Revising graphs (second year physics)

Physics Revision Chart!

Welcome back to school everyone! We have only eight weeks to go until the summer tests begin! Second years don't forget to revise your physics calculations and definitions... a lot of them are related to length or distance in some way. I created this chart to show how all of these quantities are connected. Remember, if you have a question, write it down and don't forget to ask before it's too late!

Happy revision,
Miss McCarthy

The Physics Behind a Roller Coaster

Eireann has spent some time researching the physics behind roller coasters! Well done Eireann! 

At the start of a roller coaster ride, the cart is pulled to the top of the first hill but after that, the cart must complete the ride independently.  The roller coaster is moved along the track because the energy converts from potential energy to kinetic energy. The roller coaster can be wooden or steel, the experience of the ride will change depending on the material it is constructed with. They can be all shapes or sizes. It may have a loop or it may not have a loop.  Wooden roller coasters sway a lot more compared to steel roller coasters. 

Inertia allows the roller coaster to glide along the tracks without an engine. Isaac Newton was the scientist who discovered inertia, it was his first law of motion.

“An object at rest tends to stay at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced external force. An object in motion will stay moving in the same speed and same direction unless acted on by an unbalanced external force.”

Read more about roller coasters at the following websites: 

http://www.learner.org/interactives/parkphysics/coaster.html

http://www.explainthatstuff.com/

https://www.loc.gov/rr/scitech/mysteries/rollercoaster.html

May the force be with you...

Here is a list of questions we will be exploring in the topic of forces this week:

• What is a force?
• What is the unit of force?
• Describe three forces and their effects

Why do we get blisters?

• What is friction?
• Name three examples of friction from everyday life
• Explain the effect of lubrication

We will be using springs and weights in some lessons... 

• Investigate the relationship between the extension of a spring and the applied force
• What is Hooke’s Law?

• What is weight? 
• Is weight a constant value? 
• What is the difference between weight and mass?
• What is the relationship between the mass of an object and its weight in newtons on the surface of the earth?

What on earth does he mean? ;) 

• Find the centre of gravity of a thin lamina;
• Investigate the role of centre of gravity in design for stability and equilibrium

Why is that a horrible present???!

• Investigate the law of the lever
• Name two everyday applications of levers

Work is done when a force moves an object... 

• Define and give the units for work, energy and power
• State the relationship between work and power and perform simple calculations based on this relationship