Dear Physics or Physical Science Teacher;
This letter has two purposes. The first is to let you know of a free organization run by teachers for teachers, the Virginia Instructors of Physics. Don't be fooled by the name. We are for teachers of physics and physical science. Secondly, to recruit you to receive or to continue to receive our newsletter. It seems that many individuals have moved around and the addresses we have are no longer correct.
The Virginia Instructors of Physics, V.I.P., was formed 11 years ago. At the time its endeavors we supported both financially and organizationally by James Madison University's Physics Department. They maintained the mailing list and footed the bill for copying a newsletter and mailing it. Physics and physical science teachers got together and agreed to create some method of keeping in touch. We adopted a constitution about 7 years ago. VIP's mission is to foster communication among teachers of physics and physical science as well as to provide unique learning experiences for teachers and their students.
Currently we co-sponsor the state wide Physics Olympics held at Paramount's Kings Dominion in Doswell, VA. We also over see an a Physics web site in Virginia on Virginia's Public Education Network. Through the sponsorship of the University of Virginia's Physics Department we send out a multi page newsletter about 3 times a year. We hold meetings 2 times a year in the fall and spring. The the University of Virginia hosts/sponsors one of these meetings annually. We move the other meeting around with the Virginia Association of Science Teachers' conference. Our mailing list currently contains about 225 members. Membership is free. The spring meeting is free. All officers and other involved persons volunteer their time.

If you receive our newsletter and wish to continue please mail or e-mail a note to me. If you wish to join our group, please mail or e-mail a note to me at the address located at the end of this message. Mail us your school address please .

If there are any questions I can answer, please let me know.
Sincerely,

Tony Wayne
VIP President

9:00 -9:30 Hello's with coffee and sweets
9:30-10:30 VIP business: Elect a new president, update on the web site, VIP furture.
10:30 -12:00 Begin sharing with other teachers.
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch (Bring your own or money to buy.)
1:30 - 3:30 More sharing. (Let us know ahead of time if you need an overhead or anything else.

NOTES:
Come ready to share stuff.
Bring a lab or a demo to share with others. We have had some great demo's i the past. (Bring 35 copies to share.)
The state seems to want more graphing calculator stuff -bring a calculator tip or a lesson to share. Have you written any great program for the graphing calculator. Bring them on disk or on your calculator to share with everyone.
Bring a diskette of shareware that you use. We will put it up on the web site or give it away to people who bring a blank disk.
Bring a list of resources.
This promises to be another terrific meeting with lots to share and lots to take home!
Click here to send registration e-mail to Tony Wayne.

At the Spring meeting the following handout on vactors was given.

Bomb Disposal Duty

Your world renown lab group has been recruited by the CIA to assist with the disarmament of a large thermonuclear device located under the tomb of an unidentified confederate officer in downtown. The cover plate for the bomb is an rectangle the exact size and shape of your lab table). Our agents have obtained (from a spy masquerading as the HS principal) a complex vector description of the only place on the cover plate that a hole can be safely drilled to allow the disarmament of the bomb. You have 40 minutes from the time you begin reading this to locate this spot, and mark it with a piece of chalk. Then notify "the chief."

Your grade on this project depends on the accuracy of your spot location. However, if you fail to locate a spot before time expires, you will get a zero ! ! ! The only materials you will be allowed for this lab are your calculators and the materials provided at your lab station. If you finish early, redo your calculations and check your answer. You must clean your lab table before you leave class. In order to receive full credit, you must register by putting your lab group's name on the back board prior to starting the lab.

Spot location:
From the x on the center of the cover plate: Go 5.00 inches due south; go 0.00152 furlongs east; go 0.000249 miles in a direction 45 degrees north of west; go 10.0 cm in a direction 45 degrees south of east; rotate 115 degrees clockwise from the last vector direction and travel 500,000,700 nm; go 0.100 feet west; go 1.76 yards in a direction 67.0 degrees east of south; go 0.500 fathoms in a direction 20 degrees north of west; go 0.708 meters in a direction 79.0 degrees east of north.

You may now drill safely!

880 fathoms= 1 mile I furlong = 7920 inches

by E.O. Curry, O'Fallon Township High School], O'Fallon, IL Submitted by: Richard Lahti Craig Co. High School, Newcastle, VA

Primary Objectives: For students to practice vector addition and conversion factors. Secondary objectives: Teamwork, following directions

I use this lab early in the year, as I first teach conversion factors, significant digits, scientific notation and then vectors. Vectors are something that students have some difficulty with, it is 'hard" topic, it is mathematical (which is a real problem ,with some of my math phobic students) and lets face it, isolated vector problems really aren't much fun. The idea of this lab is to put conversion factors and vector addition in a story-line that at least is moderately interesting. The original author suggested an all or none grading scale on this lab, but I go with a grade based on percent error (bearing and distance).
If you have several kinesthetic learners in your class, it might be good to adjust a few of the lengths, (1.76 yards, .5 fathoms) to bring them back onto the lab table. This way, a student can actually measure out the distances and solve the problem graphically.
I usually provide students with some graph paper, a meter stick and a protractor which is necessary for marking the final point but they often try to use to measure out every distance.

Finally if your students are weak in math, you may let them finish this as homework, especially as a second chance if a group gets it wrong.


A FAVORITE DEMO
by Tom Skinner, Brooke Point High School, Staff'ord, VA

My favorite demo is also pretty simple, but has a high gee-whiz factor. I present it during a study of wave mechanics. It consists ofthe usual bell-in-the-bottle which you ring while evacuating the air with a vacuum pump. I vary the standard by placing a small fluorescent light bulb in the jar with the bell. Once the air is gone, and the ringing can no longer be heard, I light off a Tesla coil and the bulb in the jar lights up with it, clearly demonstrating that em waves travel just fine in a vacuum. Simple, but it always gets a round of applause. I keep a strobe light handy to prove to the ever-present skeptic that the clapper is still moving and hitting the bell.

How many pencils do you "lose" in a year? Keep them with a pencil "nerd flag."
by Tony Wayne
I lose many many pencils in a school year. One teacher told me of how he collected left behind pencils after every class and put them in a jar. If you float from room to room you may be thinking about getting set up in your next class room instead of collecting pencils. The pencil "nerd flag" is a simple solution.

Physics Project:
Newton's Laws of Motion Boat Race Tournament
by Jeff Lawrence, Lancaster H.S., Lancaster, VA 22503, jlawrenc@pen.kl2.va.us.

Purpose:

1. ) To apply Newton's Laws of Motion, especially his third one, to optimize the performance of a boat in terms of its thrust, viscous(fluid) drag, guidance, velocity and distance traveled.
   
2. ) To gain experience in the aspects of engineering, such as conception of ideas, design, construction, testing, modification of ideas, modification of design, modification of construction, and completion of project.
   
   

Task:

1. ) To construct a vessel which can cross a finish line(bump into the end of the race trough 2.5 meters away or obtain a greater distance from starting line within 45 seconds of time, which ever comes fist.
   
2. ) To construct a craft which can withstand the rigors of a double elimination style tournament competition, where two boats race at a time.
   
3. ) Determine the maximum thrust provided by your vessel, which includes constructing an instrument which is capable of measuring the thrust.
   
4. ) Minimize the resistance of the hull.
   
   

Material Constraints:
Propulsion System (provided):

1. 2 - balloons. (8 provided, must be the ones used the two days of competition, test with others)
2. 2 - rubber bands. (4 provided, must be the ones used the two days of competition, test with others)

Propulsion System (not provided):

Various materials allowed. However, paper, cardboard, toothpicks and popsicle sticks are the only wood products allowed. See * below.

Hull (not provided)

Various materials allowed. However, paper, cardboard, toothpicks and popsicle sticks are the only wood products allowed. See * below.

Materials not provided must be obtainable from a supermarket. However, materials intended for water craft, for example, toy boats, are not acceptable. Restrictions:

1. Must be self propelled by on board propulsion system, where the balloons and/or rubber bands provide the initial force in the system.
2. LOA (length overall) is not to exceed 4 dm.
3. Beam (maximum width is not to exceed 2 dm.
4. Must be self floating.
5. Must be self guided.
6. Vessel must start and remain in the water throughout the race.
7. Your vessel may not hinder the performance of the other vessel.
8. Your vessel may not pollute the environment.
9. Others as need and practicality dictate. Hey, use common sense.

Thrust determination: (the day before the race)

1. Instrument may be attachable to race trough by means of tape or being held.
2. Time to obtain maximum thrust is 30 sec.
3. Vessel is to same as will be raced.

Viscous drag test: (day before the race)

1. A tow line with a loop is to be attached to a "hook" on the vessel.
2. The towing force will be provided by a falling mass. (5 - 20 g)
3. Measured by time taken to travel 2.0 m.

Race Operations:

1. Race ready, constructed boat is to be submitted the day before the big race for certification, thrust testing, and viscous drag testing.
2. Bow of boat to be behind starting line until "gun".
3. Boats to be restrained by contestant until "gun".
4. Winner of each race decided by instructor.
5. Byes and other privileges will be determined by class standing. (In most cases.)
6. Two brackets of competition:
7. All begin in winners bracket, losers from winners bracket enter losers bracket.
8. Winners bracket is completed first.
9. ) Survivors of each bracket will meet for the prize with the winners bracket survivor receiving two chances to win the prize.
   

Materials will not be provided so as to make modifications
Grading: Total of 150 points possible.

1.) 50 pts. for performance of vessel.

• 10 pts for timely submittal of certified vessel. Due the day before the race.
• 10 pts EC for being in the top 10 of least resistant vessels
• 1% of 40 pts. for each 2 cm of displacement up to 100. Day of the race.(2.0 m is all that is necessary for the total of 40 pts. The distance of 2.5 m is for the race to advance in the tournament so as to obtain extra credit.)

•  

  2.) 50 pts for well constructed thrust measuring instrument and determination of maximum thrust. A well written analysis.

  3.) 50 pts. for written analysis of your engineering required so as to contend with Newton's three laws of motion.

  • Minimum of 100 words.
  • Due the day of the race.

   

  4.) 50 pts. for written analysis of the winning vessel according to Newton's three laws of motion. To apply data as well as observations. What made it superior to the other craft in the competition. Etc.

  • Minimum of 100 words.
  • Due the Monday following competition.
  • Further addenda may follow as necessary.
    

If you come up with any good improvement, modification, implementation, or correction related to this exercise, please let me know. Thanks.
Jeff Lawrence
Lancaster H.S., Lancaster, VA 22503
jlawrenc@?pen.kl2.va.us.


Where can you find over 100 physical science demonstrations, teaching tips, a FREE book on teaching science in an amusement park, Virginia SOL support list for taking amusement park trips, a set of labs for teaching physics on the ski slopes, a starting point for web related physics items and much, MUCH, more? At our the VIP sponsored physics pavilion.

Below is a list of some of the available resources on the Physics Pavilion's home page.
* Past VIP Newsletters
* Current VIP Newsletter
* Next VIP Meeting Date and Agenda (Next meeting will be in November at the VAST conference)
* List of Education Resources
* Science Contests
* Physics and Physical Science Links
* Paramount's Kings Dominion Physics Olympics (May 16, 1997)
* Equipment Sources for Education
* Special Physics Related Libraries for Macintosh users of ClarisWorks (NEW)
* Roller Coaster Physics resource book for educators (look for an update by September 1 1997)
* Favorite Demo's, Labs and Amusement Park Ideas (coming soon, check back in September)
* Roller Coaster Measurements for Paramount's Kings Dominion
* Amusement Park Science and the Virginia Standards of Learning
* Educational Opportunities for Physics and Physical Science Teachers
* Graphing calculator software for designing simple roller coasters
* Graphing calculator uses in physics

Tell us how we can expand and improve the site. Send your suggestions to wayne@pen.k12.va.us

IEEE offers the Faraday Lecture

The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), as part of its program for promotion of science in the public schools of our nation, offers the Faraday lecture by satellite broadcast in February of each year. This lecture, produced in England at a university laboratory covers various aspects of engineering and science and is directed at a level that approximates our K8 through 12. Because of the difficulty of high schools scheduling for the date of the broadcast the Central Virginia Section of IEEE is preparing to offer a program, which includes a video tape of the broadcast along with an instructors book, to any interested school. Also, our section expects to provide an IEEE member to either conduct the program or simply be available to answer questions.

We have the Faraday Lectures for the last two years. One lecture covers the development and construction of the English Channel Tunnel and the other covers Michael Faraday's discoveries in electromagnetic induction. For both lectures the speakers have considerable resources for illustration both in the lab and in the field to make an interesting and exciting presentation. Total presentation time for each lecture is about two hours.

We believe that in addition to flexible scheduling other advantages such a the option of stopping the tape at any time for explanations make the VCR tape program superior to the live broadcast. Our IEEE section will offer this program as a public service and there will be no charge.

If you are interested participating in this program contact Sam Harris, 540 942-1696, Rt 2 Box 445, Waynesboro, VA 22980, sharris@ieee.org and we will work with you on a date for the presentation.


EDITOR
Tony Wayne, Albamarle High School, 2775 Hydraulic Road, charlottesville, VA 22901-8916
Internet e-mail: wayne@uva386.schools.virginia.edu

PUBLISHED by
Dr. Bascom Deaver, Physics department, Universtiy of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901



PLEASE READ THIS AND RESPOND


The meeting is FREE!
If you are going To the April VIP meeting you need to fill out and mail the form below.
Uva needs these form for 3 reasons. So they will know
(1) how many refreshments to provide
(2) name tags
(3) room size to reserve

Your Name: ______________________________
School Address: _ _____________________________
______________________________
______________________________
______________________________

_ I will be attending the VIP meeting on April 25, 1997.
_ ___ guests will be accompanying me. Please include their names and addresses somewhere
on this form.



MAIL THIS FORM ASAP

OR send your reply via e-mail to Tony Wayne ASAP at wayne@pen.k12.va.us
fold, staple, and add postage
















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From: _______________________

The next meeting is April 25th, 1998, at the University of Virginia.

The meeting is free to everyone! There will be a raffle for a commercial water rocket launcher. The launcher sold for over $100. Okay... we got it slightly used. It was a prototype. But it looks great! There will be many, many, many other freebies. It is worth the trip!!!
Agenda:
9:00 -9:30 Hello's with coffee and sweets
9:30-10:30 VIP business: Elect a new president, update on the web site, VIP furture.
10:30 -12:00 Begin sharing with other teachers.
12:00 - 1:30 Lunch (Bring your own or money to buy.)
1:30 - 3:30 More sharing. (Let us know ahead of time if you need an overhead or anything else.
NOTES:
Come ready to share stuff.
Bring a lab or a demo to share with others. We have had some great demo's i the past. (Bring 35 copies to share.)
The state seems to want more graphing calculator stuff -bring a calculator tip or a lesson to share. Have you written any great program for the graphing calculator. Bring them on disk or on your calculator to share with everyone.
Bring a diskette of shareware that you use. We will put it up on the web site or give it away to people who bring a blank disk.
Bring a list of resources. Just come to meet your collegues.