VCAA study design – adjusted for 2020

Posted on May 5, 2020 by VCE Physics

VCAA

Here is the updated information about adjustments made to Physics curriculum just for 2020.

https://www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/curriculum/vce/vce-study-designs/physics/Pages/Index.aspx

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Charges & fields observations

Posted on May 5, 2020 by VCE Physics

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/charges-and-fields/latest/charges-and-fields_en.html

This great learning object from PhET is great tool for discussion in the Physics classroom, as well as a powerful simulation of actual values.

Here are three interesting screen shots that can be used as basis for discussions.

This first picture shows measurements of the electric field strength at 1m and 2m according to the scale.

The field strength at 1 m is given by (9×109NC2/Nm2)(1×10-9C)/(1m)2 =9N/C = 9V/m.

At 2m, having doubled the distance the field strength is only 1/4 as high ~2.25V/m

Field lines are all pointing radially outwards.

Equipotential circles (spheres in three dimensions) around the charge show the electrical potential energy of a positive charge, which will be higher closer to this positive charge.

These show a linear decrease with distance from the point charge.
Continue reading →

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Professor Dave – Electric Charge and Electric Fields

Posted on April 27, 2020 by VCE Physics

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Veritasium – Why Are Astronauts Weightless?

Posted on April 22, 2020 by VCE Physics

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How Do Satellites Get & Stay in Orbit?

Posted on April 22, 2020 by justin

SciShow Space takes you into Low Earth Orbit to explain how artificial satellites get up there and stay there — at least for a while.

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PhET – Charges and Fields

Posted on April 22, 2020 by VCE Physics

Arrange positive and negative charges in space and view the resulting electric field and electrostatic potential. Plot equipotential lines and discover their relationship to the electric field. Create models of dipoles, capacitors, and more!

(Choose the fullscreen option down the bottom right hand corner.)

https://phet.colorado.edu/sims/html/charges-and-fields/latest/charges-and-fields_en.html

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Gravitational energy vs height

Posted on April 20, 2020 by justin

Open the embedded graph to change the value of h and calculate the gravitational potential energy / kg at different heights.

Can you estimate the kinetic energy needed to escape the Earth’s gravitational field?

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Gravitational field strength graph

Posted on April 18, 2020 by justin

Investigate the value of g (m/s2) varying with distance (km) from the surface of the Earth.

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PhET – Gravity force lab

Posted on April 16, 2020 by VCE Physics

Visualize the gravitational force that two objects exert on each other. Adjust properties of the objects to see how changing the properties affects the gravitational attraction.

(Choose the fullscreen option down the bottom right hand corner.)

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-force-lab

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PhET – Gravity And Orbits

Posted on April 16, 2020 by VCE Physics

Move the sun, earth, moon and space station to see how it affects their gravitational forces and orbital paths. Visualize the sizes and distances between different heavenly bodies, and turn off gravity to see what would happen without it!

(Choose the fullscreen option down the bottom right hand corner.)

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/gravity-and-orbits

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