Jen+hughes+2-10-08





After a long third period, all classes were shortened at Manheim Township High School. Hurrying into Mr. Manning's Physics class, students were ready for an exciting lesson and they were not disappointed. Split into groups of three, the class was told to work on the lab they had been assigned earlier that week. The lab included the investigation of mechenical energy of a system as a steel cart rolled down a ramp. But what would the students find!?!?

The question at hand: "How will the mechanical energy at the bottom of the ramp compare to its Error at the top?" Dumbfounded, students continued to search for the answer throughout the shortened class period. They measured the height at the top of the ramp, the height at the bottom, and the length of the ramp itself. By placing the cart at the top of his track and using the table as the reference level, they determined the change in potential energy of the cart at the top of the ramp, and at the bottom of the ramp. Fascinating!!!!!

After two trials, the minds of students were exhausted!! Who would have though physics could be so exhilarating!?!? Working until the end of class, groups who managed to finish the lab continued to use their continuously expanding knowledge of physics on their "I Wasn't Speeding!" activity which is due next Tuesday. This activity investigates a crime scene!!! An individual, whose name must be disclosed due to privacy precautions, was allegedly speeding down route 501!! The criminal, found at the scene of the crime, pleads innocent; however these high school physics students will use their knowledge to uncover the truth. By using the weight of the car, and the length of the skid mark made by the vehicles tires, the young scientists are capable of deriving the speed he was actually traveling at time. Keep reading in the next few days to find out if the alleged criminal is telling the truth, or telling a brutal lie! Students who were absent today are reminded to complete their lab and turn it into Mr. Manning as soon as possible as well as continue working on their “I Wasn’t Speeding” assignment which will be collected on Tuesday. Juniors- Good luck on your last day of PSSA’s!!!! Seniors- report to Mr. Mannings room tomorrow, February 11th, for an 85 minute period of Physics!!!!! Woot! Please come prepared to work on the lab (if not already completed), and/or the assignment for Tuesday.


 * Equations to Remember

Potential Energy = m x g x h Kenetic Energy = 1/2 m x v^2 Change in X = 1/2 at^2+v(initial) t v(final)^2 = v (initial)^2 + 2a x Change in X**