Demonstrated a tangible application of vector addition by changing position and orientation of two separate thrust sources (electric motor-driven propellers). Tested the effect of decreasing friction by using upward thrust in addition to horizontal thrust.
Connected concepts of thrust (force), mass, and acceleration through creation of a device to more accurately quantify thrust output from electric prop motor. Hunter devised a simple method to collect readings via a motor mounted to a digital scale. Practiced unit conversion from weight reading into Newtons.
I subbed for Keith for the first part of their class together. Hunter and I talked a bit about the basics involving the 3 laws of motion, force due to gravity, forces due to friction, and free-body diagrams.
Experiment: Newton's Third Law, Understanding Thrust and Aerodynamics
Lesson Outline
Continued work quantifying thrust using our second-generation experimental propeller car. Developed prototype to determine force, mass and acceleration of an electric motor-driven vehicle.
Revisited the concept of friction as a force. Discussed its definition as a force that works in opposition to an applied force. Used historical examples of "perpetual motion machines" as case studies illustrating how friction both opposes movement and produces heat.
Practiced problem-solving methods for finding unknown variables in problems related to gravitational potential energy. Considered how gravitational potential energy changes based on local gravity and distance from a massive body.
Small web-based research project on modern manufacturing techniques of smart phones with additional emphasis on photolithography and the microscopic nature of modern integrated circuits.
Performed an experiment demonstrating how force and displacement are related as a rubber band stretches. Created and discussed data and considered implications of parts of the graph.
Extended the concept of gravitational potential energy to the related concept of elastic potential energy. Described the example of potential energy stored in a rubber band and the transition back to kinetic energy using graph of distortion vs force.
