*M Physics Honors

The fundamentals of Newtonian Physics are stressed in this exploration of basic Physics.  Motion, Newton’s Laws, forces, and energy transformations are topics covered that prepare the student for future courses in college.  Lab work is designed to strengthen and support the concepts.  The practical applications of mathematics help students understand the relationship between Mathematics and Science.

Class Preparation

It is expected that each student be prepared for class each day with completed assignments, a calculator, a pencil (no pen!), a logically organized notebook, and a covered textbook.

Grading System

Grades will be derived via a percentage system.  30% of each student’s grade will be based on “daily assignments” such as classwork, homework, and notebooks.  An additional 30% will be based on “minor assignments” such as labs, projects and activities.  The final 40% of the grade will be based on quizzes and tests or “major assignments.”  No late work will be accepted.  Typical point values per assignment are as follows:

• Daily Assignments 5 - 25 points
• Minor Assignments 10 - 50 points
• Major Assignments 25 - 100 points

Lab Reports

The Physics lab report format consists of four parts:

I. Objectives

II. Data

III. Analysis

IV. Conclusions

Projects

Many in-class projects and “competitions” will hopefully keep class activities lively and fun! In addition to content-based Physics labs, Physics Olympics competition events may include:  paper tower, penny barge, slowest glider, vertical kites, egg drop, and others!!!

The End-of-Semester Project will be completed at home and will have multiple due dates.  This project may be the Mousetrap Vehicle, the Catapult, or something equally challenging.

Extra Instruction

Extra instruction is available before school, during Unit Lunch, SERA, and after school upon request.

Course Syllabus

Unit 1 :  Math In Science

                The metric system / international system of units

•              Definitions of prefixes

•              “Swing the decimal”

Significant figures

•              Tools read according to graduations, “one estimate” rule

•              Rules for addition/subtraction and multiplication/division of measurements

                Scientific notation

•              Sig figs rules for recording measurements

•              Correct use of calculator

Dimensional analysis

•              Conversion factors

•              “Fencepost” method of unit conversion

                Accuracy and precision

•              Definitions

•              Applications to measurements, dart gun activity

Linear, quadratic, and inverse relationships

•              Graphing skills, independent and dependent variables, scale, line of best fit, slope

•              Recognition of curves and corresponding equations

Unit 2:  Vectors

                Vector vs. scalar quantities

•              Distance vs. displacement, speed vs. velocity

Position, displacement, and velocity vectors

•              Positive and negative directions

•              Baseball game example

                Vector addition

•              “Tip-to-tail” and “resultant goes from start-to-finish” rules

•              Identify the hypotenuse, opposite, and adjacent sides

                Pythagorean theorem and trigonometric functions

•              Equations and mnemonic devices for recall, “Oscar”

•              Calculator skills

Vector decomposition

•              Resolving the resultant into its components

Unit 3:  Kinematics

                Motion

•              Frame, time interval, particle model

Velocity

•              Equations

•              Problem-solving steps

•              Position-time graphs, slope

                Acceleration

•              List of givens

•              Equations

•              Velocity-time graphs, slope and area under the curve

                Free fall

•              V_i=0 for dropped objects

•              Acceleration due to gravity, a=g=-9.8m/s²

•              Terminal velocity

Word wall activities and presentations.

Unit 4:   Dynamics

                Forces and motion

•              Free-body diagrams

•              Types, F_f, F_sp, F_N, F_T, F_thrust, F_g

•              Equilibrium

•              Newton’s laws, inertia, seatbelts

•              Mass vs. weight, weightlessness

                Forces

•              Contact vs. long-range, force of gravity, drag

•              Static and kinetic friction forces

•              Simple harmonic motion/pendulum equation, period, amplitude, mechanical resonance

                Motion in two dimensions

•              Equilibrant, net force

•              Inclined planes

                                Projectile motion

•              Setting conditions

•              Projectile, trajectory, parabola, zenith, range, fight time, v_x, v_y

                Circular motion

•              Centripetal acceleration, centripetal force

Unit 5:  Momentum

                Momentum

•              “Quantity of motion”

•              Equations and units

Impulse – Momentum Theorem

•              Dale Earnhardt crash vs. other NASCAR crashes

                Law of Conservation of Momentum

•              Closed, isolated system

Unit 6:  Energy

                Energy and work

•              Definitions and relationship

•              Calculation of power

•              Simple and compound machines

Potential energy

•              Gravitational potential energy

•              Elastic potential energy

                Kinetic energy

•              Moving objects

Law of Conservation of Energy

•              Solve problems, analyze collisions

End-of-semester project.