In this problem, experimental data is used to obtain a value for “g”, acceleration due to gravity.
Higher
equations of motion – worked examples
I’ve had a request to post some worked examples of the equations of motion. I’ve done these quickly as handwritten examples with red pen down the side to explain what I have done at each step. I’ll post them as 5 different blog entries so that iTunes will pick up all the pdf files – you only get one file per blog post on iTunes.
If you want any extra practice at these, you have the P&N problem booklet at home. Alternatively, you could be adventurous and look at the blue text book end of chapter questions or even a past paper – you have completed Unit 1 after all!
Higher HW download has been fixed
Sara pointed out this afternoon that there was a problem with the iTunes HW I put online last night. I think the file was currupted when I uploaded it because it wouldn’t work for me either!
I have sent it up to the server again and it seems to work on both mac and pc. Can you delete the old one from your iTunes library if you downloaded it last night or this morning and try again. Please leave a comment if it still won’t work for you.
Higher HW – gas laws and electric fields
Here is your HW covering the end of unit 1 and the start of unit 2. This exercise is slightly longer (7 questions) so that you won’t have to do any HW over the Christmas holidays. Make sure you hand in your answers no later than Monday 15th December.
Higher HW for Wed 26th November
Here is your HW on density and pressure. You’ll be happy to hear that it’s a shorter exercise than the last one. Remember to show your working and hand in your HW jotter by next Wednesday (26th) period 5.
Your own copy of the SQA’s Physics data booklet
Did you know that the blue Physics data booklet we use in class is available as a free download from the SQA’s web site? I’ve attached a copy to this message so you can keep it handy with your other Physics stuff on your home computer.
Higher HW questions for Wed 12 November
Here is your homework for next Wednesday (12th November). I have taken these questions from a SQA source to illustrate the various formats used for examination questions at Higher. You should attempt all 7 questions.
The first 5 questions are a selection of different styles of multiple choice question. I have chosen questions to test aspects of unit 1 that we have already covered. You should show all of your working for these questions, do not answer by simply writing a letter A-E.
The next 2 questions demonstrate the longer exam style. These are representative of the questions you may meet in a NAB or Section B of an exam. Again, show all working.
significant figures
In our discussions yesterday, one of the things that cropped up was that we need to revise the material covered before the summer holidays. I thought I would make a start on this by looking at significant figures.
You might have heard me referring to “calculator vomit” in class. This is an expression I use whenever people simply write down the answer provided by their calculator, without thinking about whether or not the number of decimal places reported is appropriate. In Physics, we can avoid “calculator vomit” by using significant figures. I’ve provided some links below to direct you to sites that explain what significant figures are and how to use them.
http://www.ausetute.com.au/sigfig.html
http://www.chem.sc.edu/faculty/morgan/resources/sigfigs/index.html
http://www.staff.vu.edu.au/mcaonline/units/numbers/numsig.html
http://www-users.york.ac.uk/~mb55/msc/maths/sigfig.htm
If you’ve read through some of those pages and feel that you are ready for a test, you can try your luck at
http://lectureonline.cl.msu.edu/~mmp/applist/sigfig/sig.htm
Note: these links might also be useful for AH pupils analysing their investigation data.