This class, taught by Mrs. Chase, helps us see how the world works in new and innovative ways. Classes are spent delving into major topics including kinematics, equilibrium, and dynamics. Each term, groups collaborate to perform an experiment and write up an analysis for the specified unit to get a real-world look at some of the topics learned in class. This allows for greater connections to such concepts, helping gain a stronger understanding of the topic.
This lab was done in groups and you could pick which type of experiment you wanted to conduct. Our group chose to test whether or not the coefficient of friction between two surfaces would vary as a result of adding weight onto a dragged object. To do this, we set up an experiment using a vernier attached to a block that would be pulled by a rope at constant acceleration. After multiple trials where the mass of the block would be different, this data was then used to support the conclusion of the lab, that the hypothesis was accurate and the coefficient of friction between two surfaces would not vary with the surface area of the object.
This problem was quite the challenge as we worked on it in class for multiple days and it was important to identify the different steps that would need to be taken to reach the final answer, What I really liked about this problem was how I was able to organize my thought and work so they would be easy to share with others and understand myself. I think keeping each main step separated helped me visualize each part of the problem, and therefore tackle it with more confidence. The goal of this problem was to see how far a model rocket would travel in the x direction given the conditions it goes through. Each student had different initial variables so although we could collaborate, it was up to us to come up with our own solutions which made the activity more interesting.