(Exposure to using Physics Simulations):

This first lab is designed to help you practice manual graphing and learn how to create clean, presentable graphs. Since this is a simulation, there won’t be many sources of error, so the focus is on producing a proper lab write-up and demonstrating your ability to graph accurately. In the second part of the lab, you’ll be challenged to think more deeply about key physics concepts related to a pendulum, including velocity, acceleration, elastic potential energy, and kinetic energy. You’ll be creating five graphs—Period vs. Mass, Velocity vs. Time, Acceleration vs. Time, Elastic Potential Energy vs. Time, and Kinetic Energy vs. Time—each of which should take up about a quarter of a page. However, the Period vs. Square Root of the Length graph is especially important and must take up a full page. Finally, keep in mind that “two pi” (2π) is an angular measurement expressed in radians. All lab write ups are to proofread and printed out to be hand in at the assigned date. 

(Exposure to manual data collection as well as using a camera to aid in scale readings):

In this second lab, we will be investigating Hooke’s Law. The main goal is to encourage you to think critically about the sources of error in your setup and measurements. Consider how your data collection could have been designed or improved to yield more consistent results. (Why did I ask you to take a picture of each reading on the scale)? For this lab, I expect a much deeper analysis of error—not just a list of possible sources, but a thoughtful explanation of how each one may have influenced your outcomes. Additionally, this lab introduces you to creating digital graphs using Excel, (See Teams for more information) which I believe is an essential technological skill for science students in today’s world. All lab write ups are to proofread and printed out to be hand in at the assigned date. 

(Exposure to using Data Loggers):

This third lab is designed to help us verify Newton’s Second Law using the PASCO Smart Cart and a handheld fan (since the official PASCO fan attachment is currently beyond our budget). The first two labs were intended to get everyone on the same page, regardless of when or where you completed Physics 11, and now we’re ready to dive deeper into core concepts. In this lab, you and your partners will estimate the force exerted by the handheld fan at each of its three settings. I expect you to conduct at least three trials per setting and calculate the average force from your data. If time permits, running more than three trials would improve the reliability of your results. All lab write ups are to proofread and printed out to be hand in at the assigned date. (This will be a group write up)