Fulfilling 3 challenge requirements will earn you "Honors Physics" on your transcript. Honors earns a "weighted" GPA, so an A or B counts more than an A or B without honors.

This page is designed to provide research questions, instructions, and examples for challenge work.

IMAGINE it's 2050 in the Marvel Universe. Climate change has turned many parts of Earth into an uninhabitable wasteland, and popular cities like Denver have become ultra-crowded. Wakandan researchers have left behind a massive amount of data about star systems and planets, and with some careful research you can identify a viable planet for whoever you choose to invite. 

So, how does physics fit in? To find viable candidate systems, first CLICK HERE to make a copy of the SYSTEM PARALLAX DATABASE. (Bookmark your copy, so it's easy to find!) Use the guiding questions/instructions below to find a system that's close enough to travel there within your lifetime, assuming 0.5 light speed travel*.

Then follow these instructions to determine a viable candidate:

1. How can PARALLAX be used to find which systems are closest? What relationship exists between parallax and distance?   Reading 1: Parallax and Distance

2. Once you know a relationship, use a Google Sheets formula to auto-calculate distance. You can then use the green triangles to sort by distance and find the closest systems.   Reading 2: Formulas in Google Sheets

3. Of the closest systems, which systems show radiation exposure below a safe level? Reading 3: Dangerous Levels of Radiation 

4. After you have a system, you'll still need to figure out a viable planet within that system... But we'll cross that bridge you come to it.

When you find a viable planet, submit its name, along with a correct distance in light years, to claim it for your team, then await further instructions - remember, if another team or person claimed a certain planet, you may have to choose a backup.

★★ LED Calculations Challenge

Practice how to a) annotate "electric pressure" and "pressure difference" (aka voltage) in simple and complex circuits, and b) use "Ohm's Model" algebra to calculate electric values, then c) show mastery of your skills on paper.

• Step 1: Learn out to annotate and analyze PD (aka electric pressure difference aka voltage) in a circuit. Learn the basics using THIS SLIDE DECK, and practice using  THIS PRACTICE SHEET.

• Step 2: Practice applying these skills to design a "voltage divider" on paper to specific specifications, using THIS PRACTICE MASTERY SHEET. For LEDs and resistors, this will require you to use "Ohm's Model" to make algebraic calculations.

• Step 3: Show mastery of your skills on a paper given to you by your teacher.

★ DCC Light Bar Challenge:

Collect data about a light bar by screwig in and unscrewing bulbs, and watching what happens to other bulbs. Then MODEL a circuit diagram to suggestions how the bulb outlets are connected inside the light bar. 

     • Some light bars are easier than others... Write up your claim about the toughest circuit you analyzed successfully.

     • You MAY find it helpful to test out possible arrangements of bulbs in the bit.ly/phetcircuits simulation. To "unscrew" a bulb, either disconnect a wire to it, or add a switch to make it easy to turn on/off.

     • Include 2-3 sentences of justification alongside your model to explain the evidence you've collected that helps you know that this model is accurate.

★★ Wire Resistor Challenge:

Use our "inside the wire simulation" to model resistance, and form conclusions.

     • Complete Q1 - Q3 on THIS HANDOUT to collect data about "resistance" of a wire.

     • Complete EITHER Challenge A or Challenge B in the same handout with your most thoughtful, most curious & most accurate work.

★ Model a Battery System Challenge:

Model how batteries can make an electric grid more reliable using diagrams and/or algebra.

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★★ Building Walls Layout Challenge:

Plan the walls, floor, and ceiling of a building to be laser cut, then assemble it.

     • You are encouraged to complete this project challenge with a partner. Depending on the complexity of your building, it can count as 1/2 challenge per person, or 1 per person.

★★ Building Electric Layout Challenge:

Plan the wiring for your building with LEDs and switches, then assemble and solder the building to install it inside your construction.

     • You are encouraged to complete this project challenge with a partner. Depending on the complexity of your building, it can count as 1/2 challenge per person, or 1 per person.

★ Model a Relationship Challenge:

Use our "inside the wire simulation" to model resistance, and form conclusions.

     • Collect at least 6 data points for two different relationships, with electric current or % energy loss as your dependent variable in the Inside a Wire Simulation .

•Present these graphs using desmos (click + then table) or by hand on graph paper.  Your relationships can be two separate IV-DV pairs (Ex: effect of length on current & effect of width on current) , or they can be the same IV DV pair for two different controlled variables (Ex: effect of width on current for two different wire materials).   

     • Refer to these graphs to propose specifications for both TRANSMISSION LINES and DISTRIBUTION LINES. Learn about the difference by reading this link. Your specifications can include details about suggested thickness, materials,