are you taking the RSS?
I have updated the class notes for “Power Transmission” and posted them on the Unit 4 Page. All the page numbers should now match the new text, let me know if there are any errors.
There is a unit guide available here with a breakdown of topics, reading, key examples and diagrams and practice questions. It will continue to grow and evolve so it may be an idea to bookmark it.
Solutions for your practice exam are available. Come and see me if you want a copy.
There are only a few weeks to go until ‘Written examination 1’, and you are probably wondering what you can do to prepare.
There are some useful hints and recommendations in here. Definitely worth a read. Written by
Melanie Lane who is an assessor and teaches physics at Melbourne Girls Grammar.
The stuff we recorded in class matched to the slides plus some bonus diagrams for good measure. Can be viewed online or downloaded from here

You’ve got some data collected so now what?
Making sense of data can be challenging. Generally you’re looking for any relationship or trend that may exist between the quantities you measured. Relationships are useful because they can be used to predict things in future. e.g. “if we use this much force it will stretch by this amount” or “if we use this much force it will break” or whatever. Now relationships can be very hard to identify from a table of data. So, to repeat the question, now what?
Biggest headache for most is trying to justify or explain why things may not fit as well as you think they should. Hint : go back and examine the variables, constants and assumptions. What did you assume was constant? What did you assume would have no effect? Respected scientists question their current thinking in search of better answers and if you don’t have the time or funds to pursue it yourself at the very least you recommend a way forward for others.
Back to your snake…
Get your data, graph it, analyse it
Use the formula and the relationship from your graph to get an approximate value for the Young Modulus of your snake
Recommend the way forward for someone who may wish to further the investigation.
This online activity may help as a refresher

Here are the pictures taken in class of the simple structures you created. Remember when the structure is under load (example shown) you need to be able to identify which parts are under tension and which are under compression. This is easy to do with Flickr (where the photos are currently being hosted) by clicking the “add note” button at the top left hand corner of the image, dragging the box to the desired location and typing in the details. When others roll their mouse of the relevant sections they are greeted with your little pop up comment.
For convenience the pictures have also been uploaded to Picasa and shared. Downer is Picasa doesn’t have the cool “add note” feature but if you already have an account with Google (e.g.GMail) it’s part of the package.
Now you know what some basic structures look like, build a portfolio of between 4 and 6 photos (although you can have more if you wish) showing different simple structures in use. Don’t forget the arch is also a great structure to include. Mark the primary load point on the structure and indicate areas of compression and tension. Identify the material the structure is made of suggest why it was chosen for the task. Share your annotate portfolio with other students using Picasa, Flickr or some other tool.

I have created an online quiz covering some of the basic terms, definitions and concepts of the Motion unit. Click here to go to the quiz. When you press submit your answers will be sent to a spreadsheet where I can check them and then provide feedback.

Different disciplines require different approaches, different ways of “thinking” if you like. The same applies when it comes to “learning” or “studying” in different disciplines. I have been studying/learning science for a good few years and this is what I used to get me through.
Final word - Nothing works unless you do.
Share your tips as comments.

Well done team. I think we put forward a fairly strong case to keep the Luna Park excursion running. Forward your presentation materials through to me and I will combine it with the video to form a “fantastic multimedia package”. The ride worksheets that you used to guide your investigations will be collected this week and don’t stress if they’re not super neat.
Some good news. I have received the DVD of video and data that was collected at Luna Park. We can make time to check it out this week.

We’ve done the Luna Park thing for a few years and the time has come again to justify why we go. Excursions cost the organisation money. There’s no way around it. You guys are out of the school, classes need to be replaced, buses run, entry paid etc.
Is it value for money as a learning experience?
The burden of proof lies with us.
A member of the leadership team will be attending class next Friday afternoon to listen to your presentations.
I have created a page on the wiki with further details, criteria and helpful information (like how to make effective presentations).
