Unit Blog
Reflection
- In this unit I learned about basically everything
electricity. We learned about how fuse boxes save us from damage, how
lightning occurs, how to generate energy to shock someone, and how to make
your hair stand straight up. The first thing I learned was charges,
polarization, and charge transfer. Protons (positively charged particle)
and electron (negatively charged particles) is the base of electricity. A
neutron is a particle that has neither a positive nor negative charge. You
can create charges in three different ways; induction, friction, and
contact. An example of friction would be rubbing your hand against your
arm. The example we used in class was rubbing a balloon to our heads’. The
friction of the balloon creates a positive charged in our hair. The hair,
now positively charged, will repel each other. This is because like
charges repel and opposite charges attract. An example of induction is
lighting. Lighting is caused by induction. The negative charges of the
cloud attract the positive charges of the ground, causing a streak of
electricity. Unlike friction, induction does not require contact.
Polarization is a little trickier.
I should explain conductors
and insulators. Conductors allow charges to move through them while insulators
stop charges from moving. Metals obviously are conductors, while rubber
and Styrofoam are insulators. Polarization occurs when charges separate
but remain neutral. We can go back to the balloon now. Why does the
balloon stick to the wall after being rubbed against your head? When the
the balloon is rubbed on your head it is negatively charged by friction.
When the balloon is placed on the wall, the wall polarizes. The positive
charges of the wall attract with the negative charges of the balloon. The negative
charges of the wall repel and move backwards.
- This
can be explained mathematically by Columb’s law: K(q1)(q2)/D^2
- The
balloon sticks to the wall because the distance between the negative
charged balloon and the positively charged wall is small.
- 1.
The balloon is charged by friction. (Negatively)
- 2.
The negative charges of the bowl attract to the positive charged of the
wall. The wall becomes polarized.
- 3.
The distance of the different attracting forces is small, while the
distance between the like repelling forces is large.
- 4.
Due to the grater distance of the repelling forces, the forces between
them will be smaller. Therefore the balloon sticks to the wall.
- What I have found difficult about what I have studied
is fuse boxes. I have already taken the test, but this is something that
still bothers me. I was unsure that fuse boxes acted as resistors in the
same way appliances would be. Also I am confused how the yare wired in
series, but can be put on a parallel circuit. How does this work? I understand
that in a series circuit, the more appliances used, the lower the current
gets. I also understand that in a parallel circuit, the more appliances
added, the higher the current gets. What I don’t understand is how
something wired in series, which is suppose to decrease current, could
work in sync with a parallel circuit, which increases current per
appliance.
- We also learned about Ohm’s law. This states that
current is equal to voltage divided by resistance. Current is basically
electricity that flows through an appliance or wire. Measured in volts,
the symbol for volts is v. Resistance is when a circuit will resist and
electric current. This is measured in Ohms. Thicker wire= more current
flow. Longer wire=more current flow
- I overcame these difficulties by questioning them over
and over again. I am still questioning, but slowly I am starting to
understand them. It helped to
understand that when there is too much current the fuse will shut
everything down. Current flows because of a difference in voltage. This is
calculated by dividing electric potential energy by the charge: V= PE/q.
If there is too much energy being used at once the fuse will shut things
down.
- My problem-solving skills and effort........
·
My
efforts toward class have been consistent. I participate every class and make
sure I speak up when I am confused. I complete all homework. If an assignment
is missed there is always a good reason for the mistake. I am great in lab
groups and enjoy my time in class.
·
My self-confidence
in physics is constantly increasing. I feel like it helps drastically with my
improvement as a student. Also now that I know I can do the work I take my time
on problems of confusion. I try to work them out, and usually I figure out the
answer, if I don’t I always ask questions the next class. This self-confidence
boost has also helped with my attitude towards my peers. I feel a lot more
comfortable speaking my mind around my classmates and having a great time in
physics.
* My goal(s) for the next unit
is to make sure that I hand in my blog reflection on time. Also I want to have
an A average in the class. I will achieve this by doing all of my work, like
usual, and getting better grades on tests. Higher test scores will mean a
higher average.
Part
B: Connections
One thing I can connect this unit to is why the power in my house
shuts off when the toaster oven and the microwave are on. When these two things
are on the power always cuts off in the kitchen. Then we need to go downstairs
and flip a switch to put everything back to normal.
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