Course Description

While the emphasis will be on understanding the concepts and principles of physics, and their application to everyday situations, this is NOT a “no math” version of Physics. Textbook author, Paul Hewitt, explains the study of Physics this way: “Unfortunately, its mathematical language deters the average non-science student. But when the ideas of physics are presented conceptually and when equations are seen to be guides to thinking rather than recipes for algebraic manipulation, our discipline is accessible to all students. …… This book seeks to build that conceptual base. For the non-science student, it is a base from which to view nature more perceptively — to see that surprisingly few relationships make up the rules. For the science student, it is this as well as being a springboard to greater involvement in physics. …… For non-science and science students alike, a conceptual way of looking at physics shapes analytical thinking.”

In this course students will need to apply basic Algebra skills to solve problems as well as interpret the implications of the effects of changing variables. Lab reports will include taking measurements, performing some simple calculations, evaluating percent error and its causes, and graphing data.

Concepts to be covered include: mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, nuclear physics, and light and optics. The student will be expected to read the text and complete assigned problems at home. About one-third of class time will be spent on demonstrations and lab activities that reinforce the principles in the text. The remainder of class time will be spent working through sample problems and clarifying concepts learned. Lab write-ups will be finalized at home and turned in to be graded. Periodic tests will be taken at home under a parent’s supervision and turned in to the teacher for grading.

Summer homework:  There may be a homework assignment due the first day of class. The details will be sent through a JupiterEd message a few weeks before classes begin. The assignment will involve some reading from the text and answering a few questions. The total time spent on this assignment should be two hours or less for most students.

To be successful in this class:

Students must be willing to spend about an hour to 90 minutes per day in addition to class time reading, viewing videos, solving problems, answering questions, and writing lab reports. Students need to be able to apply the techniques learned in their math classes to solving equations in Physics. Students must “think like a scientist”, continually applying sound reasoning to answer questions and problems. Students will need to be able to make sense of counter-intuitive principles and concepts. Successful students will be making connections between the concepts studied in class and situations they encounter in their out-of-class life.

Grades: 10th Grade, 11th Grade, 12th Grade

Fees: $425 plus $20 lab fee

Prerequisites:

Biology, Algebra 1, and Geometry completed

Course Credit: 1 lab science