DAY 2

AP PH

YSIC

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AGENDA

1. HousekeepingBasic Rules and Procedures, Safety Contracts

2. Ball bouncing Activity

3. Syllabus

4. Summer Homework Table DiscussionAs a table group go over your answers circle any questions that you

answered differently and see if you can justify your answer and circle any questions that no one in your group can answer.. Once you feel you have correctly answered all questions that you are able to, check the answer key and solutions page. Circle any problems you now have difficulty with and we will discuss these as a class.

5. Water rocket Design bring any supplies for Monday. Bring your Rocket parts on Monday. Testing launch will be on Wed. Make sure Wednesday you wear clothes comfortable for the field and weather.

6. Match the graph activity

Find a Class Partner

On the first day of class find someone who is willing to be your class “buddy.” This person does not need to be in your table group

Your “buddy” is to help you if you miss classes, need handouts, assignments, returned papers, clarification, need help with a problem, etc.

Make sure you get his or her name, phone number, and schedule.

Mrs. Painter

1. My degrees are a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts in zoology and a Master’s Degree in Education. I am a National Board Certified teacher.

2. Physics is a great interest for me and I am very excited about it!!!!

3. I am married with two children who are 13 years old and 11 years old. A cat, dog, two chickens and two fish.

4. I am a musician (singer, flute and piccolo)5. My Philosophy on Education: There is always more to

learn (so don’t create barriers).6. I love Teaching and I love science!!! 7. Something that might not come up: I taught at the

Washington Aerospace Scholars this summer and I encourage all Juniors to apply. I was a candidate for the teacher in space program and for the Einstein fellowship in Washington DC.

• What is Physics?

• The Scientific Method.

• How Should I Study Physics?

Photo: Courtesy of NASA

Testing the Mars Rover

Questions you may have:

Let’s start with an activity to get a taste of Physics

PREDICTION CHALLENGE: BOUNCE HEIGHT

GIVEN: tennis ball, meter stick TASK: Predict the necessary drop height that will cause

the ball to rebound back up exactly one meter. Test: Test your prediction and collect data. GRAPH: Graph your data. Demonstrate your prediction using an equation derived from a graph of your data.

Write a Brief Narrative to explain how you will carry out your prediction

Underlying all scientific investigation are the guiding principles of the Scientific Method.1. Statement of problem, what is it you are

trying to solve.

2. Observation and background.

3. Hypothesis: proposed explanation

4. Experimental testing

-data collection and analysis.

5. Acceptance or rejection of hypothesis.

6. CRE: Claim, Evidence and Reasoning

What is Physics to you?

At your table, discuss as a group what your working definition of Physics is, come to a consensus and select one person to speak for the group. Be prepared to justify your answer.

What is Physics?

Physics is the science that investigates the fundamental concepts of matter, energy, and space, and the relationships among them.

Physics is the most basic of the sciences, and is used in all other disciplines of science, medicine, and engineering.Physicists are problem solvers, often meeting new challenges and developing new theories.

NASA

Where might I work as a physicist?

A strong physics background prepares you for almost any occupation that involves science or engineering.

NIST

High Voltage

NASA

Mars Rover

How Do I Study Physics?

Preparation and hard work are key to any successful learning endeavor. But a major factor not often mentioned is organization.

Organization

Gather Materials:• Textbook

• Composition Notebook and Loose leaf notebook

• Pencils, highlighters

• Scientific Calculator

• Protractor (angles)

• Ruler

• Other Supplies

Timely Learning

Timely learning is efficient learning. It is better to study an hour each day than to cram on weekends.

If you wait until the weekend, you must devote valuable time just rebuilding the information.

After each lecture, use your next free period to reinforce your understanding.

Outside the Classroom

Learning is rarely completed in class. To reinforce teaching, you must work problems on your own as soon after class as possible.Try first, seek help if neces-sary, review examples, work with others. Working prob-lems is the primary way to learn.

The ultimate responsibility for learning rests with you, but you are not alone.

I am here to help and guide you. I am available in class, before and after school, during lunch, during tutorial. My office hours are Mon. Wed and Thurs. from 2:00-2:40.

Make sure you use all the help that is available to you. Some ideas to help:

Study computer tutorials.

Participate in class and table discussions

Review mathematics.

Know when exams are scheduled and study for them.

Get help from me or your science buddy.

Take Action; Never let things outside your control prevent you from achieving goals!

Advice

• If your career choice is in technology, science, engineering, or a similar field, there is no more important beginning course than AP Physics.

• Study physics differently than you would approach the liberal arts. Applications and problem solving require different skills and strategies.

Advice From a Teacher (Cont.)

• Do NOT get behind in physics; the topics are sequential and each successive step requires a mastery of the preceding steps. Cramming is not possible.

• If you get lost, get help sooner than later.

MATCH THE GRAPH ACTIVITY

With your table group you will get a group of graphs, descriptors, data tables and a mathematical equations describing the graphs. As a group work together to match the correct graph with the its, descriptor, data table and equation. Write your answers on the provided list. You may have to argue a bit with your classmates. Be ready to defend your decisions from other tables.