AP Physics Projects

You may choose to do one large project or two smaller ones. All seniors must have the

projects turned in by Wednesday May 25th. All underclassmen will turn in their projects on

the day of their final during finals week.

Larger projects:

1.

2.

3.

4. Suspension Bridge Design

5. Physics and Art

PROJECT OBJECTIVE: Design and construct an art mobile around a general theme using physics to calculate the mobile's translational and rotational equilibrium.

ART BACKGROUND: Alexander "Sandy" Calder (1898-1976) was an artistic pioneer who created the art form called the mobile. By the early 1970s, Calder's mobiles were famous worldwide. His sculptures ranged in size from the monumental to jewelry-sized. "I used to begin with fairly complete drawings, but now I start by cutting out a lot of shapes.... Some I keep because they're pleasing or dynamic. Some are bits I just happen to find. Then I arrange them, like papier collé, on a table, and "paint" them -- that is, arrange them, with wires between the pieces if it's to be a mobile, for the overall pattern. Finally I cut some more of them with my shears, calculating for balance this time."

OBJECTIVE

To construct a hanging mobile having a minimum of three freely swinging horizontal arms using an artistic general theme.

DIRECTIONS 1. Sketch the general plan of your mobile. Keep this sketch and all of your work in your Projects notebook. 4. Find the mass of each element in the mobile including the rods. 5. Determine the position of each support string. Strings may not be attached at the center of mass of a support. 6. Complete the mobile “blueprint” indicating the actual lengths, positions of all strings, pivots and elements with the forces clearly labeled. 7. Demonstrate by neat calculations that translational and rotational equilibrium exists. 8. Construct your actual mobile.

HINTS

1. You are likely to achieve the best results by starting with the lowest level and working upward. 2. Use objects of moderate mass. Do not use fragile or expensive objects. Handmade objects are acceptable. 3. Make the mobile simple, but visually strong. Your mobile must be no larger than 50 cm wide, 50 cm deep and 100 cm tall 4. Be creative! 5. Plan ahead! Calculate carefully and accurately.

PROJECT ASSESSMENT

I. Mobile 40% - Neat construction and assembly. - Well balanced. - Three or more levels or extra tiers. II. Calculations 50% Calculations: - Comprehensive, neat, accurate and easy-to-follow. - Show all your work including both conditions for equilibrium and the solved equations. - Calculations of Percent Differences should be included III. Blueprint 10% - Neat, properly labeled and to scale.

6. LIGHT AND COLOR Project

This consists of a project or research paper of your choice!

Take a look at the following categories and select the one that better suits your interest:

CATEGORY I. ART PHYSICS

Collage

Painting

Mobile

Your project should be APPROVED by me before you start working on it.

Please e-mail me with your idea.

Minimum Dimensions of a painting/collage project: 40 x 55 cm

KEY IDEAS:

Newton, Einstein, wave, color, prism, polarization, spectrum, sunglasses, rainbow,

sunset, sky

CATEGORY II. RESEARCH PAPER

Directions:

- Select ONE topic from the list below.

- Investigate about the main ideas given in each topic section

- Minimum of 5 typed pages, double-spaced, font size 12, New Times Roman

- The paper should include annotated diagrams or figures.

- Bibliography and/or internet bibliography (at least two sources)

- It will be submitted through Turnitin.com to check for academic authenticity

TOPICS:

1. FIBER OPTICS - Physics of Total Internal Reflection

- What are Fiber Optics and how do they transmit light?

- Applications of Fiber Optics

2. HUMAN EYE - Anatomy of the Eye

- Vision: light and color

- Normal vision and vision problems

3. THE ELECTROMAGNETIC SPECTRUM

- Electromagnetic waves explanation

- Radio waves, microwaves, infrared, optical, ultraviolet, X-rays, and gamma-rays

4. PHYSICS EXPLAINED - Rainbows

- Mirages

- Color of Sky and Sunset

5. POLARIZED LIGHT and GLASSES

- The physics of Polarization

- How Sunglasses work

- How 3-D Glasses work

7. THE CATAPULT PROJECT

A catapult is a mechanism used to throw missiles in ancient and medieval warfare. At first, catapults were

specifically designed to shoot spears or other missiles at a low trajectory. They were originally distinguished

from ballistae and trebuchets, both of which were large military engines used to hurl stones and other

missiles, but these distinctions later blurred. Soon after, larger catapults mounted on a single arm also hurled

stones, pots of boiling oil, and incendiaries at a high trajectory. They were used to attack or defend

fortifications. Catapults were widely employed in siege warfare, but with the introduction of artillery they

passed from use. In the 20th century catapults using hydraulic pressure were reintroduced to launch aircraft

from warships.

RESEARCH AND PRESENTATION:

Your final product will be a Power Point Presentation (PPT) and a project report.

POWER POINT PRESENTATION:

- Your PPT should contain a minimum of 10 slides including title and

bibliography slides.

- For internet bibliography give annotated links.

- It should contain at least 3 pictures and/or drawings. Every picture

should contain its source (URL) in small font type.

- Include a picture of your final product.

OBJECTIVES:

The goal of the project is to increase your understanding of motion in two dimensions by building a catapult

to launch ping-pong balls, and by collecting and analyzing your data.

ASSIGNMENT:

You must design and construct a catapult that can launch a marble at various angles on a consistent basis.

PROJECT REPORT:

Your report should include:

DATA COLLECTION:

Launch the marble at three different angles recording:

- launching angle,

- range of flight,

- time of flight.

ANALYSIS:

Using the data that you have collected determine the following:

- the initial velocity of the release, initial horizontal and vertical

components

- the time to the highest point

- the velocity of the ball upon impact

DIAGRAM:

Include an annotated vector diagram of the motion of the ball.

8. Physics Photo Project This project consists of:

- A photo illustrating a Physics concept.

- An essay describing the Physics in the photo.

Photo Categories

Natural Photos are those that involve everyday situations that may demonstrate a variety of physics concepts.

Any spontaneous event

is considered natural.

Contrived Photos are those that are set up to show a particular physics concept or related set of concepts.

Contrived Photos represent non-spontaneous events.

Photo Guidelines

- Students should take the pictures themselves!

All photos should be original.

Downloading pictures from the Internet or pictures taken by

somebody else is NOT allowed.

- Photos may be either black-and-white or color.

- Create a blog posting with the title of your photo

- Insert your picture on your blog

- Write your essay on your blog:

- Physics principle represented

- Explanation (150-250 words)

Photo Evaluation

This project will be graded as a Test.

It is HONOR BOUND. Please do NOT copy

a picture or an essay.

Smaller projects (if you are doing this you must choose two from this list)

1.

2. Popsicle Stick Bridge

3.

4.

5. Hovercraft A hovercraft is a vehicle that can move in any direction as it floats over a cushion of air. You task is to build a small

model hovercraft which will run in a straight line over a flat table top surface 5.5m long.

6. ROLLER COASTER PROJECT:

OBJECTIVE You will design and construct a Paper Roller Coaster DESIGN CRITERIA

1. Each roller coaster must include five design elements: a camelback, a loop,

Wide turn and a funnel.

2. The coaster must be a complete circuit, just like a real roller coaster.

3. The marble must stay on the track through the whole roller coaster

4. The roller coaster cannot be touched during the test. In other words the tape

and any objects other than your hands can only be used to support the roller

Coaster.

5. Your coaster must be stable. The track cannot move or shake when the marble

Travels along the track.

PROJECT QUESTIONS

1. Draw a neat, labeled sketch of your roller coaster. Include the following terms:

- incline

- camel back

- loop

- turn

2. Write down the measurements of your Roller Coaster

Height First Hill : _________ m

Height of Inverted Loop: _________ m Radius of Loop: _________ m

Average time for reaching the bottom of first hill: _________ s

Calculation of speed at bottom of the hill:

3. Statement of conservation of energy from the top of the first hill to the bottom:

4. From the equation above, determine the velocity at the bottom of the hill:

5. How does the value of the measured speed compare to the calculation above?

If they are different EXPLAIN.

6. Would your results have varied if the mass of the marble had been twice as big?

EXPLAIN.