The Final Project: Putting Physics to Use

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Goal:  Take a position about the safety or non-safety of the intersection of Prospect, Sherman, and the faculty parking lot.  Support with evidence, calculations, and models.

I. Model the setting using an acceptable scale.  Model will be graded on accuracy, quality and usability for the presentation.

II. Model sample situations that can happen at the intersection, including:

a.  a situation that will have 2d momentum and a collision
b.  a situation that will force a driver to stop suddenly when an obstacle appears in the pathway
c.  a comparison of the same car driving the same location at different speeds.
d. a problem that deals with net force, mu, or stopping distances under different weather conditions.
e. solve each of the situations in a-d, showing all work

III.  Recommendations for the area of interest, including
a. dimensions
b. anticipated costs
c. rationale

IV. Presentation that explains recommendations and models the most likely sample situations.  This presentation must include the scale model and will be video-taped.  Creation of interest is critical.

Last Day Evaluation

Click here

Analysis of a Catapult

Projectile Motion Reading

The last unit is really a throw-back to a previous unit....kinematics.  During this first week, we will be looking at x-velocities and y-velocities, so you will need to find those 4 kinematic equations and realize that a(gravity) here on earth is about 10 m/s/s.

We'll start with a concept review.   Go through the notes found at6

Physics Classroom

(there are 6 sections).

Show me your notes when you are finished.

After that, let's think about the easiest application of all for projectiles:   catapults!  These monsters are fun to make, but we are interested in physics, not just mayhem.  So, for the point of this class the catapult must be capable of flinging either:

• a marshmallow
• a mini candy bar
• a dry package of ramen noodles

and hitting a target that is 3-4 meters (that's 10-13 feet) away.  You will be judged on the ACCURACY of your catapult.

We will build these tomorrow after the quiz, so you MUST bring materials to work on.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/features/sns-diy-kids-crafts-catapult,0,1489370.story
http://www.stormthecastle.com/catapult/how-to-build-a-catapult.htm
http://revision3.com/joegenius/projectiles/homemade-catapults
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY43tGhUSJY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlGDJZzPRRU&feature=related
http://jimmythejock.hubpages.com/hub/thejockspot_how_to_build_a_catapult

Evaluating a Crash Scene

http://www.edheads.org/activities/crash_scene/swf/index.htm

You will have one hour to complete as much of the investigation as possible.

Evaluation of Pool Table

Group Peer Evaluation (to be done in class)

Personal Evaluation (based on data, done alone)

WS1, WS2, WS3 answers (posted at 3 on 5/3/2012)

WS4

Test on Tuesday, 5/8/2012