2-10-09

Class started today after an elongated third period due to the PSSA testing schedules. Upon entering the class, students picked up page16, the Total Mechanical Energy Lab. After picking up page 16, students glanced at the board to find the schedule of the class written there. Mr. Manning had written the following: - Pile Driver - Energy transformations - I wasn't Speeding - TME lab The Pile Driver lab was discussed at the beginning of the calss period. After which Mr. Manning collected the Energy Transformations paper. This paper was an extra credit opportunity for all students, seniors were to turn in this extra credit paper at the end of the day yesterday, as they had class and the juniors missed the extra long period, again due to the PSSA testing. Today, Mr. Manning only collected the juniors' extra credit papers.

After these assignments were discussed, Mr. Manning went on to explain to the juniors who had missed class yesterday the I Wasn't Speeding activity, page 15b. This activity, due on Tuesday, February 17, is a chance for students to display their knowledge of the equations Mr. Manning has taught throughout the year. Each pair of students (only pairs, no credit to groups more than two) must create a visually appealing case to 'present' to a 'court' that proves they were not speeding after leaving a 20 meter skid mark, and barely tapping a biker, negligently pedaling down the road at the same time your car passes. This project may be a video, song, poem, story, etc. anything creative to present your case and prove your innocence.

After all these details were taken care of, students set off to complete their TME (Total Mechanical Energy) lab. In this lab, students were to set a cart down a ramp, keeping time in seconds with a stopwatch until it hit the bottom. Students are reminded to first measure the height from the edge of the cart, and at the end of the cart's travel, measure the displacement. The lab provides room to record the change in height, time, and displacement. The recorded change in height is multiplied by the force of gravity and the mass to find the potential energy. After recording the data, students are required to plug the data into the given equation to find 'a' and the other given equation to find 'vF'. These can then be used to find the Kinetic energy. After completing the data gathering and the calculations, students are to complete the questions/observations section and hold onto the lab until Mr. Manning announces it's due date.

Tomorrow will be a day to finish the lab and save time for a few more activities.

Elizabeth Conway, pd. 1