OK, so I have been neglecting this blog for a long time...Sorry!

We are currently trying to finish up material in Chapter 5.  A-block discussed all topics up through banked curves today.  Next time we will tackle air resistance.

New notes are posted in the "Class Notes" page.

Don't forget to check WebAssign for updated deadlines on Chapter 5 homework assignments.

Also, don't forget that we will have our multiple choice quiz (10 question) on dynamics this Friday, Dec. 15th.

As always, contact me with questions or concerns.

Onward!

At the end of last week we started looking at 3-D vectors.  This week we will have multiple assessments about the previous Modern Physics material (check the calendar on the AP Physics website for details), but in between assessments, we will try to wrap up the intro stuff in Chapter 1, and move into real physics topics in Chapter 2.

Heads up that Chapter 1 WebAssign work is due later this week (it should not be too taxing).

Contact me with questions or concerns.

Onward.

So everyone has finished discussing decay rates, now, and we are wrapping up the Modern Physics unit.  Both classes will do a lab about statistical nature of decay, and then we will schedule some end of unit assessments. 

I am thinking we will do a few 10 point quizzes before the week is out, and then next week we will have some end of unit tests (both free response and multiple choice).  In the meantime, we will also get started with the beginning of mechanics since all of the calculus classes are well into derivatives, now.

Onward.

OK, we are on the cusp of finishing Chapter 30.  A-block got to the brink of the binding energy equation, and C-block got it.  That means that what remains on our "to-do" list is...

1. finish binding energy
2. discuss decay rates and half-life

Oh yes...and discuss the last peice of the relic identification puzzle!

Onward.

OK, A- and C-blocks are almost even now.

We have a few main tasks remaining in Chapter 30:

1. describe decay mechanisms
2. describe the mechanism for release of energy in a nuclear reaction
3. describe decay rates

We will be looking at some no-counters, a counter, a multiple choice quiz, and a lab in the next few days.  I will try to put things on the class calendar as I come to final decisions.

Onward.

The goal today is to bring C-block even with A-block.  Yesterday, A-block discussed details of nuclear size, field forces, sources of instability, and began discussing decay types.

Also, FYI, most WebAssign grades have been transferred to ASPEN now.  Contact me with questions if necessary.

Onward.

Hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend (in spite of the weather).

Last Friday we began discussing topics in nuclear physics in the context of the scientific analysis of an historical relic.  The plan is to continue to discuss nuclear reactions, how they happen, and how we can use this information to learn more about the world around us.

That's science!

Chapter 29 board notes are now available!

C-block did the "no-counter" today, and A-block will do it tomorrow.  We will then move on into Chapter 30... nuclear physics!

Onward.

A-block is almost done with Chapter 29.  We should finish up the last details, and talk about homework/FR problems tomorrow.
C-block should catch up, and then both classes will be ready to move on to Chapter 30.

Onward.

Today A-block worked through developments leading to the Bohr model of the hydrogen atom.  We are poised to discover the equations which govern electron level transitions.  Students left the class today with a "no-counter" free response problem.  They should attempt to complete that before the next class session.

C-block will use class time tomorrow (Fri., 9/29) to complete the "no-counter" free response problem while Mr. Carlson is away.  Having completed that, they should move on to other work.

We hope to finish Chapter 29 early next week, and then move on to discuss the last chapter in "modern physics", Chapter 30, which deals with nuclear structure and reactions.

Onward!

Good work today, one and all.  We are a good chunk of the way into Chapter 29, now.  Soon we should have everything we need to do all of the homework problems in Chapter 29.  The (admittedly optimistic) deadline for WebAssign has been moved to the beginning of next week.

We will try to optimize our short time together tomorrow (Thursday).  On Friday, I will be out of class (at jury duty...😣), and so C-block will do a "no-counter" free response problem on the photoelectric effect and related Ch. 28 topics.  Plan to be quiet and productive when not working on the FR problem.

Onward.

C-block dove into Chapter 29 today.  We are just about to hear about Bohr's contributions to atomic structure.  A-block will cover the same ground tomorrow.  Hopefully we will get to do some direct observations of bright line spectra, too.

Onward.

Finally finished with Chapter 28!

A-block finished Heisenberg and Schroedinger today, and set the stage for Chapter 29 and atomic structure.

C-block went over the recent relativity quiz, and did a "no-counter" free-response problem on the photoelectric effect.  We also finished Heisenberg and Schroedinger and are ready for Chapter 29.

A full version of Chapter 28 notes now appear on the class website.

Onward!

Well, A-block probably took more time than we should have with our "no-counter" on the photoelectric effect today.  Becoming familiar with all aspects of free-response questions will be an important skill for us to practice this year, however, so it is probably time well spent.  We did not quite get through the Heisenberg material, so both classes will need to finish that next week.

C-block needs to go over the free response quiz on relativity (I forgot last class...sorry!), and then try the "no-counter" on the photoelectric effect.  After that, we will finish Chapter 28 material, and get ready to move on.

We are a smidge behind schedule, but not too bad, so let's keep plugging, and I'm sure we will be successful in keeping pace.

Onward!

Good work today!

A-block got through wave-particle duality and set the stage for Heisenberg.

C-block got through the beginning of discussing Heisenberg.

Next time we meet, we will begin with a "no-counter" free response problem.  The problem will deal with the Photoelectric Effect, so make sure you have tried some of those problems from Chapter 28.

Onward!

Wed. 9/20

C-block finished the photoelectric effect.

Now both classes are at the same place, and we should finish Chapter 28 within the next day or two.  Topics left to cover are: the Compton Effect, Wave-Particle Duality, and the Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle.

I have started another new section to the class website.  With the new "e-board" in the classroom, I can save the info I put on the board to pdf's.  I can then post those on my website, and I will try to do that as much as possible.

Stay dry, and...Peace!

A-block finished the photoelectric effect today (9/19), including the important equations.  The class should begin trying Chapter 28 problems in WebAssign.

Tomorrow, C-block should catch up with A-block and be ready to start Chapter 28 homework problems.

Onward!

OK, the first quiz is in the books.  A couple people still need to make it up, but I hope to get these quizzes back to you within a couple days.

Onward through Chapter 28!

A-block finished the Ultraviolet Catastrophe, and is ready for "What does this mean?" as interpreted by A. E.
C-block explained part of the U.C., and now we will finish that off and interpret the results next time we are together.

Try to scan through Chapter 28 (the first part) as best you can, and we will get some more explanations next time.

Well, we did it!  The first full week of A. P Physics has been completed.  Woo-hoo!

In all seriousness, though, I feel like we did a lot of good work this week.  You may not be doing tons of problems for homework, but the problems we have are non-trivial.  Keep at them, and don't forget about the Relativity Roundup assignment (on WebAssign) due by midnight on Sunday.  Also, there is the free response "counter" on Monday.  Make sure you have a formula sheet and a calculator ready for that.

A- block and C-block are almost back together in terms of being in the same place in the curriculum.  A- block is in the process of discussing the ultraviolet catastrophe, and C-block is poised to begin that discussion.  Next week after the quiz it's onward in Chapter 28!

Have a great weekend, and I will look forward to seeing everyone on Monday.

Peace!

Whoops!  I should have posted this yesterday, but so it goes...

A-block is knee deep in Chapter 28 now.  We talked a lot about the Hertz experiment, and the weird results, and now we are rolling in blackbody radiation, Planck's solution to the problem, and WHY it works.

C-block did some good work in finishing up relativity topics on Thursday (9/14).  We still need to cover relativistic momentum and kinetic energy, and then we will move on to Chapter 28 topics (as mentioned in A-block above).

With any luck, both classes should be in the same place by the end of the day today (Friday, 9/15), and ready for the "counter" free-response problem on Monday.

Don't forget the online "quiz" Relativity Roundup, which is due by Sunday at midnight.

May the Force be with you!

Well, the fire drill did for A-block today what the ceremony did for C-block yesterday.  We did not get much done.

Plans for A-block, Thursday, Sept. 14th

• further discuss Hertz experiment
• discuss problems/weirdness
• see Planck's solution to the problem

Plans for C-block, Thursday, Sept. 14th

• Michelson-Morley
• Lorentz transform
• relativistic p and KE

We WILL stay on track even if events make it tough.

C U in class!

Sadly, the "ribbon cutting" ate into C-block's time today.  😭
A-block completed the previous to-do list, and is ready to move on to other areas of Modern Physics.  So, since tomorrow is "BADEG", here are the plans...

• A-block will move on to start Quantum Physics (Chapter 28 in the text) -- Wed. 9/13
• C-block will complete Michelson-Morley, Lorentz Transform, and relativistic momentum and energy next time we meet (Thurs., 9/14)
• The Free Response problem on relativity will now occur on Monday, 9/18.

Please look at WebAssign.  Many of the Modern Physics assignments have been rescheduled.  In particular "Relativity Roundup" will now be due by midnight on Sunday, 9/17.  This is basically an online quiz on Relativity.
Remember: we want to finish Modern Physics by the beginning of October so that we will be on schedule with the rest of the course material.

Most recently in class we have...

• defined proper time
• developed the eq'n. for time dilation
• defined proper length
• developed the equation for length contraction
• discussed the concept of frames of reference
• discussed Einstein's postulates for relativity, including the fact that relative velocity must be the same for all observers

Next class we will...

• discuss Michelson-Morley
• discuss relativistic momentum and KE
• discuss the Lorentz transform and its uses

Welcome to the blog for A. P. Physics at Winchester High School!