Thursday, January 18, 2018
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Flow of Energy -
Will and I reviewed his homework assignment. We talked about energy flow and I showed him how flow charts look, and how to read them. Will was tasked with reading flow charts and identifying the flow of energy through systems. Homework: complete the flow chart activity we started in class.
Assignment
Homework: complete the flow chart activity we started in class.
Friday, January 12, 2018
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Physical Science:
Energy -
Will was quizzed on the types of energy. He was tasked with identifying the expressed energy in a specific situation, and how that energy progressed to and from that moment. He was also quizzed on potential and kinetic energy. Homework: complete activity sheet for next Thursday’s class.
Assignment
Homework: complete activity sheet for next Thursday’s class.
Thursday, January 11, 2018
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Potential and Kinetic Energy -
Will and I imagined several situations and Will identified the expressed energy use was potential, kinetic, or both. We spent some time discovering how some mechanical devices represent both potential and kinetic energy at the same time. We watched Bill Nye the science guy episode on energy to get a better understanding of the different ways energy can be conveyed. We compared and contrasted the forms of energy we listed during our last class. Homework: review the list of energy types.
Monday, January 8, 2018
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physics:
Types of Energy -
Will started the new semester with a unit on types of energy. He listed the ten types of energy as I briefly described each. Starting with kinetic energy, which lead to a review of potential energy and some examples of how potential energy transforms into kinetic energy; the energy of motion. We then discussed the energy of heat, and of light, using the example of incandescent light bulbs, which provided the desired light, but also delivered some energy in the form of heat, which was not desired. Will identified the lower energy bulb was less expensive to use and also benefits the planet by using energy well. We continued through the list briefly and I assured Will that we will discuss and learn about each type individually during the next few weeks.
Friday, December 22, 2017
10:00 - 11:00; 60 min. -
Physical Science:
Bottle Rocket -
Will started the analysis part of his experiment with the bottle rocket. He found three truths from his observations: the water and fuel was pushed downward as the rocket flew upward, the rocket accelerated during the launch, and the pressure of gas inside the bottle provided an unbalanced force to the apparatus. We discussed which of Newton’s Laws these three statements expressed.
Thursday, December 21, 2017
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Root Words -
After a review of the root words, Will was tested on the vocabulary and concepts covered during this semester. He was tasked with defining some unfamiliar science words by finding the root words. With the remaining time, Will and I discussed how force and momentum are demonstrated in everyday activities.
Monday, December 18, 2017
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physical Science:
Bottle Rocket -
Will assembled his rocket and launcher and placed them in the open space behind the school. He followed the methods section he had written in his notebook, to add the fuel and water to the rocket and observe its trajectory. The first rocket took off so fast we both missed its flight and did not see its apogee. Will repeated the process and recorded his observations in his notebook. Will suggested some modifications to the fuel and we tested what would happen if he added more citric acid, or if he used more water etc. We discussed the Newtonian Laws that were demonstrated by each launch. Homework: review vocabulary for this section.
Thursday, December 14, 2017
12:30 - 1:45; 75 min. -
Physical Science:
Bottle Rocket -
Will completed the construction of his bottle rocket, and mixed the chemicals to be used as rocket fuel. He then set up his science notebook for the rocket experiment. He developed a question and used the three Newtonian Laws to write out his hypothesis. He then listed the methods by which to test his hypothesis, and then the materials used during the methods. We discussed how thrust and gravity are working for and against a successful launch of the rocket and Will made sure these factors were present in his scientific write-up, in his notebook. We started to collect data, including the mass and volume of the rocket. Unfortunately we ran out of time to actually launch his rocket, so that will have to wait until he returns from break.
Monday, December 11, 2017
1:00 - 2:30; 90 min. -
Physical Science:
Bottle Rocket -
Will was finally able to construct the rocket to within acceptable standards. He then continued with the instructions provided in the bottle rocket kit, and constructed the ‘fuel delivery system’, which consisted of funnels and variable scoopers. He noticed that the system did not have any ‘release’ mechanism for the rocket launch. Will was tasked with describing the manner by which force will launch this rocket, and we discussed the ways gasses perform in a closed environment.
