Regents Physics

2025-2026 Agendas

Mr. Porter

2026.05.08 Regents Physics

of the : What's your favorite thing to do on vacation?

2026.05.06 Regents Physics

of the : What was your childhood dream job? Is it still your dream job?

2026.05.05 Regents Physics

of the : What is your favorite meal to cook and why?

2026.05.04 Regents Physics

of the : Do you have a favorite Star Wars character?

2026.04.30 Regents Physics

of the : Should pizza slices be triangles or squares?

2026.04.29 Regents Physics

of the : Is it ever acceptable to eat pizza with a fork and knife?

2026.04.28 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather be in a reality baking show contest or a dating show contest?

2026.04.24 Regents Physics

of the : If you could pick any wild animal to keep as a pet, which would it be?

2026.04.23 Regents Physics

of the : What was your favorite vacation?

Lab Sparky the Electrician

Question:
What are the two requirements for an electric circuit?

Purpose:
To identify the four successful arrangements of wire, bulb and battery which successfully light a bulb and a couple of unsuccessful arrangements AND to describe the commonalities of those arrangements by identifying the two requirements for an electric circuit.

Analysis Questions

1. The Data section includes sketches of the four successful arrangements and at least two unsuccessful arrangements.
2. The Conclusion describes the two requirements for an electric circuit.
3. The Discussion of Results should explain why the unsuccessful arrangements were unsuccessful in terms of how they fail to meet the requirements; and uses one of the successful arrangements to elaborate on the meaning of each requirement.

2026.04.22 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather travel 100 years forward or back in time?

2026.04.20 Regents Physics

of the : If animals could talk, which one do you think would be the most annoying?

2026.04.17 Regents Physics

of the : What song is stuck in your head?

2026.04.16 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather have unlimited battery life on all of your devices or have free WiFi wherever you go?

2026.04.14 Regents Physics

of the : What would be on your ultimate ice cream sundae?

2026.04.02 Regents Physics

of the : If you were a super-hero, what powers would you have?

2026.04.02 Regents Physics

of the : Do you collect anything?

2026.03.31 Regents Physics

of the : Is cereal a type of soup?

2026.03.30 Regents Physics

of the : What small pleasure makes you ridiculously happy?

2026.03.27 Regents Physics

of the : How many pairs of shoes do you own?

2026.03.25 Regents Physics

of the : Who do you think is the best superhero?

2026.03.24 Regents Physics

of the : If you had a pet parrot, what would you want it to say?

2026.03.23 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather travel back in time to meet your meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants?

2026.03.19 Regents Physic

of the : What is one song you know all of the words to?

2026.03.18 Regents Physics

of the : If you could have dinner with anyone in the world, who would it be?

2026.03.17 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather be able to see the past or the future when you touch an object?

2026.03.12 Regents Physics

of the : Blue or Red for Hoops vs. Hunger?

2026.03.11 Regents Physics

of the : What celebrity would you switch lives with?

2026.03.10 Regents Physics

of the : If you invited dragons to a taco party, would you give them spicy salsa?

2026.03.05 Regents Physics

of the : If gravity suddenly decreased by half for 24 hours, what would you do first?

2026.03.05 Regents Physics

of the : What is the worst style choice you have ever made?

Block Launcher Lab

A block is launched by a rubber band on a horizontal table and slows to a stop due to friction

In your lab notebook...

1. Draw a bar graph that represents this situation.
2. Write the energy conservation equation and substitute in the individual energy equations.
3. Sub in the equation for friction.

Block Launcher Lab

Question:

What is the spring constant of the rubber band launcher?

Purpose:

To determine the spring constant of a rubber band by analyzing how elastic potential energy converts to work done by friction, and to verify that value using a spring scale and Hooke’s law.

2026.03.04 Regents Physics

of the : What's your favorite type of food? (American, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, etc)

2026.03.02 Regents Physics

of the : If you were one of Snow White's dwarfs, which one would you be? Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey

2026.02.27 Regents Physics

of the : What's your favorite food combination?

2026.02.26 Regents Physics

of the : If you could join any past or current music group which would you want to join?

2026.02.24 Regents Physics

of the : How was your break? Did you do anything fun?

2026.02.13 Regents Physics

of the : Do you believe Friday the 13th is bad luck? What are you doing over break?

2026.02.11 Regents Physics

of the : Do you have any family traditions?

Question

What is my power requirement for climbing a staircase – both by walking and by running?

We will compare how quickly you can do the same amount of work in two different ways.

Purpose

• Determine the power you generate when you climb a staircase walking.
• Determine the power you generate when you climb the same staircase running.
• Compare the two and relate them to the concepts of work and power.

Safety

• No horseplay or pushing.
• Use the handrail to prevent falls.
• Move with control, especially during the running trial.
• Be aware of others on the staircase.

Lab Notebook Checklist

Your notebook should include:

Title, Question, and Purpose.
Labeled data table with units.
All calculations with formulas and units.
Answers to all reflection/analysis questions.
A clear conclusion comparing walking vs. running power and summarizing what you learned.

2026.02.10 Regents Physics

of the : If you could be famous, what would you want to be famous for?

2026.02.09 Regents Physics

of the : What was your favorite commercial last night?

2026.02.05 Regents Physics

of the : Which Disney Princess would you choose to be?

2026.02.03 Regents Physics

of the : Who is your favorite disney character?

2026.02.03 Regents Physics

of the : Are you ready for spring yet?

2026.01.30 Regents Physics Do Now

A skateboarder is skating over a circular bump. At the instant shown, she is at the top of the bump and is moving with a speed of 5 m/s. Is the normal force exerted on the skateboarder by the bump (i) greater than, (ii) less than, or (iii) equal to the weight of the skateboarder? Explain your reasoning.

2026.01.30 Regents Physics

of the : What luxury is worth the price?

2026.01.29 Regents Physics

of the : What is your go to take out order?

2026.01.28 Regents Physics

of the : Should you eat rice with a fork , a spoon , or chopsticks ?

2026.01.22 Regents Physics

of the : Who is your celebrity crush?

2026.01.20 Regents Physics

of the : What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?

2026.01.16 Regents Physics

of the : If you could go to the Olympics, what sport would you want to do?

2026.01.15 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather always be slightly late or super early?

2026.01.13 Regents Physics

of the : You have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?

2026.01.12 Regents Physics

of the : Who would you haunt if you had to be a ghost ?

2026.01.09 Regents Physics

of the : If you could live anywhere where would you choose?

2026.01.07 Regents Physics

of the : What second rate super power would you want?

Spring Force Lab

Question: How does applied force relate to spring stretch?

Purpose:

• Determine F–∆x relationship for two springs

Materials

• 2 springs, mass hangers, masses
• Spring scale, balance
• Meter stick/ruler
• Support and clamp

2026.01.06 Regents

of the : Questions

Angled Question Example:

Ben Laborin works at the South bookstore during the summer months to help prepare for Fall sales. Books from one supplier are shipped to the school in large crates equipped with rope handles on all sides. On one occasion, Ben momentarily pulled with a force of 716.0 N at an angle of 33.3° above the horizontal to accelerate a 96.6-kg crate of books. The coefficient of friction between the crates and the vinyl floor is 0.442. Determine the acceleration experienced by the crate.

1. Setup this question on your problem-solving template

Example 2

Renee is on Spring Break and pulling her 30.6-kg suitcase through the airport at a constant speed of 0.30 m/s. She pulls on the strap with 119 N of force at an angle of 37.2° above the horizontal.

1. Determine the normal force experienced by the suitcase.
2. Determine the total resistance force (friction and air resistance) experienced by the suitcase.

2026.01.05 Regents Physics

of the : Do you have any New Year Resolutions?

2025.09.29 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather watch a movie on your TV at home or on the big screen in the theater, and why?

2025.09.26 Regents Physics

of the : What is your favorite road trip snack?

2025.09.25 Regents Physics

of the : What is your favorite family vacation?

2025.09.23 Regents Physics

of the : What is the worst food?

Team Solving

Solve with your lab group on a whiteboard

A red car (on left) and a green car (on right) are spaced apart (distance a). They start at the same time and head towards each other. The red car averages a speed of . The green car averages a speed of . What distance will the red car have traveled (distance b) when it is at the same position as the green car?

Dueling Buggies Lab

Lab Question

How can we use measurements and models to predict the meeting point of two battery-powered buggies, one fast and one slow, when they move toward each other from known starting positions?

Lab Purpose

To determine and test the predicted meeting point of two buggies moving at constant, but different, speeds toward each other, using measurements, motion maps, graphs, and algebraic models.

Procedure Overview

1. In teams, measure all properties you think are necessary to predict how the fast and slow buggies will move (speed, direction, etc.).
2. Record your measurements and describe your methods.
3. After measurements, your buggies will be collected. The teacher will mark two starting lines: one for the fast buggy and one for the slow buggy.
4. Using your data, determine and clearly mark on the floor where you predict the two buggies will meet if started at the same time.

Procedure Overview

5. Use at least two different approaches (motion maps, position-time graphs, algebraic equations, etc.) to support your prediction.
6. Once you have made your prediction, test it by running the buggies from the assigned start lines.
7. Record and analyze the outcome.

Data Section

• Table of measurements for each buggy (speed, direction, other relevant properties)
• Sample calculations for determining speed
• Sample calculations for determining speed
• Diagrams, graphs, or descriptions of any modeling tools used
• Sketches or descriptions of motion maps and position-time graphs
• Written description of your prediction process

Dueling Buggies Lab

Lab Question

How can we use measurements and models to predict the meeting point of two battery-powered buggies, one fast and one slow, when they move toward each other from known starting positions?

Lab Purpose

To determine and test the predicted meeting point of two buggies moving at constant, but different, speeds toward each other, using measurements, motion maps, graphs, and algebraic models.

2025.09.22 Regents Physics

of the : If you were to open a store, what would you sell?

Open Graphical Analysis

Click link in slides or find herehttps://graphicalanalysis.app/

Save this to your bookmarks

2025.09.19 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather be a superhero or super villain?

Walk the Graph Lab

Question: How can different types of walking motion be represented and interpreted using position-time and velocity-time graphs?

Purpose: To investigate how various walking motions (such as walking away from or toward the sensor, walking at different speeds, or stopping and starting) are represented on position-time and velocity-time graphs, and to develop an understanding of the relationship between motion and its graphical representation.

Instructions for Lab Notebook Reflection:
Record your answers to the reflection questions above in your lab notebook. Include sketches of your graphs and a brief written description of your movement for each trial.

2025.09.17 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather live in the ocean or on the moon ?

2025.09.16 Do Now

1. Complete Describing Motion Verbally with Distance and Displacement Worksheet

2. Provide an example where distance, displacment, and final position are the same

3. Provide an example where distance, displacment, and final position are different

2025.09.16 Regents Physics

of the : What's the best pizza topping?

2025.09.15 Regents Physics

of the : What is the proper length of a playlist?

2025.09/11 **Regents Physics **

of the : Does a week start on Sunday or Monday?

2025.09.10 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather be the hero or the sidekick?

Dune Buggy Challenge

Questions:

1. How much time does it take a Dune Buggy car to travel a specified distance?
2. Does your buggy move in a consistent manner?

Purpose:

To collect distance-time data for a Dune Buggy Car in order to predict the time it takes a Dune Buggy to travel a specified distance

Data & Prediction

• when graphing put time on the horizontal axis

2025.09.09 Regents Physics

of the : Is it OK to ask the genie for infinite wishes?

Pasta Bridge Lab

Objective:

• Determine the strength of a pasta bridge by finding the relationship between strength (number of marbles) and strands of pasta
• Develop an experiment to compare at least two types of pasta. Create a hypothesis for which will be stronger.

Board Meeting

Board Meeting

• What is the slope?
  • For every statement ("The y quantity changes the slope number for every 1 x quantity ")
• What is the intercept?
• What do they represent?
  • How does each group's result compare?

Pasta Bridge Model:

Data Collection

1. Go to Data Collection Best Practices Interactive
2. Read and click through the examples
3. Reflect on your Coefficient of Restitution lab, did you follow these practices? How can you improve upon your design?

Claim:

I predicted that it would take my Dune Buggy car _______________ to travel the specified distance of ______________ cm.

Evidence:

(Discuss values from your Data section...identifying the data that you used to determine the prediction. Use specifics in your discussion.)

Reasoning:

(Explain in a few sentences why this evidence provides logical support for believing that your claim is true. And while you’re at it, you ought to mention how well...or not well...that you did.)

2025.09.05 Regents Physics

of the : Would you rather vacation in Hawaii or Alaska?

2025.09.04 Regents Physics

of the : Sweet or savory for breakfast?

Do Now

1. Fill out index card:
   1. Name
   2. Phone number to reach your parents/guardians if you sleep through the Regents
   3. Favorite Candy
   4. Favorite Emoji
   5. Emoji the describes your current mood
2. Fill out Paper Quesionnaire

Survival Island

1. Share your survival skill that you wrote down with your group
2. Using everyone's skill develop a plan to survive or escape the deserted island
3. On your whiteboard present your plan (drawing, mind map, set of instructions)
   • Highlight everyone's skill

Surivial Plan...

Pasta Bridge Lab

Objective:

• Determine the strength of a pasta bridge by finding the relationship between strength (number of marbles) and strands of pasta

Lets Science!

Lab Notebooks

What is a Lab Notebook?

• A detailed, chronological record of a scientist's research activities, experiments, and observations.
• Documentation of the scientific process from intial ideas to final results and conclusions.

Why keep lab notebooks?

• Document Research
• Develop Ideas
• Organize Data
• Collaboration Tool
• Publication Support
• Troubleshooting
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Historical Record

Lab Notebooks can be Legal Documents

• Proof of invention in Patent Cases
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Admissibility in court - must be properly maintained
• Note: Often property of the instituation where the research was conducted (i.e. Property of Regeneron, or Property of Cornell University)

Remember

• Lab notebooks are most importantly scientific documentation
• They represent the scientific process and are record of your thinking
  • This means your ideas and conclusions and hypotheses can change based on new data

Lab Notebook

• Write in pen
• All mistakes get a single cross through
• Full Date (YYYY/MM/DD) at the beginning of each entry (for multiday labs date start of each day)
• Enter Lab Pages into table of contents

Lab Notebook - Pre Lab

• Title and objective of the experiment:

  • Write a clear, concise title for each experiment.
  • State the main objective or purpose of the experiment in 1-2 sentences.

• *Theoretical background:

  • Briefly explain the relevant scientific principles.
  • Include key equations or concepts that will be tested or applied.

• Hypotheses:

  • State your predictions about the experiment's outcome.
  • Base these on your understanding of the theory.

Lab Notebook - Pre Lab

• Materials and equipment list:
  • Provide a detailed list of all materials and equipment used.
  • Include model numbers and specifications where relevant.
• Experimental procedure outline:
  • Write a step-by-step outline of the planned procedure.
  • Be specific enough that someone could replicate your experiment.

During the Experiment

• Raw data in tables with units:
  • Create neat, organized tables for all numerical data.
  • Always include units and uncertainty estimates.
  • Label columns clearly and use consistent significant figures.
• Observations and qualitative notes:
  • Record all relevant observations, even if they seem unimportant.
  • Note any unexpected occurrences or anomalies.

During the Experiment

• Any changes to the planned procedure:
  • Document any deviations from the original procedure.
  • Explain why changes were made and how they might affect results.
• Sketches or diagrams of experimental setup:
  • Include clear, labeled diagrams of your experimental setup.
  • Add dimensions and important details to aid in replication.

Post Lab

• Data analysis and calculations:
  • Show all steps in your calculations, including formulas used.
  • Explain your reasoning for each step of the analysis.
• Graphs and charts:
  • Create neat, properly labeled graphs and charts.
  • Include titles, axis labels with units, and legends where appropriate.

Post Lab

• Discussion of results:
  • Interpret your results in the context of the experiment's objectives.
  • Explain any patterns or trends observed in the data
• Comparison with hypotheses:
  • Explicitly state whether your results support or refute your hypotheses.
  • Discuss possible reasons for any discrepancies.
• Sources of error and uncertainty:
  • Identify potential sources of experimental error.
  • Discuss how these might have affected your results.
  • Quantify uncertainties where possible.

Post Lab

• Conclusions:
  • Summarize the main findings of the experiment.
  • Relate these back to the original objectives and broader scientific principles.
  • Suggest improvements or future directions for the experiment.

Pasta Bridge Lab

Objective:

• Determine the strength of a pasta bridge by finding the relationship between strength (number of marbles) and strands of pasta
• Develop an experiment to compare at least two types of pasta. Create a hypothesis for which will be stronger.

Board Meeting