Science Skills Notes, Bowling Ball Activity

Wednesday, 8/23 Unit 1: Science skills Complete the graphing warm-up sheet and pick up Aristotle papers from last class Upcoming important dates Friday, 8/25 – math review due Tuesday, 8/29 – science skills quiz Thursday, 8/31 – Unit 1 Test

Science Skills Notes

Distance vs. Displacement Measurement between two points Does not have a direction (Scalar) What’s the distance between A and B? Does the car have a defined direction? Diagram source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hJhTE3bUk

Distance vs. Displacement Overall change of of position Has a direction (vector) What’s the distance between A and B? Does the car have a defined direction? Diagram source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hJhTE3bUk

Distance and Displacement Example When the track star gets half way around the track the distance traveled is __________ and the total displacement is ________. The track is 400 meters When the track star stops on the finish line, the distance traveled is __________ and the total displacement is ________. Diagram source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8hJhTE3bUk

Mass and Weight Mass is a measure of the number of atoms in an object combined with the density of those atoms. Mass is matter In order for mass to change the original object must be changed (chemical reaction, physical modification of its state). Weight is a function of mass and the effect of gravity. Weight can change based on the gravitational force. Example: my mass on earth and the moon are the same but I weigh less on the moon than on the earth.

Vector v. Scalar Quantities Vector Quantity Fully described by both magnitude (number plus units) AND direction Represented by arrows -displacement -velocity -acceleration -force Scalar Quantity Fully described by magnitude alone -distance -mass -temperature -time -speed -electrical charge Intro idea with displacement v. distance demonstration. Pages 19-21 and 48-56

How to approach problem solving in Physics Use a systematic way of analyzing a physical situation (aka a short story in Physics). We all use the same method of problem solving for the following reasons: We are all speaking a common language Repetition = retention (and leads to a deeper understanding) I can see the process that is going on in your mind…leading to partial credit!

GUESS Method Method for solving word problems Given: Unknown: relevant information clearly labeled symbol and units Unknown: Identify what the problem is asking you to solve for clearly labeled with symbol Equation: Write it using only symbols Substitution: Substitute given information into your equation Solve: Solve algebraically for your unknown term

Applying GUESS to velocity Given distance and time solve for velocity.

Example: Sheldon from the ‘Bing Bang Theory’ runs 10 meters to the couch to play video games. It takes him 3 seconds to get there. Calculate Sheldon’s velocity.

Lab expectations Be present! Students are working… keep your voice at a low conversation level.

What you need Sticky note Timer (your phone) Something to write with I need a brave volunteer

Graphing Instructions Title your graph – Position vs Time graph Label your Y-axis distance (m) Label your X-axis time (s) Time should be in .5 s increments up to 15 s Distance should be in 1 meter increments up to 30 Plot the point for the fast ball data (use a colored pencil). Draw a best fit line and label the line fast ball, calculate the slope, and write an equation for the line. Plot the point for the slow ball data (use a different colored pencil). Draw a best fit line and label the line fast ball. Draw a best fit line and label the line fast ball, calculate the slope, and write an equation for the line. Plot the point for the reverse ball data (use a different colored pencil). Draw a best fit line and label the line fast ball. Draw a best fit line and label the line fast ball, calculate the slope, and write an equation for the line.