Course Description- This course covers the major concepts of physics, including kinematics, mechanics, energy, electricity, magnetism, and wave phenomena. Mathematics, being the language of science, is a prominent component of this course. Many of topics and skills necessary to success on HS Mathematics AIMS test will be addressed in context. The lab experience emphasizes graphing skills and data interpretation.
Course Outline:
Unit A: Math Review
Unit 1: Linear Motion
Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of motion
Unit 3: Momentum and Collisions
Unit 4: Work and Energy
Unit 5: Sound and Waves
Unit 6: Light
Unit 7: Electricity
Arizona State Standards Addressed:
Science Standards
Strand 1: Inquiry Process
Concept 1: Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses
PO 4. Predict the outcome of an investigation based on prior evidence, probability, and/or modeling (not guessing or inferring).
Concept 2: Scientific Testing (Investigating and Modeling)
PO 5. Record observations, notes, sketches, questions, and ideas using tools such as journals, charts, graphs, and computers.
Concept 3: Analysis, Conclusions, and Refinements
PO 1. Interpret data that show a variety of possible relationships between variables.
Concept 4: Communication
PO 1. For a specific investigation, choose an appropriate method for communicating the results.
PO 2. Produce graphs that communicate data.
PO 3. Communicate results clearly and logically.
PO 4. Support conclusions with logical scientific arguments.
Strand 5: Physical Science
Concept 2: Motions and Forces
PO 1. Determine the rate of change of a quantity (e.g., rate of erosion, rate of reaction, rate of growth, velocity).
PO 2. Analyze the relationships among position, velocity, acceleration, and time:
• graphically
• mathematically
PO 3. Explain how Newton’s 1st Law applies to objects at rest or moving at constant velocity.
PO 4. Using Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion, analyze the relationships among the net force acting on a body, the mass of the body, and the resulting acceleration:
• graphically
• mathematically
PO 5. Use Newton’s 3rd Law to explain forces as interactions between bodies (e.g., a table pushing up on a vase that is pushing down on it; an athlete pushing on a basketball as the ball pushes back on her).
PO 6. Analyze the two-dimensional motion of objects by using vectors and their components.
PO 7. Give an example that shows the independence of the horizontal and vertical components of projectile motion.
PO 8. Analyze the general relationships among force, acceleration, and motion for an object undergoing uniform circular motion.
PO 9. Represent the force conditions required to maintain static equilibrium.
PO 10. Describe the nature and magnitude of frictional forces.
PO 11. Using the Law of Universal Gravitation, predict how the gravitational force will change when the distance between two masses changes or the mass of one of them changes.
PO 12. Using Coulomb’s Law, predict how the electrical force will change when the distance between two point charges changes or the charge of one of them changes.
PO 13. Analyze the impulse required to produce a change in momentum.
PO 14. Quantify interactions between objects to show that the total momentum is conserved in both collision and recoil situations.
Concept 5: Interactions of Energy and Matter
PO 2. Describe the following characteristics of waves:
• wavelength
• frequency
• period
• amplitude
PO 3. Quantify the relationships among the frequency, wavelength, and the speed of light.
PO 7. Explain the relationship between the wavelength of light absorbed or released by an atom or molecule and the transfer of a discrete amount of energy.
PO 8. Describe the relationship among electric potential, current, and resistance in an ohmic system.
PO 9. Quantify the relationships among electric potential, current, and resistance in an ohmic system.
Grading
Category Weights
Tests/Quizzes 25%
Labs 25%
Projects 20%
Assignments 20%
Participation 10%
Grade will be based on a standard 90/80/70/60 scale.
Need lab info.