Physics A/B

Physics A 

Description: This course places emphasis on relating physics to everyday life. Initially, the student will explore motion by using kinematics with the intention of formalizing Newton’s universal laws of motion. Through this journey, the student will develop an understanding of key ideas such as the distinction between mass and weight, balanced and unbalanced forces, and equilibrium. Ultimately, the student will describe the path of a projectile. Next, the student will advance through circular motion and gravitation with the aim of applying understanding to real-life applications such as predicting satellite orbits. While progressing through the course, the student will study energy in its various forms, exploring the far-reaching implications of the law of conservation of energy. Understanding of conservation will be developed further through focus on momentum and types of collisions. Later in the course, the student will investigate wave properties, such as superposition and interference, and examine a special kind of wave: sound. 

Approximately 40 percent of the course involves virtual laboratory investigations. Labratory assignments include: Graphing Motion Lab, Projectile Motion Lab, Newton's Law Lab, Reaction Time and Free Fall Lab, Pendulum Motion Lab, Measuring your Power Lab, Wave Characteristics with a Slinky Lab, Measuring Sound Lab, 

Physics B

Description: This course places emphasis on relating physics to everyday life. In the first few units of the course, the student will study the laws of thermodynamics. This study begins with an exploration of heat and temperature in the context of heat transfer and major phases of matter. Next, the student will explore electric charge, electric fields, and electricity by studying Coulomb’s law and simple circuits. From there, the student will delve into the interplay between magnetism and electricity while investigating induction and building a simple electric motor. Later in the course, the student will connect prior knowledge of waves with the newfound connection between electricity and magnetism, probing into electromagnetic waves, or light. This process will lead the student to analyze the reflection and refraction of light rays. Finally, the course concludes with an introduction to atomic physics, where the student will become familiar with atomic structure and properties of atomic nuclei, including radioactive decay and its real-life applications.

Approximately 40 percent of the course involves virtual laboratory investigations. Labratory assignments include: Phase Change Lab, Static Electricity Lab, Simple Circuits Lab, Electric Motor Lab, Light and Color Lab, Light Intensity and Distance Lab, Spectra Lab, Half-life Lab