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IB Physics HL - Year 1 (2019-2020)

 8/16

• Informational Packet / Syllabus
• Syllabus Addendum - Grading

8/20

• discuss briefly the history of modeling motion
• differentiate between average and instantaneous speeds and define constant speed
• determine if a toy car moves with constant speed
• create a scatter plot of the motion of a toy car and discuss the significance of its slope
• homework - read to p. 11 in the booklet (Physics: An Introduction); do the 6 math questions on p. 10

8/22

• define distance, displacement, speed, velocity and acceleration
• "read" position,velocity and acceleration graphs and relate them to one another

8/26

• "read" motion graphs (worksheets)
• help sheet for reading motion graphs

8/28

• derive the kinematic (or suvat) equations
• practice using the kinematic equations
• homework - solve sample IB test questions on motion graphs

8/30

• test over motion graphs, with general questions about distance, displacement, speed (average and instantaneous), velocity and acceleration
• homework - install Logger Pro on your laptop (on a school-issued laptop, install it from the Software Center; on all other laptops, use these instructions); read pp. 27-38 in your textbook

9/4

• graph the motion data in this spreadsheet and add trendlines
• practice interpreting trendlines and using the extracted (velocity and acceleration) information to interpolate and extrapolate (file 1, file 2)
• homework - do test corrections on a separate sheet of paper; also, complete the worksheet from class

​9/6

• picture day
• read what Aristotle and Galileo had to say about falling "bodies"
• study how objects fall using a "motion detector" - lab instructions
• homework - finish the lab at home; read (and take notes on) pp. 8-16 in your textbook
• check your Interpolations and Extrapolations homework against the key

​9/10

• use the kinematic equations for modeling freely falling objects - worksheet
• homework - read about experimental uncertainty (its measurement and propagation in calculations) - handout

​9/12

• begin formal lab investigation of free fall acceleration (enter data here)
• the general Lab Report Format

​9/16

• "linearize" the free fall data in Logger Pro; add trend lines
• the lab report will be due 9/20 (at 11:59 pm) through turnitin.com
• practice solving motion problems
• homework - complete the motion problems (answer key)

​9/18

• introduce a new way to represent vectors - 3Blue1Brown video
• model 2D projectile motion
• homework - read pp. 39-43 in your textbook

​​9/20

• test over 1D motion (with a focus on the kinematic equations, but including a few graph-related questions) - postponed until 9/24
• continue modeling of projectiles launched at an angle
• study this animation of a launched projectile
• the lab report is due tonight through turnitin.com
• homework - solve these kinematics problems (answer key); review for the test

​9/24

• test over kinematics (no 2D projectiles)

​9/26

• complete analysis of projectile motion​
• solve projectile practice problems (key at end of document)
• homework - complete the worksheet of projectile problems
• by the end of next week, pay the fee to participate in the IB Physics field trip to iFLY, scheduled for Monday, Oct 21

​

​9/30

• discuss the independence of a projectile's horizontal and vertical velocity
• PhET projectile motion simulation (lab instructions)
• homework - complete the online lab

​10/2

• video analysis of a projectile - instructions
  • download this video to analyze

​10/4

• determine the acceleration due to gravity in the Angry Birds game -  video
• solve IB problems on projectiles
• homework - review for quiz on projectiles next class; pay for iFLY before Monday

​10/8

• quiz over projectile motion
• discuss the certainty of our knowledge

​​10/10

• an introduction to epistemology, the study of knowledge
• distinguishing between deduction and induction - worksheet
• homework - please review the end of the PowerPoint and read the Scientific Laws document below
• The Laws of Nature (PowerPoint)
• TED Talk: "Do we see reality as it is?"
• Scientific Laws and What They Say

**No school on Monday or Tuesday**

​​10/16

• investigate various types of forces (online activity)
• discuss the various types of forces in the universe
• discuss Newton's First Law; define inertia
• STUDENTS: before going to iFLY, you or your parent must complete this
• online waiver!! go ahead and do this asap; reservation #4115004005
• homework - read all of section 5.1 in your new booklet, Physics: An Introduction, Chapters 5 and 6

​​​10/18

• short review of Newton's 1st Law
• lab investigation of Newton's 2nd Law - formal lab info
• homework - you should complete the Exploration portion of the lab this weekend, so that you have less to do between next Tues and Fri

​​​10/21

• field trip to iFLY !! - some photos of the trip

​​​10/22

• complete Newton's 2nd Law lab
• help sheet for adding max and min trend lines to your graph
• homework - the formal lab is due Friday, Oct 25 Saturday, Oct 26 at 11:59 p.m. on turnitin.com

​

​​​10/24

• read and process the information on this webpage
• handout on "g"
• calculate the force of gravity and discuss weightlessness
• homework - read section 5.2, 5.4, 5.5 (do the math), and 5.7 in your booklet, Physics: An Introduction, Chapters 5 and 6; feel free to read 5.6 if you want to

​​​10/28

• discuss apparent weight
• calculate the force of friction
• draw free-body diagrams and calculate the acceleration of various objects
• homework - complete the worksheets from class [key]

10/30 - PSAT Testing

​10/31

• practice drawing free-body diagrams, including for hanging signs (in translational equilibrium); calculate all forces and acceleration, if relevant (help sheet)
• model an Atwood machine and a modified Atwood machine
• homework - read Unit 2.2 Forces, in your textbook; finish the hanging signs worksheet; the rest of the other packet can be taken as a fun (optional) challenge
• mini-project - Video yourself asking two individuals (not juniors or seniors in high school) what it means to be weightless and record their responses. Then, in 1 min 30 sec or less, clearly explain what it means to be weightless. Also specifically address any misconceptions offered by the interviewees. Don't say too little; show what you know. Plan what you are going to say before you say it! You do not need to appear in the video throughout, but I should see you at least some and hear you for the entire post-interview section. Props, diagrams and photos can be used, if desired. Upload this video to the linked Google folder by the deadline, 11/7.
• please read your Second Law lab feedback, on turnitin

​11/5

• answer key for hanging signs problems
• model a block sliding down a ramp (simulation) and stacked blocks
• discuss static friction
• homework - solve the problems on p. 56 and 61 in your Chapters 5&6 Booklet; upload the mini-project

​11/7

• test over forces
• the mini-project is due here by class time; upload it, don't share it
• homework - packet of worksheets (nTIPERs); you can skip p.115 for now

​11/11

• review the homework (nTIPERs answer key)
• solve IB test problems on forces
• homework - finish the packet of IB test problems

​11/13

• discuss Newton's 3rd Law of motion
• homework - read this book excerpt (from The Feynman Lectures on Physics) on energy

​11/15

• -no lesson-

​11/19

• introduction to work, kinetic energy, and potential energy

​11/21

• derive the work-energy theorem
• practice solving energy problems
• homework - solve these challenging "Dynamics Problems"; read pp. 61-69 in your textbook (take notes, as needed)
• assign the mousetrap-powered car project (to be due Dec 16th) - video help

​

** Thanksgiving Break **

​12/2

• (in my absence) continue working through the big, green packet of work-energy problems [do at least 15 problems; check against the key] - these worked-out sample problems should help
• carefully read and think through this handout on work and energy
• return to this handout (with a block on a hill); it has been expanded; study it and try to complete it
• homework - try to complete the block-on-a-hill handout, which is now 3 pages

12/4

• review homework
• discuss Hooke's Law (Hooke's original paper, from 1678, is an interesting, rather easy, read; I've annotated it; read it!)
• define and calculate elastic potential energy (handout)
• homework - check your homework against the answer keys (calculating work, mostly on hills, #4-8 key, and the dynamics problems key); please do look over the Hooke's Law paper
• the mousetrap-powered cars are to be designed and built at home; there are plenty of internet resources, including this great video; here is the overview; you can work with one partner, creating a single car and video, if you'd like; it's due on 12/16

12/6

• solve additional work-energy problems - nTIPERs key
• homework - complete two worksheets (one and two); maybe acquire materials for mousetrap car

12/10

• calculate change in kinetic energy (and work) from a force-vs-position graph
• solve a problem using elastic potential energy; briefly discuss power
• review for the work-energy quiz - IB problems key
• homework - watch this power and efficiency video and complete the IB problems

12/12

• quiz on work and energy
• the mousetrap-powered car project is due next class, on Monday the 16th

12/16

• test our mousetrap-powered cars [turn in your video here]
• work on the midterm review

12/18

• review for the midterm

12/20

• midterm exam, covering the entire semester

​

** Winter Break **

1/8

• define momentum, discuss its conservation, and model the transfer of momentum in a 2-body collision
• get help by watching this video
• homework - complete pages 3-4 of 4-page handout on momentum

1/10

• define impulse and discuss the impulse-momentum theorem
• homework - in the packet of IB momentum problems, complete problems 1-15, omitting 6 and 11; also read pp. 73-82 in your textbook

1/14

• review homework
• obtain impulse from a force-time graph; practice problems from a book
• review elastic collisions
• homework - complete practice problems (answer key)

1/16

• momentum conservation lab - due through turnitin on Friday 1/24 Saturday 1/25 at midnight
• the general Lab Report Format - however, this report does not require the following sections: Background, Graph, Extension; it may be unclear, but I do want Strengths and Weaknesses and Areas for Improvement
• reminder: you may share raw data but not any calculations or processed data
• all written parts of the lab should be in your own words

1/21

• model a ballistic pendulum
• calculate both final velocities in an elastic collision
• practice uncertainty calculations
• homework - finish the two AP problems on momentum

1/23

• test over impulse and momentum
• homework - the lab report is due Saturday night (at 11:59 pm) through turnitin.com

1/27

• begin our study of thermodynamics, with a focus on the relationship between temperature and kinetic energy; methods of heat transfer; and specific heat capacity - PowerPoint

1/29

• discuss latent heat (worksheet); calculate the equilibrium temperature achieved by two objects in contact
• define pressure and begin an exploration of the ideal gas law (packet)
• homework - complete the ideal gas law packet

​

1/31

• discuss the nature of an ideal gas, and how real gasses differ
• solve IB practice problems re: thermodynamics
• handout - read me before doing the homework!
• homework - read these essays on entropy in preparation for a round table discussion; come prepared for the discussion with questions and/or comments; the packet of IB problems is due Thursday (2/6)

​

2/4

• discussion of entropy -- if you want to read more about time, check out The Order of Time, by Carlo Rovelli
• answer key for thermodynamics packet

​

2/6

• test over thermodynamics and ideal gasses

​Are you ready to educate and entertain some 5th graders? Feb 12 is the date!

2/10

• introduction to circular motion
• centripetal vs centrifugal force - Vsauce video

2/12

• most of the class will be visiting Grandview Hills Elementary School

2/14

• discuss centripetal acceleration
• analyze the motion of an object going through a vertical loop

2/19

• Group 4 Project, all day

2/21

• analyze circular motion in other contexts, including a banked track
• model satellite motion - packet
• homework - complete the satellite motion packet and the IB questions (omit 6 f,g,h) on circular motion by 2/27; there will be a homework help session during PIT on Wed, 2/26

​You need to start thinking about a Research Question for your physics IA. Spend some time thinking, and researching online, and reading the back pages of your textbook (pp. 687-692), and come to me to visit about some of your ideas. I'll help you choose a good Question. You want to have a Question by the end of February.

2/25

• ACT Testing
• class time to work on "homework"; general review for test
• answer key for satellite packet
• discussion of Kepler's Laws

2/27

• test over circular motion and gravity

​Submit your IA topic here by Sunday, March 1.

3/2

• begin the study of oscillatory motion, and Hooke's Law, with this online lab
• Phet simulation - Masses and Springs
• -- we first looked at Hooke's Law back on 12/4; we're taking another look --
• homework - explore this simulation, paying careful attention to the graphs; draw acceleration, kinetic energy and potential energy graphs on the graph sheet from class; complete the Hooke's law problems (both pages) on the handout; if you didn't finish reading through the online lab, do so

3/4

• SAT testing

3/6

• find the mass of an astronaut in space, and examine the motion of a pendulum - worksheets
• homework - complete the worksheets, then also do this one, which is new

​

3/10

• pendulum lab
• begin packet of IB problems
• homework - complete packet of IB problems
• answer key for big packet of IB problems
• answer key for previous homework (with focus on energy)

3/12

• quiz over SHM
• the pendulum lab is due March 29th April 5th at 11:59 PM, through turnitin.com

​SPRING BREAK

*Class, you should have received an email from me on 3/25. Be sure to read it.

Unit One-Page Overviews

1.1 Measurements in physics

1.2 Uncertainties and errors

1.3 Vectors and scalars

2.1 Motion

2.2 Forces

2.3 Work, Energy, and Power

2.4 Momentum

Unit One-Page Overviews

3.1 Thermal Concepts

3.2 Modelling a gas

6.1 Circular Motion

4.1 Oscillations

4.2 Travelling Waves

4.3 Wave Characteristics

5.1 Electric Fields

What The Physics?!

Science does not aim at establishing immutable truths and eternal dogmas; its aim is to approach the truth by successive approximations, without claiming that at any stage final and complete accuracy has been achieved. - Bertrand Russell

How strong is the force of gravity on Earth?

The science of approaching absolute zero (o K), as discussed by a former professor of mine. (Published in Scientific American, March 2011)

Free Energy, Entropy, and the Meaning of Life! - blog post by physicist Sean Carroll

SHM