Course Title: A.P. Physics

Room: B 1.24

Course Description:

The physics course is designed to provide an understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences. Basic concepts and ideas about matter and energy illustrate how these basics clarify more complex concepts. These basics are introduced to students in a logical and carefully planned sequence. Fundamental laws of mechanics (forces and motion) are developed early, as well as problem solving techniques. Subsequent topics depend upon this early development of mechanics to further develop other natural laws. Some of the topics covered in physics are measurement, forces and motion, wave theory, heat, sound, light, magnetism, electricity, atomic structure, nuclear reactions, and high-energy physics. This class will prepare the students to take the AP exam in May.

Course Goals/Objectives/Standards:

The standards for Physics present the concepts of physics in relation to world experiences and are designed to provide an understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences. Students learn through an integrated approach, linking physics with technology, social perspectives, and the history and nature of science. The standards emphasize a more complex understanding of experimentation, the analysis of data, and the use of reasoning and logic to evaluate evidence. Students learn via an inquiry approach, fundamental laws of mechanics (forces and motion), wave theory, heat, sound, light, magnetism, electricity, atomic structure, nuclear reactions, and high energy physics. Students spend a minimum of 30% of their time engaged in laboratory activities.

Inquiry Skills

Students will design and conduct scientific investigations. Students will:

· Identify questions that can be answered through scientific investigations

· Use appropriate tools, technology, and techniques to gather, analyze, and interpret data

· Organize and maintain a journal showing all phases of investigations

· Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence and logic

· Use mathematics to explain, interpret, and improve investigations and communications

· Construct logical relationships between evidence and explanations

· Identify and analyze alternative explanations, models, and predictions

· Demonstrate understanding about scientific inquiry

· Use fair test procedures

Students will communicate scientific procedures and explanation. Students will:

· Demonstrate effective methods to organize and display scientific concepts

· Present investigative procedures and results to others verbally, graphically, and in writing

· Communicate science concepts accurately and clearly, using scientific vocabulary

Physical Science Content

Students will apply the principles of motion and force. Students will:

· Investigate interactions portraying Newton's Laws and quantitatively describe objects in motion

· Derive numerical relationships described by the Law of Universal Gravitation

· Explain the phenomena associated with the inverse square relationship

· Describe phenomena which are two aspects of a single force (example: electricity and magnetism)

Students will apply principles related to the conservation of energy and describe the associated increase in disorder. Students will:

· Predict and analyze the energy interaction of systems (example: mathematically describe impulse and momentum)

· Apply the principles of work, energy, and power to mechanical and electrical systems (examples: principles of work, fluid movements, pressure, causality)

· Synthesize the concepts of conservation of mass and energy into one general conservation law

· Identify events and occurrences that contribute to global entropy

· Demonstrate energy as potential, kinetic, or energy in a field

· Infer that heat consists of random motion and the vibrations of atoms, molecules, and ions

Students will explain the interactions between matter and energy. Students will:

· Explain that all waves have energy and can transfer energy when they interact with matter

· Demonstrate that accelerated charges produce electromagnetic radiation, including all waves

· Explain the concept of photon emission and absorption within the framework of quantized energy levels in nuclei, atoms, and molecules

· Explain that the energy of electromagnetic waves is proportional to the frequency of the associated wave

· Investigate the applications of the principles of conductivity, including semiconductors and insulators

Science and Technology

Students will demonstrate abilities of technological design. Students will:

· Design and construct a solution to an identified problem

· Evaluate outcomes based on selected criteria and possible consequences

· Communicate the nature of the problem, processes used, and solutions

Students will understand the interdependence of science and technology. Students will:

· Document a scientific investigation that requires coordination and interaction among several different disciplines

· Summarize how new technologies often extend the dimensions of what can be done (miniaturization, temperature tolerance, precision instruments)

· Evaluate the impact of new technologies

· Determine that new technologies often result from a combination of creativity, imagination, and scientific knowledge

Students will integrate science and technology in local, national, and global challenges. Students will:

· Assess risks, costs, and benefits when evaluating scientific technologies

· Describe areas of current research in physics and the associated social, economic, and political impact of this research

Science In Personal and Social Perspectives

The student will practice safety and understand the importance of personal and community health. Students will:

· Model appropriate laboratory techniques, procedures, and behaviors

· Apply the laws of dynamics to a personal or community problem (example: transportation safety)

· Investigate current safety issues related to physics (example: extremely low frequency electromagnetic fields, lasers)

The student will develop an understanding of population growth. Students will:

· Analyze factors regarding population growth patterns and the application of appropriate technology (example: pump designs for the third world)

· Determine the limitations of technology in sustaining continued population growth

Students will develop an understanding of human induced hazards. Students will:

· Evaluate the benefits and potential risks associated with technology (examples: heat pollution, radiation, and radioactive waste)

History and Nature Of Science

Students will know that the human dimensions of science provide a context for scientific knowledge. Students will:

· Compare examples of physics projects that are conducted by individuals and those conducted by teams of scientists across physical, cultural, and language barriers

· Explore the dynamics of classroom investigations conducted individually compared with small teams

· Examine the ethical considerations in scientific research and the application of new technologies

· Practice peer reviews and accurate reporting of investigations

· Investigate careers related to physics, technology, and engineering

Students will understand that science offers tentative explanations of the natural world through the use of empirical observations. Students will:

· Compare knowledge derived from scientific investigations with other ways of knowing about the natural world (examples: myths and superstitions)

· Validate that scientific knowledge is subject to change as new evidence becomes available

Students will understand how science concepts build on previous knowledge. Students will:

· Investigate contributions to physics from diverse cultures

· Document the development of a science concept over time to illustrate how the theory has changed

Scope and Sequence:

This is tentative and subject to change

Motion in One Dimension

Newton’s Laws

Work and Energy

Potential Energy/Conservation of Energy

Power

Impulse/Momentum

Collisions

Circular Motion

Torque

Pendulums

Harmonic Motion

Gravitation/Orbital Motion

Heat

Waves

Charge

Coulomb’s Law/Conductors

Capacitors

Resistors/DC

Circuits

Magnetic Fields/Current

Induction

Photoelectric Effect/Energy Levels

Nuclear Physics

Optics

A.P. EXAM!!!!!

Final project

Course Grading/Assessment:

The course will be graded on points. Midterm Exams are worth 100 points. Points will be given for daily assignments and chapter exams. Other forms of assessment may include labs, quizzes, projects and presentations. The point value of these assignments will be announced when the assignment is given.

At the end of the semester, the first quarter will count for 40% of the grade, the second quarter will be 40% of the grade and the final exam will be 20% of the grade.

Continuous School Progress:

AFNORTH International Middle/High School’s CSP goal is, “All students will improve their written communication skills across the curriculum.” The 6+ 1 trait is the model selected to improve school-wide writing in all subject areas. The 6+ 1 trait writing framework is a powerful way to learn and use a common language to refer to characteristics of writing as well as establish a common vision of what “strong” writing looks like. Teachers and students will use the 6+1 trait model to identify areas of strengths and weaknesses as they continue to strive towards continued writing improvement. In this class we will be using the 6+1 trait to work on appropriate scientific communication through lab reports, essay exams, and other written projects.

Classroom Expectations/Consequences:

Respect yourself by doing your work, listening and participating.

Respect me by being cooperative and attentive.

Respect your school by taking care of materials and using them properly.

Respect your peers by being quiet during lectures and doing your fair share of group work.

Textbook:

Giancoli Physics

Supplemental Materials:

Lab notebook, handouts

Supplies:

Pens with blue or black ink

Loose-leaf paper

Pencils

Calculator with scientific notation

Make up work policy:

If you are absent, you have as many days as you were absent to make up assignments. It is your responsibility to get your work when you have been absent. Labs and tests will be made up during the next seminar day unless other arrangements are made.

For unexcused late work, you will be penalized 25% for each day that it is late.

You must keep up with assignments in order to succeed!