Physics - Delano



[pic]

Mr.Schaack

Rm. 49

sschaack@delano.k12.mn.us

An Overview

Physics is the ultimate basis for all other sciences (no matter what any other teacher may tell you.) If you understood every aspect of physics, you would completely understand every aspect of how the world works. Although there is not enough time to teach you every aspect of physics, this class will teach you the majority of the basic principles of physics. In addition to learning the what’s and why’s of physics, you will also learn critical thinking and analytical problem-solving skills. You will leave this classroom with not only a greater understanding of how the world works but also the tools with which to better survive in it.

Topics

(Not a complete list nor necessarily in this order)

Scientific Method

Vectors

Forces

Energy

Momentum

Rotational Motion

Sound

Optics

Electromagnetism

Relativity – Special and General

Quantum Mechanics

Classroom Procedures

Beginning of Class

• Be in your assigned seat BEFORE the bell rings. If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you will be considered tardy.

• The helper will take attendance.

Behavioral Procedures

• Respect your classmates, your teacher, and yourself.

• Respect the equipment and furnishings of this room and of the school.

• Do not interfere with any person’s right to learn.

• Listen to directions and follow them the first time they are given.

• Do your best (there is no try!)

• Keep the room clean – you will be cleaning it.

• No food during labs.

• Ask permission to leave your desk or the room.

Results of not following procedures*

• First infraction results in a verbal reminder of the appropriate behavior and the student’s name on file.

• Second infraction results in private conference with the teacher to discuss misbehavior.

• Third infraction results in student being sent to office and detention.

*Severe disruption: Student immediately sent to office.

End of Class

• Remain in your seat. DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT LINING UP AT THE DOOR.

• All clean up will be completed before anyone is allowed to leave.

• The teacher, not the bell, will dismiss you.

Grading/Classwork Policies

Activities/Assignments

• Students will conduct laboratory experiments and turn in detailed reports

• Students will work in groups and perform the specific task assigned as a group member

• Students will take notes during discussions.

• Students will complete Minnesota Graduation Standard packages

Labeling Assignments

• In the upper right-hand corner, put the following information top to bottom

IN ORDER:

Name

Date

Teacher

Assignment Name or Pages

Science Journal

Students must keep a detailed science journal which will be periodically assessed by the teacher. This journal will contain your notes, reflection writing, and some lab work. More details will be provided regarding you journals.

Lab Reports

Students will produce a variety of lab reports throughout the semester. During the first quarter of class, students will primarily turn in “full lab write-ups.” (see attached). These are worth 25 points each. Exemplary reports can score 26 out of 25 points. During the second quarter, labs will vary between “challenge labs” and “mini-labs.” Challenge labs will be worth 15 points. The points for mini-labs vary. ALL labs must have conclusions. Conclusions should follow the RERUN format (see attached).

Grading Policy

Each student is evaluated on her or his performance on homework assignments, class experiments, labs, quizzes, tests, and projects. One half of your grade is based on tests, thirty percent on labs, and twenty percent on homework. Homework must be completed on time to receive full credit. Any work not in by the due date will be worth a maximum of 60% of total possible. Exceptions will only be made for sick days, and then only on a per-student basis. Grades will be posted periodically in the classroom. Please check them to ensure you receive all the credit you are due. Two percent of final grade will be based on attitude.

87-89 %= B+ 77-79% = C+ 67-69% = D+

94-100% = A 84-86% = B 74-76% = C 64-66% = D

90-93% = A- 80-83% = B- 70-73% = C- 60-63% = D-

Miscellaneous

You should use a 3-ring binder for notes, homework, etc.

You need a calculator that can do trigonometry (SIN, COS, TAN)

Class website: delano.k12.mn.us/sschaack … Physics

Laboratory Reports

All lab reports must be neat and well organized. They should be submitted electronically to sschaack@delano.k12.mn.us.

A lab report should be organized and written in such a way that a person unfamiliar with the fundamental principles of Physics should be able to read the report and understand all aspects of the experiment. Keeping this in mind, a good lab report should therefore include a brief discussion of the theory behind the experiment, diagrams of the experimental apparatus, and the procedure followed during the experiment.

Lab Report Checklist:

Heading/Cover: This includes the course title, the experiment number, your name, the block, the teacher’s name, and the due date. 2pts.

Title: This may be copied directly from the written lab instructions. 2pts.

Purpose: This may also be copied from the written lab instructions. 2pts.

Theory: This section of the lab report is to contain a brief discussion IN YOUR OWN WORDS of the background theory involved in the lab exercise. You may draw from your notes or textbook in writing this section of your report. Your theory should include the pertinent formulas used in the lab exercise. This is NOT usually a hypothesis. 14pts.

Diagram: The diagram is drawn freehand of computer generated. It is graded on completeness and accuracy – not artistic ability. 3pts.

Procedure: This should be written completely in your own words. 10pts.

Data: This section of you report must include raw data recorded during the lab. 5pts.

Treatment of Data: Perform all necessary calculations. This does not need to be typed. 2pts.

Conclusion: This section should be used to discuss whether or not your theory was correct. Use the data and graphs either to prove or disprove your theory. The percent error found should also be put into the conclusion. If there were any sources of error, you can list them in this section. 10pts.

Questions: Answer any questions that were asked in the lab. varies

WHEN WRITING YOUR LAB REPORT, DO NOT USE ANY PRONOUNS! YOU WILL BE DOCKED POINTS IF YOU DO!!

WRITING CONCLUSIONS: “RERUN”

WHAT IT IS:

A RERUN is a short paragraph used to summarize a lab and state conclusions. The RERUN paragraph should be a minimum of five well-written, complete sentences.

WHY DO WE USE IT?

1. To reexamine the reasons for conducting the lab.

2. To organize and clarify lab results.

3. To practice clear and concise scientific writing.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

R = Recall Describe what you physically did.

E = Explain Explain the purpose.

R = Results State the results (including data)

U = Uncertainty Describe the uncertainties and errors that exist.

N = New Write about new things you learned.

What don’t we do?

Scientific exploration is not about you (usually). Therefore, your opinions and feelings do not matter. Do not express them anywhere in a lab report

EXAMPLE OF A RERUN PARAGRAPH:

In this lab we collected CO2 gas from an alka seltzer tablet. We were trying to determine the density of CO2 gas. Based upon an average volume of 1000mL and average mass of 1.8g, we found the density of CO2 gas to be 0.0018 g/mL. This density value may have some error in it because of mistakes in reading the volume or mass. Some of the gas may have escaped from the bottle which would affect our density value. Two things I learned in this lab are that alka seltzer fizzes because it is producing CO2 gas and that you can collect a gas by holding a bottle upside down in a bucket of water.

................
................

In order to avoid copyright disputes, this page is only a partial summary.

Google Online Preview   Download