Are You Up For Another Challenge?

I know you just finished the density derby challenge, but I have another one for you. Here's the challenge. Devise a way in which you can lift a person by using your breath --- OK I know what some of you are thinking --- I don't mean to knock someone off their feet with your bad breath!

I haven't tried this myself yet, but I heard it can be done. I'll be experimenting during the week to see if I can do it.

Test your ideas and the first person to successfully demonstrate this in class will earn 10 points on their next test.

Good Luck.

The Challenge Was Met

Congratulations on the many fine entries in the Density Derby Challenge, you showed creativity and understanding of the principles of density. Next week we'll continue to look at forces in fluids examining buoyancy and Bernoulli's Principle.

Here's a link that explains how Galileo's thermometer works. Check it out.

The Challenge Rubric

Density Derby Challenge:

#1-5 to be submitted by each student:

1) Written quality observations of at least 5 demonstration stations (20 points)

2) Answers to day 1 questions, should be at least 5 questions (20 points)

3) Filled test tube with substances in the proper order (1 point each, max 20 points)

4) Scientific explanation of how Galileo’s Thermometer works (20 points)

5) Scientific explanation of how your derby entry will work (20 points, plus this is required to submit an entry object)

#6 One derby entry per table

6) Derby entry results (100 points)

- object either sinks or floats --- 70 pts
- object sinks and floats --- 80 pts
- object sinks then floats within 50-70 seconds --- 90 pts
- object sinks, stays down for 60 seconds (rounded to the nearest whole second) then floats --- 100 pts

Derby Progress

How are you progressing on your Density Derby Challenge?

1) Are you answering the questions from day 1? You should write the answers in your notebook. Here are just a couple of things we asked:

• Does weight determine if something floats or sinks?
• Does surface area make any difference?
• What about size?
• What is density?

2) List objects/substances we worked with in the lab and their densities. Now determine if they would float or sink in water. Imagine a huge test tube and you are placing all the objects and substances into this test tube. What order would they settle. List them from bottom to top.

3) How do you calculate density? (not just the formula, give examples of what we did in class)

4) What causes something to float of sink in water?

5) Have you seen anything float then sink, or sink then float?

6) Explain how the Galileo Thermometer works.

Monday you will be working on and testing your challenge entry. Tuesday you will present your entry in class (1 per table).

Remember you must have a written scientific explanation of how/why your entry will work. All objects are to be made from things you can find around the house. You can not purchase an item designed to to do this. I will not supply materials.

Have a great weekend!

More Density

Here's the link to the density website we used in class.

Click here

Density Derby Challenge

Can you make an object that when placed in water will sink, stay down for exactly one minute, then float? And do this without directly or indirectly touching the object once its in the water?

Well that's the challenge.

Over the next few days we'll be making observations from a number of density demonstrations and doing background research in your quest to meet the challenge. Each night you'll write a reflection on the day's activities and how they might help you succeed.

Don't jump to solutions just yet. First observe, think, ask questions and do research. Once you have enough scientific information then begin to brainstorm ideas on how to create your object.

I Hope You Enjoyed Forces And Motion

Skydiving

Newton Day

Inclined to roll lab

Grade Reports

This week I've been giving grade reports to all my classes (3rd period will get theirs tomorrow) and I've got to admit they are looking much better. Grades are broken down into 3 categories:

1. Assignments which includes homework and classroom performance.
2. Labs which includes experiments and other research activities.
3. Tests which includes daily quizzes and major tests.

These reports are to be signed by a parent and returned. A signed grade report is worth 10 extra credit points.

This Thursday's test can have a big impact on your overall grade so I hope you've been studying.

Congratulations on the good grades and keep it up.

Write a Sky Diving Story

I hope everyone had a good time dropping their skydivers from the balcony. I've got a few pictures and I'll try to add them to the site tomorrow.

Now it's time to add some science to the fun. You'll write and illustrate a story about sky diving. In your story you need to discuss the forces affecting the sky diver. Be sure to include the terms from your background research, vectors, formulas and Newton's 3 Laws.

Have fun.