About This Activity
Description
Physics II - In Person for Risign 7th, 8th, and 9th Graders
Led by Dr. Guo, this class builds on her Adventures in Physics I Class.
Lesson 1: Arrows Everywhere – Vectors vs. Scalars
What’s Going Down: In Physics I we talked about speed and distance, but we missed the secret ingredient: direction! Imagine telling a pilot to fly “500 miles per hour” but forgetting to say where. Yikes! That is the difference between a scalar (just a number) and a vector (a number with an attitude and a direction). Your phone’s GPS, epic soccer passes, and even walking to class all scream “vector!”
Your Mission: Become a human GPS! You will race through a "blind navigation" challenge where one teammate can only give scalar clues while the other uses vectors. See who reaches the treasure first without crashing into a desk!
Lesson 2: Push vs. Twist – Force vs. Torque
What’s Going Down: Newton’s laws told us forces make things move in straight lines, but what about things that spin? Ever wonder why it’s a total workout to open a heavy door from the middle, but easy-peasy if you push the handle? That’s torque—the rotational version of force. It’s the magic that makes wrenches work and keeps playground see-saws tilting!
Your Mission: Take the "Hinge Challenge." Using nothing but a door and your pinky finger, you will discover the sweet spot of torque and figure out why size—and distance—really does matter when you want to get things moving.
Lesson 3: Straight-Line Smash vs. Spin Cycle – Linear Momentum vs. Angular Momentum
What’s Going Down: You already know linear momentum is what keeps soccer balls flying and skateboards rolling down the street. But spinning things have their own "momentum" that’s even weirder! It’s called angular momentum, and it’s the secret reason why bike wheels stay stable when you're riding fast and how figure skaters pull off those mind-blowing super-fast spins.
Your Mission: Hop onto a spinning swivel chair and grab some "weights" (like heavy books). You’ll experiment with pulling your arms in and out to see if you can break the laws of the spin cycle. Get ready to feel the G-force!
Lesson 4: Energy on the Clock – Energy vs. Power
What’s Going Down: Energy is your total “oomph”—it’s the fuel in the tank. But power? Power is how fast you can use that oomph! Think about it: a tiny battery might have enough energy to move a car a few inches, but it doesn’t have the power to win a drag race. We’re going to look at the "clock" behind the energy and see why speed is everything in the world of power.
Your Mission: The "Milk Jug Lift-Off." You’ll time yourself moving weights at different speeds to calculate your own personal horsepower. Who in the class is the most "powerful" engine?
Lesson 5: Wave Party or Particle Parade? – Waves vs. Particles
What’s Going Down: Some things move like waves, like ripples in a pond or the funky vibrations of a guitar string. Others move like particles, like a dodgeball flying through the air. But here is the wild part: light and electrons actually do both at the exact same time! This is the mind-bending frontier of physics where things get seriously trippy.
Your Mission: Grab some Slinkys and laser pointers! We’re going to create "human waves" and "particle paths" to see if we can catch light acting like both a surfer and a surfboard at the same time.
Lesson 6: Physics II Showdown – Putting It All Together
What’s Going Down: It’s time for the ultimate mash-up! We are taking everything we’ve learned and smashing it together. How do vectors and torque explain how a medieval catapult launches? How do momentum, power, and waves explain the thrill of a roller coaster, the tech in your smartphone, or how a pitcher throws a nasty curveball? This is where you become a physics master!
Your Mission: The "Great Physics Build-Off." You’ll use everyday junk to design a device that uses at least three of our "Physics II" concepts to hit a target. It’s going to be an absolute blast!
Contact Us: cape@neiu.edu or 773-442-5080
Led by Dr. Guo: A Beacon of Knowledge and Inspiration
At the heart of our program is Dr. Guo, a distinguished physicist with a Ph.D. in Physics and a proven track record of innovation. Her research has graced the pages of prestigious journals, and her professional experience spans across academia and the finance industry. Yet, it's in the realm of education where Dr. Guo truly shines. With a history of transforming students into high achievers—evidenced by her son's remarkable accomplishments and the success stories of numerous students—Dr. Guo embodies the ideal blend of knowledge, experience, and passion for teaching. Her dedication to fostering a nurturing and stimulating learning environment has consistently led to exceptional academic outcomes and profound personal growth among her students.
Age Category
Family
Location
Fine Arts Building
Instructor
Cape Instructor
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