Drew+T's+Page

__Drew T's Physics Page__
= = include component="comments" page="Drew T's Page" limit="10"

__Reflections__
Likewise, the two energy rules were applicable to the roller coaster lab. In this lab we measured the potential, kinetic, and mechanical energy at thirty different points along the track of the roller coaster. Attachment of the car to the chain as well as the initial drop through the ending loop showed that the amount of mechanical energy (potential energy + kinetic energy) was almost the same. This proves that energy for the most part, had been conserved. As the cart went up the ramp it gained a lot of potential energy. The potential energy gained from the chain or stored energy, turned into kinetic energy as the cart very slowly began to crest and then eventually dropped down the face of the track picking up momentum. However, due to the friction caused by gravity, the cart could not keep moving around the track. It was important that certain forces and just enough kinetic energy be added for the cart to make it through the whole cycle. The ramp/chain that the cart used to reach to the top of the first drop was also important because just like the colliding carts some of the energy escaped into the atmosphere and dissipated which was no longer helpful in making the cart of the roller coaster move on a successful loop around the track, the energy moved away from the system. ||
 * ~ ====__**Agents of Climate Reflection**__==== ||
 * In the article //Agents of Climate,// the author talks about solar radiation, which is electromagnetic raditaion energy from the sun. Electromagnetic energy is viewed as a stream of photons from the sun that behave as either waves or particles. The photons from the sun act on the Earth and are mostly absorbed by the atmosphere, the interactions between the photons from the sun and atmospheres gases (oxygen, CO2, nitrogen oxide, and water) bring about climate. The ozone another part of the atmosphere of the Earth, is mainly responsible for the absorption of these photons from the sun and adds a small amount of heat to the atmosphere, thus explaining why atmospheric temperature increases. The temperature increases because of the emission and absorption of radiation. This emission and absorption of solar radiation can be illustrated as a tub of water with several different drains and faucets (each a different size so there is different flows going in and coming out). If one of the faucets increases the amount of water it inputs, and the size of the drains didn't increase, the water level would rise until it reached a new equilibrium; same with if the size of a drain increased, but the faucets still input the same amount of water, the water level would decrease. To determine Earth's future radiation and heat we have to determine the present level heat, the sources that make up the heat, and what absorb the heat. This is what allows us to determine the amount heat transfer from the sun into our atmosphere and our Earth. ||
 * ~ __**Scientific Imagination Reflection**__ ||
 * In the article //Scientific Imagination,// the three authors of the article seem to discuss how it is hard to describe certain aspects of science because there is no way of actually seeing those certain aspects. An example of one aspect of science where it is hard to describe is a wave because you can't see the wave traveling you just think the wave is moving throughout space. Waves are a very interesting part of science and are in most things that we use in everyday life. Waves can be imagined coming from our mouth in the form of voice and all sound, waves can be imagined in the light that makes it daylight and all light. Although the waves I talk about you can't see scientists believe they are there and the waves can be measured using certain devices. If I were a scientist I think I would look at the world differently knowing how everything is made up of certain components and objects they most you can't see from the naked eye. I believe what the authors of //Scientific Imagination// are trying to say, is that scientists have a different sense of everything that makes up the world as well as a different imagination on what beauty really is. ||
 * ~ ====__**Energy Reflection**__==== ||
 * < When analyzing energy, it is important to recognize that there are two basic and firm rules: “energy always goes from more useful to less useful forms” and “energy is always conserved.” Working through each associated lab, we were able to apply the above mentioned rules of energy. In the collision lab, methods were used, in our attempt to prove that the law of conservation of momentum was correct. By measuring and applying numerical values to the momentum values before and after the collisions, we were able to prove that the energies expended and conserved were very similar. This simple experiment proved that the energy from one cart was being transferred to the other and was being conserved. It was noted that work (Force * Distance), on the first cart (the pushing motion) created kinetic energy. That energy from the cart being pushed was then transferred to the other cart as the two carts collided. This lab, when applied to the second rule of energy (energy always goes from more useful to less useful forms) was seen because eventually both of the carts stopped. They didn’t have enough kinetic energy to keep moving for an extended period of time. Other reasons as to why the carts stopped moving is because some energy escaped into the atmosphere as friction, heat and even sound. As the energy of the carts entered the atmosphere it dissipated and moved away from the system.
 * ~ ====__**Heat/Temperature/KE Reflection**__==== ||
 * < Matter is comprised of a multitude of atoms or molecules, which move in different ways depending upon their state (solid, liquid, or gas). Matter obtains kinetic energy due to the sporadic movement of the molecules or atoms. When kinetic energy of the molecules or atoms increase, the matter becomes warmer (heat); when kinetic energy decreases by the reduction in the speed of the molecules or atoms, then the matter becomes cooler (temperature change). Temperature of matter is associated with the motion of the molecules or atoms. However, it is not a measure of the total kinetic energy, merely the average kinetic energy in that substance. Energy transferred from one object to another follows the temperature path warm to cool. Heat is a form of energy that arises from random motion of the molecules and is the temperature difference between objects. Matter such as molecules or atoms, can contain energy more often called internal energy, but cannot contain heat. Heat flows via temperature differences or also known as average molecular kinetic energy differences. The sporadic motion of molecules or atoms in matter causes matter obtain kinetic energy. Temperature is used to measure the average kinetic energy of an object. When the temperature between two objects is different, energy is transferred from the warmer object to the cooler object, thus heat can be measured. ||
 * ~ ====__**Work/KE/PE Reflection**__==== ||
 * < Work is defined as the amount of energy displaced or used in a system that is equal to the quantity of forces times the quantity of distance. Potential energy is a stored energy and kinetic energy is the actual movement in the force. The result of the forces exerted as work is expressed in joules. When work is examined closer, it is observed as application of force and movement of the object the force is being exerted upon. Mechanical energy describes the sum of potential energy and kinetic energy present in the components of a mechanical system  . An example of a mechanical system is a clock, when work is done to wind a spring mechanism; the spring acquires the ability to do work on the various gears to run the clock. As stated before mechanical energy can either be potential or kinetic energy. Energy that is stored and held in readiness is called potential energy. An example of potential energy is when a bow is drawn; the energy is stored in the bow and the bow can do work on the arrow. Kinetic energy is the energy of motion and it depends upon the mass of the object as well as its speed. The kinetic energy of an object in motion is equal to the work required to bring it to that speed from rest or the work the object can do while being brought to rest. The law of conservation of energy states that energy cannot be created or destroyed, but it can be changed from one form to another, which means that although work and energy can come in different forms the total amount of energy never changes.  ||
 * ~ ====__**System Reflection**__==== ||
 * < A system to physicists is any object or set of objects we wish to consider, which could possibly interact with each other. This definition of a system is different than my original definition of a system, because I thought a system was anything that surrounds or is made up of components that work together to cause change.

The concept of a "closed" or "isolated" system (a closed jar), does not let mass enter or leave the jar, because external forces can't influence the internal forces and the activity inside of the jar can't escape, so mass would be conserved. In a closed system the total momentum won't be conserved if the external forces that are acting upon the internal forces don't add up to zero. However, to measure the momentum of two objects right before and after a collision momentum is conserved, because in that brief moment gravity and friction for example are insignificant to collision forces being generated. || For this lab, the process of designing and testing a clock was a lot like the scientific method, because we used the many steps of the scientific method to figure the guidelines/perameters the lab would use. First, was the prelab, which is where we predicted the variables we thought would have an affect on the frequency of the clock and why it was causing this change. Then, we designed a clock by experimenting the different options for a clock with the variables we came up with and and figured out which variables affected the frequency. After experimentation we examined the data we collected and patterns we saw. The different variables from the prelab that affected the frequency were the guidelines we followed to make a clock that worked for the desired time. This lab differs from the scientific method because usually facts and patterns help with the experimentation, however, the lab was more guess and check. Every time we tested the different variables instead of using facts/patterns to determine the outcome we just observed the change and guessed the answer with some evidence to back it up. The steps in the scientific process that were present were predictions, observations, experiments, data, and patterns. The step that was missing was the making of a true hypothesis or hypothesis that had some evidnece for its statement. My group made preconceptions about what could possibly affect the clocks frequency, but my group never made a hypothesis with evidence to support the clock design we thought would work. The only part of the activity that wasn’t a part of the scientific process was that my group guessed and checked to find the right design for our clock. We thought that with our guessing and checking we were still experimenting, just not according to the scientific process.
 * ~ ====**__Clock Lab Reflection__**==== ||
 * < ** 1. How was the process of designing and testing a clock similar to the scientific method as discussed in class? **
 * 2.** **How did it differ?**
 * 3.** **What "steps" in the scientific process were present and which were missing?**
 * 4.** **Was there a part of the activity that is not a part of the scientific process?**

The link to our lab is under the links header at the bottom of the page named "Clock Lab Report". || The elements of scientific method are comprised of observation, hypothesis, prediction, and testing. In the observation phase the scientist takes note of substantive reproducible events over time. The hypothesis stage comes from repeatable predictions, which then leads to more questions and predictions. In the prediction stage, the scientific assumptions are used to test the hypothesis. During the testing phase, the hypothesis and predictions are challenged by different variables.
 * ~ ====**__Reflection 4__**==== ||
 * < [[image:Scientific_Method_Concept_Map.jpg align="center"]] ||
 * ~ ====**__Reflection 3__**==== ||
 * < **6. Describe the steps of the scientific method.**

The role of hypotheses is to try and find out why observed changes occur. The role of theories is the basis for predicting future events or discoveries; they may be modified as new information is acquired. Predictions provide the experimenter the privilege and the liberty to assume expected results if the hypothesis and other underlying assumptions and principles are true.
 * 7. Describe the roles of hypotheses, theories, and predictions in the scientific method.**

Observation is the recordable data provided through experimentation of a theory or prediction. Experimentation is the actual act of conducting a test or investigation on those theories or predictions.
 * 8. Describe the difference between an observation and an experiment.**

In scientific method, it is not an absolute given when it comes to precise endpoints or known limitations. Yes, some portions of the scientific process are ultimately limited by current technological testing parameters and endpoints. However, the scientific process is for most intents and purposes viewed as an unfinished testing phase due to the cyclic nature of the verification process. As scientists find better and more sophisticated methods to refine their data and reproduce their observations the scientific cycle continues. There is no true beginning or end. ||
 * 9. Why might the term //scientific cycle// be a good substitute for //scientific method//?**
 * ~ ====**__Reflection 2__**==== ||
 * < The author of the article[about the scientific method] describes the methodologies a scientist uses to help answer questions about everything in their immediate world and universe, as well as things that are merely sensed and speculated. The article explains that scientific methods are not always carried out in a specific order. Agreeably, scientific method does not always follow a specific order, but it typically starts with a question; unanswered speculation is the basis for all science. Scientists, when asking a question, typically make observations of repeatable phenomena and through these observations they try to figure out how and why each specific instance occurs. The scientists then attempt to find a pattern in the repetitions by making predictions. Hypothesis comes from these repeatable predictions, which then leads to more questions. The hypothesis is the scientist’s way of making an educated guess about their primary question. If the hypothesis is then proven to be valid [through rigid, mathematically protected experimentation] the testing is repeated over and over again using many different variables. The quality of the experimentation becomes more exact, through more concentrated tweaking and refinement of the original theory. The higher the level of confidence the more exact the science becomes. As technology increases more and more, scientists are able to make their descriptions of their world even more precise. When a theory is developed and discussed throughout the scientific community, the more unique the questions, the better are their chances for increasing higher quality checks on the existing variables using their existing limits. The end product is never really finished, it is just a solid set of repeatable experimental observations, just waiting for someone to uncover an exception or come up with a better way of testing the original hypothesis; then, the process of asking a question and using the scientific method starts all over again. ||

**__Reflection 1__**
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 * < This is my second experience using wikispaces. I have used online tools before. I have internet access out of school, at home. I see this wikispace that you have created, as a valuable tool because creating and writing labs is much easier, plus all the information we need to know is right at our fingertips for change and anytime. ||

__Links__
[|Hartford School District] (Check here for important announcements) [|Hyperphysics] Clock Lab Report Collisions Lab Report Roller Coaster Lab Calorimetry Lab