Physical World Concepts



Honors Physical World Concepts Syllabus and Class ExpectationsMs. Kuberg (Kuberg_donna@ or 423-893-3535 ext. 357)As an Introductory Physics course, Honors PWC is intended to give students a strong foundation in the process of scientific inquiry through the investigation of the physical world. While this course focuses on a conceptual exploration of physics, mathematics is fundamental to this and all sciences. Students are expected to do real-world calculations, and to participate in and design labs based on real-world events. Course topics include mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, thermodynamics, and nuclear science. Students in the honors course will cover the same content as the standard course, but will cover topics in greater depth and will be expected to participate in and produce more rigorous tests, labs, and projects. Honors PWC incorporates inquiry and independent learning through lab work and projects. MaterialsAll materials should be brought to class daily. The textbook will be available online by September 1st. Students should have a composition style notebook and/or a 3 ring binder to keep lecture notes, graded work, handouts, and lab data. A simple scientific calculator is required (graphing calculators are acceptable), and graph paper is highly recommended. Students should bring a pencil and paper to class every day. Additional materials may be required for student projects, and will be listed when assigned.TestingStudents will be given assessments, both announced and unannounced to formatively assess student progress. Students will be allowed to use the contents of their composition notebook on any unannounced, or pop-assessments. Study guides will only be given for unit tests, and students will always be informed about unit test dates in advance. Major projects may be given in which students will be expected to complete the project outside of class. Major projects will count as a test grade. Although labs will be performed in groups, students should be individually prepared for a post-lab test after an individual lab, or a series of labs. Tests and exams are cumulative, and may contain any content covered prior to the test date. GradesThe course grade will be calculated based on the following percentages:40%Formative Assessment (daily work, labs, projects, quizzes, participation)40% Summative Assessment (unit tests, major projects, post-lab tests, formal lab reports)20%ExamsLabsLabs will be a regular part of this course, and all students are expected to participate in an active and appropriate manner. Proper behavior in the lab is of utmost importance, and improper behavior will not be tolerated. Students are responsible for all safety rules listed in Flinn Scientific’s Student Safety Contract. Failure to follow these rules, or any additional rules or instructions given by the instructor during the lab can result in a zero lab grade or an ejection from the lab if circumstances warrant.Additional InformationMy purpose behind the work focuses on two important traits for these students: 1) ability to think critically, and 2) becoming a life-long learner. One of the greatest gifts my father taught me was to examine the facts and dig into a deeper meaning beyond what is presented in the classroom. I hope we can work together to make this a year in which you develop a stronger sense of science as well as yourself.Honors PWC Labs and ProjectsPhysical concepts will be investigated through student-designed labs and projects through the process of inquiry based instruction. Labs and projects may include the following:Investigating motion using the photogates and the CPO timer, car and trackMotion on an incline, using the motion detector, car and track:constant acceleration in one dimensionFriction using the photogates and the CPO timer car and trackVector addition: spring force, normal forceVectors and Newton’s laws of motionFree-fall motion using the photogates and CPO timerProjectile motion using the straight trackConservation of energy using the CPO car and track: elastic, kinetic, and gravitational potential energyConservation of energy using pendulums: kinetic, and gravitational potential energyImpulse and momentum using the CPO cars and trackConservation of momentum and collisions using the CPO cars and trackStanding waves using the wave generatorOptics: reflection and refractionOptics: ray diagramsElectricity: current, voltage, and resistanceElectricity: parallel and series circuitsScientists in physicsOther labs and projects may be performed in addition to or in substitution for the labs listed above.East Hamilton High SchoolHonors Physical World Concepts Pacing GuideWeeksMechanics Chapters*1Measurement and Units1Equations and Graphing1,22Average Speed, Average VelocityConstant Speed, Constant Velocity Models1, 23Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration VectorsConstant Acceleration and Free Fall Models1, 2, 62, 64Newton's First and Second Laws of Motion2, 3, 5?Free-body diagrams and net force 5?Gravity2, 34Work and Power3, 4?Conservation of Energy33Impulse, Newton’s Third LawConservation of Momentum3322-Dimensional MotionProjectile Model661Circular Motion5, 6?Fluids8WeeksWaves and Optics Chapters*2Simple Harmonic Motion19?Waves and Wave Interactions202Sound21?The Electromagnetic Spectrum22, 241Optics23?Electricity and Magnetism ?2Voltage, Current and Resistance13, 14, 15?Simple Circuits141Magnetism16, 17?Electric and Magnetic Fields18?Nuclear Science ?2The Atom9?Nuclear Reactions9, 11?Nuclear Decay11?Thermodynamics ?1Energy, Temperature, and Heat7?First Law of Thermodynamics7?Second Law of Thermodynamics7* Additional resources beyond the textbook will be provided and portions of certain chapters may be omitted when not relevant to state standards. ................
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