Physics is taught by Ms.Chase. This challenging course uses both algebra and calculus-based physics approaches and closely aligns with the AP physics curriculum. We strengthen our knowledge through real-life problems, designing our own labs, and experimentation. The topics that we have covered so far include kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, and circular motion.
During the dynamics unit, the main focus was Newton’s second law. The Dynamics Lab assignment was an opportunity to experimentally test a hypothesis of our choosing related to dynamics. For this lab, I worked with Thomas Giolas and Caroline Walczak, and our goal was to determine the force of 3 fans on a modified Atwood's machine on a frictionless surface.
This assignment was the first Problem Of the Week (POW) that we did in physics. For this assignment I worked with Noah Proctor and Ishana Saroha. We needed to find how far away a puck lands from the base of a counter after sliding off a ramp, create a computer program to determine the angle of the ramp that would result in the greatest distance, and complete the write-up. This was an interesting task due to the combination of dynamics, kinematics, and coding that was involved.