Monthly Archives: August 2017

Chemistry 8-31-17 Using Density

Posted on by

CHEMISTRY – Hey guys, here’s a pic of some “high density” koi that I saw in Hawaii (at the Dole Pineapple Plantation, of all places!). Great review on density problems today, and more! Remember, in chemistry we use math as a tool, therefore we might work problems a little differently in chemistry than you do in your math class.

When working these problems, don’t forget to follow the problem solving steps we discussed today:

  • Analyze – write down what you’re given and what you’re looking for
  • Plan – write a formula where you isolate the unknown on one side by itself
  • Compute – plug in your data, numbers and units; then cancel the units, and if they cancel correctly, go on to the calculator. Be sure and give your answer what the correct units.
  • Evaluate – does your answer make sense, have you used the correct units, do you have the correct sig figs?

On a more practical side – and even better(!), can you now use what you’ve learned about density? Be sure and print the lab for tomorrow – thLAB: Building Your Balance.

Can’t wait to “watch” you work!

Physics 8-30-17 Acceleration

Posted on by

PHYSICS: Great intro to acceleration! Thanks, Ethan, for the awesome illustration of constant acceleration! 😉

Also – love how you began deriving formulas! I think you’ll come to find these are a ton better than some of the velocity problems you did. List what you are given and what you’re looking for – don’t forget things like “starts from rest” and “came to a stop.” Easy peazy! Okay, maybe not that easy! 😉


flickr photo by Marxpix

Hon Chemistry 8-29-17 Scientific Notation & Density Problems

Posted on by

HON CHEMISTRY – Great job with scientific notation today! Hard to believe that you’ll be working with things smaller than a grain of pollen! Did you realize your calculator was so smart? Have you conquered it yet?

Great review on density problems! Remember, in chemistry we use math as a tool, therefore we might work problems a little differently in chemistry than you do in your math class.

When working these problems, don’t forget to follow these problem solving steps:

  • Analyze – write down what you’re given and what you’re looking for
  • Plan – write a formula where you isolate the unknown on one side by itself
  • Compute – plug in your data, numbers and units; then cancel the units, and if they cancel correctly, go on to the calculator. Be sure and give your answer what the correct units.
  • Evaluate – does your answer make sense, have you used the correct units, do you have the correct sig figs?

Tomorrow let’s apply density a different way!


flickr photo by Robert S Donovan

Chemistry 8-29-17 Significant Figures, Pt. 2 & Scientific Notation

Posted on by

CHEMISTRY – I like the way you are catching on to significant figures! Here are the last of the notes on calculating with Sig Figs!

And great job with scientific notation today! Did you realize your calculator was so smart? Have you conquered it yet?

Remember, the best way to really learn all of the things from this chapter is practice, practice, practice! That’s the reason it’s so important to do your homework! I give it to you so you can practice and put together all we talked about in class ….cuz I love you! 🙂

Also super important – SI quiz tomorrow! Make sure you are actively studying for it, not just looking over it!!


flickr photo by Robert S Donovan

Physics 8-29-17 Swimmers & the Tortoise and the Hare

Posted on by

PHYSICS: Great job thinking through the problems today!

Remember a few things: You weren’t born knowing how to do these – give yourself a little time. On the really good ones, just one formula won’t work – begin with writing what your know. These are some of the hardest problems we’ll work in physics – not because the formulas are hard, but because knowing how to reason through them is so challenging.

You are doing a great job! Some good advice – go work them again! I promise, it will be good for you. Remember, don’t open the solutions you wrote in your notes! Try them without it!! If you have to, peek, but then don’t stop until you can work the entire problem through without looking!


flickr photo by Fausto Perez

Physics 8-28-17 Velocity Problems

Posted on by

PHYSICS – Here are the velocity problems from today. You did a great job on these! Do you see what I mean about learning to think through them? Do you think you can tackle #11 now? and Emily now?

Stay strong on these problems! Make sure to do more than just show the math – be sure that I can also follow your logic in the formulas. Ditto with units, etc.

Don’t give up on the tortoise and the hare! A couple of hints: remember the problems we did in class today – it’s kind of like those. The distance the tortoise travels is the same as the distance the hare travels plus the extra 20 cm he was ahead. Also, the time the hare raced is equal to the time of the tortoise minus those two minutes he rested.

We’ll work through them in class if you need some help, but FIRST, make sure you have already worked them yourself – even if you think your work is wrong!

Now go have fun! 🙂


flickr photo by darkmatter

Hon Chemistry 8-25-17 Significant Figures, Pt. 2

Posted on by

HON CHEMISTRY: I LOVE the way you are catching on to significant figures! Here are the last of the notes on calculating with Sig Figs!

Two super important things: Make sure you are actively studying for the SI quiz! Also super important – keep up with your homework!! The reason I give it to you so you can practice and put together all we talked about in class ….cuz I love you! 🙂

Have a wonderful Sophomore Retreat!! BTW – when you get back, be sure and check your syllabus. There could be some important updates!! 😉


flickr photo by Igor Spasic

Chemistry 8-25-17 Accuracy and Precision & Intro to Significant Figures

Posted on by

CHEMISTRY – So which is more important, accuracy or precision? Great discussion on causes of error in the lab and how to prevent them! Since we’re having server and Internet issues, I’m posting a vodcast from a few years ago.

So you’ve been using been using significant figures all along when you were measuring in the lab! Now the other half – using them in calculations will be no big deal at all!

Hey – how is the Scavenger hunt going? Did you notice I’ve extended the deadline? Check out the new due date on the syllabus. Make double sure you give yourself plenty of time!!

And don’t forget to be studying for the SI quiz!!


flickr photo by jambe

Chemistry 8-24-17 Derived Units & Intro to Accuracy & Precision

Posted on by

CHEMISTRY – So you think Goodman Road is getting crowded? How’s this for a “high density” city? Great work with derived units today. Now on to accuracy and precision. Can you apply what you’ve learned? Hmmmmm………


flickr photo by chromogenic

Physics 8-24-17 Motion and Displacement

Posted on by

PHYSICS – What “moving” lessons from yesterday and today! Get it? “Moving”? Okay, okay, I’ll stop.

You did a great job with your own “intro to motion” – great job and great beginning to kinematics! I did, however, turn the mic off instead of on, so here’s the lecture from last year.

Let’s crank it up on the problems tomorrow!

Physics 8-27-15 Motion and Displacement from Tammy Skinner on Vimeo.

flickr photo by Pörrö