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This page contains all of the online content for my Physics A course. Dowd keeps all of his content on Flickr, the photo sharing site. Each course has its own album each year. If you click the link to the album, you'll be taken to it. The tables contain the major units in the course. Clicking on this link will bring you to a header photo in the album. To see the course content, scroll forward.
2023-2024
To view all notes from this course on Flickr, please click here.
--
2022-2023
To view all notes from this course on Flickr, please click here.
| Unit Name |
Class № |
Date |
Topic |
Unit Overview |
| One Dimensional Motion |
Click Here to go to the One Dimensional Motion Unit in Flickr |
In this
unit, we look at objects moving in just one dimension. We practice
measuring their position and time at various moments and look for
patterns that will help us understand motion more generally. |
||
| 1 |
22-08-29 |
Ping-Pong Toss and What is Physics? |
||
| 2 |
22-08-30 |
Issue Textbooks, Course Expectations, Motion Notes, Mini-Lab Kinematics Variables |
||
| 3 |
22-09-01 |
Graphing Activity, Sidewalk Motion Lab, Discuss Mathematical Basis of Speed |
||
| Optional Video: Basic Linear Graphing Skills | ||||
| Optional Video: Sidewalk Lab (Simple Speed Lab) |
||||
| Optional Video: Data Analysis for Sidewalk Lab | ||||
| 4 |
22-09-07 |
Discuss CER2+ Format, Discuss Constant Velocity Model, Work Constant Velocity Problems, Postion v. Displacement v. Distance |
||
| Optional Video: Introduction to Word Problems | ||||
| 5 |
22-09-09 |
Carry Out Motion Lab 2, Finish Constant Velocity Problems, PSSC Frames of Reference CV part, review |
||
| 6 |
22-09-13 |
Quiz, CV. Look at graphs of motion from Motion Lab 2. Graph Matching Lab |
||
| 7 |
22-09-15 |
Act out motion graphs. Discuss average velocity. Introduce (t,v) graphs and begin moving between (t,x) and (t,v) graphs |
||
| 8 |
22-09-19 |
Moving between (t,x) and (t,v) graphs. Discuss constant acceleration model |
||
| Optional Video: Moving between (t,x) and (t,v) graphs | ||||
| Optional Video: The Constant Acceleration Model | ||||
| 9 |
22-09-21 |
Constant Acceleration Problems |
||
| Optional Video: Constant Acceleration Example Problem № 1 | ||||
| 10 |
22-09-23 |
Choosing the appropriate equation (GUESS Method) |
||
| Optional Video: Choosing an appropriate kinematics equation | ||||
| 11 |
22-09-27 |
Finish Problems, Collect Data, Constant Acceleration (Angry Bird Lab) |
||
| Optional Video: Constant Acceleration Example Problem № 2 | ||||
| 12 |
22-09-29 |
Graphing Angry Bird Data |
||
| Optional Video: Angry Bird Lab Conclusion | ||||
| 13 |
22-10-03 |
Angry Bird Lab Conclusion. Moving from (t,v) to (t,x) graph |
||
| 14 |
22-10-05 |
Review Problems, (t,x) (t,v) (t,a) |
||
| 15 |
22-10-07 |
One Dimensional Motion Test |
||
| One Dimensional Kinematics/Dynamics |
Click here to go to the One Dimensional Kinematics/Dynamics Unit on Flickr |
A
dimension is something that can be quantified using a number line. We'd
usually call it "horizontal" or "vertical" or maybe "the x-axis" or
"the y-axis." In this unit we study one dimension at a time. The
motion from the previous unit is the "kinematics" part. The "dynamics"
part is where we introduce the concept of force (a push or pull) and go
through Newton's first two laws for understanding how these pushes and
pulls interact. |
||
| 16 |
22-10-12 |
Tablecloth and Dishes, Johnny Carson Egg Trick, Mass on a Spring |
||
| Optional Video: Mass Lab | ||||
| 17 |
22-10-13 |
Introduction to Force and Free Body Diagrams |
||
| Optional Video: Some Common Forces | ||||
| 18 |
22-10-17 |
Newton's 1st Law. Data Collection, Newton's 2nd Law Lab. Begin Data Analysis |
||
| Optional Video: Newton's 2nd Law Lab | ||||
| 19 |
22-10-19 |
Analysis, (m,a) graphs. Carry out (F,a) experiment. Single Force Practice Problems |
||
| Optional Video: Single Force Dynamics Problem | ||||
| 20 |
22-10-21 |
Newton's 2nd Law Practice. Bring Free Body Diagrams into problems to find net force (ΣF) |
||
| 21 |
22-10-25 |
Balanced and Unbalanced Force Practice |
||
| Optional Video: Force Vectors, Free Body Diagrams, and the Net Force (ΣF) |
||||
| 22 |
22-10-27 |
Introduce Force of Gravity. Continue Force Problem Practice. The Elevator Problem |
||
| Optional Video: The Elevator Problem | ||||
| 22 |
22-10-31 |
Continue Multiforce Problems, Review |
||
| 23 |
22-11-02 |
One Dimensional Force Assessment |
||
| Momentum |
Click here to go to the Momentum Unit in Flickr |
This concept is useful for helping to understand situations where complex forces are acting, forces that increase and decrease during the interaction. We'll see it is especially helpful for collisions and explosions. There are two main topics: first, where momentum is changed by an outside force, and second, where there are no outside forces and momentum remains constant. For this latter topic we'll use Newton's 3rd law, which relates to how forces affect more than one object. | ||
| 25 |
22-11-04 |
Newton's 3rd Law |
||
| Optional Video: Newton's 3rd Law | ||||
| 26 |
22-11-09 |
Non Constant Forces and Changes in Motion- Impulses |
||
| Optional Video: Impulse and Momentum | ||||
| 27 |
22-11-11 |
Impulse & Momentum Problems and (t,F) graphs |
||
| 28 |
22-11-15 |
Impulse Lab, Review |
||
| 29 |
22-11-17 |
Impulse Quiz, Conservation of Momentum Intro |
||
| Optional Video: Conservation of Momentum | ||||
| 30 |
22-11-21 |
Tailgated by a Dart Lab |
||
| 31 |
22-11-29 |
Cannon Problem, Conservation of Momentum Notes, Practice Problems |
||
| 32 |
22-12-01 |
Ballistic Pendulum, COM Mini-Lab, Review Problems |
||
| 33 |
22-12-05 |
Conservation of Momentum Quiz, AntiLock Brakes |
||
| Two Dimensional Kinematics and Dynamics |
Click here to go to the Two Dimensional Kinematics and Dynamics Unit in Flickr |
|||
| 34 |
22-12-07 |
Static Friction Lab |
||
| 35 |
22-12-09 |
Notes, 2D Force Problems |
||
| 36 |
22-12-13 |
2D Force Problems with angles |
||
| Optional Video: 2D Force Problems | ||||
| 37 |
22-12-15 |
2D Force Review |
||
| 37a |
22-12-19 |
Two Dimensional Forces Test |
||
| 38 |
22-12-21 |
Weightlessness and Gravity |
||
| Optional Video:Satellite Motion | ||||
| Projectile Motion |
Click here to go to the Projectile Motion Unit in Flickr |
This is a brief return to
vectors to discuss motion in two dimensions. No new concepts are
introduced, merely the application of the vegas rule "what happens in x
stays in x and what happens in y stays in y" to motion, rather than
forces. |
||
| 40 |
23-01-03 |
Horizontally Launched Projectiles |
||
| Optional Video: Horizontally Launched Projectiles | ||||
| 41 |
23-01-05 |
Angle Launch Projectiles |
||
| Optional Video: Projectiles Launched at an Angle | ||||
| Optional Video: Projectile Launched at an Angle (Case 2) Practice Problem | ||||
| 42 |
23-01-09 |
Range vs. Angle, Optimizing Results that depend on many variables, Projectile Lab |
||
| 43 |
23-01-11 |
Midterm Review, Finish Lab |
||
| Midterm Examination |
||||
| Circular Motion |
Click here to go to the Circular Motion Unit in the Flickr Album |
This is really an extension of 2D forces. Two new concepts are introduced: the centripetal (inward) acceleration that things moving in a circle have to have, and the concept of fictitious forces, which among other things sometimes make us feel like there's a centrifugal (outward) force on us. | ||
| 44 |
23-01-21 |
Introduction to Circular Motion |
||
| Optional Video: Introduction to Circular Motion and Single Force CM Problems | ||||
| 45 |
23-01-25 |
Whirlybird Lab |
||
| 46 |
23-01-27 |
Problem Solving Practice |
||
| Optional Video: Circular Motion with Friction Problem | ||||
| 47 |
23-01-31 |
Vertical Circle Problems |
||
| 48 |
23-02-02 |
Parameter Change Problems, Batman Roller Coaster |
||
| 49 |
23-02-06 |
Review |
||
| 50 |
23-02-08 |
Quiz, Circular Motion |
||
| Gravity |
Click here to go to the Gravity Unit on Flickr |
This section introduces Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation. It uses this new force combined with the ideas of circular motion to help us understand ideas of planetary motion. A complete treatment of planetary motion doesn't come until later in the year, when we study the concepts of energy and momentum. | ||
| 51 |
23-02-10 |
Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Cavendish Experiment, "Weigh the Earth." Gravitational Field |
||
| Optional Video: The Inverse Square Law | ||||
| Optional Video: The Gravitational Field | ||||
| 52 |
23-02-14 |
Kepler's 3rd Law, Parameter Changes |
||
| Optional Video: Kepler's 3rd Law and Satellite Motion | ||||
| 53 |
23-02-16 |
Geostationary Satellites, Gravitation Problems |
||
| Optional Video: Gravitation Parameter Change Questions | ||||
| 54 |
23-02-23 |
Gravitation Quiz Review |
||
| 55 |
23-02-27 |
Gravitation Quiz |
||
| Work and Energy |
Click here to go to the Work and Energy Unit in Flickr |
This is the most important unit in the course for helping us be better citizens. It goes through what "doing work" means in physics and discusses what objects or phenomena have the ability to do work. The ability to do work is called energy, and it's the reason energy is so important in our society: if we we want to change our environment, we need energy to do it. It will also be a valuable tool in solving problems that were too difficult to do using the concept of forces. | ||
| 56 |
23-03-01 |
Energy Free Write, Work, Energy, Power, Power Lab |
||
| Optional Video: Introduction to Energy | ||||
| 57 |
23-03-03 |
Work, Qualitative Conservation of Energy Problems |
||
| Optional Video: Energy Original = Energy Final | ||||
| 58 |
23-03-07 |
Energy Bar Charts, Conservation of Energy Problems |
||
| Optional Video: Energy Bar Charts | ||||
| Optional Video: Conservation of Energy Example Problem | ||||
| 59 |
23-03-09 |
Kinetic and Potential Energy Equations, Mythbusters 100mph crash, Energy and Power Problems |
||
| 60 |
23-03-15 |
Conservation of Energy Lab |
||
| 61 |
23-03-17 |
Finish COE Lab. ELectric Power |
||
| Optional Video: Electrical Power and the Cost of a Device | ||||
| 62 |
23-03-21 |
Graphical Work Problem |
||
| 63 |
23-03-24 |
Continue Work and Force Problems, Power Problems |
||
| 64 |
23-03-25 |
Energy Exam |
||
| Electrostatics |
Click here to go to the Electrostatics Unit in Flickr |
This unit is about electric charges and how they alter the space around them. We pay specific attention to electric force and electric field (which helps you determine electric force) and electric potential energy and electric potential (which helps you determine electric potential energy.) We make lots of analogies to the similar concepts in your previous study of gravity. | ||
| 65 |
23-03-30 |
Intro Electrostatics Experiments, Electrostatic Variables and Coulomb's Law |
||
| Optional Video: Using an Electroscope | ||||
| Optional Video: Electrostatic Induction | ||||
| 66 |
23-04-03 |
Coulomb's Law and Variables, PhET Electric Field Hockey |
||
| 67 |
23-04-05 |
Electric Field Notes, Shielding |
||
| 68 |
23-04-17 |
Franklin's Bells, Force v. Field, Introduce Potential |
||
| 69 |
23-04-19 |
Lighting a bulb at a distance, Electric Field and Potential Problems |
||
| 70 |
23-04-23 |
Virtual Electrostatics Lab, Electostatics Worksheet |
||
| 71 |
23-04-25 |
Energy and Force on a Map, Review |
||
| 72 |
23-04-27 |
Electrostatics Test |
||
| Electric Circuits |
Click here to go to the Electric Circuits Unit in Flickr |
This unit discusses the kind of electricity that comes from a battery, where charge always flows in one direction. We call the movement of charge current, and since the charge is always going in one direction we call it direct current. Batteries, light bulbs, resistors, and capacitors are discussed. We discuss Ohm's law for determining current in a branch of a circuit and qualitatively mention Kirchhoff's rules. | ||
| 73 |
23-05-01 |
Batteries and Potential Difference, Light a Bulb, Discuss Short Circuits |
||
| Optional Video: Virtual Ohm's Law Lab | ||||
| 74 |
23-05-03 |
Finish Ohm's Law Lab, Introduce P=IV |
||
| 75 |
23-05-05 |
Ohm's Law Practice, Ohm's Law in a Series Circuit |
||
| 76 |
23-05-09 |
Series and Parallel Circuits |
||
| Optional Video: Series Circuits | ||||
| Optional Video: Parallel Circuits | ||||
| 77 |
23-05-11 |
Characteristics of Series and Parallel Circuits |
||
| Optional Video: Calculating Resistance in Parallel | ||||
| 78 |
23-05-15 |
Resistance and Breadboard Lab |
||
| 79 |
23-05-17 |
Combination Circuits, Review |
||
| Optional Video: Series, Parallel, and Combination Circuit Lab | ||||
| Optional Video: Calculating Current and Voltage in a Combination | ||||
| 80 |
23-05-19 |
Watch NOVA Magnetic Storm |
||
| 81 |
23-05-23 |
Test, Electric Circuits |
||
| Waves |
Click here to go to the waves unit in Flickr |
In this unit we look at standing mechanical waves on a spring to develop the wave speed equation, v=wavelength*frequency.
We then use this equation to solve various problems involvings sound
and light (and other members of the elecromagnetic spectrum) |
||
| 82 |
23-05-25 |
Introduction to Waves, Carry out Slinky Lab |
||
| 83 |
23-05-31 |
Finish Slinky Lab |
||
| Optional Video: Slinky Lab Analysis |
||||
| 84 |
23-06-02 |
Wave Problems Practice |
||
| 85 |
23-06-06 |
Final Review |
||
| 86 |
23-06-08 |
Final Exam |
||
--
2021-2022
To view all notes from this course on Flickr, please click here.
------
2020-2021
To Access the Flickr Album for the course, please click here.
--
2019-2020
To access all of the photos on Flickr, click here.
---------------
(c) 2008-2023 Timothy M Dowd. Last Modified @ 22:15 EDT on 2023-10-30
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