Speed of Light

Today we learned that the speed of light in a vacuum is c = 300,000,000 m/s. There is nothing faster. Sound in air is only about 340 m/s - about a million times slower!

We also attempted to calculate the speed of light in air using a microwave oven and some candy bars. Just remember that speed of a wave = wavelength x frequency.

Don't forget to turn in last night's homework: Light I.

Tonight's homework, due tomorrow: Light II for regular classes, Honors Light II for the honors section and anyone else taking the honors supplement.

Polarization of Light

Here are some notes from a couple of years ago. We took some notes today, but I didn't get a picture of them. Bellwork to follow.

Homework, due tomorrow: Light I
Due today: EM Spectrum Mini-Poster

Electromagnetic Spectrum

Bellwork:

Notes that some classes started yesterday but we all finished today:

Homework, due Monday: a mini-poster of the EM Spectrum.

Light

Due to the assembly, some classes got no farther than the bellwork, below. Some took more notes, which we will finish tomorrow. no homework tonight.

Unit I Test: Waves and Sound

Test today! If you miss this test, you must make it up after school by the end of the week.

Unit I Review: Waves and Sound

Today you are working on the study guide for the test tomorrow. First period, you receive it today. All others received it yesterday. Remember that you are allowed to make a cheat sheet of no more than 15 square inches (3"x5" note card) to use on the test.

Doppler Effect

Today we demonstrated and learned about the Doppler Effect. This will not show up on this unit's test, but it will show up on next unit's test. No homework tonight, but Waves II is due today.

Beats and Pitch

I hope you were here, because I don't have a way to reproduce this demonstration.

Homework: Waves II

Sound

Waves Practice

Today there is a sub, so you will be doing some practice problems on a worksheet. These are VERY like possible test questions. This worksheet, Waves I, is due tomorrow.

Don't forget that the Waves Ranking Task from yesterday is due today.

Interference

Notes and bellwork combined today. Homework: Waves Ranking Task.

Water Waves and Practice

Today we talked a bit about water waves, but that won't be on the test so we don't have any official notes. We also went over a couple of problems on Concept-Development 25-1, which you received on Friday. This is due tomorrow.

Wave Properties

Today's bellwork:

Answers, which we wrote in our notes:

Conclusions from Wave Lab I (the questions were put on the overhead, and students filled in the answers based on their lab experiences):


Homework! Due Monday.

Waves

Today we learned how to take notes Cornell style and practiced with out first official information about waves:

Waves Lab I

Today and tomorrow we will be completing Waves Lab I. This is an introductory lab for our waves unit, so please be here!

Welcome Back!

Ah, another year at Desert View High School. If you are a new student in my class, this is the place to get somewhat regular updates on assignments, notes, and happenings in Conceptual Physics for the 2010-2011 school year. You can also find notes from previous years, which may be helpful.

On this first day we passed out the syllabus, safety contract, and student/parent/guardian contract. Please return the two contracts, signed, as soon as possible. They are worth points!