H Physics Extra Credit

*****All Extra-credit assignments must be completed no later than the last*** 
     afternoon of the Friday preceding the last day of the grading period.

==========================CHALLENGE EXTRA-CREDIT=============================
1: Practice the Levitron until you can levitate the spinning top for at 
least 30 seconds.  You may also wish to demonstrate it to the class for an 
additional extra-credit point (only three tries, and only the first to do 
this, per class, will get the additional point).  In addition, you may 
compete for the timed levitation to help your class earn a Party Scorecard 
point.
2:  Learn to use a slide rule and solve some multiplication, division, and 
square root problems for Mr. Preudhhomme.
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3: Design and build a "car" that uses gravitational potential energy to 
provide the energy for it to move on a flat surface.  You will demonstrate 
the car to the class for 1 point of extra credit on your 9-week grade.

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4:  Reflect upon the Rube Goldberg Project and answer the 
following questions in a five paragraph, typed essay format:
    -Describe your "step" and evaluate its performance?
    -Describe all the "steps" on your groups platform and evaluate the 
     performance of the platform in general.  Did it live up to your 
     expectations? If not, where did things go awry?  How easy was it to fix 
     the problems?
    -How well did your group work with the other "interface" groups?  Was 
     there friction?  Did your platform mesh with the others well?
    -If you had to complete this project again, what would you (or your 
     group) do differently?  Where would you make changes in your 
     strategy?     
    -What was the single most important lesson that you learned from this 
     project (other than frustration)?  Will you be able to carry this lesson 
     with you into the future?

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5:  Research Nicolai Tessla, or any other famous scientist, and write a two 
page paper about their life, their inventions, and how they impacted the 
science of Physics.

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6:  Build a working steam engine and demonstrate it to the class.  You may 
use only candles, or a hot plate to provide the heat. 

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