Conceptual Physics Syllabus
This course uses a highly conceptual approach to physics (modeling and analysis). Students use basic algebraic and geometric concepts while investigating physics content. Geometry is a prerequisite.
Kinematics
• 1-D Kinematics
• Distance, Velocity, Acceleration
• Vectors
• Projectiles
How Components Vary
Determine Range and Time Of Flight
Dynamics
• Force, Inertia, Mass
• 1st Law
• 2nd Law F=Ma
• 3rd Law Action/Reaction
• Centripetal Force
• Universal Gravitation
Momentum
• Impulse
• Momentum
• Conservation Of Momentum
• Elastic vs. Inelastic Collisions
Work, Energy and Power
• Conservation Of Energy
• Simple Machines
Levers, Pulleys, Inclined Planes
• Efficiency
• Work
• Potential Energy
• Kinetic Energy
• Power
Electrostatics
• Charging By Conduction, Induction
• Coulombs Law
• Electric Fields
• Field Lines (Direction, Density)
• Electric Potential
Electric Circuits
• Current, Voltage, Resistance
• Ohm’s Law
• Ammeters, Voltmeters
• Circuit Elements, Symbols
• Series, Parallel Resistance
• Super Conductivity
Electromagnetism
• Magnetic Fields
• Ferromagnetism
• Electromagnets
• Induction
• Transformers
• Motors/ Generators
Waves
• Wave Properties
• Wave Length, Frequency
• Reflection, Refraction
• Snell’s Law
• Interference, Diffraction, Polarization
• Standing Waves
• Sound
• Doppler Effect
• Light/ Electromagnetic Spectrum
Properties, Behaviors and Applications of Radio,
Microwaves, Infra-Red, Visible Light, Ultraviolet, X-rays and Gamma Rays
Geometric Optics (Mirrors, Lenses)
Mirrors
• Plane, Spherical
• Ray Diagrams
Lenses
• Converging/Diverging
• Image Properties
Real Vs. Virtual
Erect Vs. Inverted
Fluids
• Density and Pressure
• Depth
• Archimedes’ Principle
• Pascal’s Principle
• Bernoulli’s Principle
• Fluids In Motion
Modern Physics (Atomic, Nuclear)
• Bohr vs. DeBroglie
• Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
• Special Relativity
• Nuclear Decay
• Parent Daughter Nuclei
• Half-Life
• Shielding
• α, β, γ Radiation
• Nuclear Reactions
• Fission, Fusion
• Isotope
Conceptual Physics Syllabus
Text – Paul Hewitt
Chapter 1 –physics units, math tools, scientific method
p. 8 questions 1,3,4,7,8
Chapter 2 - displacement, velocity, acceleration, free fall
graphical analysis of velocity and acceleration
p. 25 questions 2,5,8,10,15,22,24
problems 26,28,30,32,43,49
Chapter 3 - vectors & scalars, adding/subtracting vectors, projectiles,
satellite motion
p. 40 questions 2,5,8,9,12,15,17
problems 19,20,22,24,25,39
Chapter 4 -inertia, Newton’s 1st law, weight, net force vectors,
equilibrium/non-equilibrium, friction
p. 56 questions 2,4,5,7,11,14,20
problems 21,22,23,25,34
Chapter 5 -Newton’s 2nd law, acceleration, friction, pressure, air
resistance in free fall
p. 71 questions 2,3,4,8,10,11,13,14
problems 20,21,23,36,38
Chapter 6 -Newton’s 3rd law, force interaction, action/reaction pairs,
p. 83 questions 2,3,4,5,9,11,13,21,25,36
Chapter 7 -impulse and momentum, conservation of momentum,
elastic and inelastic collisions, momentum vectors
p. 100 questions 1,2,3,5,7,11,14,16
problems 19,20,22,34,37
Chapter 8 -work, power, mechanical energy, potential and kinetic
energy, conservation of energy, simple machines,
efficiency of machines
p. 119 questions 2,3,6,11,14,16,19
problems 21,23,26,28,42
Chapter 9 - circular motion, rotation vs. revolution, rotational speed,
centripetal acceleration and force, simulated gravity
p. 133 questions 2,3,5,7,9,11,
problems 31,32,36,38
Chapter 10 -center of mass/gravity, toppling, stability, in humans
p. 147 questions 1,4,6,8,9,12,18,19,23,24,27,28
Chapter 11 -torque, with center of gravity, rotational inertia,
angular momentum, conservation
p. 165 questions 1,3,4,6,7,9,11,13,14,15,17
problems 21,22,33,34
Chapter 12 -universal gravity, Newton’s cannon, gravity constant,
inverse square law, perturbation
p. 180 questions 1,3,4,7,8,13,14
problems 15,17,32,33
Chapter 13 -gravitational fields, weight and weightlessness, tides,
black holes
p. 196 questions 4,6,7,8,10,12,16,18,19
problems 21,40,42
Chapter 14 -satellite motion, circular & elliptical orbits, conservation
of energy, escape velocity,
p. 210 questions 2,3,4,6,8,9,10,13
problems 29,30,31
Chapter 17 -atomic structure, elements, atoms, molecules, particles,
p. 256 questions 1,2,3,6,7,9,11,15,18,21,25
problems 35,36
Chapter 18 -crystals, density, elasticity, compression and tension,
p. 271 questions 2,5,7,8,10,11,13,15,19
Chapter 19 -fluid pressure, buoyancy, Archimedes principle, sink or
float, Pascal’s principle
p. 286 questions 1,4,6,7,8,11,13,14,16,19
problems 21,23,24,39,42
Chapter 20 -atmospheric pressure, barometers, Boyle’s law, buoyancy
in air, Bernoulli’s principle
p. 303 questions 1,3,4,6,11,12,16,17
problems 18,19,38,39,42
Chapter 25 -simple harmonic motion, pendulum, wave velocity,
transverse/longitudinal waves, interference, Doppler
p. 388 questions 2,5,6,8,9,11,12,14,16,19
problems 21,22,23,25,36,38
Chapter 26 -sound waves, speed, intensity, frequency, resonance,
interference, beats
p. 401 questions 1,3,4,5,7,8,9,14,16,19
problems 33,34,36,37,39
Chapter 27 -speed of light, e/m waves, transparent, translucent,
opaque, polarization, optical illusions
p. 419 questions 1,2,6,8,12,16,17,19,22
Chapter 28 -color spectrum, color reflection/transmission, sunlight,
primary/secondary colors, sky and water, emission
p. 439 questions 1,3,4,7,8,10,12,13,16,18,20,22
Chapter 29 -reflection & mirrors, refraction & lenses, dispersion
p. 460 questions 2,4,5,7,8,10,12,16,20,23,25
Chapter 30 -converging & diverging lenses, image formation, ray
diagrams, camera, telescope, vision
p. 477 questions 1,3,6,8,10,12,16,21
Chapter 32 -electric force & charge, conservation of charge, conductors,
insulators, contact & induction, polarization
p. 515 questions 1,3,5,8,9,10,11,12,16,18,21,22,25
Chapter 33 -electric fields, field lines, electric potential, storage,
Capacitors, generators
p. 529 questions 1,3,4,6,8,9,11,14,16,18,21
Chapter 34 -electric current, voltage, resistance, Ohm’s law,
DC & AC, electric power
p. 545 questions 1,2,4,5,6,10,12,15,16,18,22,23
problems 26,27,28,30,32,33,44
Chapter 35 -electric circuits, series & parallel, short circuits
p. 560 questions 4,5,6,7,9,12,13,15
problems 16,17,28,29,31
Chapter 36 -magnetic polarity & fields, magnetic domains, forces
and moving charges or current carrying wires, motors
p. 575 questions 1,3,6,9,10,12,14,18,19
Chapter 39 -atomic nucleus and radioactivity, radioactive decay, isotopes
p. 627 questions 2,3,6,9,10,12,14,15,16