Wensday 10-27-10

Today in class we went over the take home quiz. We reviewed how light bends towards the normal when it is travelling through a dense material and bends away from the normal when it goes into a less dense material. We also discussed when our test would be and studysession would be. After that we made an experiment to see where a laser would go if we shined it through a triangular prism. We also learned the definition of the words defuse and propagate their definitions are:

Defuse: When light bounces off an object in all directions.

Propagate: When light leaves a source.

We also discussed some types of light that our eyes can't see. Some off them are x-rays, ultraviolet rays, cosmic rays, gamma rays, and infrared rays.

.

-TJ

A few days ago in science class we learned that this will happen if we shine the laser pointer into a block of water.

Today in class we conducted an experiment to see what would happen if we shined the laser on a glass rectangular prism. We used a pole and a rubber band to keep the laser pointer in place while we shined it onto the rectangular prism. Before we conducted the experiment we developed a hypothesis. my hypothesis was that the laser will bend toward the normal because the prism is more dense than the air.

- Prediction

Period 1

Today in class, we learned more about how light bends. We drew some models of this in class that showed slower light waves and faster light waves.

<-----------This picture is our model of a faster light wave.

This is a picture of our model of a slower light wave. ------------->

Also, we decided that speed is the amount of distance

traveled in a certain amount of time.

Then, we watched a video on when you attach two slinkies together and then you shine a light

through the slinkies. I predicted that when the light meets where the two slinkies meet together, there will be some sort of shock or the light will stop for a second. We also decided that when it meets from less dense to more dense, the light will become faster, and when it goes from more dense to less dense, it will become slower. When we actually watched the video, as soon as the light reached where the slinkies met, the light bounced back, then finished. Here's the model we came up with for this.

This proved that my prediction was not confirmed because instead of stopping for a second, it bounced back, then started up again.

-E.P.

Period 1 Blog

We started our class by Looking at our Homework. Our Homework assignment was to answer this question "What is it like to walk through air, water, quicksand, and wall? And why?"

Now we're discussing what a particle is. A particle is small, tiny, microscopic things.

The reason we need to know what a particle is, is because in air, water, quicksand, and the wall there are particles. This can help us figure out how it's like to walk through these items.

We can't walk through a wall because it has too many particles and less space, so you cant walk through.

The difference from walking through air and water is, water will take longer then walking trough air.

Hypothesis: The light slows down as it hits the water, thus causing it to bend and change its direction.

-Francesca

Period 1 10/20/10 Blog!!

Today in class...

First, we took attendance.


Next, Finley checked the homework. Our homework was to re-watch the video we saw in class. In the video, there is a laser. A block filled with water and nothing else is held up to the laser. When the laser hits the side of the block, the line no longer remains straight. Instead, the ray bends. Here is a link to the video: http://paer.rutgers.edu/pt3/movies/refraction.mov



We had to look for and discuss patterns:


Observations we made about the video-

• when the light hit the block it was no longer straight


• a faint ray was following the law of reflection and bounced off the block side


• some thought the light should not bend, but go straight

Did this activity follow the bouncy ball model (when the light hits an object, it bounces off at the same angle that it was shown) ? Why or why not? Why is the light doing this?

The light could slow down.

To figure this out, a student ran at Fin. When he approached Fin, he slowed down and tried to avoid him. When the collided, Fin pushed the student back.

Another example we used was if there was a bouncy ball launcher aimed at the water, and the water is pushing up, the ball would bounce back up and change paths. Although it should get pushed up, bounce off the water at equal angles (which it does a little bit), completely stop, go straight down in an unchanged path, or go down but get pushed up slightly, the ball actually got pushed down and rose back up.

The bending of the light inside the water and outside of the water are the same because it goes down and back up at the same angle. Why might this be happening?

Maybe water bends light because there could be some particles that change the light or the water could be more dense and is doing something to the light.

The light reflects off, but the bent line is not bouncing off at the same angle. So, part of this experiment works with the model, and part doesn't.

For homework tonight we have to compare these 4 scenarios: What is it like for YOU to walk through these things?

1. Air
2. Water
3. Quicksand
4. Wall

My advice for understanding today's lesson! For starters, the important thing we thought about today was why the light did what it did when hitting the water block. Finding the reason why is the hardest part. To figure it out, we have to consider the materials being used and all the different variables that are in play. If we combine new and old things we've learned, we can figure this out.

?

As for the homework, think about the density of the different items. Try to find a pattern by picturing yourself walking through the substances.


Hope this helps!

KV

10/19/10 Period 1

Today we reviewed what we did in class and for homework on Friday and the worksheet for Monday; the target practice. On Friday we went over what were some objects that were transparent, opaque and translucent

Transparent: some examples are windows, beaker and a petri dish

Opaque:floor, table, wall or a person.

Translucent: fishtank

AR

Period 1, with Sub

We read a reading about Huygens Vs. Newton in the fight for light and particles. The worksheet we did was drawing laser rays to a mirror, to targets. Also drawing reflections to the targets from other objects. Then we had to draw a ray to a mirror into Kenny's eyes. :) Sorry Kenny, we do still love you.

-Danielle, i hope i don't have to blog tomorrow :p