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Radnor High School
Course Syllabus
Advanced Physics
Science 342
I. Course Description
Advanced physics is an algebra-based college preparatory course which provides a
challenging examination of mechanics (motion, forces, energy, and momentum),
optics (lenses and mirrors), waves and electricity (current, voltage, resistance,
and circuits) and magnetism. Reading of the textbook and writing many lab reports are
expected of these students.
II. Materials & Equipment
A scientific calculator (or a graphing calculator), a protractor, and a 3 ring notebook
are needed by the student
III. Course Goals & Objectives
The goals of advanced physics include the following:
 Problem solving skills
 Understanding relationships between physical quantities
 Applications of physics to personal and practical situations
 Understanding the world through mathematical relationships
IV. Course Topics (Summary Outline)
A. Introduction to Physics
1. SI Units
2. Unit Analysis
3. Significant Figures and Uncertainty
4. Scientific Notation
5. Error Analysis
6. Common Graphs in Physics
7. Order of Magnitude: Rapid Estimation
8. Slope
B. Motion in One-Dimension
1. Frames of Reference
2. Position-Time Graphs
3. Velocity- Time Graphs
4. Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration
5. Average Velocity
6. Constant Velocity/Constant Acceleration
7. Constant Acceleration Equations and Problems
8. Free-Fall and Objects thrown vertically up
9. Acceleration Due to Gravity
C. Vectors
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Vectors/Scalars (Different Naming Conventions)
Addition of Vectors –Graphical Method
Subtraction/Multiplication of Vectors
Components of Vectors
Addition of Vectors by Trig/Trig Review
Addition of Vectors by Components
Change in Velocity/Acceleration
D. Motion and Forces
1. Newton’s Three Laws and Applications
2. Inertia
3. Force due to Gravity
4. Normal Force
5. Weight/Mass
6. Free-Body-Diagrams/Net Force
7. Forces in Two-Dimensions
8. Motion down Incline Planes
9. Static/Kinetic Friction
E. Motion in Two-Dimensions
1. Projectile Motion
2. Centripetal Acceleration/Force
3. Inertia in Circular Motion
4. Period/Frequency
5. Applications of Centripetal Acceleration
6. Newton’s Law of Gravity
7. Acceleration due to Gravity
8. Satellite Motion
9. Kepler’s Laws
F. Work and Energy
1. Work in One/Two Dimensions
2. Work Energy Principle
3. Kinetic Energy
4. Potential Energy
5. Hooke’s Law
6. Elastic Potential Energy
7. Conservation of Mechanical Energy
8. Power
G. Linear Motion
1. Momentum
2. Impulse
3. Impulse/Change in Momentum
4. Applications of Momentum/Impulse
5. Conservation of Momentum
6. Elastic/Inelastic Collisions
7. Center of Mass
H. Rotational Motion and Equilibrium
1. Torque
2. Rotation Equilibrium
3. Static Equilibrium
4. Applications of Equilibrium
I. Optics
1. Rays/Beams
2. Pinhole Camera/Characteristics of an Image
3. Law of Reflection
4. Concave/Convex Mirrors
5. Ray Tracing
6. Applications of Spherical Mirrors
7. Virtual/Real Images
8. Speed of Light/Index of Refractions
9. Refraction
10. Snell’s Law
11. Critical Angle/Total Internal Reflection
12. Applications of Total Internal Reflection
13. Spectrum/Dispersion
14. Thin Lenses
15. Convex/Concave Lenses
16. Anatomy of the Eye
17. Accommodation/EyeGlasses
18. Defects in Vision
J. Waves
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
Longitudinal Waves
Transverse Waves
Parts of a Wave
Frequency/Period in Waves
Period of a Pendulum
Wave Equation
Diffraction
Constructive/Destructive Interference
9. Duality of Light: Young’s Exp/Photoelectric Effect
10. Dual Slit Experiment
11. Standing Waves/Nodes/Antinodes
12. Resonance
K. Electricity and Magnetism
1. Charge/Law of Charges
2. Electric Charge in Atom
3. Insulators/Conductors
4. Induced Charge
5. Coulomb’s Law
6. Capacitors
7. Electric Circuit Symbols
8. Batteries
9. Electric Current
10. Ohm’s Law
11. Resistors/Resistance
12. Equivalent Resistance
13. Electric Power/Efficiency/Heating
14. Voltage/Current/ Resistance in DC Circuits
15. Series/Parallel Circuits
16. Magnetism/Magnetic Fields
V. Assignments & Grading
A. Introduction to Physics
 Area of a Circle
B. Motion in One-Dimension
 Motion of a Constant Velocity Cart
 Motion down an Incline Plane
 Acceleration due to Gravity (Picket Fence)
C. Vectors
 Addition of Vectors
 Traveling Around Pennsylvania
D. Motion and Forces
 Newton’s First Law
 Newton’s Second Law
 Kinetic Friction
E. Motion in Two-Dimensions
 Motion of a Projectile
 Projectile Motion Challenge
F. Work and Energy
 Conservation of Energy
 Hooke’s Law
G. Linear Momentum
 Conservation of Momentum
 Kinetic Energy in Collisions
H. Rotational Motion and Equilibrium
 Rotation Equilibrium
I. Optics
 Reflection from a Plane Mirror
 Ray Tracing and Spherical Mirrors
 Snell’s Law
J. Waves
 Basics with Waves
 Period of Pendulum
K. Electricity and Magnetism
 Ohm’s Law
 Series and Parallel Circuits
 Power and Efficiency of Appliances
 Creating a Motor