1-9-09

Mr. Manning's 1st period class started off like any other. As the students shuffled over to their desks they saw the Daily Question. It was not graded today. The daily question was about air bags. To figure out the answer the students had to use the equation sigma F x delta t = m x delta v. This equation means the net force times the change in time is always equal to m times the change in velocity. (If you want to know the specific daily question just ask Mr. Manning.) In the end, the students learned the car was much safer with the air bags then not. It's all science! Next, the students moved on to the lab they had to finish up from the day before. Remember this was not homework. In the lab the students realized that in question one, two, and three the momentum was the same before and after the collision. In fact, they were always the same. It was very interesting. In question/scenario three when Ken, who is moving much faster then Barbie, crashes his car into Barbie's car their momentum is the same before and after. How can this be? It is because Ken's car slows on the impact but causes Barbie's car to increase in speed. Finally everyone handed in their labs. To any student who missed Friday's class, remember that the lab is due on Monday! Last but not least on the agenda was the Conservation of Momentum Problems packet. This packet has the important equation (m1x v1)before + (m2 x v2)before = (m1 x v1)after + (m2 x v2)after. It also says that momentum is a vector and direction MUST be considered. When its positive an arrow goes to the right and when its negative it goes to the left. The students then proceeded to finish questions 1-5 in the packet and class and finish them for homework. It is greatly encouraged for everyone to practice these problems. Remember that a test is not too far away!