Class #19

Thursday,

3/31

1. The giant freshwater clam is blowing bubbles.  Why do the bubbles get bigger as they approach the surface?
2. If the iceberg melts, what will happen to the water level in the lake? Will it rise, get lower, or stay the same?

Today:

• Test Retake
• Continue Pressure Notes

Homework: Study for quiz.  Quiz next class over atmospheric pressure pressure notes

Absent Students:

Study pressure notes to prepare for quiz next class (see above).

Class #18

Tuesday,

3/29

Old fireplaces were simply brick holes with a brick tube that went out the roof of a house.  Explain why old fireplaces do not actually heat a house very well -- even when they contain roaring fires.

Today:

• Return Test and review it. Link to VIDEO of 1st block's review.  Test retake next class. Link to first test
• Pressure notes

Homework:

• Study for test retake -- or bring something to do if you are not retaking the test.

Absent Students:

Complete warm-up. Watch video, and print out pressure notes.

Class #17

Friday,

3/25

A coin was found in eastern Europe.  The date on the coin was 350BC.  Was the coin valuable due to its age?  Why or why not?

Today:

• Test

Homework:

• None

Absent Students:

Schedule a retake (outside of normal class time).

Class #16

Wednesday,

3/23

Suppose you started expanding without gaining mass.  How big would you have to get in order to begin floating?

Use the table on the right to estimate your mass in kilograms.  We know that air has a density of about 1.2kg/m³, so that's what your density would need to be in order to float.   use your mass to figure out your volume in m³ -- assuming that your density is 1.2kg/m³.

If you were that big, and you were a cube, what would be the length of each of your edges?

Today:

• Finish Hot Air Balloon After-Flight Analysis.  Check answers.
• Take Practice test and review answers.  Click here for video explanations:  page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4

Homework:

• Test next class; study for test.

Absent Students:

Complete all of today's activities and turn in proof of completion to Mr. Stapleton. 

Class #15

Monday,

3/21

The table below shows an object with a bold outline.  Each dot represents a gram of mass, and each square represents a cm³ of volume.  Complete the table and change the object so that both its volume and density decrease.  

Today:

• Check homework.  Review answers.
• Activity: density manipulation practice sheet
• Finish Hot Air Balloon After-Flight Analysis
• Block 1 ends at 9:12; Block 2 ends at 10:25

Homework:

• All blocks: finish density manipulation practice sheet, if you haven't already.
• 2nd and 3rd Block: Finish Hot Air Balloon After-Flight Analysis

Absent Students:

Complete all of today's activities and turn in proof of completion to Mr. Stapleton.  Click here for video link showing review of homework and how to do the density manipulation practice sheet.

Class #14

Thursday,

3/17

The blobs in a lava lamp rise and sink.  What makes them rise?  What makes them sink?

Today: 

1. Field trip permission forms?
2. Properties of matter practice
3. Finish flying balloons. 
4. Complete Balloon After-Flight Analysis

Homework: 

Finish properties of matter practice.

Absent Students:   

• Answer the warm-up question.
• Complete #2 and #4, listed in Today section, above

Class #13

Tuesday,

3/15

1. What does "per" mean, as it is used in "kg/m³"?
2. Find the total mass and density of the balloon described below.  Then decide whether it will float in air (if air's density is 1.2kg/m³).

• Balloon volume = 0.25m³
• Density of the hot air in the balloon is 0.96kg/m³. 
• The plastic in your balloon has a mass of 0.04kg. 
• The straws, candles, and tape in your balloon have a total mass of 0.015kg. 

Today: 

1. Field trip information.
2. Build hot air balloons.
3. Estimate actual volume of hot air balloon using air source.  Time how many seconds it takes to inflate on setting "2."  Multiply that number by 0.004 to get your balloon volume in m³.
4. Fly balloons next class.

Homework:  None

Absent Students:   

• Answer the warm-up question.

Class #12

Friday,

3/11

Suppose you have a film canister like the one below.  There is a hole in the center of the lid.  The film canister contains 10 pennies and one Alkaseltzer tablet, and the remaining volume of the canister is full of water.  When the film canister is dropped into a tub of water upside-down, it will sit on the bottom for a while.  Then the film canister will rise back to the surface on its own.  It will stay at the surface.

Why does the canister sink?  And why does it rise a little while after it has sunk?

Today: 

1. Finish Hot air balloon calculations practice handout.  Finish the example, and complete the estimate of how much your balloon design will lift.
2. Remember how you made your box.
3. Recycle catapults.
4. Build frames for holding candles in place.

Homework: 

Absent Students:   

• Answer the warm-up question.
• Watch the video below, and complete #1 above (under "Today").  Use your own balloon design to complete the final page.  Turn-in to Mr. S.

Class #11

Wednesday,

3/9

The picture below shows a "cartesian diver" in a 2-liter bottle.  If you squeeze the bottle tightly, the test tube "diver" will dive to the bottom.  If you then loosen your squeeze, the test tube will rise to the top.  Explain why this happens?

Today: 

• Finish Density Notes and Questions.  How to calculate density.
• Boxes are due.
• Calculate densities of boxes.  Extra credit for the box of lowest density!
• Hot air balloon calculations practice handout -- Practice calculating the mass of plastic used in a box-shaped hot air balloon.
• Design a box-shaped hot air balloon that will lift a maximum payload.  Determine its dimensions.

Homework: 

• Complete a box-shaped balloon design that can be made from a 1.75m x 2.8m sheet of plastic.  Enter its dimensions into #14 on p. 3 of this handout.

Absent Students:   

• Answer the warm-up question
• Watch the videos below and complete the back page of density notes and questions.  Then watch the second video and design a hot air balloon using the graph paper on the back of this handout.

Class #10

Thursday,

3/3

Why do some things float, while other things sink?

Today: 

• Return Papers
• New Unit -- Floating and Sinking, Hot Air Balloons
• Density Notes and Questions
• Low density box activity

Homework: 

• Finish your low density box

Absent Students:   

• Answer the warm-up question
• Watch the videos below and complete density notes and questions.  Then create the low density box described on the back of the sheet.  Unfortunately, video 3 was lost, so you should find another student to check your answers to the last few boxes.

Class #9

Friday,

2/18

Are you ready?

• Launcher?
• Graph?
• Other?

Today: 

Competition in lobby:  1) Sniper Competition  2) Egg Siege

Homework: 

Absent Students:   

1. Turn in launcher PowerPoint.
2. Come to call-back for launcher testing

Class #8

Wednesday,

2/16

Describe the two parts of Friday's competition

Today:  Wrap things up

1. Complete survey
2. Finish your PowerPoint before next class.  Delete any slides that you don't have time to complete.  Here's how to turn it in... Turn the file in by dragging it into this folder → M:, Stapleton; drop; physics; projectile launchers; your class.  If you cannot put your file in that folder, email it to jstaplet@bsdvt.org.  Do not make a mistake with the e-mail address.  Include all of your group members names in the subject line and the body of your message.  Don’t forget to attach the PowerPoint slideshow!!
3. Practice!!  Set targets at a variety of distances between 1m and 6m.  Can you get close to any target on the first shot?  If you can't find a way to do it.  Use the graph that you made last class.  If the graph does not work, make a new one.  You can also use a table or chart to tell you how far to pull the launcher back.  Practice aiming with your sight!!! If your sight doesn't work, either adjust your sight or adjust your aiming.
4. Make sure that your launcher will be ready to go on Friday.  What if it breaks?  What if your partner isn't here?  What if your rubber bands loosen up?  Think about these possibilities and overcome them!!

Homework:  Be here for the contest on Friday!!!  We will head to the lobby almost immediately

Absent Students:   

1. Complete the warm-up, above.
2. Work on launcher project for one hour outside of class time.  Provide proof of having worked on project.

Class #7

Monday,

2/14

Warm-Up:  According to the graph below, how far should you pull the launcher back to shoot a projectile 490cm?

Today: 

1. Who broke the windows?
2. Review how to create a graph of launch distance vs pull distance.
3. You must make a graph -- even if you don't finish all of the other PowerPoint slides.  Do this today!
4. Work on launcher project.

Homework:  Work on launcher project.  Don't fall behind.

Absent Students:   

1. Complete the warm-up, above.
2. Work on launcher project for one hour outside of class time.  Provide proof of having worked on project.

Class #6

Thursday,

2/10

We have been measuring precision.  If we want to measure accuracy, what should we do differently?

Today: 

1. Review Launcher Project Timeline.  Where should you be at this point?
2. How to measure accuracy, and how to use the accuracy spreadsheet.

Homework:  Work on launcher project.  Keep up with the timeline.

Absent Students:   

1. Complete the warm-up, above.
2. Work on launcher project for one hour outside of class time.  Provide proof of having worked on project.

Class #5

Tuesday,

2/8

 What are some of the best ways to improve your launcher's precision and accuracy?

Today: 

1. Review Launcher Project Timeline and Launcher Project Page.
2. Work on launcher project.

Homework:  Work on launcher project.  Don't fall behind.

Absent Students:   

1. Complete the warm-up, above.
2. Work on launcher project for one hour outside of class time.  Provide proof of having worked on project.

Class #4

Friday,

2/4

Today: 

1. Course Recommendations.
2. Quiz -- Calculating Average % Deviation.
3. Review Launcher Project Guidelines.
4. Complete graphing activity [Watch video below, for directions].  Use one of the pre-made Pasco Brand launchers to create a graph of distance vs. launch angle.  On the highest distance setting  (3 clicks), perform two launches at 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees -- all the way up to 70 degrees.  Record your data in a table like the one below.  Then enter your data in this spreadsheet (distance vs angle graph).  Save the spreadsheet to your folder and print the graph (tab at bottom).  RECORD THE NUMBER OF THE LAUNCHER THAT YOU USED!!!  We will have a shooting contest next class, and your data only works for your launcher.
5. Continue work on launcher project.  As you progress, enter data into the Updated PowerPoint template and save it in your folder.  If you borrow a steel ball, check it out by writing your name on the board.  Erase your name after you return it.  

Homework:  None

Absent Students:   

• Make up the quiz outside of regular class time.
• Complete the graphing activity above (#3).  If you want help, do this during call-back.  If you are prepared to do it on your own, you can complete the activity during 4th block on any day except Friday (Friday is okay, as long as you finish before 2:00).

Class #3

Monday,

1/31

1. Find a calculator and calculate the % average deviation for each of the shooters below.
2. Who is the best shooter?

• Fred:  Distance to target = 100m.  Average deviation = 4m
• Cissy: Distance to target = 50m.  Average deviation = 1m
• Perkins: Distance to target = 10m.  Average deviation = 0.5m

Today: 

1. Complete "Measuring Precision" worksheet.
2. Collect baseline precision data on a precision data sheet.  Use computer spreadsheet to perform calculations [Enter your data into the yellow cells.  Then "save as" into your folder, with your names in the file name.].
3. Create a PowerPoint slideshow.  Use the template on the M:drive to get started (Here's how do find it... M: drive, Stapleton, Read-Only, Physics, Projectile Launchers). 
4. Make improvements to your launcher.  Enter your improvements into PowerPoint .

Homework: 

Absent Students:   

• Complete warm-up, above.
• Complete "Measuring Precision" worksheet. See video below for directions.
• Come to call-back and collect a set of precision data (by shooting spheres).  Bring a friend to help.  Complete #2 and 3, above.  Provide proof of completion to Mr. Stapleton.

Class #2

Thursday,

1/27

Student A and Student B had a shooting contest to see who could shoot with greater precision.  The average deviation for shooter A was 4.8cm.  The average deviation for student B was 4.1.  Look closely at the tables and decide who was the better shooter.

Today: 

1. Finish your launcher.  By 3:30 tomorrow, you must demonstrate that your launcher can shoot a marble 6m, with at least 30 degrees of loft.  If you do not meet this deadline, your launcher construction grade will be reduced by 30%.
2. If you finish your launcher, begin collecting baseline precision data.  [What does "baseline" mean?]  The following video shows how to collect data.

Homework:  None

Absent Students:   

1. Write a response to the warm-up above.
2. Work at least 45 minutes on your launcher.  If other members of your group have already completed your launcher, create a proposal for several improvements to your launcher.  "Improvements" should be changes that make your launcher more precise.  Create drawings to explain your proposed improvements.

Next Class:

1. Collect baseline precision data. 
2. Make improvements to launcher.

Class #1

Tuesday,

1/25

1. Which target shows precise and accurate shooting?
2. Which target shows shooting that is neither accurate nor precise?
3. Which target shows precise but not accurate shooting?
4. Which target shows accurate but not precise shooting?
5. What does "precision" mean? 
6. What does "accuracy" mean? 

Today: 

1. Overview of Launcher Project:  build a working launcher; test it's precision; improve its precision using the scientific method; compete.
2. Practice measuring precision.  We will measure the precision of the class launchers.  Here's the worksheet, f

Homework:  Be sure that you can finish your launcher in about 45 minutes or less, next class.  Part of next class must be spent measuring your launcher's precision.

Absent Students:   

1. Use the web to complete the warm-up, above.
2. Complete the launcher precision activity.  This link leads to a worksheet with data.  Complete the worksheet.  This video link shows you how to complete the worksheet.  This video link shows you what we did in class.

Next Class:

1. Demonstrate a marble launch of at least 6m distance and 30 degrees of loft.
2. Begin determining the precision of your launcher by collecting data.