New Lab and More!

Hello, everyone! Today in my Physics class, we did a lab including a battery powered car which can go at different speeds. The question we had to answer was: "Is there a relationship between the amount of time a car runs and its position?" We were put into groups with two to three people each and asked to do two different trials. In the first trial, a group had to let the car go at one speed for a certain distance. Next, the group had to find the speed of the car when it was at five different positions. The group was not told a specific way to record the speed, and people recorded it many different ways. In the second trial, the speed of the car was changed, but the same procedure was to be performed. My class also came up with a new definition for the word 'position' today. We said that position is the distance from a reference point in a specific direction. We also learned about the Fermi Quiz, which seemed a bit complicated at first. The questions we were given seemed impossible to find out, such as: "How many marbles can fit in a bus?" Click on the link below to find out more about the Fermi Quiz. Basically, we have been learning a lot of new things in Physics! 

More About the Fermi Quiz

Whiteboard Discussions

Hello, everyone! I thought it would be interesting to let you know about what goes on in my Physics class. When my fellow classmates and I conduct an experiment, we collect data and info about the lab in our notebooks (obviously). Then, on a whiteboard, each group writes down their data, draws a graph, and writes all the needed information such as what kind of equation we have. After that, we all put up our boards on a stand and discuss our questions and what we think about each other's boards. I feel as though I do not contribute as much to the discussion as I would like to. Most of the reason is because I am new and don't know many people well. I also don't want to say something and be proved wrong, and I am just nervous to talk. I realize now that being wrong is part of the learning experience. Even if I am wrong, I can learn from my mistake. Next time my class has a whiteboard discussion, I will definitely try to contribute more to the discussion!

Standards in My Physics Class (Standard 2)

Hello, reader! In my Physics Class, we have to know specifically 9 standards. We will be quizzed on these standards, so it is very important to know them well. The second standard that I have to know for my Physics Class is how to convert between metric units. Now, you may be thinking, doesn't everyone know how to convert in metric units?! I know how to do this, (hopefully I pass the quiz..) but the truth is that many people don't know how to. I found this amazing video from Khan Academy that describes how to convert between metric units. So if you need help with your conversions, watch this helpful video!

Converting Between Metric Units (Standard 2)

Physicists Created 'Molecules' of Light

      An amazing physics discovery has just been conducted... What exactly is a photon? Great question! The Free Dictionary states that a photon is the quantum of electromagnetic energy, regarded as a discrete particle having zero mass, no electric charge, and an indefinitely long lifetime. Two physicists in the U.S. created the first 'molecules' that are made of photons. The team was led by Mikhael Lukin and Vladan Vuletić. The experiment the two physicists conducted included firing the two photons through an ultracold atomic gas. The photons attract and stick together. "The breakthrough could allow both conventional and quantum computers to encode and process information using photons." (Johnston 1) Photons are not very easy to stick together, but a photon has an electromagnetic field which modifies its surrounding medium. The team sent the photons through a gas of rubidium atoms which was a few degrees above absolute zero. 

       The physicists used blue laser light which had a wavelength of 479 nm. A Rydberg state is created because the rubidium atoms shared some of its energy with many atoms. The result of this state is the two photons bounding together forming a molecule, and travelling through atomic gas. Photon molecules can really help our world in many ways. Creating interactions between photons can lead to faster and more efficient computers. The computers would use light pulses to process information! These molecules could even help in the development of quantum computers! 

 Click this Link to find out more about this breakthrough!: Molecules of Light 


Explanation of a Photon (Video)

Helpful Picture!