Unit 1 - Unit 2 - Unit 3 - Unit 4 - Unit 5 - Unit 6

UNIT 1 - Measurement

This is our first unit and in it we will review significant digits, unit conversions, right triangle trigonometry, accuracy & precision, and lab tools and their uncertainty. Most of these concepts were learned in Physical Science and the goal of this unit is to make sure we are all able to do the basics and all students have the foundation necessary for success in further chapters. The concepts covered in this unit can be found in chapter 1 of the textbook (only the first four sections) and in class notes.

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments
Readings: Cutnell & Johnson sections 1.1-1.4

Day
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due
1

Welcome, Intros, Class Expectations, Books out...Textbook and online resources
Challenge Activity

Class Expectations & Grading Policy

 
2

First Homework Set out
Uncertainty in Measurements, Significant Figures & Scientific Notation review
Activity - It Figures!?!

Homework Set: Meas.
Sig. Dig. & Sci Not Wkst.
Sig. Dig. Extra Notes

Student Data Sheet (signed)
3

Unit Conversions Review, Accuracy and Precision & Types of Error

Unit Conversions Wkst.

Sig. Dig. & Sci. Not Wkst.

4

Intro to the Lab, Tools & Precision
Activity - You Got (Measuring) Skills!

Activity - You Got (Measuring) Skills

Unit Conversions Wkst.

5

Dimensional Analysis, Order of Magnitude Estimation

Wkst Dimens. Analysis & OOM

Activity - You Got (Measuring) Skills!

6

Right Triangle Trigonometry Review, Graphing Data
FCI Pretest

Wkst Right Triangle Trig

Wkst Dimens. Analysis & OOM

7

Using Graphs to Analyze Data
Graphical
Analysis Activity (BYOD)

Graphical Analysis Activity
Graphical Analysis (Sample)

Screencast (click for low quality preview or download for better quality):
How to Make a Graph

 

8

Lab: Direct Measurement

Lab: Direct MeasurermentHow to use a Vernier Caliper
Wskt - Right Triangle Trig.
9

Quiz 1 - Measurement
Activity - Indirect Measurement
Homework Set Work Time

Activity - Indirect Measurement

Graphical Analysis Activity

10

Check Homework Set
Review for Test

  Homework Sets
11

Test 1: Measurement

Lab: Measurement (rubric)
First Lab Writeup due next week

 

UNIT 2 - Vectors
In this unit students will learn how to draw vectors and add them by various methods. As an application of concepts learned, students will use vectors to map a path around the retention pond and determine the line-of-sight distance across the pond. The concepts covered in this unit can be found in chapter 1 of the textbook (the last five sections) and in class notes

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments

Readings : Cutnell & Johnson sections 1.5-1.9

Day
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due
1

What's a Vector?
Adding Parallel and Perpendicular Vectors

Homework Set - Vectors
Worksheet - Vectors

2

Adding Skew Vectors...the Component Method of Addition

Extra Vector Notes
Online Vector Addition Calculator
Sample: Component Method

YouTube Video on the Component Method

Lab - Direct Measurement
3

Check Vector Worksheet
Activity-The Shortest Distance (we will be going outside!)

Activity-The Shortest Distance (outdoor)

Activity-The Shortest Distance (indoor)

Vector Worksheet
4
Quiz 2 - Vectors
Homework Set work time
The Component Method of Vector Addition tutorial
Activity: The Shortest Dist.
5

Check Homework Sets
Review for test

6
Test 2 - Vectors

Lab writeups due next school day...

 

UNIT 3 - Motion in One Dimension
Students will investigate concepts related to speed and acceleration in one dimension. Students will learn to graph motion and interpret graphs of motion. Students will learn the equations of kinematics and use them to solve real world problems like how high they can throw a baseball based on the time of flight, and how long it will take a police car to catch a speeding getaway car. The concepts covered in this unit can be found in chapter 2 of the textbook and in class notes.

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments

Readings : Cutnell & Johnson sections 2.1-2.8

Day
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due
1
Activity - Measuring Motion of Toys I
Discussion - Average Speed, Instantaneous Speed, Average Velocity, Acceleration
Examples with Velocity and Acceleration

Homework Set - Kinematics

Measuring the Motion of Toys I

 
2
Graphing Speed and Acceleration
Discussion:  Analysis of dist. v. time and vel. v. time Graphs
Wksht - Graphing
Speed and Acceleration

Measuring the Motion of Toys I
3 & 4
Can You Walk the Walk?
Computer Activity P01 and Activity P02

Activity P01
Activity P02

XC Match Graphs

Wksht - Graphing Speed and Acceleration  
5
Activity - Measuring Motion of Toys with a Spark Timer

Measuring the Motion of Toys II
Data Table for Truck Lab

Activity P01
Activity P02 (XC)
 
6
Computer Lab – Making a Spreadsheet for the Truck Lab (BYOD)

Sample Spreadsheets: (PDF File)
(Excel File)

Screencasts (click for low quality preview or download for better quality):
Making the Data Table
Making the Graphs

7
Discussion:  Equations of Kinematics…followed by examples  
8

Lab: Accel Down a Ramp

Lab – Accel Down a Ramp Measuring the Motion of Toys II
9

Advanced Kinematics Examples:
Penny Drop Example (part 2), A High Speed Chase

   
10

Quiz 3 – Kinematics in 1D
Homework Set Work Time

Group Problems Worksheet
Group Problem: A High Speed Chase
11
Go over all worksheets and activities
Check Homework Sets
Group Problems Worksheet

Lab – Accel Down a Ramp (rubric)

Homework Sets
12

Test 3 - Kinematics in 1D

  Lab due next school day

 

UNIT 4 - Projectile Motion
This unit covers Kinematics in 2D or Projectile Motion. Students will investigate what happens when objects launched at an angle are affected by gravity. Students will apply their knowledge of projectile motion to baseball, archery, football, and a host of other real world examples. As an application of concepts learned, students will analyze a clip from a movie to determine if the stunt was possible. They will also be asked to determine where a ball will land when launched from a classroom launcher...then put a target on the floor to see how their calculations hold up! The concepts covered in this unit can be found in chapter 3 of the textbook and in class notes

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments
Readings: Cutnell & Johnson sections 3.1-3.5

Date
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due
1

Projectile Motion Video Clips
Projectile Motion Concepts & Pocket Tanks
Projectile Simulations

PhET Projectile Simulator
PhysicsClassroom.com Projectile Interactive

Other Resources:
Projectile Simulator
Baseball Toss (no vectors)
Baseball Toss (vectors)
Physics Quest


Homework Set - Projectile Motion

Activity - Projectile Simulation

Lab - Acceleration Down a Ramp

2
Motion in the X and Y directions…
Demo - Monkey Shoot, fire/drop a bullet
Examples in 2D
Interactive Physics Demos:
F.O.R. Planet Demo

Proj Motion Demo
Baseball Toss

Worksheet - Fun with Football

Worksheet - Projectiles on Earth and in Space
3

Relative Velocity
Air Resistance and Projectile Motion
Pre Lab - Target Shoot

Lab - Target Shoot
Wkst - Relative Velocity

Worksheet - Fun with Football
Rel. Velocity Demo
4

Lab - Target Shoot

Lab Initial Conditions
Wkst. Relative VelocityCalculations for Target Lab
5

Computer Lab - Simulating a projectile w/a spreadsheet (BYOD)

Video: Making a Projectile Spreadsheet

Activity - Spreadsheet Analysis
Sample Spreadsheet (Excel)
Sample Spreadsheet w/data (pdf)

 
6

Homework Set Work Time
Quiz 4 - Projectile Motion


Spreadsheet Analysis Worksheet
7
Check Homework Sets
Activity - Fact or Fiction?
(here's a link to the video)
Homework Set Work Time

Activity - Fact or Fiction
Homework Sets
8

Test 4 - Projectile Motion

Lab - Target Shoot (rubric)

Labs due on next school day...

 

UNIT 5 - Newton's Laws
In this unit students will investigate concepts of force, weight, friction, tension, and gravity. Students will learn Newton's Laws and apply them to real world situations. Students will learn how to draw Free Body Diagrams as a way to solve problems. Students will apply concepts learned in various activities, culminating with a lab that investigates how acceleration, force, and mass are related. As an application, students will apply concepts of force, weight, friction, tension, and gravity to solving real world static and dynamic problems.The concepts covered in this unit can be found in chapter 4 of the textbook and in class notes.

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments
Readings: Cutnell & Johnson pp. 85-119, Sections 4.1-4.12

Date
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due

1

Discussion - Forces, Gravitation, Apparent Weight, Weight vs. Mass

Homework Set-Newton's Laws



2

The Law of Inertia
Inertia Demos
Activity-Inertia

Activity - Inertia

Lab-Target Shoot
Find Fg between you and neighbor

3

PhET Forces Simulations
The Law of Acceleration

Demo: Cart pull

Forces & Motion Basic
Forces & Motion

Forces Simulation #1
Forces Simulation #2

Inertia Activity

4

Demo: Activity-Balloon Race
The Law of Force-Counterforce
Pre Lab - Newton's 2nd Law

Activity-Balloon Race

Newton's 2nd Law Activity

5

Lab Investigation- Newtons 2nd Law

Lab- Newton 's 2nd Law

Balloon Race Activity

6

Discussion - Tension, Normal Forces, & Frictional Forces; The Vector Nature of Forces

Worksheet - Combining & Resolving Forces

 

7

Review Questions
Equilibrium Applications of Newton’s Laws
Worksheet – Equilibrium Applications
Answer Key
Worksheet-Combing and Resolving Forces

8

Review Questions
Non-equilibrium Applications of Newton’s Laws
Worksheet – Non-Equilibrium Applications
Answer Key
Wkst - Equilibrium Applications

9

Quiz 5 - Newton’s Laws
Homework Set Work Time
Lab- Newton 's 2nd Law (rubric) Wkst - NonEquilibrium Applications

10

Check Homework Sets
Review for Test
Newton's Laws Review Homework Sets

11

Test 5 - Newton's Laws   Labs due on next school day...

 

UNIT 6 - Uniform Circular Motion
In this unit, students will review concepts of rotation and revolution and apply them—along with Newton’s Laws to real life problems that involve circular motion. Students will learn the difference between centripetal force and centrifugal force. Students will apply concepts learned to issues like building space stations with artificial gravity. Readings for this unit can be found in chapter 5 of the textbook.

Click HERE to download a Unit Outline
Click HERE to download Notes for the Unit
Click the links below to download daily Assignments
Readings: pp. 131-147, §5.1-5.7

Date
Lesson
Handouts
Assignments Due
1

UCM Video clips
Discussion - Rotation, Revolution, Period, Frequency, Defn of UCM, centripetal vs. centrifrugal
Demos – Bucket, Spinning bobbers, bulging Earth.

Homework Set - UCM

 
2
Discussion – Rounding Turns, Banking Airplanes, Vertical Circles

   
3
Discussion – Banked Turns, Satellites, Artificial Gravity, Living in Space?
Screencast of Lesson


4
Activity – Flying Pigs!?!
Activity – Flying Pigs!?!

5
Lab – Mind That Turn!

Lab - Mind That Turn!

Activity – Flying Pigs!?!

6

Quiz 6 – UCM
Homework Set Work Time




7

Check Homework Sets
FCI Post Test
Review for Test; Work on Labs

Lab - Mind That Turn! (rubric)
Homework Sets
8
TEST 6 – UCM
   

 

EXAM REVIEW
Date
Lesson
Handouts
 
3/2
Review for Final Exam
Pos FCI

Trimester A Exam Concept Review

Tri A Review Solutions

3/3

Review for Final Exam

 


3/4 & 3/5

TRIMESTER A EXAM