up:  

1.  What is the difference between a 2-stroke engine and a 4-stroke engine?

2.  At a similar horsepower, why are 4-stroke engines typically heavier?

Today: 

• Turn in Field Trip Forms.
• Road tests
• Improve cars

Upcoming Classes:  

• Last work day Tuesday.  Final road test on Thursday.

Warm-Up:  

How do ball bearings work? 

Why are they called bearings?

Today: 

• Return quiz.
• Field trip on 2/14 -- lunch?  If so, cold bag or warm bag?  Leave at 11:00, not 11:10.
• Finish all car activities.  Do not make changes to your car until after you have completed activities 3-18.
• Car Activities must be completed today.  Carefully enter your group's data into this spreadsheet (Car Activities Answers Spreadsheet) and e-mail it to Mr. Stapleton before midnight tonight.  Include your group members' names in the e-mail.

Homework:  

• We will have two more official "road tests." The first will be this Friday and the last will be next Thursday.  Your car grade will be based on your fastest time from any of the high speed videos.

Warm-Up:  

1. If you hold a spinning bicycle tire by its axle, and you swing it like a sword, you experience what seems to be a mysterious force.  Can you explain this force?
2. Explain how this force can be used to predict the direction of a spinning top's precession (wobble).

Today: 

• Return last quiz.
• Brief explanation regarding video analysis.
• Take new quiz.
• Work on car activities.  Do not make changes to your car until after you have completed activities 3-18.
• Cars will ultimately be graded on 1) activity completion [group grade], 2) some sort of individual reflection [individual grade],  3) performance [group grade].
• Car performance grading rubric:  1m/s = 60%;  2m/s = 70%; 2.5m/s = 80%; 3m/s = 90%; 4m/s = 95%; 5m/s = 97%; 6m/s = 100%; 10m/s = 105%.  Extra credit for top five finishers:  1st place +3% + tasty treat; 2nd/3rd place +2%; 4th/5th place +1%.

Homework:  

• Car Activities are due by the end of next class.  Carefully enter your group's data into this spreadsheet (Car Activities Answers Spreadsheet) and e-mail it to Mr. Stapleton.  Include your group members' names in the e-mail.
• 2nd car road test on Friday.
• **Final road test next Thursday.**

Warm-Up:  

1. How was this picture taken?
2. What's the name of the object represented by the smallest semicircle? In a few thousand years, it will not be there.  Why not?
3. What is the red line?

Today: 

• Quiz
• Work on car activities.  Do not make changes to your car until after you have completed activities 3-18.

Homework:  

Study for quiz next class.  Problems will be chosen from 14-22 on the 2009 test (link to interactive version of test)  Video help: 4-16,17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22  Click here for the test shown in the videos.

Warm-Up:   Suppose someone's car is not traveling in a straight line.  What might be the problem?  How might it be fixed?

Today:  shortened class

• Fire debriefing
• First "road test" -- Inspect cars and get high speed car video footage
• Car Activities #3-22 are due by the end of class on Monday. Cars should be analyzed in the same condition in which they completed the first road test.
• AFTER you have finished the activities, begin improving your car.

Upcoming Stuff:  Over the next two weeks, you will be testing/analyzing and then improving your cars.  Along the way, you will have at least two short quizzes over the problems relating to this project.  After that, there will be a written test and the final car competition.

Homework:  

Study for quiz next class.  Problems will be chosen from 1-7 & 11-13 on the 2009 test (link to interactive version of test)