Physics
Course Description
This course takes an algebra and calculus-based approach to investigate and model connections between concepts, equations, and graphs. Through classroom discussions and collaborative work, students learn about mechanics, gravitation, electricity, magnetism, waves, and harmonic oscillations. They design, build, and debug their own experiments and lab apparatuses. They analyze their data using statistical methods and report their findings via journal-formatted printouts, poster boards, and slideshow presentations.
Dynamics Lab One-Pager
To supplement our understanding of dynamics and forces, students created an experiment testing a relationship between two properties of a system and constructing a one page report on experiment setup and findings. I focused on the sinusoidal relationship between the incline angle of a ramp and the acceleration of a modified Atwood’s machine. This modified Atwood’s machine was composed of two masses—one resting on the surface of the ramp and the other hanging over the raised edge—connected via a string over a pulley.
Projectile Motion Calculator
As part of a study on projectile motion and learning the functionality of Microsoft Excel, we
created ‘calculators’ describing the motion of objects using built-in Excel mathematical
commands. For this project, we took into account initial velocity and angle, while displaying
the relationship between displacement and velocity over time, trajectory, etc.
Download calculator here.
