4-2-09

 = Physics Journalist By: Liz Chever Image: Above =

Today, April 2, 2009, was Woolly Physics Day! Right as we entered class, we all started right away on our exciting lab for the day. After picking partners and gathering the necessary equipment, we were ready to hit our target, the woolly mammoth. Our equipment consisted of a ramp clamped to the lab table, a meter stick and a small, steel ball. First, we did a few practice shots with the steel ball, just to get an idea of how it rolls and where it lands. We then gathered some helpful data, such as the time it hits the ground, by using a stopwatch and the height of the table from the ground, the displacement for the vertical part. Using projectile physics and equations from our equations note sheet, we came to find how far away (the horizontal displacement) to place our woolly mammoth target paper. If every calculation was carefully made, this lab would have been successful. The goal was to hit the very top of the woolly mammoth’s head. Ten points were awarded for correct calculations on paper, and the other ten points were given to how close a team let the steel ball hit the target. If a team was very successful or aimed correctly, there was even bonus points awarded as well. Our lab sheet, where we read the directions, was on page one and page two. This lab was very in depth, as it did take the whole class period. After watching our results, we packed up and ended the day with a great lab! We were also reminded that all back work is to be in by Friday, April 3rd. Also, we will be having our test on projectiles and physics on Monday, April 6th, along with our reading guide.