Physics 1 Projects
'Legacy Lab' Project
*Use Semester 2 Material for the Semester 2 'Legacy Lab' Final Project
Movie Physics Videos
Physics in Movies Semester Project
Students will have to apply their understanding on concepts by watching well-known Hollywood movies or youtube clips. In this assignment, the students will choose and analyze a specific scenario in a movie and they will have to prove and argue how that specific scene is “physically impossible”. They will have to use their understanding about kinematics and Newton’s Law of Motion to prove that their claim is correct. Preferred movies would be movies that involve intergalactic wars (Star Wars, Star Trek), superheroes (Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, etc.), or martial arts. Students will present on their findings. It must include:
Scenes between students must not be the same. Teacher will check the movie chosen before the student can continue with their assignment. After doing the report, the student must make a presentation on their findings to share with the class.
Students will have to apply their understanding on concepts by watching well-known Hollywood movies or youtube clips. In this assignment, the students will choose and analyze a specific scenario in a movie and they will have to prove and argue how that specific scene is “physically impossible”. They will have to use their understanding about kinematics and Newton’s Law of Motion to prove that their claim is correct. Preferred movies would be movies that involve intergalactic wars (Star Wars, Star Trek), superheroes (Superman, Batman, Iron Man, Captain America, Avengers, etc.), or martial arts. Students will present on their findings. It must include:
- Student Name
- Date
- Movie Title
- Screenshots of the scene
- Claim of why the scene is scientifically wrong especially in kinematics and dynamics
- Proof of why the scene is wrong (must include calculations, estimation, explanation of work, and evidence to support claim)
- Conclusion
Scenes between students must not be the same. Teacher will check the movie chosen before the student can continue with their assignment. After doing the report, the student must make a presentation on their findings to share with the class.
Elastic Energy Car Derby
Regatta Project: Self-Propelled Boat Competition
*For AP classes, boats are due at the beginning of class on your period's last day for seniors. Reflections are due at the end of the class after the tournament has concluded.
Paper Plane Glider Project
*If the electric launcher is out of service, students will be expected to manually toss their planes to determine the maximum distance.
*Do not toss planes in the direction of another person. Only toss planes into areas of empty spaces such as the hallway.
*Do not toss planes in the direction of another person. Only toss planes into areas of empty spaces such as the hallway.
Design Your Own Physics Lab
What Students Need to Hear
Link to "What Students Need to Hear" Article
Frisbee Physics
Boomerang Physics
Paper Bridge Challenge
Objective: Build a paper bridge that can support the most mass.
Materials: 2 sheets of printer paper and 1 foot of masking tape.
Time: 1 hour
Rules:
Cannot be longer than 11 inches. Cannot be wider than 3 inches. Cannot be taller than 6 inches. The bridge cannot touch the ground. The bridge must be able to support a string and the bucket handle at its center. You cannot tape your bridge to the desks; it must be a standalone structure.
The gap upon which the bridge will be tested is 6 inches wide and several feet above the ground.
If your bridge can support the bucket along with 500 grams, you will receive the bonus point.
Mr. Barker reserves the right to modify the rules.
Materials: 2 sheets of printer paper and 1 foot of masking tape.
Time: 1 hour
Rules:
Cannot be longer than 11 inches. Cannot be wider than 3 inches. Cannot be taller than 6 inches. The bridge cannot touch the ground. The bridge must be able to support a string and the bucket handle at its center. You cannot tape your bridge to the desks; it must be a standalone structure.
The gap upon which the bridge will be tested is 6 inches wide and several feet above the ground.
If your bridge can support the bucket along with 500 grams, you will receive the bonus point.
Mr. Barker reserves the right to modify the rules.
Marshmallow Tower Challenge
Objective: To construct a tower as high as possible using only spaghetti, a marshmallow, and masking tape. The marshmallow must be placed on the top of the tower. The tallest tower still standing unassisted wins.
Materials: 20 spaghetti sticks, 1 marshmallow, 1 meter of masking tape
Time: 30 minutes
Rules:
You may not use any other materials to assist in the support of your tower.
When the time has ended your tower must be able to stand unassisted.
The marshmallow must be on top.
You may stick masking tape to the table top.
Spaghetti may be broken into smaller pieces. However, one broken, pieces may not be replaced.
Mr. Barker reserves the right to modify the rules.
Materials: 20 spaghetti sticks, 1 marshmallow, 1 meter of masking tape
Time: 30 minutes
Rules:
You may not use any other materials to assist in the support of your tower.
When the time has ended your tower must be able to stand unassisted.
The marshmallow must be on top.
You may stick masking tape to the table top.
Spaghetti may be broken into smaller pieces. However, one broken, pieces may not be replaced.
Mr. Barker reserves the right to modify the rules.