Numbered Heads Review Waves and Good Vibrations

Numbered Heads Instructions

1. Form into the designated groups

2. Take out one full sheet of paper per group and list the name of the group at the top. Then list the names of the group members and place numbers next to each name (1, 2, 3…..If four members then write 4 also). It doesn’t matter who gets what number.

3. Hand the paper to the instructor. It will be used for assessment and graded.

4. Begin reviewing/ learning the listed concepts. Make up sample questions related to the concept. Try and figure out what question the teacher will ask. Time is limited; so don’t waste it!

5. Once you understand the concepts make sure each group members also understand by assessing them. Do not ask yes or no assessment questions.

Good Assessment. “Sam, could you show me how to do number three on the list?”

Poor Assessment. “Do you guys all know it?”

6. When the instructor calls a number randomly (ex. = 3) the three will go to a designated area alone and respond to a similar question. Make sure they have something to write with and a calculator. After they leave begin studying the next set of concepts for the next round.

7. After a short amount of time the person will then return to the group and their answer will be graded by the teacher and given to the entire group as a communal score.

8. The returning group member may be called again so they should receive extra instruction to help get caught up.

9. The scores are added at the end to determine winners. The top three groups receive extra points on the test.

Waves and Vibrations Concepts

1.  Definition of Simple harmonic Motion and Energy conversion in SHM

2.  What happens to acceleration  in  SHM (Simple Harmonic Motion) when displacement is increased or decreased by a factor ?

3.  In a mass spring system or pendulum at maximum displacement things that are true.

4.  In a mass spring system or pendulum at minimum  displacement things that are true.

5.  amplitude calculation in a pendulum given total angle of swing

6.  relationship between frequency and period .

7.  relationship between frequency and cycles per second or hertz?

8.  What happens to the period in a pendulum if the frequency changes from 30 hz to 90 hz?

9.  What happens to the period in a pendulum if the length changes from 10 m to 90 m?

10.  By what factor should the length of a pendulum change in order to have 5 X the period?

11.  By what factor should the length of a pendulum change in order to have 5 X the frequency?

12.  What changes if the pendulum's length is changed?

13.  Calculate the "a" due to gravity using a pendulum.   You also have to know by what factor it would change.  Ex if period is 2X normal this would happen if gravity were 1/4 of normal.   Know your formulas.

14.  Calculate a spring constant

15.  Calculate period given frequency

16.  Calculate period of a pendulum

17.  Calculate frequency of a wave  given wavelength and speed.

18  Calculate period of a wave given wavelength and speed

19.  Be able to explain in depth how thin film coloration works.  Ex how you would see cyan (Blue green)  in a particular spot on a CD.The explanation must reference destructive interference and film thickness as  a multiple of wavelength.  

Link to Thermodynamics Quiz 1

Here is the link to the quiz.  This must be completed by 5:00 pm day of the quiz

Numbered Heads Fluids Test Review

Numbered Heads Instructions

1. Form into the designated groups

2. Take out one full sheet of paper per group and list the name of the group at the top. Then list the names of the group members and place numbers next to each name (1, 2, 3…..If four members then write 4 also). It doesn’t matter who gets what number.

3. Hand the paper to the instructor. It will be used for assessment and graded.

4. Begin reviewing/ learning the listed concepts. Make up sample questions related to the concept. Try and figure out what question the teacher will ask. Time is limited; so don’t waste it!

5. Once you understand the concepts make sure each group members also understand by assessing them. Do not ask yes or no assessment questions.

Good Assessment. “Sam, could you show me how to do number three on the list?”

Poor Assessment. “Do you guys all know it?”

6. When the instructor calls a number randomly (ex. = 3) the three will go to a designated area alone and respond to a similar question. Make sure they have something to write with and a calculator. After they leave begin studying the next set of concepts for the next round.

7. After a short amount of time the person will then return to the group and their answer will be graded by the teacher and given to the entire group as a communal score.

8. The returning group member may be called again so they should receive extra instruction to help get caught up.

9. The scores are added at the end to determine winners. The top three groups receive extra points on the test.

Fluids Test Concepts

1.  What defines a fluid?

2.  difference between liquid and gas

3.  calculate buoyant force  given density and volume

4.  True things about floating objects 

5.  True things about submerged objects

6.  units of pressure (4)

7.  Pascal's Principle

8.  P = F/A all relationships

9.  calculate pressure (Pa)  given force and dimensions of area (cm squared or m squared)

10.  calculate force given pressure and area

11.  gauge pressure v absolute pressure

12.  pressure v (depth, density) relationship

13.  calculate gauge pressure given absolute pressure and atmospheric

14.  calculate absolute pressure given gauge and atmospheric

15.  A1 V1 = A2V2 calculate one variable given other 3

16 calculate new speed of fluid given change in pipe diameter as a ratio

17.  in pipes where diameter changes know what happens to pressure 

18.  hydraulic lift calculate maximum mass to be raised given two areas and an input mass

19.  calculate absolute pressure at a depth in meters below water given atmospheric pressure and density of the water

Optics Simulation Lab

Please follow the rinky dinky linky to the optics simulation.


Directions:  Working next to a partner, but with your own laptop solve 10 of the listed problems at the Davidson website.  Show the instructor your solution after each one.  Feel free to engage in play after each solution.

Wave generator Link

Read the goals and objectives first and then follow the dandy link to the wave generator

Here are the goals and objectives for the activity:

Waves in Media Goals

1.  Know the three possibilities for wave energy passing to a different media (transmit, reflect, absorb)  Demonstrate each in the simulation

2.  Know the condition when reflected waves invert or remain erect  and demonstrate it.

3.  Know and demonstrate the difference between  amplitude, frequency, speed and wavelength

4.  Demonstrate the inverse relationship between wavelength and frequency for a standing wave.


Wave interference goals

5.  Show constructive and destructive interference of both wave pulses and standing waves.

AP Physics Specific Heat of Metals Lab

Here is a wonderful link to an interesting lab on finding the specific heat of metals.

Numbered Heads Energy Test Review

Numbered Heads Instructions

1. Form into the designated groups

2. Take out one full sheet of paper per group and list the name of the group at the top. Then list the names of the group members and place numbers next to each name (1, 2, 3…..If four members then write 4 also). It doesn’t matter who gets what number.

3. Hand the paper to the instructor. It will be used for assessment and graded.

4. Begin reviewing/ learning the listed concepts. Make up sample questions related to the concept. Try and figure out what question the teacher will ask. Time is limited; so don’t waste it!

5. Once you understand the concepts make sure each group members also understand by assessing them. Do not ask yes or no assessment questions.

Good Assessment. “Sam, could you show me how to do number three on the list?”

Poor Assessment. “Do you guys all know it?”

6. When the instructor calls a number randomly (ex. = 3) the three will go to a designated area alone and respond to a similar question. Make sure they have something to write with and a calculator. After they leave begin studying the next set of concepts for the next round.

7. After a short amount of time the person will then return to the group and their answer will be graded by the teacher and given to the entire group as a communal score.

8. The returning group member may be called again so they should receive extra instruction to help get caught up.

9. The scores are added at the end to determine winners. The top three groups receive extra points on the test.

1.  Using work in a sentence in a scientific way

2.  Direction and magnitude of force and displacement in order to have work

3.   meaning of  - work

4.   meaning of no net work

5.  calculating total work given  force and two opposing displacements

6.  Calculate work given horizontal force and displacement

7.  Calculate vertical work given vertical force and displacement

8.  Calculate horizontal work given horizontal displacement and a force applied at an angle to horizontal

9.  Energy form associated with objects in motion

10.  Energy form associated with position

11. Calculate Kinetic Energy or PE (Either gravitational or elastic PE)

12.  Solve  for height fallen given increase in speed

13.  Solve for speed given height raised and allowed to fall

14.  Effect of  4X  or 5X mass on the KE

15.  Units of the spring constant

16.  definition of power and being able to calculate it either with Force and ave velocity or Force, total displacement  and time