AP Physics

2025-2026 Agendas

Mr. Porter

2025.09.06 AP 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 AP Exam
   3. Favorite Candy
   4. Favorite Emoji
   5. Emoji the describes your current mood
2. Fill out Paper Quesionnaire

Lab Grouping Game

• There are 8 of you and 8 extra cards
• Based on your cards get into LOGICAL pairs with two extra cards
• Check whole class answer with Mr. Porter
  • 4 Chances to Check
• Reorganize if necessary

(Yes this is the game Connections)

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...

Buggy Lab

Objective:

• Determine if your toy buggy moves in a consistent manner by developing a relationship between position and time.
• Use time as your independent variable

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.
• 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.

Buggy Lab

Objective:

• Determine if your toy buggy moves in a consistent manner by developing a relationship between position and time.
• Use time as your independent variable