Course Description
Equations
science links
uncertainty calculator
Thursday, February 20
test 18 & 19;
read: pp. 546-553 (electric force)
Wednesday, February 19
further discussed the Rayleigh criterion of resolution;
worked some problems from the problem set;
pseudo-quiz on diffraction gratings;
test 18 & 19 tomorrow
Tuesday, February 18
discussed double-slit interference and single-slit diffraction/interference;
used spectroscopes to view spectral lines of various gasses;
briefly discussed the Rayleigh criterion of resolution;
continue working on chapter 19 problems: p.536-538 #48, 52, 54, 58, 60 (due Thursday);
test 18 & 19 on Thursday
Monday, February 17
went outside to form images of the sun with convex lenses on various combustibles;
analyzed double-slit interference;
get going on chapter 19 problems: p.536-538 #48, 52, 54, 58, 60 (due Thursday)
Friday, February 14
continued discussing vision problems and various methods of vision correction;
discussed/demonstrated double-slit interference;
demonstrated single-slit diffraction;
read: pp. 524-531 (diffraction);
Thursday, February 13
quiz over lens imaging;
discussed eye anatomy ;
discussed vision problems and various methods of vision correction;
if you haven’t already, read: pp. 515-523 (interference);
Wednesday, February 12
finished collecting data for the simple harmonic motion lab;
worked some problems with the lens makers formula
Tuesday, February 11
collected data for the simple harmonic motion lab;
read: pp. 515-523 (interference);
chapter 19 problems: p.536-538 #48, 52, 54, 58, 60 (due next Tuesday)
Monday, February 10
worked problems on refraction;
re-quiz on refraction;
worked a lens imaging problem;
read: pp. 500-503 (optical instruments)
Friday, January 31
discussed problems from the problem set
Thursday, January 30
discussed problems from the problem set;
pseudoquiz on refraction;
continue working on chapter 18 problems: pp.509-511 #68-74, 78, 82-86, 90, 94 even (due tomorrow)
Wednesday, January 29
demonstrated total internal reflection;
discussed/examined fiber optic cables;
discussed/examined lenses and lens imaging;
get going on chapter 18 problems: pp.509-511 #68-74, 78, 82-86, 90, 94 even (due Friday)
Tuesday, January 28
discussed test 16 & 17;
discussed/demonstrated refraction of light through prisms;
defined index of refraction and Snell’s Law;
worked refraction problems;
problems: pp.509-511 #68-74, 78, 82-86, 90, 94 even (due Friday)
read: pp.493-499 (lenses)
Monday, January 27
test 16 & 17;
read: pp.485-492 (refraction)
Friday, January 24
looked at a few problems from the problem set (due Monday);
looked a summary video of the development of the James Webb space telescope;
test 16 & 17 on Monday
Thursday, January 23
finished working through a double mirror imaging scenario;
pseudo-quiz on mirror imaging;
looked more at different telescope designs;
test 16 & 17 on Monday
Wednesday, January 22
quiz on mirror imaging;
worked through a double mirror imaging scenario;
looked at telescope designs;
test 16 & 17 on Monday
Tuesday, January 21
demonstrated mirror imaging;
worked through many scenarios of mirror imaging;
start on chapter 17 problems: pp.479-480 #56, 57, 60, 62, 64, 66, 68, 69, 70, 72 (due Friday)
Monday, January 20
looked at a few problems in the problem set;
examined plane mirrors & discussed plane mirror imaging;
examined some curved mirrors;
discussed the handout of algebraic sign conventions for mirror imaging;
continue working on chapter 16 problems: pp.453 #54-62 even, 63, 65, 66, 69 (due tomorrow)
read: pp. 464-475 (curved mirrors)
Friday, January 17
discussed Special Relativity and time dilation, as relates to light and light speed;
glanced at a few problems in the problem set;
continue working on chapter 16 problems: pp.453 #54-62 even, 63, 65, 66, 69 (due Tuesday)
read: pp. 457-463 (plane mirrors)
Thursday, January 16
reviewed polarized light;
discussed the Doppler effect with light;
watched a video clip on the quantum nature particles and the nature of light;
discussed retinal cones and color blindness;
continue working on chapter 16 problems: pp.453 #54-62 even, 63, 65, 66, 69 (due Tuesday)
Wednesday, January 15
discussed the electromagnetic spectrum, and specifically the visible spectrum;
discussed color theory (RGB, CMYK, & BYR);
discussed/experimented with polarized light;
discussed the Doppler effect with light;
chapter 16 problems: pp.453 #54-62 even, 63, 65, 66, 69 (due Tuesday)
Tuesday, January 14
discussed test 14 & 15;
discussed history of light theory, properties of light;
read: pp.439-447 (color, polarization, Doppler effect)
Monday, January 13
test 14 & 15;
read: pp. 431-438 (light)
Friday, January 10
quiz on resonance in a tube;
discussed/reviewed parts of chapter 15;
test 14 & 15 next Monday
Thursday, January 9
no class, due to community service day
Wednesday, January 8
further analyzed resonance in a tube;
looked at problems in the problem set;
work on problems;
quiz Friday over resonant tubes/strings;
test 14 & 15 next Monday
Tuesday, January 7
analyzed resonance in a tube;
went to Ponce hall to measure how well equalized the PA system is;
work on problems;
test 14 & 15 next Monday
Monday, January 6
further explored harmonic content of a complex tone;
listened to a few segments of The Science of Sound;
problems: pp.425-427 #52, 54, 58, 61, 64, 66, 68, 72, 76, 78, 82 (due Thursday)
Tuesday, December 17
worked problems on rotational mechanics and fluids;
continue reviewing for semester exam over mechanics, heat, and fluids (12:30 on Thursday)
Monday, December 16
began reviewing for semester exam over mechanics, heat, and fluids (12:30 on Thursday);
problems: pp.425-427 postponed until after the holidays
Friday, December 13
analyzed the harmonic content of various tones;
bring musical instruments Monday;
problems: pp.425-427 #52, 54, 58, 61, 64, 66, 68, 72, 76, 78, 82 (due before break)
Thursday, December 12
worked with a string vibrator to watch standing waves under a strobe light;
quiz over decibels;
bring musical instruments tomorrow
Wednesday, December 11
reviewed sound speed, Doppler effect, and decibels;
pseudoquiz over decibels;
bring musical instruments tomorrow
Tuesday, December 10
discussed sound speed as a function of temperature;
discussed the Doppler effect and worked problems on it;
messed around with wave driver;
specific heat lab due tomorrow;
bring musical instruments tomorrow
Monday, December 9
reviewed the frequency range of human hearing (using a smart phone app);
discussed the decibel scale (using smart phone app);
problem set 14 due tomorrow
Friday, December 6
reviewed standing waves, harmonic, & overtones;
discussed some problems from the problem set (due Tuesday);
discussed/experimented with the frequency range of human hearing (using a smart phone app);
work on the problem set that’s due Tuesday;
read: pp. 411-419 (more on sound)
Thursday, December 5
discussed/demonstrated wave properties and behavior;
read: pp. 403-410 (sound)
Wednesday, December 4
finished collecting data for specific heat lab;
discussed some wave animations, illustrating types of waves;
problems: pp. 397-400 #70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 86, 90, 92, 100 (due Monday)
Tuesday, December 3
discussed/demonstrated formula for pendulum period and mass/spring oscillator period;
collected data for specific heat lab;
read: pp.381-391 (wave properties and behavior)
Monday, December 2
discussed test 12 & 13;
discussed/demonstrated simple harmonic motion;
read: pp.375-380 (simple harmonic motions)
Thursday, November 21
test 12 & 13
Wednesday, November 20
worked a couple of problems on Archimedes’ principle;
reviewed chapters 12 & 13;
test 12 & 13 tomorrow
Tuesday, November 19
reworked/checked some problems from the problem set;
worked problems involving Bernoulli’s equation;
test 12 & 13 on Thursday
Monday, November 18
worked problems from chapter 13;
discussed linear expansion;
discussed Bernoulli’s equation;
torques lab due tomorrow;
test 12 & 13 on Thursday
Friday, November 15
discussed Pascal’s principle;
discussed Bernoulli’s principle;
discussed Archimedes’ principle;
HW 13 due as soon as possible;
torques lab due Tuesday;
read: pp. 359-363 (solids)
Thursday, November 14
discussed pressure, and its various units;
discussed the universal gas law
Wednesday, November 13
discussed the 2nd law of thermodynamics and its implications regarding design;
discussed heat pumps and refrigeration;
read: pp.341-348 (fluids)
Tuesday, November 12
finished collecting data for the Torques Lab;
discussed problems from problem set 12;
start on problem set 13: pp.369-371 #76, 78, 80, 82, 88, 91, 96, 100 (due Friday)
Monday, November 11
continued collecting data for the Torques Lab;
finish working on problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due ASAP)
begin looking at problem set 13: pp.369-371 #76, 78, 80, 82, 88, 91, 96, 100 (due Friday)
Friday, November 8
discussed the Torques Lab;
began collecting data for the Torques Lab;
continue working on problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due ASAP)
Thursday, November 7
discussed handout on thermal conductivity;
worked problems on thermal conduction;
continue working on problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due soon)
Wednesday, November 6
worked calorimetry problems;
re-quiz on calorimetry;
demonstrated thermal conduction and thermal expansion;
looked at problem set 12;
continue working on problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due tomorrow)
Tuesday, November 5
worked calorimetry problems;
quiz on calorimetry;
continue working on problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due Thursday)
Monday, November 4
discussed specific heat capacity and sensible heat;
discussed heat of fusion, heat of vaporization, and latent heat;
worked calorimetry problems;
problem set 12: pp. 336-337 #52-64 even (due Thursday)
Friday, November 1
discussed test 10 & 11;
defined/contrasted temperature and thermal energy;
discussed thermometry and temperature scales;
briefly mentioned specific heat capacity;
read: pp.323-331 (phase change and thermodynamics)
Thursday, October 31
test 10 & 11;
read: pp.313-322 (temperature and thermal energy)
Wednesday, October 30
re-quiz over energy conservation;
worked problems from chapter 11 problem set;
reviewed chapters 10 & 11;
test 10 & 11 tomorrow
Tuesday, October 29
quiz over energy conservation;
worked problems from the problem set;
continue working on problem set 11: pp.307-309 #54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 (due tomorrow);
test 10 & 11 postponed until Thursday
Monday, October 28
discussed problems from the chapter 10 problem set;
summarized simple machines;
discussed details of doing the Forces Lab write-up;
watched conclusion of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy;
continue working on problem set 11: pp.307-309 #54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 (due Wednesday);
test 10 & 11 on Wednesday
Friday, October 25
watched the fifth segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (1:08:15-end);
continue working on problem set 11: pp.307-309 #54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 (due next Wednesday);
test 10 & 11 on Wednesday
Thursday, October 24
collected data for the Forces lab;
watched the fourth segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (55:25-1:08:15);
worked problems from the problem set;
start looking at problem set 11: pp.307-309 #54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 (due next Wednesday)
Thursday, October 24
collected data for the Forces lab;
watched the fourth segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (55:25-1:08:15);
worked problems from the problem set;
start looking at problem set 11: pp.307-309 #54, 60, 62, 64, 70, 72, 74, 78, 80, 82 (due next Wednesday)
Wednesday, October 23
discussed doing the Forces lab tomorrow;
watched the third segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (42:40-55:25);
discussed rotational energy and worked a problem involving energy conservation;
continue working on problem set 10: pp.278-281 #52, 56, 58, 64, 66, 70, 74, 82, 86 (due Friday)
Tuesday, October 22
discussed conservation of energy;
watched the second segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (23:55-42:40);
defined/discussed power and horsepower;
continue working on problem set 10: pp.278-281 #52, 56, 58, 64, 66, 70, 74, 82, 86 (due Friday)
Monday, October 21
reviewed forms of energy;
watched the first segment of Einstein’s Big Idea on energy (0-23:55);
read: pp. 266-273 (simple machines);
problem set 10: pp.278-281 #52, 56, 58, 64, 66, 70, 74, 82, 86 (due Friday)
Tuesday, October 15
no class, due to senior class trip
Monday, October 14
no class, due to senior class trip
Friday, October 11
discussed test 8 & 9;
defined/discussed kinetic energy, gravitational potential energy, and elastic potential energy;
discussed specific roller coasters at Bush Gardens Tampa that class members will visit next week
Thursday, October 10
no class, due to the College Fair
Wednesday, October 9
test 8 & 9;
read: pp. 257-265 (work, energy, & power)
Tuesday, October 8
worked problems from the chapter 9 problem set;
worked another 2-D collision problem;
test 8 & 9 on tomorrow
Monday, October 7
worked problems from the chapter 9 problem set;
worked a 2-D collision problem;
test 8 & 9 on Wednesday
Friday, October 4
no class, due to ACT prep sample test;
test 8 & 9 on Wednesday
Thursday, October 3
watched part of The Mechanical Universe on angular momentum and its conservation;
discussed/demonstrated angular momentum conservation with the bicycle wheel and turntable;
chapter 9 problems: pp. 251-253 #56, 59, 62, 66, 67, 74, 77, 79 (due Tuesday)
test 8 & 9 on Wednesday
Wednesday, October 2
quiz on rotational inertia;
watched The Mechanical Universe on momentum and its conservation;
worked some problems from the chapter 8 problem set;
chapter 9 problems: pp. 251-253 #56, 59, 62, 66, 67, 74, 77, 79 (due Monday)
test 8 & 9 on Tuesday
Tuesday, October 1
discussed chapter 8 problems;
discussed linear momentum and impulse;
discussed angular momentum and rotational impulse;
chapter 9 problems: pp. 251-253 #56, 59, 62, 66, 67, 74, 77, 79 (due Monday)
get chapter 8 problems and the friction lab write-up in by tomorrow
Monday, September 30
discussed details of doing the friction lab write-up;
defined equilibrium;
worked a problem on equilibrium;
worked problems from the homework set;
read: pp. 229-235 (impulse and momentum)
Friday, September 27
worked a rotational acceleration problem;
quiz on rotational acceleration;
discussed torque, rotational inertia, and angular acceleration;
read: pp.211-217 (equilibrium)
Thursday, September 26
worked a couple of rotational acceleration problems;
discussed/demonstrated rotational inertia;
chapter 8 problems: pp.223-225 #72-78 even, 82, 84, 87, 88 (due next Wednesday)
Wednesday, September 25
collected data for the sliding friction lab (write-up due next Wednesday);
compared/discussed equations for rotational motion with linear motion;
read: pp. 201-210 (rotational dynamics)
Tuesday, September 24
discussed test 6 & 7;
briefly discussed radians and rotational units;
read over the sliding friction lab handout for tomorrow
Monday, September 23
test 6 & 7;
read: pp. 196-200 (describing rotational motion)
Friday, September 20
no class, due to View Southern
Thursday, September 19
no class, due to View Southern
Wednesday, September 18
worked problems from the chapter 7 problem set;
test 6 & 7 next Monday
Tuesday, September 17
quiz on centripetal force;
worked problems from the chapter 7 problem set;
test 6 & 7 next Monday
Monday, September 16
reviewed Kepler’s 3rd law of planetary motion;
worked a problem involving friction and centripetal force;
worked a problem involving gravity and centripetal force;
finish up problem set 6 by tomorrow;
finish the free-fall lab write-up by tomorrow;
problem set 7: pp.191-193 #54, 58, 62, 70, 76, 82, 84, 86 (due Monday)
test 6 & 7 next Monday
Tuesday, September 10
discussed Kepler’s laws of planetary motion;
watched planetary animations;
derived Kepler’s 3rd law using Newton’s gravitation equation;
finish up problem set 6 by next Tuesday;
finish the free-fall lab write-up by next Tuesday;
Monday, September 9
discussed chapter 6 problems;
discussed universal gravitation;
did a few sample calculations;
read: pp.179-185 (using universal gravitation)
Friday, September 6
quiz on projectile motion;
discussed centripetal force;
worked on the free-fall lab write-up;
chapter 6 problems: pp. 165-167 #52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 68, 74 (due after home leave)
Thursday, September 5
pseudo-quiz on projectile motion;
demonstrated The Monkey and the Hunter;
discussed/demonstrated centripetal force;
chapter 6 problems: pp. 165-167 #52, 56, 58, 60, 62, 66, 68, 74 (due after home leave)
Wednesday, September 4
discussed projectile motion;
worked projectile problems;
read: pp. 153-159 (circular motion);
glance at The Monkey and the Hunter
Tuesday, September 3
discussed test 4 & 5;
work on your free-fall lab
Monday, September 2
test 4 & 5;
read: pp. 147-152 (projectile motion)
Friday, August 30
worked more problems involving sliding friction on a slope;
worked force vector problems involving the suspension of objects from cables;
test 4 & 5 on Monday
Thursday, August 29
worked on the chapter 5 problem set;
worked problems involving sliding friction on a slope;
test 4 & 5 on Monday
Wednesday, August 28
worked problems involving sliding friction;
worked more on processing our free-fall lab data;
continue working on chapter 5 problems: pp. 141-143 #80, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98, 104 (due tomorrow)
Tuesday, August 27
went to the computer lab to retrieve video off of our phones for the free-fall lab;
continue working on chapter 5 problems: pp. 141-143 #80, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98, 104 (due tomorrow)
Monday, August 26
quiz on analytical vector addition;
went to the computer lab to retrieve video off of our phones for the free-fall lab;
continue working on chapter 5 problems: pp. 141-143 #80, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98, 104 (due Wednesday)
Friday, August 23
worked problems using analytical vector addition;
went to the computer lab to retrieve video off of our phones for the free-fall lab;
work on chapter 5 problems: pp. 141-143 #80, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98, 104 (due Wednesday)
Thursday, August 22
discussed chapter 4 problem set;
discussed graphical and analytical vector addition;
chapter 5 problems: pp. 141-143 #80, 82, 86, 90, 92, 96, 98, 104 (due Wednesday)
Wednesday, August 21
discussed sliding friction and anti-lock brakes;
began discussing vector addition;
Tuesday, August 20
watched video clip on free-fall acceleration;
discussed doing the Density Lab write-up (due tomorrow);
discussed Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws of motion;
worked 2nd law problems;
read: pp. 126-135 (forces and friction);
chapter 4 problems: p.113 #60, 64, 68, 70, 72, 76, 80 (due Friday)
Monday, August 19
discussed test 1, 2, & 3;
discussed doing the Density Lab write-up (due Wednesday);
demonstrated Newton’s first law of motion;
read: pp. 96-107 (Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws of motion)
Friday, August 16
test 1, 2, & 3;
read: pp. 87-95 (Newton’s 1st law of motion)
Thursday, August 15
worked numerous accelerated motion problems
test 1, 2, & 3 tomorrow
Wednesday, August 14
collected data for the Density Lab (write-up due next Wednesday);
continue working on chapter 2 problems: pp. 81-84 (#74, 78, 84, 86, 88, 94, 100, 106, 110 (due Friday);
test 1, 2, & 3 this Friday
Tuesday, August 13
discussed doing the Density Lab tomorrow;
discussed acceleration due to gravity;
worked out examples of accelerated motion;
read over lab handout;
get started on chapter 2 problems: pp. 81-84 (#74, 78, 84, 86, 88, 94, 100, 106, 110 (due Friday)
Monday, August 12
further discussed graphing with error terms;
discussed equations for accelerated motion;
read: pp. 65-75 (working with acceleration);
chapter 2 problems: pp. 81-84 (#74, 78, 84, 86, 88, 94, 100, 106, 110 (due Friday)
Friday, August 9
quiz on arithmetic with error terms;
discussed graphing with error terms;
get HW set 1 and Uncertainty worksheet done by Monday
Thursday, August 8
discussed graphs of 1-D motion;
looked at problems from the problem set (due Monday);
read: pp. 57-64 (acceleration)
Wednesday, August 7
worked more examples of arithmetic with error terms;
discussed assessing error terms when measuring;
briefly discussed 1-D motion;
read: pp. 43-47 (measuring speeds)
Tuesday, August 6
worked examples of arithmetic with error terms;
began on worksheet (due Friday);
read: pp. 31-42 (1-D motion);
problem set 1: pp. 25-28 #54, 60, 68, 70, 72, 76, 90 (due Friday)
Monday, August 5
passed out textbooks; explained course description;
discussed uncertainty during measurement;
Read pp. 3-14 (units & measurements)