Monday, March 5, 2018
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will and I reviewed the structure of a light wave. Will had lots of questions about the way visible light is different than the non-visible light. I explained how ultraviolet waves are capable of entering our atmosphere, un-detected and invisible. We discussed how the frequency of the wave is high enough to cause sunburn. We reviewed the definition of frequency, and how it applies to measuring waves.
Friday, March 16, 2018
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will completed a comprehensive exam on wave energy, including the parts of a wave, the vocabulary associated to the distance, time and power of a wave. He was tasked with measuring the frequency, amplitude and wavelength of example waves
Thursday, March 15, 2018
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will and I examined the wavelengths of different waves of light. It is interesting that simple AM radio waves have a wavelength of about 1 kilometer. We found that infrared waves were shorter but still over a meter, and ultraviolet waves have a length around one millimeter. Will was able to explain these differences as we discussed how modulating the length and frequency we were able to put this type of energy to use. Will hypothesized the existence of a photic boom, much like a sonic boom, but only seen when someone else achieves travel at the speed of light. We discussed his theory, and how space travel is described in the movies. Homework: Review notes for test on Friday.
Monday, March 12, 2018
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will and I discussed the difference between longitudinal and transverse waves. We used a piece of string to show how the pulse that starts a wave travels in a singular direction (up, down, side to side). The resulting wave travels either in the same direction (longitudinal) or in the direction that is 90 degrees from the original pulse (transverse). Will used the slow motion function of his cell phone video to capture the waves we made with the string, and we determined which kind of waves they were. Homework: Review notes.
Thursday, March 8, 2018
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will and I reviewed some of the different frequencies of light. Will and I reviewed the structure of a light wave. Will had lots of questions about the way visible light is different than the non-visible light. I described the properties of X-rays and gamma rays. Will knew how we use X-rays and I suggested he imagine what it might be like if X-rays were capable of penetrating our atmosphere. I then described the amount of damage gamma rays can cause to living things. Gamma radiation is similar to nuclear radiation, and can destroy living tissue. Will was surprised that the solar gamma waves were moving through space at all times, away from our sun. We discussed how many scientific facts are absent from movies about space.
Friday, March 9, 2018
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Waves -
Will was quizzed on identifying the anatomy of a wave. He was also tasked with describing the difference between mechanical and light waves, and the difference, if any, of light and electromagnetic waves. We reviewed the wavelengths that can penetrate the atmosphere, and which cannot. . Finally we compared the wavelength of a radio wave that can be as large as a building, and ultraviolet waves, which are the size of molecules.
Friday, March 2, 2018
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Waves -
Will and I discussed the different waves of light. Will had many question about visible and invisible light. I explained that the earth’s atmosphere blocks the most destructive waves (microwaves, x-rays, and gamma waves) from reaching us. We discussed how radio waves work, and how they were used to bring news and music to a generation. We also discussed how this technology changed the way we work with energy.
Thursday, March 1, 2018
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will was quizzed on the structure of a wave. We discussed the difference between a mechanical wave and an electromagnetic wave. I explained that electromagnetic waves are all light waves. They are the only way known to man, that energy can move through the vacuum of space. I drew a wave on the board, to illustrate the concept of frequency, and how light, at different frequencies, has different properties. These properties range from radio to gamma waves.
Monday, February 26, 2018
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physical Science:
Waves -
Will was introduced to the two types of energy waves: mechanical and electromagnetic. Mechanical waves require a medium to travel through and include sound, seismic and water. Electromagnetic waves include light, x-ray, microwave, and radio. Will was tasked with drawing a wave and labeling wavelength, height, crest, and trough. We discussed what frequency and amplitude means in reference to energy waves.
Friday, February 23, 2018
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Physical Science:
Momentum, Impulse and Acceleration-
Will and I reviewed his test from yesterday. We discussed the areas he found challenging and the sections he understood well. He was retested on the sections he missed.
