I / We
PHYSICS
Brandywine High School
AP Physics Lecture and Laboratory Common CoreSyllabus
2015-2016 Academic Year 104me
Peter P. Demyan, PhD, Teacher
Physics is (are?) Phantasic!
Course Catalog Description:
4175 Advanced Placement Physics
(2 credits)
This course stream is designed to be the equivalent of a first year, college physics course.
Students will be encouraged to take and should plan on taking the “B” version of the Physics Advanced Placement Exam, which covers every major topic in physics—mechanics, waves, electricity, magnetism, thermal dynamics, and modern physics.
Material will be covered rapidly and deeply, which requires commitment on the part of the student to spend at least one hour per night on homework. Students will be required to have access to a scientific or graphing calculator.
Goals of instruction include those in the honors level and those meeting the AP curriculum standards.
Recommended: a final grade of B or better in two honors-level or higher science courses and final grades of B or better in two mathematics courses with concurrent enrollment in honors calculus or similar higher level course.
Introduction and Overview
This course will include: reading, thinking, awe & wonder, discussion, lecture, problem-solving, and laboratory work (both actual and simulated).
It will involve application of scientific principles and methods and relationships to the universe(s).
Guest speakers (virtual mostly) will supplement classroom activities through MIT and Caltech streaming lectures and other video means.
Expected of Each Learner:
We are all different, and that will be respected. However, there will be a universal expectation on each learner’s and my part to strive for excellence in all classroom and related outside activities.
Each learner shall:
1. Develop strategic skills so as to: know, evaluate, assimilate, explain and defend those skills.
2. Use critical thinking to identify, group, and solve problems.
3. Employ logical processes to make decisions and solve problems -- scientific, inductive, deductive, and syllogistic.
4. Use accurate, precise speaking and writing that follows scientific and professional standards.
Sample Essential Questions
• What are history, role, and impact of physics on us then, now, next?
• Why is mathematics the language, of physics but yet limits its scope?
• What is motion (kinematics)?
• Why are work, energy, force, and momentum relevant?
• Are waves really that important?
• What are electricity and magnetism; how do they behave?
• How do sub-atomics & atomic levels affect us at our level of life?
• What are radiation and nuclear energy and how does each work?
• What are string theory, quantum gravity, and “TOE” about?
Course Focus and Intent
Both the Advance Placement and honors physicscourses will introduce students to the principles of mathematics, science and technology upon which physics is based, and the theoretical and practical application of these to the universe and their lives.
The course will address the following physics arenas aligned with AP physics curriculum standards (2014):
-mechanics
-thermodynamics
-wave motion
-electricity/magnetism
-light & optics
-modern physics
AP physics will cover these topics, which are the same as in honors physics at a more rapid pace and at a greater depth. AP physics also earns 2 credits; whereas honors physics earns 1 credit.
Physics Accomplishment Goals
A. Dispel any notion that physics is only accessible to few and to show that physics is interesting, useful, and valuable to everyone.
B. Crush the idea that physics is just a collection of equations used to solve obscure or trivial problems.
C. Challenge learners to improve ability to reason, think critically, and solve problems.
D. Help learners gain conceptual understanding of the physical universe by studying relationships among the framework concepts of physics and applying mathematical tools to aid the understanding of those relationships.
E. Become prepared to successfully pursue physics or related areas beyond high school and into a potential career.
Learning Group Relationships
The classroom based learning group and its members will constitute a formal scientific learning “action team.”
Members of study groups will apply their knowledge to various concepts throughout the course in varied ways.
These include discussion preparation, laboratory experiences, demonstrations (such as presenting findings), and topical research, and other similar areas.
Laboratory Work
Laboratory work will be conducted in small cooperative learning groups or work teams or individually as assigned.
Laboratory activities are designed to develop high levels of scientific observation, technical, data-gathering, analysis, reasoning, synthesis, and presentation (written and oral) skills.
Other essential learning group goals include: effective group functioning, developing and exhibiting leadership, supportive behaviors, and attaining task and relationship proficiency.
Each learner in the class will actively engage in various structured (teacher and course determined) and unstructured (optional projects and self-initiated investigations) experiences.
Completion of procedures will be determined by documentation in the laboratory handout / notes.
Laboratory safety rules must be followed at all times.
A student's failure to follow safety guidelines will result in not being allowed to continue the remainder of the experiment at the minimum and loss of credit from that point forward.
Many items are both fragile and delicate (not to mention expensive).
Intentional misuse of any equipment or chemicals will result in appropriate discipline, including, but not limited to, potential reduction in grade due to suspension from laboratory.
Laboratory reports are due either upon completion of the exercise or at a time and date which I may set.
Some reports will be done individually and some will be done by an assigned group.
Interdisciplinary Connections:
Understand physics’ place within our everyday lives (such as the legal system and energy use).
Use principles, facts, and laboratory techniques from anthropology, chemistry, biology, earth science, and physics to reinforce one another.
Portray laboratory results (oral and written) using scientific and formal English meeting college standards.
Apply physics appropriately and validly to increase your specific and our general understanding of the known (and unknown) universe(s).
Expectations
Show up on time, ready to begin the day’s work. Please do not leave your seats until dismissed, even if the bell ending the period rings.
You are to be working from “bell to bell” on physics. There are ample materials – including the computers -- about the room to go further, review, or freely investigate topics in physics. This is not the place to complete work for other courses or excessively socialize.
Treat one another, the room in general, furniture, equipment, and visitors with the same respect you would expect of others to have for you or your things.
Before the next quiz, you may retake a quiz on which you earned less than a “B” grade.
Makeup of any and all work missed (including labs, tests) isyourarranging responsibility.
It is wise to have a “study buddy” or a “study buddy backup” to take notes for you during the time you are absent.
If you miss a quiz, laboratory, or exam you have exactly one week from the date of your return to class to make up the work.
If one week passes, and you have not made up the work, you will receive a grade that is the lowest of the other similar measures taken.
This is an elective course. Therefore, it is understood that both you and I are here because we want to be. Our attendance and punctuality are expected to be exemplary.
Ask questions if you don’t understand (and even if you do).
Seek out my or another’s assistance to help you.
YOUR IMMEDIATE “TO DO’s”
1. Bring in signed safety papers
2. Purchase2 packs of 3 x 5 index cards
3. Graphing scientific calculator desired
(non-graphing ones are available)
Primary Expectations of Us:
Challenge yourself to learn much anddo well each and every day.
DO
1. Be seated when the bell ends.
2. Come to each class prepared.
3. Be civil toward all persons.
4. Be attentive through full period
5. Conduct yourself responsibly.
6. Remain seated until bell rings.
DO NOT
*1. Use any personal electronicdevices during this class.
*2 Wear hats or hoods in class.
3. Eat anything (drinks are ok)
4. Leave your area unclean
5. Do work from other classes.
RESPECT IS EXPECTED and EARNED!
*PLEASE NOTE: Electronic devices and hat/hood bans are school/district rules. I am required to enforce them and will do so equitably during class. Consider this your first/last warning. Discipline write-ups will be completed. Devices will go into timeout.
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