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Putnam County R-I Schools

High School

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Students Apply New Concept

What do you get when you cross a mosquito with a mountain climber?

Nothing. You can't cross a vector and a scalar.

While the joke above is simply a play on words, Putnam County freshmen physical science students are likely able to explain it now.  Mr. Watt’s physical science classes have switched from a focus on introductory chemistry principles to a focus on introductory physics principles.  Students have learned the difference between a scalar quantity (a measurement with only size, but not direction) and a vector quantity (a measurement that includes size and direction relative to a point of origin). The students are handling the new concepts with a high degree of proficiency, and are learning new ways to utilize their scientific calculators.