Discussed the historical context of discoveries related to gravity and gravitational potential energy. Described the pendulum as a device that periodically interconverts equivalent quantities of gravitational potential energy to kinetic energy.
Practiced physics problem-solving related to finding an unknown force, mass or acceleration. Worked to develop intuition regarding the linkage of physics equations, real-world events and physics intuition. Prepped for first law quiz.
Continuing to build a physical understanding of motion by studying graphs of distance, displacement,speed, velocity and acceleration.Practiced solving with basic kinematics formulas to solve for acceleration.
Continued exploring Newton's Laws of motion, continuing to build physics intuition and problem solving tools to represent motion using vectors. Emphasizing the utility of vectors to represent forces in a free body diagram. Additionally Introduced concept of vector addition.
Continued discussion of Newton's third law, and how it applies to spacecraft propulsion.Introduced concept of conservation of momentum and related it to 3rd law topics.Introduced methods for graphing motion, and quantifying velocity and acceleration.
Beginning of lesson investigating forces and factors that underlie pattern formation in a variety of geological features/processes. Used interactive computer simulation to model fractal branching networks, common to river deltas/tributaries.Also began investigation of surprising patterns of hexagonal column rock formations.
Assignment
observe/identify a novel example of a complex natural pattern
