Unit 6: Fluid Mechanics, Heat, and Thermodynamics

     We'll start off this unit with the fundamental principles of fluids.  You'll find out why boats float and airplanes fly.  Then it's time to move to another important branch of physics that again deals with motion, but this time the motion of the microscopic atoms and molecules that are contained in the macroscopic objects around us.  The concept of heat helps us understand the energy associated with the motions of these tiny entities that make up your desk, your computer and even your body.  Once we know how heat works, we can move on to the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics...and after you know them well, your world will never look the same.

Suggested timeframe: 3 weeks

Big Ideas:
1. Fluids exhibit properties than can be measured.
2. Heat is energy transfer between two systems in thermal contact that have different temperatures.
3. Almost all materials expand when the temperature increases.
4. The laws of thermodynamics basically imply that energy is conserved and that the universe is becoming more random as time goes on.