Xtreme Science Club

Honors Physics Essentials Only $12.95!

2011-12-26T08:37:00.001-05:00

Happy Holidays!

I am thrilled to announce the release of Honors Physics Essentials, an algebra-based physics book designed to assist beginning physics students in their high school and introductory college physics courses as an invaluable supplemental resource in class as well as a review guide for standardized physics assessments such as the SAT Subject Test in Physics, PRAXIS Physics, and CST Physics exams. You can find it online at Amazon.com for only $12.95.

Honors Physics Essentials is an easy-to-read guide to algebra-based introductory physics, featuring more than 500 worked-out problems with full solutions and covering topics such as: kinematics, dynamics, momentum, impulse, gravity, uniform circular motion, rotational kinematics, work, energy, power, electrostatics, circuits, magnetism, microelectronics, waves, sound, optics, thermal physics, fluids, and modern physics.

The 384-page 6”x9” paperback book is integrated with the APlusPhysics.com website, which includes online question and answer forums, videos, animations, and supplemental problems to help students master Honors Physics Essentials. You can find more information at http://www.aplusphysics.com/honors. Volume discounts and e-book versions are available, as are class and site licenses for electronic versions starting as low as $3 per student.

I have so many people to thank for their contributions to this endeavor that I hardly know where to begin. First, I'd like to thank all the fans of the first book, Regents Physics Essentials (RPE), and fans of the APlusPhysics website. It was your requests, feedback, and encouragement that prompted the writing of this book. Following the release of RPE, reader response was tremendous, and your requests for a similar book extending beyond the scope of the NY Regents Curriculum that could be used in physics classrooms across the country as well as for standardized test preparation made the development of this book a personal necessity.

Second, I must thank my two outstanding editors, Jeff Guercio and Joe Kunz, who graciously took many hours out of their busy lives to help make this book (and Regents Physics Essentials) clear, concise, and readable. I'd also like to thank my student Emily, who first proposed turning our course notes into a review book, and Andrew, who reinforced that you can do anything if you set your mind to it. I'd also like to thank Muse, whose enthusiasm for this book has been contagious.

Last, but certainly not least, I'd like to thank all the teachers and professors who contributed to this endeavor. In attempting to write a physics book that would serve the needs of Honors Physics students across the country (and beyond), the input of these teachers and professors has been instrumental in tailoring this book to the needs of a majority of students, while at the same time keeping the length (and cost) low enough to remain attractive to its intended audience.

I've enjoyed working on this project throughout the past two years, but as in any extended project, I'm breathing a sigh of relief to have reached the finish line (at least for now). I hope you find the APlusPhysics website and family of resources a useful tool in your study / instruction of physics, and I look forward to growing our online learning community in the coming years. Thank you, thank you, thank you, and best wishes on an amazing 2012!

APlusPhysics Android App Released!

2011-01-12T20:12:00.000-05:00

The first version of the APlusPhysics application for Google’s Android OS has been released and is available for free download from AndroidZoom.com.

APlusPhysics.com is a website dedicated to providing users with review materials and real-life applications of physics. The complexity of topics ranges from NYS Regents level physics to AP-C Physics (Mechanics and E&M). This app displays all recent blog posts and podcasts published on APlusPhysics.com. The user can read blog posts and stream or download podcasts. Downloaded podcasts must be stored in the SD card present in the phone.

In addition, an easy-to-read list of constants can be viewed that includes all constants used in Regents and AP-C Physics. Clicking a constant displays the name of that constant.

I am extremely open to feature requests. Let me know!

Package: com.kking.apphysics

Screenshots of the application in action have been released:

Special thanks to developer Kevin King for his terrific work on this project!

Nobel Laureate to Speak at UB! Free!

2010-04-08T07:05:00.002-04:00

Dr. William D. Phillips, who was awarded the 1997 Nobel Prize in physics, will be presenting the 16th Annual Rustgi Lecture "Time, Einstein and the Coolest Stuff in the Universe" on Friday April 23 in 225 Natural Sciences Complex on the UB Amherst Campus at 5 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public. It will be at a level that can be understood by high school students and anyone interested in science and technology. Dr. Phillips is well known for the spectacular lecture demonstrations that he presents with his public lectures.

Real or Fake -- What Do You Think?

2010-03-08T07:30:00.001-05:00

Minute Maid "Static Electricity" Commercial

2010-03-04T07:32:00.001-05:00

Science of the Olympics: Aerial Skiing

2010-02-11T07:29:00.001-05:00

Science Club Meeting

2010-02-09T15:17:00.001-05:00

Xtreme Science Club will meet on Wednesday, 2/10, at 3:10 p.m. in Mr. Wagner's Room at the high school (Room 3010). Thanks!

Club Meeting Minutes, 1/13/10

2010-01-13T16:34:00.001-05:00

We began the meeting with a 5-minute video about the Space Escalator project, created by Andy from the AP Physics C course. This led to a discussion on the space elevator and carbon nanotubes.

Following the technical portion of the meeting, club members broke into groups to develop a formal scope of work for the projects under consideration (laser, rocket, superconductor).

We talked about what makes for a good Scope of Work document, and used information developed from our previous meeting as a starting point.

We will continue to work on these with the goal of submitting them to the science department head prior to mid-term week.

There will be no meeting next week due to mid-term exam preparations. Next meeting will be Wednesday, February 3, at 3:10 p.m. in Room 3033.

Physics In Action Podcast

2010-01-07T07:40:00.000-05:00

The Physics In Action Podcast has been accepted and syndicated through iTunes! If you're interested in seeing examples of physics in the real world, movies, and video games, as well as interviews with interesting personalities and a look into the frontiers of physics research (such as relativity, space elevator, parallel dimensions, etc.), you can subscribe to the podcast through iTunes (it's free!) by clicking here or for those who are tech-savvy, our RSS feed is available at http://feeds.feedburner.com/PhysicsInAction

Next Meeting

2010-01-05T07:17:00.001-05:00

Next meeting of the Xtreme Science Club will be Wednesday, January 13th, after school in Room 3033. There will NOT be a meeting on January 6th.

Newton's Birthday Carols!

2009-12-18T08:44:00.001-05:00

From: The New York Times Opinionator

The 10 Days of Newton

By OLIVIA JUDSON

On the tenth day of Newton,
My true love gave to me,
Ten drops of genius,
Nine sil ver co-oins,
Eight circling planets,
Seven shades of li-ight,
Six counterfeiters,
Cal-Cu-Lus!
Four telescopes,
Three Laws of Motion,
Two awful feuds,
And the discovery of gravity!

First Pass Project Reviews

2009-12-16T16:04:00.002-05:00

Today's meeting was a working research meeting, with club members breaking into focus groups to do a brief Internet search on one of the four projects under consideration, answering the questions:

What are our options?
What are some key resources / Internet sites?
What is the scope of the project? Can you define a goal / timeline?
Can you put together a materials list / estimated budget?
What challenges will the project face?

Results will be posted on the club website for all to review and comment on over the next couple weeks. The club will reconvene after the holiday to further define these projects, secure funding, and determine a path forward on a project-by-project basis.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, January 6, at 3:10 p.m. in Room 3033.

More on Lasers from Ethan!

2009-12-10T07:22:00.000-05:00

Gadgets:
How To Make A Burning Laser Flashlight

Meeting Notes 12/9/09

2009-12-09T16:13:00.001-05:00

We began today's meeting with a brief video and demonstration of rail gun technology.

Blitzer Rail-Gun Press Release

Naval Rail-Gun Article

Following the video and demonstration, we returned to our task of choosing which topics and projects we'd most like to investigate this year. Top four vote-getters were:

Building a hovercraft machine
Exploring lasers
Launching a rocket with still/video capabilities
Demonstrating superconductor levitation

Actions items for the meeting include:

Mr. Wagner will discuss current model rocket offerings with still picture/video capabilities.
Ethan will investigate potential projects / goals we may want to undertake surrounding lasers.
Christina will talk to Mr. Cermak to learn more about what is involved in building a hovercraft.
Mr. Fullerton will investigate a superconductor levitation demonstration.
Mr. Fullerton will create a science club blog for use by all members.

Next meeting will be Wednesday, 12/16, at 3:10 p.m. in Room 3033. At this meeting, we will not have a formal demonstration or presentation, but instead will split into interest groups to do some basic Internet research, and reconvene at the end of the meeting to share what each group has learned.

Meeting Notes 12/2/09

2009-12-09T16:07:00.001-05:00

Following brief introductions (name, background, why you're here), we talked about what we want to build our Xtreme Science Club into, and brainstormed what projects or activities we could undertake. Club members are going to think about which projects they're most interested in, and make a list of their top 3, which we'll take a look at for next week's meeting (Wednesday, 12/9, in Room 3033 at 3:10).