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552 Conceptual Physics (Level CP1)
552 Conceptual Physics (Level CP1)
Teacher: Mr. Christopher Siren
Mr. Siren's Email: csiren at IGNORETHIS gdrsd dot org
Room: 209
Text: Hewitt, Paul G., Conceptual Physics, Prentice Hall, Needham, Massachusetts, 2002. (Price: approximately $50)
Program of Studies Description
Grades 11-12 Level 3 Semester 1 Credit
Physics is the study of the interaction of matter and energy. It can describe and predict the behavior or everything from galaxies to electrons. Students will explore physics concepts through demonstrations and hands-on laboratory activities and will use algebra, geometry, and data analysis software to analyze their results. Some of the topics include: forces and motion; energy and heat; electricity and light. Students will analyze physical situations and problems through conceptual descriptions and mathematics. As concepts are introduced, students will learn about their development in a historical context.
Prerequisite: 520 Integrated Science; 422 or 423 Algebra I; 432,433, or 434 Geometry
Schedule
- Particle Mechanics:
- Wave Mechanics:
- Electricity and Magnetism:
Course Goals
- To learn about the basic laws of nature through an introduction to motion, forces, and energy.
- To learn about how we can apply those laws to everyday life as well as more extreme situations such as the evolution of the solar system.
- To learn about how scientific knowledge is acquired by designing and carrying out experiments
- To gain laboratory skills Ð making measurements, using various lab equipment, keeping a science lab book, setting up and cleaning up experiments
- To gain valuable problem-solving skills through the process of designing experiments and analyzing data
What To Bring To Class Daily
- Covered textbook
- Pens/pencils and scientific calculator
- 3-ring binder with section dividers
- Completed Homework, Assignments, Projects, and Lab Reports
- Lined paper and graph paper for notes, labs and quizzes.
3-Ring Binder Format
Each student is expected to have a 3-ring binder exclusively for science.
This binder should be organized into the following sections:
- List of Assignments
- Notes and handouts
- Completed Homework
- Quizzes and Tests
- Labs
- Project Work
- Miscellaneous
By having all your papers and by keeping them organized throughout the year,
you will be much more effective in preparing for quizzes and exams. To encourage
the habit of organization, your notebook may be checked by me at any time.
Some pop quizzes will also be designated as open notebook.
Grading Policy for Each Quarter:
| Labs | 25 to 50 points each |
| Quizzes/Homework | 1 to 10 points each |
| Tests | 100 points each |
Both announced and pop quizzes will be given frequently throughout the year
to help me evaluate your understanding of new material, lab preparation, reading
comprehension, and homework completion.
You will have tests at the end of each unit.
You will usually have at least one lab per unit. Some of these labs will be formal labs (50 points), requiring a formal lab report. Others will be mini-labs (25 points), requiring a less extensive write-up.
While class time will be given for many assignments, expect to spend approximately one and a quarter to two hours per week (15 - 30 minutes per night for 5 nights a week) on physics outside of classroom time for reading questions, conceptual questions, word problems, lab write-ups, and test preparation. Class time will be provided for some of these same assignments. Please make use of the resources that are your teacher and fellow students when working on assignments in class. Under most circumstances questions will be taken on assignments prior to their collection. Following a question and answer period, an open-assignment quiz may be given in lieu of the full assignment being collected. Late work may be accepted at my discretion, but will be assigned a 10% per late class-day penalty.
Collaborative Learning vs. Academic Dishonesty
Please learn the difference between collaborative learning and academic dishonesty!
Collaborative learning is positive and involves constructive discussion of homework
problems and labs with your classmates. However, what you write down for homework
or in you lab notebook must be in your own words in order to reflect your effort and
understanding of the material. Students who hand in identical work, or work that is
too similar, will experience serious disciplinary consequences! Note that all quizzes
and exams are considered strictly independent work. While lab partners may share
data and discuss how to address the analysis questions, their final words should be
their own.
General Physics Links
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