Teacher: Pat Coley

Date: 1-22-15

Class Per: 5 AP Physics 1

Lesson Objective: TSW define collisions and design experiments to allow derivation, explanation,
calculation and justification of momentum and energy.
Observations by Mrs. Tricia N. Aguas (Science Instructional Practice Coach)
Time
1:20

Teacher
Working with a group of students on
their bellringer.

Students
Students were writing. Some were on
their computers working on BrainGenie
activity.

1:25

We should be done with our

bellringer Lets read the objective (of
our lesson) out loud.

Read objective out loud.

1:26

What are the 3 types of collisions?

Elastic, inelastic

And a third one I told you to look

up, but you didnt. I am not telling you
what it is. You have to find out.
What are the 2 types of energy?

Kinetic and potential

Raise your hand if our (collision)

experiment is about KE

Some students raise their hand.

Raise your hand if our (collision)

experiment is about PE

Some students raise their hand.

Its KE because the cars are moving.

1:28

I will tell you what you need to know

to design your own collision First
write it out like a problem (due
Monday).
Mrs. Coley shows them an example.
What is the formula for momentum?...
for kinetic energy? These are the two
formulas you will need for the
collision experiment.
Does my energy need to be
directional? One of these (p or KE) is
speed and one is velocity. Figure out
which is which.

Some students call the formulas out in

unison

Masses will be together after the

collision You will need to justify
(using calculations if the collision is
elastic or inelastic).
1:33

What is always conserved in an

elastic collision?

p and KE

So to show an elastic collision, you

have to calculate KE before and after
the collision.
If KE = KE or if theyre very close, then
energy is conserved and the collision
is elastic. If KE does not equal KE or
they are far apart (in value), (the
collision) is inelastic.
1:40

So lets look at this example on the

board. Who would like a problem
presentation grade? Calculate the KE
before the collision

Student 1 raises her hand and write the

solution on the board.

(Student 1, after setting up the

equation) Stop, let your classmates do
the calculations and let them do some
mental math.

Most of the class starts calculating out

loud.
Student 1 writes the final answer with
units and draws a box around it. (KE =
32 J)

1:45

1:48

Who would like to show the KE of the

collision after?

Student 2 shows calculations for KE

after the collision, writes the final
answer with units and draws a box
around it. (KE = 16 J).

So is KE = KE?

Students call out, No.

So what type of collision is this?

Students call out, Inelastic.

So to figure out how to set up elastic

and inelastic collisions in the lab,
were going to simulate them first on
PhET. Remember when you
manipulate the variables, you should
justify your answers with calculations.

Students power up computers.

Comments/ Suggestions/ Questions:

Great strategies to check for understanding: Poll the class for the correct answer; calling on
volunteers to show calculations.
The laptops were used in a meaningful way to prepare for the collision lab.
What formative assessments have you used or will you use to check if ALL students
understand the concepts, and determine concepts that need to be re-taught? How often do
you use formative assessments before you administer a summative assessment?
1/29/15
Formative Assessment: Checklist of students who understand the objective. Students also
turn in a sample problem with the solution on the HUB.
Summative assessments: 15 MC and 4 FRQ (50-50) patterned after the AP Physics 1 exam.

In what instructional areas can I be of further assistance to you (for example, data-driven
instruction, classroom management, differentiated instruction)?
1/29/15 Areas of Assistance
Resource and lesson development for AP Physics 1 NSTA conference (March 11 15,
2015, Chicago), AP Institute
Paper work and trip approval

Post Conference Notes:

This teachers request,along with two other science teachers,to attend the National Science
Teachers Association (NSTA) conference was approved.