WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL Regular Physics Syllabus Course Overview: This two semester course is designed as an in depth study of college physics for college bound students. The curriculum for this course was designed to follow the UC and Cal State physics curriculum requirements. Students will be exposed in detail to the topics of mechanics, waves/optics, electricity/magnetism, and thermal physics. Course Goals: o Read, understand, and interpret physical information o Use the scientific method to analyze a particular phenomenon or problem o Use basic mathematical reasoning in a physical situation or problem o Perform experiments, interpret results of observations and communicate results, including uncertainty assessment Evaluation: Students will be evaluated in a variety of ways including formal assessments, informal (on the fly) assessment, homework, lab activities and quizzes. Useful Links: www.physicsinmotion.net http://www.physicsclassroom.com, http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/, Contact Information: Email: tgoossens@wvusd.k12.ca.us (very easy to contact me this way) Materials: (highly recommended) Graphing calculator (any brand) 3 ring hardbound notebook Pens and pencils Loose leaf paper graphing paper (at least 2 pages per lab) Textbook assigned Course Content: The course consists of 10 units (italicized in the Course Outline that follows), with a test at the completion of each unit. Units generally begin with an essential question and a demonstration or two to allow the students to hypothesize and discover the physical relationships. Homework is assigned daily and due the next day. Labs are done at a time to best reinforce the relationships and concepts currently being studied. Throughout the course, emphasis is placed more on the concepts and method of solution or analysis, and less on the actual final product or answer. Textbooks: Serway/Faughn: College Physics 7 th ed.
Course Outline: I. NEWTONIAN MECHANICS Unit 1: Kinematics A. Motion in One Dimension 1. Position-time and velocity-time graphs 2. Equations of motion under constant acceleration B. Motion in Two Dimensions 1. Projectiles 2. Circular motion Unit 2: Newton s Laws A. Static Equilibrium (First Law) 1. First Condition translational equilibrium 2. Second Condition rotational equilibrium (torque) B. Dynamics of a Single Body (Second Law) C. Systems of Two or More Bodies (Third Law) D. Gravitation E. Applications 1. Inclined planes 2. Static and kinetic friction 3. Horizontal and vertical circles 4. Planetary motion Unit 3: Work, Energy, Power & Momentum A. Work and Work-Kinetic Energy Theorem B. Conservative Forces and Potential Energy 1. Gravity 2. Springs C. Conservation of Mechanical Energy D. Power E. Simple Harmonic Motion 1. Springs and Pendulums 2. Energies of SHM F. Momentum 1. Impulse-Momentum Theorem 2. Conservation of Linear Momentum and Collisions a. Inelastic, completely inelastic and perfectly elastic collisions b. Two-dimensional collisions 3. Conservation of Angular Momentum (for a point mass)
II. THERMAL PHYSICS Unit 4: Thermal Physics A. Temperature and Thermal Effects 1. Mechanical equivalent of heat 2. Heat transfer and thermal expansion a. linear expansion of solids b. volume expansion of solids and liquids 3. Calorimetry B. Kinetic Theory, Ideal Gases & Gas Laws C. Thermodynamics 1. Processes and PV diagrams a. isothermal b. isobaric c. isometric d. adiabatic e. cyclic 2. First Law of Thermodynamics a. Internal energy Energy conservation c. Molar heat capacity of a gas 3. Second Law of Thermodynamics a. Directions of processes Entropy 4. Heat Engines and Refrigerators III. ELECTRICITY & MAGNETISM Unit 5: Electrostatics A. Coulomb s Law B. Electric Fields and Gauss Law C. Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential D. Capacitance 1. Capacitors in series and parallel E. Applications 1. Point charge distributions 2. Parallel plates 3. Cathode ray tubes
Unit 6: Current Electricity A. Electric Circuits 1. EMF, Current, Resistance and Power 2. DC circuits a. Series and parallel circuits b. Batteries and internal resistance c. Ohm s Law and Kirchhoff s rules d. Voltmeters and ammeters e. Capacitors in circuits (RC circuits) 3. Applications Unit 7: Electromagnetism A. Magnetostatics 1. Force of a magnetic field on a moving charge 2. Force of a magnetic field on a current carrying wire 3. Torque on a current carrying loop 4. Magnetic fields due to straight and coiled wires B. Electromagnetic Induction 1. Magnetic flux 2. Faraday s Law and Lenz s Law C. Applications 1. Mass spectrometers 2. Motors 3. Generators IV. WAVES & OPTICS Unit 8: Wave motion and Sound A. Description and characteristics of waves B. Standing waves and harmonics 1. Waves on a string 2. Waves in a tube (open and closed) C. Doppler Effect D. Sound intensity, power and relative sound intensity E. Musical applications
Unit 9: Optics A. Geometric Optics 1. Reflection, Refraction and Snell s Law a. Reflection and refraction at a plane surface b. Total internal reflection 2. Images formed by mirrors 3. Images formed by lenses 4. Ray Diagrams and the thin lens/mirror equation B. Physical Optics 1. The electromagnetic spectrum 2. Interference and path difference 3. Interference effects a. Single slit b. Double slit c. Diffraction grating d. Thin film Labs: Labs, for the most part, have a laid out procedure with a set goal or objective in mind. There are a few labs that are open ended. In an open ended lab the students are given an objective, and materials string, ruler, protractor, mass set, light pulley, etc. Students are allowed to create their own experimental design, but ultimately the lab designs must lead to the collection of data which can be analyzed through graphical methods. Students work in pairs or groups, but each student must submit a lab report, then graded and returned. The report design and format include: statement of the problem, objective, with independent and independent variables hypothesis, discussion or outline of how the procedure will be carried out, data recorded, discussion or outline of how the data was analyzed, including all calculations, and conclusion including error analysis and topics for further study.
The below table lists the formally graded labs the students will be expected to perform. There will be several labs performed in more of an informal way to prepare students for these labs. General Area of Study Specific Topic Lab Title Demo or Hands On Time (minutes) Mechanics Gravity Determining the Acceleration due to Hands on 70 Gravity Mechanics Projectile Launching a Projectile. Predicting range Hands on 70 Motion with a calculated Vo Mechanics Projectile Calculating force, velocity, range, and Hands on 70 Motion height using a self designed trebuchet Mechanics Force Confirming Newton s 2 nd Law Hands on 60 Mechanics Work Determining the work using an inclined Hands on 60 plane Mechanics Energy Determining the conservation of energy Hands on 70 Mechanics Momentum Determine the momentum of a cart Hands on 70 Mechanics Circular Motion Measuring Circular Motion using an applied Hands on 60 force Mechanics Friction Determine the coefficient of static friction Hands on 60 Mechanics Power Measuring the student s power output Hands on 70 Mechanics Hooke s Law Determining the force constant of a spring Hands on 70 Thermodynamics Gas Laws Determining the volume of gas with Hands on 70 increasing applied force Thermodynamics Specific Heat Determining the specific heat of unknown Hands on 70 materials Electricity Ohm s Verifying Ohm s Law Hands on 60 Electricity Circuits Creating series and parallel circuits and Hands on 70 determining I, V and R Magnetism Magnetic Fields Determining the magnetic fields of one and Hands on 60 two magnets Waves Spring/Pendulum Determine the SHO of a spring & Pendulum Hands on 120 Waves Speed of sound Determining the speed of sound Hands on 60 Optics Snell s Law Determining the location of virtual images Hands on 50 of a plane mirror Optics Geometric Determining the focal length of lenses and Hands on 70 Optics Curved mirrors Optics Single source interference Determining the angle of waves caused by interference Hands on 70 I. CLASS RULES Total Labs 24 1. Follow all directions and procedures. 2. Raise your hand and wait for permission to speak or to get up from your seat. 3. Come to class prepared; bring all recommended daily materials to class with you. Recommended daily materials include: three-ring binder, lined papers, pencils/pens, and a scientific calculator. If you cannot provide these materials, please let me know. You also need to bring your textbook on the assigned days. 4. Show respect to teacher, other students, and their belongings. 5. No food, drinks, or gum in the classroom at anytime. 6. Keep your work area clean; no writing on tables or other school property. 7. Cheating will NOT be tolerated in any form.
II. CONSEQUENCES 1. If student chooses to break rules #1-6 above, a warning will be given first. If violation continues, parents will be contacted immediately, and student will be sent to GLC. 2. If student chooses to break rule #7 above, student will be sent to GLC immediately and parent conference will follow. III. CLASS PROCEDURE 1. Take your assigned seat and be ready to begin working as soon as the bell rings. 2. Each day s class agenda and homework are found on the class Web Site (www.physicsinmotion.net). If you do not have access to the internet, let me know so I can make arrangements to give you the necessary materials. 3. You are required to correct all homework problems assigned when presented on the board. 4. When the bell rings at the end of the period, stay in your seat until the teacher dismisses you. Do not line up at the door prior to the bell. IV. HOMEWORK / CLASSWORK 1. All papers must have the proper heading as follows: Left Corner Center of Page Right corner Teacher s Name Assignment Title Name (First and Last) Date Period 2. Homework assignments and worksheets are usually due the next day, Lab Simulations are due prior to the lab, and Lab write-ups are usually due the next day, unless otherwise stated. 3. Turn in all assignments on time to receive a stamp; late assignments will NOT be stamped and will only receive half credit. 4. File completed / stamped works in your three-ring binder. You will need to turn in these stamped works as HOMEWORK PACKETS upon completion of a unit (test days) to receive points. If a homework packet is turned in late, points will be deducted from the total points received. 5. When return from an absence, check with the teacher for any missing homework or classwork. It is your responsibility to make up the work. Make-up work must be labeled with ABSENT and the date of the absence in addition to the normal heading; otherwise it will be considered as a late assignment with no stamp and will only receive half credit. You have one day for each day missed to make up work. 6. For a missed lab, you must make up the lab during a time arranged with the teacher.
V. TESTS 1. All tests are based primarily on the notes and homework given in class. In order to do well on the test, you will need to pay attention in class, study your notes, and do your homework. 2. A study guide of review questions may be given prior to the final exam. All the answers can be found in your notes or homework. 3. All tests must be made up prior to the end of the grading period or a zero will be given. VI. GRADING POLICY At the end of the grading period, the points earned by students will be calculated based on the total points possible. The final percentage will then be converted to a letter grade using the grading scale shown below: Grading Categories Homework / Classwork 10% Test / Quizzes 40% Labs / Projects 35% Final Exam 15% Grading Scale 100% - 90 % A 89% - 80% B 79% - 70% C 79% - 60% D below 59% F Tear off and return to your teacher ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- WALNUT HIGH SCHOOL Regular Physics Program Student Name (Print) Student Signature Date Parent Signature