Senior Class, Fall 2010 Syllabus

Andrew Gloag – Physics 3, 4

In Brief

This semester we will be learning physics and mathematics by making chairs, lamps and books. We will study how forces are distributed in curved structures, and how different mathematical shapes occur in the world around us. We will examine a number of curves in mathematics and use those that please us most in our designs for our chairs and lamps. Finally, we will write a book detailing the process and present all our work on exhibition night, December 16.

Projects

There will be lots of project time this semester, but you will have to work extremely hard to complete everything satisfactorily. The first project in this class will have you look carefully at a process, and create a graphical study on it. You will go through several design drafts for your chair and lamp, as well as making a scale model. You will be using your head to imagine, a pencil and paper to design and make a model to help you think. Finally, you will be building in wood and metal.

Portfolio

Students are expected to take good notes in class.The most important mathematical and physical concepts will be drawn out in a HARD BACKED SKETCH BOOK. In this you will detail curves, geometric shapes, math concepts and physics ideas. It is to be a thing of beauty that you can show on exhibition night.

Tests and Quizes

There will be periodicquizzes every three weeks on whatever topic we are currently learning. There will also be one finalexamination paper which will cover all the material learned in the semester.

Grading break-down

We will be using a grading scale in which 90% is an ‘A’ and 80% is a ‘B’ and so on. Students will be assessed in three different categories, with approximate weighting as follows:

50%Project Work

25%Note-book Portfolio and Homework assignments.

25%TestsQuizzes

Course description In this course we will cover the following topics:

  • Mathematical curves:
  • Linear equations and straight lines
  • Rational functions and their graphs
  • Quadratic equations and parabolas
  • Cubics, quartics and other higher order polynomials
  • Exponentials, logarithms, trigonometric functions
  • Forces and Inertia:
  • Newton’s laws
  • Vector addition of physical quantities.
  • Gravity and falling objects
  • Light and Sight:
  • Rays, reflections, plane mirrors, curved mirrors.
  • Refraction of light, lenses
  • Color, the eye and how it sees.
  • Curves in physics and engineering
  • Arches, cycloids and catenaries.
  • Simple harmonic motion, resonance and damping.
  • Forces, light and acoustics in curved spaces.