Thinking and Learning
Unit Outline
The power of believing that you can improve (Carol Dweck TED Talk)
"I cannot overestimate the importance of observing every little thing and of reasoning upon it. The history of invention is full of incidents in which apparently trivial observations have proved of immense value to the world...
The inventor... looks upon the world and is not contented with things as they are. He wants to improve whatever he sees, he wants to benefit the world; he is haunted by an idea. The spirit of invention possesses him, seeking materialization."
(Alexander Graham Bell)
1 - Introduction to Grade 12 Physics
Handout: 12 Physics Course Outline
Powerpoint: SPH4U Introduction
Assignment #1:
Watch the 10 minute TED Talk “The Power of Believing You Can Improve”.
Read the powerpoint slides: Mindsets and Learning ppt
Answer the questions on the document: Mindsets and Learning Reflection
Handout: Concepts of Modern Physics Presentations
Choose a topic to present for Concepts of Modern Physics (sign-up next week)
2 - How to think like a Physicist
Powerpoint: How to think like a physicist
Activity: Measurement, Accuracy and Precision (Review)
Measurement, Accuracy and Precision (Review) - answers
Finish Measurement, Accuracy and Precision
3 - Measurement and Uncertainty
Mental Math and Estimation
Worksheet: Numbers and Physics
Activity: Measurement, Uncertainty and the Acceleration due to Gravity
Finish Numbers and Physics
4 - Estimations and Fermi Problems
Powerpoint: Physics Math Practice
Activity: Fermi Questions
Fermi Questions - Quick Solutions
Fermi Questions Practice - University of Maryland
What is a Fermi problem? (Wikipedia)
Video: A clever way to estimate enormous numbers (TED-ED, 4:14)
Worksheet: Fermi and Numbers
5 - Quiz Review
Handout: Fermi Problems and Mental Math Practice
Fermi Problems and Mental Math Practice - answers
Review scientific notation, estimations, Fermi questions
6 - Quiz, Kinematics Review
Quiz: Mental Math, Estimation, Fermi Problems
Kinematics review: the BIG 5 Equations, graphing
Handout: BIG 5 Equations
Handout: Kinematics Graphing Review Package