Month: November 2011

As AP-C students in a college course, you have the skills and ability to work and learn independently. Toward that end, starting today we will engage in our first independent work unit, tying up our Momentum and Energy units. Between now and Thursday, Nov. 18, you are to:

1. Complete the C_Energy_Momentum Practice WS and achieve a score of 100%.
2. Complete the Impulse-Momentum Lab Activity
3. Complete the four-question Free Response packet and achieve a score of 100%.
4. Submit at least one APlusPhysics blog post. Comment on the post of at least one other blogger, and rate at least 3 blog posts.

You may work alone or in groups, and the order and scheduling of your activities is completely up to you. At the beginning of class on Friday, Nov. 18, prior to taking the exam, you are to place your papers for items #1,#2, and #3, all stapled together with your name, into the INBOX.

I will be available for guidance if you get stuck, but will recommend you utilize the available resources to help you independently first. These resources include, but are not limited to:

1. Textbook Sections 8.1-8.6
2. Physics Forums HW Help: http://www.aplusphysics.com/forums
3. Physics Videos: LearnAPPhysics.com
4. Physics Podcasts: MIT’s OpenCourseWare Physics (Walter Lewin) on iTunes

BLOG POST

Find and post an image, video, news/science story from a newspaper, podcast, youtube, etc. which illustrates the week’s topic, “Impulse and Momentum.” Include a paragraph which summarizes the connection to material we’ve been covering in class, or raises interesting questions relevant to the class. Previewing your entry prior to submission will allow you to check that your link works.

Why the blog assignment? From a former physics student:

“it’s a great way to connect with the physics community. The way that physics bloggers have been able to share news, advice, and commentary has already changed how this generation of physicists approach their craft. On a personal level, blogging has been a tool to help me codify my thoughts. Many of my physics-related posts were exercises in how to present topics effectively and later made their way into my presentations and write-ups. Once in a while someone will comment on something they think is neat, and that always makes me happy.”