COURSE IDENTIFICATION: TITLE: Physics

SYLLABUS

COURSE IDENTIFICATION: TITLE: Physics

ACADEMY: Scimatics ROOM: Sci 111

COURSE INSTRUCTOR: Teresa Walker PHONE: 896-5600 EXT.: 5776

EMAIL: WEBSITE: www.orgsites.com/nm/walker

PREREQUISITE(S): Chemistry

TEXTBOOK(S): Physics Glencoe, the red book

SUPPLIES: **SCIENTIFIC CALCULATOR**, paper, pencils, centimeter ruler, protractor, notebook or folder, and shared class supplies

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course is a non-calculus–based college-preparatory course designed to study the physical laws of nature. Topics studied are included in the synopsis of dates below. Presentations, models, labs and teamwork are integral components to developing a critically thinking student.

POWER STANDARDS:

Strand I PS I. Understand the process of scientific thinking across the science content disciplines.

Strand I PS II. Apply scientific processes to evaluate scientific knowledge and communicate results.

Strand II PS I. Apply understanding of the structure of matter at the atomic and subatomic levels including: fission and fusion reactions, spontaneous decay, forms of radiation, and formation of isotopes.

Strand II PS II. Apply an understanding of the transformation and transmission of energy and the interactions of energy and matter.

Strand II PS III. Understand and apply: Newton’s Laws of Motion, the characteristics of waves, and the four fundamental forces of nature.

Strand II PS IV. Examine the scientific theories of origin, age, structure, scale, contents and evolution of the universe, and their interconnections.

Strand III PS I. Evaluate the interaction between science and technology.

Strand III PS II. Explain the interactions between societies and individuals with scientific investigations.

COURSE OUTLINE:

WEEK / THEME/CHAPTER(S)
/ADDITIONAL MATERIALS / ACTIVITIES/MAJOR PROJECTS / POWER
STD(s)
1 / Introduction Algebra Review Ch 1- 2 / How to be successful in Physics / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
2 / Motion, Vectors Ch 1-2 / Acceleration due to gravity and constant velocity / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
3 / Vectors and Forces Ch 3 - 4 / Map the Campus / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
4 / Vectors and Forces Ch 3 – 4 / Elevator Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
5 / Vectors and Forces Ch 3 – 4 / Mu Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
6 / Circular Motion, Universal Gravitation Ch 7 / Accelerometer Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
7 / Circular Motion, Universal Gravitation Ch 7 / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS III; S III PS I & II
8 / Work and Energy Ch 5 / Egg Drop Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS II & III; S III PS I & II
9 / Work and Energy Ch 5 / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS II & III; S III PS I & II
10 / Conservation of Linear Momentum Ch 6 / Car Crash Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
11 / Conservation of Linear Momentum Ch 6 / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
12 / Wave Transport Ch 11 – 13 / Slinky lab, water labs, tuning forks, bell jar lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
13 / Wave Transport Ch 11 – 13 / Light labs / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
14 / Electricity and Magnetism Ch 16-20 / Circuit Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
15 / Electricity and Magnetism Ch 16-20 / Magnetic Induction Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
16 / Atomic and Subatomic Physics (Modern Physics) Ch 21-22 / Ice Lab / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
17 / Preparation for final / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II
18 / Final Exams Ch 1-16 / S I, PS I, II, III; S II, PS I, II, III& IV; S III PS I & II

CRITERIA FOR EVALUATION Grades will be based on:

·  Assessments including tests and projects worth approximately 55% of the final grade

·  Notebooks that include all class work and homework worth approximately 25% of the final grade. Students will also receive a daily grade of up to 10 points. This grade will be based on class work.

·  A final exam worth 20% of the final grade

Late work can be accepted for up to 50% credit at the teacher’s discretion.

GRADING SCALE: See the student handbook for descriptions of performance levels.

A = 90-100

B = 80-89

C = 70-79

D = 60-69

F = Performance below 60

OTHER: Physics is a college-preparatory math-based class. It is normal for this to be frustrating at times. Tutoring is available in the library usually 2 afternoons a week. The days and times of this tutoring will be posted in my classroom at all times as soon as I know them. I know physics students are mature enough to take responsibility for their learning. They should discuss concerns about this class with me as soon as possible. I will do my best to keep students and their parents aware of their progress and help with any difficulties that may come up.

Feel free to contact me at any time at the above e-mail address or phone number. E-mail is the best way to contact me. I check my e-mail at least twice a day and phone messages at least once.

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