Physics Course Description and Policies
Welcome!
Hello and welcome to Physics! In this course you will learn about forces, energy, and matter -- the things that make up and control our universe, our world, and our selves. This class should challenge and intrigue your intellect and at the same time help prepare you for life in an increasingly technological society. This course description is about expectations -- what I can expect of you and what you can expect of me.
Grading
Homework, Tests, Lab Exercises, etc. all give you the opportunity to earn points. Your grade at any time is the percentage of points you have earned out of the total possible points. This percentage will be rounded to the nearest whole number and letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:
93 - 100 A
85 - 92 B
75 - 84 C
70 - 74 D
0 - 69 F
Homework - 50 points
For each unit of study there will be one fairly large homework assignment. To receive credit on the homework assignment all problems must be written out so that the method of solution is evident. Circle or box your answer. It must be apparent, in writing, how you arrived at your answer. In most cases this means showing calculations, equations, and/or algebraic operations -- no matter how simple these may be! Your solution does not have to be correct to get credit as long as you have made a reasonable attempt to work the problem. Examples and explanations can be found at: homework requirements.
Tests - 100 points
Each unit of study will end with an exam covering the stated objectives. Tests are graded on correctness but partial credit will be given when it is appropriate.
Midterm Exam - 100 points
Final Exam - 15% of total points for the term
The midterm and final are comprehensive exams and will be similar to the unit tests.
Lab Exercises - 40 to 50 points
There
will be several lab exercises during the year. The point value will be
determined by the amount of work required in the reporting of the lab
activities. You will receive more information on lab write-ups at a later
date. More details can be found at: lab information.
Grade Sheet - 10 points
You are responsible for keeping up with your grade in this class. When interims go out we will compare my grade book with your record of grades. You will receive 10 points for correctly recording your grades and determining your average. Grade sheets will be turned in three times each term - 10 pts. each time. This does several things: it makes you more aware of your grade, it gives you some easy points, and it lessens the possibility of a mistake in your grade. To receive full credit it must show: points earned, points possible, total earned, total possible and average, updated for each graded item.
Daily Participation - 25 points
You must participate in the classroom. The value of this grade works out to be approximately 1 point per day. To earn that point you must participate in all class activities such as: taking notes, responding to questions, working practice problems, group work, etc. Failure to participate in class is noted by such behaviors as: sleeping, playing with calculator, working on assignments for a different subject, etc. You will receive this grade once each grading period.
Optional Assignments – 25 to 100 points
Students may choose to do certain additional assignments that are alternate forms of assessment. The value of these assignments will add to the total points possible for that student (and it is therefore not extra credit). More information can be found online at the website.
Extra Credit - 0 points
I do not believe in giving extra credit. I think that extra credit renders the grading scale meaningless and encourages the student to be irresponsible. I do believe in giving extra help. If you are having trouble making the grade in the class I will be very willing to help you. Please do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.
LATE WORK
Assigned work will have a due date. Work should be ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period before the bell. Work turned in after class begins will have 10% deducted. Work received one day late after the due date will have 20% of the possible grade deducted. Work received beyond one day late will have another 10% deducted for each additional school day late -- up to a maximum deduction of 50%. For this purpose the day ends when class begins. If you are absent from school on the due date or the day before, the due date for you will be extended beyond your return to class the number of consecutive days you were absent.
MAKING UP WORK
You
may make-up a test or a lab activity in the case that you have an excused
absence from class. If you are present on the day of the test you must
take the test unless you have missed the previous 2 or more days in a
row. It is your responsibility to see me to arrange for the
test or lab to be made up. You have three days upon your return to
arrange the make-up. Failure to do so may result in a score of zero on
the missed work. Preparing and grading make-up tests is a pain for
me. For this reason rescheduling make-ups will be permitted only
in extreme cases.
TARDINESS
If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late to class. If this happens to you, sign the Attendance Log located near the door. Do not interrupt class! If you feel you have a good reason for being late, either see me after class or give me a note from a faculty member. The following consequences will apply:
1st tardy - warning 6th tardy - 2 Saturday schools
2nd
tardy - 1
detention 7th
tardy - 1 day
3rd
tardy - 2 detentions
8th tardy - 2 days
4th
tardy - 3
detentions
9th tardy - 3 days
5th tardy – 1 Saturday school 10th tardy – Disciplinary hearing
CHEATING
All tests will be closed book, closed notes. Calculators are permitted but only for purposes of doing calculations. Calculators may not be used to store definitions, equations, or programs that contain material you are expected to memorize. Homework and Labs are not to be copied! It is fine to work with a partner or partners on such assignments but in the end it should be your own work that is turned in. Any student caught cheating will be subject to parent notification and permanent school documentation.
BEHAVIOR
I expect you to be honest, courteous, tolerant, respectful, and responsible. There is to be no food or drink in the room at any time. There should be no cell phones, i-pods, etc visible or audible (will be taken up).
THE UNKNOWN!
I have tried to anticipate most situations and questions in preparing this description. However, I know there will always be some circumstances that are impossible to foresee. Please let me know ASAP if you have some special conditions or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in this class. I am willing to be flexible if the cause is sufficient. Also, don't hesitate to seek me outside of class if you are having difficulties. I care. After all, it is my job to help you learn and that's what it's all about. I hope we have a fun and productive year.
FEES
The total course amount is $6.00. This figure is separated into two separate accounts described below. These fees have been approved by the Knox County Board of Education. Any students receiving free or reduced price meals may have these fees waived.
Of the $6.00 collected for each student $1.00 is for the physics lab. This covers the cost of materials that are expended in the lab.
Of the $6.00 collected for each student $5.00 is for computers. This money goes into a separate account for maintenance and supplies for the science department computers and printers that are used by students in various activities. This $5.00 is a voluntary donation, not a requirement. (Due to a bookkeeping technicality we must make this a voluntary donation in order to be able to carry the funds in this account over into the next fiscal year. This gives us greater flexibility in maintaining and updating our computer equipment.)
Course Videos
The following videos may be shown at some point during the course in physics:
Physics Single-Concept Films, Collection 1 SKT Ltd., Ztek Co.
Nova: Roller Coaster PBS
Creation of the Universe PBS
Applications of Sinusoidal Waves Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Energy Transformations in an Automobile Ford Motor Company
Black Holes New River Media
The
Amazing Space Shuttle, STS-1 thru
STS-8
Apollo
Moon Landings
STUDENT MATERIALS
The following materials should be brought to class daily:
q Notebook, paper, and pencil/pen of your choice for taking notes and daily class work (Recommended: 3-ring binder)
q Graph Paper
q Graphing/Scientific Calculator
q Ruler with centimeter scale (Recommend: plastic “see-through” type)
q Protractor
Physics Course Outline
The course is divided into units of study as listed below. For each unit there will be a 100 pt. test and a homework assignment of at least 50 pt.. Some (but not all) units will also include a lab and/or other assignments to be announced.
A.
Measurement
Introduction to the course, the techniques and units of measurement, precision,
accuracy, significant digits, scientific notation, metric prefixes, unit
analysis, graphical analysis and interpretation
B.
Linear
Motion
Distance, displacement, position, speed, velocity, acceleration relationships
in constant speed and in constant acceleration situations, freefall, graphs of
position, velocity, and acceleration
C.
Vectors
Trigonometry review, vector components, vector addition and subtraction,
relative motion, projectile motion
D.
Forces
E.
Circular
Motion and
Gravity
Circular motion, centripetal force and acceleration, Universal Gravitation,
orbital mechanics
F.
Conservation
of Energy and
Momentum
Work, energy forms, potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy,
power, conservation of momentum, internal and external force, closed systems,
elastic and inelastic collisions
G.
Electricity
Charges, electric force, Coulomb's Law, electric field properties, current,
voltage, resistance, Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, electric power
H.
Waves
Wave parameters, wave graphs, wave types, polarization, principle of
superposition, wave phenomena, constructive and destructive interference,
standing waves, interference patterns, diffraction