10-13-08

The Physics Journalists

Rise and Shine Mr. Manning's first period, its time to have a review of yesterday's class period. Walking through the entranceway of room 019, I quickly observed two handouts at the front of the room. Picking up the first page, Matchup & Roundup!! Lab (pages 16 through 18), followed by the second page, Concept Check with XT Graphs (page 19), I then headed for my seat. While taking a glance at the board to check the daily agenda, I noticed Mr. Manning had written the following: Review XT-Graph Descriptions, Homework/Quiz Reminders (quiz on Tuesday), and to begin the Matchup and Roundup lab. As class began to progress into the "daily discussion", we reviewed last nights homework, XT-Graph Descriptions (page 15), which was not collected. Mr. Manning then introduced our next lab by having the class listen to the lab's directions and by demonstrating how to log into moodle. This directed us to the correct graphing system (Logger Pro) that we needed to complete this assignment. We then broke up into groups of two or three students each. Here we gathered the following instruments: one Mac computer, 3 meter sticks, all parts required to operate the motion detector, and the Matchup and Roundup Lab. The packet contained a total of four graphs. For each graph you were required to be able to identify: where the graph started out, how it moved (the speed), and in which direction the graph was moving (positive, negative, or constant). Once completing the circling of the answers, each group then tried to reiterate the graph. Setting up the computer/motion detector and laying the 3-meter sticks on the ground so that they form a single file line preformed this. Then by making sure the rulers begin 1.5 meter sticks away from the motion detector each group began to precede with their experiment. With one partner working the computer and the other walking at a constant pace, each group had to put their brains together and come up with the correct way to walk so that the graph (just made through Logger Pro) matches up with the graph shown in the lab. Now, the saying, "It's easier said then done" plays a role here, recording the right data often required more then one attempt. With good communication between each partner and a general knowledge of how to perform the experiment, each group was able to complete most of the graphs. After each graph was preformed, every group was required to describe how the walker must move to have the same looking graph (in the lab) as a result. All graphs that have been finished should be printed out and held onto by a lab partner for the following class. As the bell rang shortly after putting all of the materials away and being reminded to study for the test tomorrow the class then scurried on out the door and off to period two.

Aura Tremellen.