Plasticine, temperatures and more!

Mr. Downey's Grade 11 Physics students recently had the pleasure of throwing things during class. Not only did students not get in trouble, it was also encouraged! It was all part of an activity to look at the conservation of energy and energy transformations.

 

The student's task: throw a piece of plasticine at the wall, and using only a thermometer, determine the velocity of their throw. An interesting puzzle, indeed! 

Students also used gravitational potential energy to help them determine the specific heat capacity of plasticine (this part led to the students dropping heavy objects onto their plasticine).

 

Velocities were impressive, and as the Head Coach of the Senior Baseball team, I took note! (I am always on the lookout for new pitchers!) - Mr. Downey, Senior Science Dept. Co-Head