Science Times: Physics in the News

Every Tuesday, the NY Times has a special Science Times section. There is almost always an article or two involving areas of physics that we will be studying.

Physics-related articles in this morning's edition included:

• Force, Pressure, Energy - New Sphere in Exploring the Abyss
  
• Waves, Force, Energy - Study Maps Faults for New York Quakes
  
• Waves, Force, Magnetism - Galactic Puzzle Solved? Threads Tie It Together

Throughout the coming school year, we will have projects involving current events that include aspects of what we are studying. Students will be expected to either view some articles on-line or get a copy of the times on Tuesdays.

Presidential Physics Quiz

Here’s your chance to sample Physics 10, the popular course taught by Richard Muller at the University of California at Berkeley. There’s no tuition fee — and you can win a prize (Dr. Muller’s new book with the same title as the course, “Physics for Future Presidents.”, which we will occasionally use in class) if you do well on the quiz. Click for the link and a chance to enter

1. How does the amount of energy per gram of TNT (that's Dynamite!) compare with the energy per gram of a chocolate chip cookie?
(a) The TNT contains about twice as much as much energy.(b) The TNT contains nearly 10 times more energy.(c) The TNT contains about 1000 times more energy.(d) The cookie contains nearly 10 times as much energy.(e) They contain roughly equal amounts of energy.

2. Based on the answer to the previous question, suggest an energy-efficient way to destroy a car.

3. To generate the electric power of a large nuclear-power plant (1 gigawatt), how much land on a sunny day would an array (this means a whole bunch, placed side by side) of solar cells (at 40% efficiency) have to cover?
(a) 1 square mile(b) 16 square miles(c) 160 square miles(d) 1,600 square miles(e) 16,000 square miles (the area of California)

4. Why aren’t more solar power plants being built?

answers must be submitted as a comment on this NY Times blog:
http://tierneylab.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/08/18/presidential-physics-quiz/?em

Class Supplies shopping list for 2008-2009 Montessori Freshman Physics Class

2008-2009 Freshman Physics with Mr. Barkan Required Materials:

2 "Quad-Ruled" composition books - this will be your Physics notebook journal & lab book all in one. You will probbaly only need two for the year.
Please leave the first three full pages blank.
Staples on Jericho Turnpike in Bellerose has put aside extra copies for our class, so if you don't see these, ask!

Scientific or Graphing Calculator - bring the calculator you need for Ms. Sadera's Algebra class (preferably a TI-83 or better).

Pen AND pencil, every day

Double-sided tape for attaching handouts to science journal (stapling handouts into notebooks is not recommended)

Small Metric ruler (6", acrylic), and you can print an additional ruler from here

Protractor, and you can print an additional protractor from here

Compass

Keep at home for projects:

• A set of color pencils, pens or markers
• Glue Sticks

Additional Notes on Notebooks:

• Looseleaf, spiral bound or other notebooks are not acceptable.
• Notebooks will be checked on a regular basis - keeping a current notebook in the required format is a percentage of their grade.
• Students will have a place to store notebooks in the classrooom, and are required to have them in class every day.
• All handouts should be attached into the notebooks via double-sided tape.