During the 4th quarter, our focus is on energy and power. We will start with
calculating our own body's power output (as we climb a hill), and then do a
basic test to help kids examine whether their power is more from brute
strength or lightning speed.
Later, we will use all our personal power results to compare ourselves with
power used in light bulbs and appliances. Finally, students will identify
some energy use patterns in their own homes, and then identify the simplest
changes that could result in the biggest energy savings with your family.
Please be prepared to help your children examine and understand your power
bill. If you're willing to let them bring in a copy, that might be helpful
too. If you have privacy concerns, please note that it will not be mandatory
for your student to bring in a copy of your bill.
----------------------
Final Teacher Evaluation:
Please write me a letter evaluating this class. This will not affect your
grade. Please be honest, and please include the following ideas:
• What kinds of activities were your favorite?
• What activities best helped you learn?
• How did I (Mr. Cunningham) do as a teacher-
- dealing with difficult students?
- helping you learn?
- maintaining a decent learning environment?
• How did I compare with other teachers you have had?
(Please try not to mention other teachers’ names)
• What are some ideas for how kids could have learned better?
Include anything else you would like to say.
Thanks,
Mr. Cunningham
----------------------
6/2/09 - Alternative Energy Sources
Alternative Energy Sources
(Read p. 712 through 717)
1. Define the 4 Science Words on Page 712
2. Section Wrap Up and Skill Builder
3. Make a table (on a full sheet) to summarize the following for 8 types
of Alternative Energy:(answers for 5 from text book)
Where is it useful?
Are there any drawbacks?
How does it work?
On a scale of 1 to 10, how promising is it for future of earth? Why?
0n P. 720
4. Who is Yvonne Ho?
5. Where does water go when it can’t go through the turbine?
6. According to Yvonne, how do they decide or predict how much water to
leave behind a dam, and how much to use for electricity?
7. From PSE power bill (paper or on line): Record your last 11 months of
electricity usage.
----------------------
6/1/09
Fossil Fuels - Read Text pages 700 to 703
1. Define 3 Science Terms on p. 700
2. Answer Question on Figure 25-1 p. 700
3. p. 703 Section Wrap up questions 1-3 and skill Builder
----------------------
5/19/09
As a brief pre-field trip activity, please list 4 things that you do that have
an adverse impact on our planet, the explain the impact for each one.
5/22 - List the 3 most interesting or important things you learned on our trip
to McAllister Springs and LOTT.
----------------------
5/5/09
The following is a two part assignment where kids figure out how powerful they
can be. Part 1 is to figure out how many watts of power students can put out
as they climb a short hill. Part 2 is to figure out if their power output
goes up or down if the climb the same hill with various amounts of extra weight.
Part 1: My Personal Power Assessment
(5/5/09 - Due on 5/8/09)
Question:
What is my power output as I climb a Hill?
Materials and Procedure:
((Explain every measurement you make to answer the research Question, and
some variables you control to insure accuracy.))
Data and Analysis:
((Show measurements and calculations to get weight in N, hill hgt in
meters, time, and finally Power.))
Conclusion:
• State results in a sentence.
• State from biggest to smallest what you think are the three biggest
sources of measurement error in this lab activity.
• Write your power in kilowatts and horsepower. (745 watts = 1 HP).
Part 2: My Personal Power Assessment
(5/8/08 - Due on 5/13/09)
Question:
How will my power output change if I carry different amounts of weight up a
hill? (Is my personal physical power more due to my lightning speed or my
brute strength?)
Hypothesis:
(Predict your results and state why)
***Materials and Procedure:
(Not necessary. We did this in part one.)
Data and Analysis:
• Make a table to collect your times for each different weight.
• Calculate the maximum power output (in watts, and Kw) for each of
your different weights with packs.
Conclusion:
(1) State results. (2) Answer the research question. (3) Do results
confirm or refute your hypothesis? (4) How sure are you?
----------------------
4/30/09 Energy, Work and Power
a. Please write down the most recent thing you’ve done that required
lifting and a lot of physical energy.
b. If work and energy require a force over some distance, describe the
forces and distances.
c. How would this activity look different if you did it with more power?
Read about Power on p. 201-203
1. How is power different than work?
2. What is a watt? Who is James Watt?
3. Show the “Using Math” example problem and the Skill Builder Problem
using the 4-step method. Don’t forget to use units and state your answer
at the end. Hint: don’t forget that a minute must be written as 60
seconds, and write your answer in kilowatts (Kw)
----------------------
4/22/08 This science in the news assignment is meant to reinforce that
science is done by people with an interest in a certain topic more than by
just an interest in science. Due to WASL test schedules, this assignment is
mandatory for those in my morning science class and only those students in
both my afternoon math and science classes.
1. Use Elibrary’s topic search to select a topic in science that you’d
find interesting to read about. Choose two newspaper or magazine
articles and show the topics they fall under. Elibrary username:
WASHSTATE019 and password: child19
2. Explain why this article is interesting to you.
3. Describe the main idea of the article, and two interesting things you
learned from the article. Use complete sentences.
4. To be “news”, and article is for some reason important to society.
Explain why is your article is important to society. (2-3 sentences)
5. Propose a research idea related to this article. A research proposal
should include a question, and an explanation of what would be the
manipulated (what would you change?) and responding (what would you
measure?) variables.
6. Easy Extra Credit: Make a citation for your article using www.Citation
Machine.net. Select the MLA format, then choose 'internet journal or
magazine or "web document", and just fill in your data. When you're done,
just copy the citation that gets made into your assignment document.
----------------------
Title
Research Question
HYPOTHESIS
(Predict the results of your comparisons)
Procedure and Materials List
Data Table
(neat, with Title, Labels, and Units)
Conclusions and Analysis Questions
1. State your results and mention your data. Compare the results for
each substance. Compare with your predicted results.
2. How did your data compare to class averages?
3. Conduction, Convection, and radiation: State where each type of heat
transfer happened in this lab.
----------------------
Phases Changes
Read p. 224 - 227
1. Construct a complete Phase Change Diagram. Label the 4 phases the
names of the changes between each of the first 3.
2. Use the diagram to define each of the 7 phase change terms.
3. Draw the graph in figure 8-12 D. Use the diagrams in 8-12A, B, and
C, to label each section of the graph in 8-12D.
4. Science Journal Entry.
----------------------
Phases of Matter
Read p. 214 - 220
1. Define each of the 5 vocabulary words. If you use the glossary, add
at least something from the reading.
2. Answer Question in Figure 8-2.
3. Some solids are crystals, some are not crystals. Give examples of
two of each. How are crystals different from non-crystals?
4. Answer the questions in figures 8-5 and 8-6c.
5. P. 220 section Wrap-Up Questions 3 and 4 and the “Using Math”
question.
6. Make a table for Solids, Liquids, Gasses, and Plasma. Tell two things
that make each of these phases of matter unique.
----------------------
Structure of the Atom
Read p. 270 to 274
1. Define each of the 7 vocabulary words.
2. How are chemical symbols written?
3. What three particles make up atoms? Give the location, charge, and mass
of each particle
4. Section Wrap Up #s 1 and 3
Masses of Atoms
Read Pages 278-281
5. Define the three terms.
6. Where is the mass of an atom? What is the difference between Mass Number
and Atomic Mass?
7.a How many Protons, Neutrons, and electrons are in Sulfur, Magnesium, and
Nitrogen Atoms.
B. Draw a picture of each atom with particles in the right places.
Color code each particle. (Just use circles for energy levels. Place
electrons in each using table 10-3.)
8. A. How many particles are in the nucleus of an Oxygen atom?
B. What is Oxygen 18?
9. How many atoms are in a molecule of C6H12O6?
----------------------
Lsn 7.2 on Levers -- Read p. 186 – 189
1. Define the first 5 vocabulary terms, and include a labeled sketch for
each term.
2. Do the 2 Practice Problems at the bottom of page 187
3. Define each class of lever by where the Fulcrum is, relative to the
Effort, and Resistance. Come up with your own example and sketch a
picture for each.
4. Work with a partner to make a table and record how much weight you
can lift with two different sizes of lever.
• Record the length of the effort arm (middle of handle to fulcrum
corner)
• Record the length of the resistance arm (between feet to corner of
fulcrum)
• Record the weight (in lbs) of each person you hoisted (add weights
for a total).
5a. How much should each lever multiply an effort force?
5b. Then calculate the effort force you used to lift up each classmate. (2
calculations for each wrench)
---------------------- Due Wed 2/18
Lsn 7.1 on Simple Machines -- Read Pages 180 and 183
1. Define the 6 science words.
2. If machines can’t turn a small amount of work into a big amount of work,
why are they so helpful?
3. Show how to put the Example Problem (p. 182) in our class’s 5 step format.
Include units on all numbers.
4. Do the Practice Problem on p. 182 using the same format
5. Do Prob 2 on p. 183
6. Do Prob 3 on p. 183
7. Answer the Skill Builder question. (You may be concise)
8. Do all 3 calculations in the Using Math problem on p. 183
----------------------
Please use Webpath Express from the Library Catalog to search "Simple
Machines" and click the subject button.
1. Find out what simple machines are. Describe what they do to forces
and give some examples.
2. Find out what the three classes of Levers are. Explain what makes
each different from the others and give examples.
3. What is the part of the lever that doesn't move called? (It's the
place you use to brace your lever. Starts with the letter 'F')
4. Describe the two basic ways to use a pully.
5. Include the source URL where you found this information.
-----
6. Use Edheads.com and the simple machines websites to complete your work.
Try at least 3 of the activites with levers and pullies and make a statement
about what each one teaches about simple machines, and how well they help
learning.
---------------------
Energy and Society --- Due Monday 2/9
1. Name the 5 forms of Energy. Give examples of how each form was used
to advance military technology over human history.
2. Describe how societies harnessed each form of energy to become
stronger and have better quality of life.
Lsn 5.1 on Energy -- Read Pages 124-127, then 128 – 131
3. Define the 6 science words.
4. Why is there a picture of a plant in Figure 5-4?
5. In Figure 5-6, explain the calculation that you would have to do.
6. Show the Example problem in our 5 step format.
7. “A joule is a derived unit” (p. 127 hint). What does this mean, and
tell what units make it up.
8. Do the 2 practice problems, showing 5 steps and a therefore.
9. Explain how a person going back and forth on a swing is also going
back and forth from kinetic energy to potential energy. Where in the
motion is it just kinetic? Where is it just potential? Where is it
both? Show your answer with a sketch.
10. Use the table 5-1 on p. 131, for your own body, come up with two
additional activities, and predict how many calories your body would
burn per hour. Site table data in your prediction.
11. p. 131 Section Wrap up ?s 1 and 2, Skill builder, and at least 4
sentences on the Science Journal topic.
---------------------
DUE 2/3
A. Newton’s First Law of Motion
• Write out the Law.
• Draw a picture of a game or activity that is mostly based on this Law.
• Explain how the activity or game is based on the law.
B. Newtons 2nd Law of Motion
• Write out the Law.
• Draw a picture of a game or activity that is mostly based on this Law.
• Explain how the activity or game is based on the law.
C. Same for Newton’s 3rd Law
D. Same for Law of Conservation of Momentum
Extra Credit for extraordinary quality and for top 3 collection of most unique
answers. (sorry for the grammar).
----------------------------------------------
1/27/09Read Pages 108 and 109
A. There are 6 paragraphs in your reading on pages 108 and 109. Number 1
through 6 on your paper and write a topic sentence for each paragraph. (skip
the 5th – it’s short.)
B. Guess how many miles per second most satellites travel? Is this a constant
or changing velocity?
C. What is a geostationary orbit?
Read Pages 110-116
D. There are 13 paragraphs in your reading from pages 110 to p. 116. Number
one to thirteen and write the topic sentence for 11 of the 13 paragraphs.
E. Define the three science terms. Include a sketch with each definition.
F. Extra Credit: Bring a toy or tool from home who’s design is based mainly
on one of Newton’s 3 laws of motion.
G. Figure 4-23: Answer question with two different suggestions.
H. Question 2 on page 116.
1/16/08 (due Wednesday)
Newton’s Second Law – Section 4.1 in text
Please Read Pages 94 and 95
1. Define using words and a labeled picture the three science terms.
2. Do the two practice Problems at the bottom of Page 95. Use the 5 step
format.
Read Pages 96-99.
3. Answer question in Figure 4-3.
4. There are 5 tasks in the Section Wrap-Up. Do them all. 3 questions,
Skill Builder, and USING MATH question. Show calculations using 5 steps.
5. Translate the equation F=M * A in to a sentence. Why is this version of
the formula not the best to explain Newton’s 2nd Law? What is a better
formula and why? ((This question is not from your book))
-----------------------------------------------------
1/9 Reading Assignment from p. 76-82
Read pages 76-77; Write a paragraph on the Seatbelt controversy. Use
information about the science of motion a well as “social issues” to discuss
merits of both sides of the argument.
Read Pages 78-82
1. Define 5 Science Words
2. Answer questions in Figures 3-14, 3-16 and 3-18
3. Answer the Review Questions 1-3 on p. 82
4. Write the journal entry task relating inertia to your favorite sport.
5 Write out Newton’s First Law of Motion. Explain why things at rest
aren't necessarily at rest. Give at least 5 or 6 reasons. I've seen
up to 10 good ones.
6. a. Identify the four forces on a 747 going at a velocity of about 500
mph north. Is there any net forces on this plane? Explain.
b. What are balanced and unbalance forces?
7. Draw a marble rolling and a car accelerating without using letters or
words.
---------------------
Assignment on 12/15/08 (continuing week of January 5th)
Steel vs Glass Marble Velocities
We’re going to do some comparisons of how marbles move across the floor after
they gain speed on a ramp. You’ll time and graph how long it takes each
marble (2 steel and one glass) to go 1m, 2m, 3m, 4m and 5m. You can set up
the ramp using three books and a ruler with a groove down the middle.
1. Write at least 6 science vocabulary than can be included in our study.
2. What two research questions can be examined with the three marbles?
3. Hypothesis: Make two interesting predictions about each question.
4. Make a data table for writing down the times for each distance, three
trials. Use a separate table for each marble.
(Calculate the average time for each of the 5 distances and record in a column
in each table)
5. Show results in table and distance vs time graph.
6. Conclusions:
• Describe how the data and graphs support or don’t support your hypotheses
(plural).
• Describe how your graphs show inertia and how inertia depends on mass.
• Calculate the average speed for each marble. (show 5 steps)
• Describe how these speeds demonstrate that intertia depends on mass.
---------------------
Assignment on 12/09/08 (From Purple Science Textbook)
(Remember to show 5 steps on calculations using formulas)
Velocity and Acceleration Assignment
1. Do Page 69 Problems 2 and 3
Read Pages 72-74
2. Define Speed, Velocity, and Acceleration. How are Speed and Velocity
Different?
3. Answer questions in Figures 3-10
4. Show the Calculating Acceleration Example Problem using our 5 step math method.
5. Do the Section Wrap-up Questions #s 1-3.
---------------------
12/05/08
Einstein Movie Notes
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12/03/08
Graphing Different Types of Motion Activity
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12/02/08
Motion Calculations Practice Work Sheet
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11/24/08
Designing a Long Trip for a Marble
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