Download PHYSICS COURSE DESCRIPTION - McCall

MccCall—Donnnelly Schoool District, #421, McCCall, Idaho
McCalll, Idaho 836638
Phhysics
Instructo
or: Jamie Bell
Office Hours:
H
A-Daays: 7:40-7:5
55 and 3:00-3
3:30
B-Day
ys: 7:30-7:45
5 and 3:00-3
3:30
Lunch
h/Make-ups: By appointm
ment only pllease
Phone:
E-mail:
634-2218
@mdsd.org
jbell@
:
Course Description
D
In this course, studeents will leaarn about the physical llaws of natuure, which ggovern the w
world
around us.
u Physics is the mosst basic of the scienc es. Withouut it, the sstudent’s geeneral
understan
nding of science is inco
omplete. Th
his course wiill conceptuually introduce topics suuch as
motion, forces, mom
mentum, eneergy, gravity
y, projectile and satellitte motion, sound, electrricity,
ht. Conceepts will bee reinforcedd through both thougght and phyysical
magnetissm and ligh
experimeents. This course
c
is verry laboratory-driven, soo attendancee and particiipation cannnot be
under em
mphasized. Application
A
of
o these concepts to matthematical prroblems willl complemennt the
conceptu
ual componen
nt of this cou
urse, and driive home thee mathematical nature off Physics.
Grading
g:
Your graade will be caalculated based upon thee total pointss method (tootal points eaarned/total points
possible)). The total points
p
for qu
uizzes, tests, and assignm
ments may vvary (see beloow).
90-100%
A
80-89%
B
70-79%
C
60-69%
D
<60%
<
F
Here is th
he breakdow
wn for each semester:
s
Participation and observaance of policcies
Classroom
C
ex
xperiments/p
projects/papeers
Homework
H
Quizzes
Q
Chapter
C
Exam
ms
Final Exam
Appproximately 5%
Appproximately 30%
Appproximately 15%
Appproximately 10%
Appproximately 220%
Appproximately 220%
Classroo
om Rules:
1. No
N Food. No
o drinks otheer than waterr. Water botttles are accepptable (closeed containerrs
only
o
please).
2. No cell phones…park cell phones in the parking bay…please make sure they’re turned
off.
3. Be on time and be prepared (see expectations).
4. Be civil at all times, treat others with dignity, and work toward progress from bell-tobell.
5. Be responsible for your own learning and do your own work.
Expectations:
It is expected that students will be in class on time, prepared, and ready to learn. Each student
will bring to class their textbook, three-ringed binder notebook, pencils and paper to class every
day. Students should anticipate daily homework assignments and a variety of performance
evaluations (quizzes, pop quizzes, surveys, exams and technique demonstrations). Students will
be expected to take notes. All members of the class will be asked to observe three social
principles: 1) Be civil at all times, 2) Treat others with dignity, and 3) Work towards progress
from bell-to-bell.
Outline of Course Topics for First Semester:
Unit 1 Math and Scientific Method Review
1. 0-A Basic Mathematics
2. 0-B Basic Algebra
3. 0-D Graphs (11-12.C.1.2.2)
4. 0-E Scientific Method (11-12.C.1.6.1)
Unit 2 Newton’s First Law of Motion
1. Contrast Aristotle’s ideas of natural motion and violent motion
2. Compare/Contrast Aristotle’s model of planetary motion vs. Copernicus
3. Describe Galileo’s moving body experiments
4. Cite Newton’s first law of motion
5. Apply net force principle
6. Define the Equilibrium Rule, in words and symbols
7. Relate net force and equilibrium
8. Describe support force
9. Apply support force
10. Describe equilibrium of moving objects
11. Test objects/scenarios for equilibrium
12. Describe the development of human understanding of Earth’s motion
Unit 3 Linear Motion
1. Explain why motion is relative
2. Describe speed using units of measurement
3. Distinguish between instantaneous and average speed
4. Distinguish between speed and velocity
5. Contrast constant velocity with changing velocity
6. Relate both types of velocity to acceleration
7. Distinguish between velocity and acceleration
8. Describe Galileo’s inclined plane experiments
9. Describe a free-falling object
10. Explain why the unit second, appears twice in the formula for acceleration
11. Compare a free-falling object experiencing air resistance with no air resistance
12. Correlate dimension of a measurement’s units with distance, speed and acceleration
Unit 4 Newton’s Second Law of Motion
1. Describe the relationship between force and acceleration
2. Define friction
3. Describe how friction relates to amount of push or pull
4. Describe how friction affects the net force on an object
5. Contrast static friction with sliding friction, acting upon the same object
6. Relate the force of friction to speed
7. Compare situations for amount of friction
8. Relate fluid friction to speed and contact area
9. Relate mass to inertia
10. Relate mass to weight
11. Compare/Contrast mass and weight
12. Explain the relationship mass has with acceleration
13. Contrast direct proportion with indirection proportion
14. Cite Newton’s Second Law of Motion
15. Apply Newton’s Second Law of Motion to problems involving varying and constant
forces
16. Define free fall
17. Contrast free fall with non-free fall
18. Describe the relationship between air resistance and speed of a free-falling object
Unit 5 Newton’s Third Law of Motion
1. Identify forces acting on an object
2. Identify the number of forces required for an interaction
3. Cite Newton’s Third Law of Motion
4. Identify the net force of a system
5. Describe how to produce a net force on a system
6. Identify the action and reaction components of systems involving different masses
7. Identify which of the three laws of motion defines the concept of force interaction
8. List examples of scalar and vector quantities
9. Contract scalar and vector quantities
10. Define the parallelogram rule
Unit 6 Momentum
1. Define Momentum
2. Compare the momentum of a heavy object with that of a lighter object
3. Differentiate between impulse and force
4. Describe how to increase impulse
5. Describe the impulse-momentum relationship
6. Describe how to increase momentum
7. Differentiate change in momentum in a ball that is caught, thrown, or caught and thrown
back
8. Describe conservation of momentum
9. Explain how internal and external forces can affect momentum
10. Correlate no net impulse with constant momentum
11. Contrast elastic and inelastic collisions
12. Explain why momentum is conserved in an inelastic collision
Unit 7 Energy
1. Define work
2. Cite an example in which a force is exerted on an object without doing work on the
object
3. Compare the power required to lift a mass distance x with the power required to lift the
same mass distance 2x
4. Define mechanical energy
5. Define potential energy
6. Compare/contrast mechanical and potential energy
7. Cite the Work-Energy Theorem
8. Describe the effect friction has on a car’s skidding tire with the road’s surface
9. Explain the Conservation of Energy
10. Apply conservation of energy to a free-falling object directly before it hits the ground
11. Define machine
12. Describe how a machine can influence input force, input distance, and input energy
13. Explain the efficiency of a machine, given the load, the distance, and output
14. Contrast kinetic energy with momentum
15. Explain why momentum is a vector quantity
16. Explain why energy is a scalar quantity
17. Relate momentum to energy
18. Explain how doubling an object’s speed affects the object’s workload to come to a
complete stop
Unit 8 Rotational Motion
1. Define tangential speed
2. Distinguish between tangential speed and rotational speed
3. Relate tangential speed to distance from the center of a rotational axis
4. Define rotational inertia
5. Relate rotational inertia to mass
6. Relate rotational inertia to the axis of rotation
7. Contrast the acceleration on a downward incline of a hoop versus a solid disc
8. Explain how torque affects an object
9. Compare clockwise and counterclockwise torque when a system is said to be in balance
10. Compare center of mass with center of gravity
11. Locate the center of gravity of a given object
12. Relate stable equilibrium to center of gravity
13. Define centripetal force
14. Define centrifugal force
15. Compare/Contrast centripetal force with centrifugal force
16. Explain the concept of a fictitious force
17. Distinguish between linear momentum and angular momentum
18. Define the law of inertia for a rotating system
19. Explain the conservation of angular momentum
Unit 9 Gravity
1. City Newton’s law of universal gravitation
2. Identify the magnitude of the gravitational force between a 1-kg body and the earth
3. Contrast weight with weightlessness
4. Examine the effects of weightlessness on a system
5. Describe the relationship between ocean tides gravitational pull
6. Explain the effects of the sun and the moon on the Earth
7. How does gravitational force related to the distance between the objects
8. Define gravitational field
9. Explain the detection of gravitational fields
10. Cite Einstein’s Theory of Gravitation
11. Define black hole
12. Define universal gravitation
Unit 10 Projectile and Satellite Motion
1. Define projectile
2. Compare/contrast horizontal and vertical vectors for a projectile
3. Explain how an object can “fall” around the Earth
4. Explain why gravity has no effect on a satellite orbiting the Earth
5. Relate length of period to altitude of a satellite orbiting the Earth
6. Define elliptical orbit
7. Compare/contrast the speed of the parts of a satellite’s elliptical orbit
8. Cite Kepler’s laws of planetary motion
9. Relate escape speed of an orbiting satellite to its distance from the Earth
Unit 11 Vibrations and Waves
1. Describe the source of all waves
2. Define pendulum period
3. Relate length to period for a pendulum
4. Relate a sine curve to a wave
5. Relate frequency and period
6. Describe wave motion
7. Compare/contrast the motion of a wave with the motion of the medium it is moving
through
8. Relate frequency, wavelength, and wave speed
9. Define transverse wave
10. Relate the direction of vibration to the direction of wave travel
11. Define longitudinal wave
12. Compare/contract transverse and longitudinal waves
13. Define interference
14. Explain the superposition principle
15. Distinguish between constructive interference and destructive interference
16. Define node
17. Define antinode
18. Define standing wave
19. Relate Doppler effect to frequency, wavelength, and speed
20. Compare blue shift and red shift
21. Explain how an aircraft can “break the sound barrier”
22. Describe the relationship between the shape of the bow wave and the speed of its source
23. Define shock wave
Unit 12 Sound
1. Define sound, in physical terms
2. Relate frequency with pitch
3. Distinguish between infrasonic and ultrasonic sound waves
4. Distinguish between a compression and a rarefaction
5. Compare the conductance of sound in solids versus liquids
6. Explain why sound can’t travel in a vacuum
7. List factors upon which the speed of sound depends
8. List factors upon which the speed of sound does not depend
9. Define echo
10. Define reverberation
11. Explain the cause(s) of refraction
12. Compare the amount of energy in light versus sound
13. Define forced vibration
14. Define natural frequency
15. Define resonance
16. Relate forced vibrations to resonance
17. Explain why it is possible for one wave to cancel another wave
Unit 13 Musical Sounds
1. Distinguish between noise and music
2. List three principal characteristics of musical tones
3. Define pitch
4. Compare high- and low-frequency pitch
5. Define decibel
6. Distinguish between sound intensity and loudness
7. Cite Fourier analysis
8. Explain how sound is captured on a compact disc (CD)
Unit 14 Electrostatics
1. Compare the effects of electrostatic forces and gravitational forces between the Moon and
the Earth
2. Characterize the three main components of an atom
3. Describe Conservation of Charge
4. Explain what is meant by saying charge is quantized
5. Give examples of effective conductors
6. Give examples of effective insulators
7. Contrast conductors and insulators
8. Differentiate between semiconductors and conductors
9. Describe the purpose of a transistor
10. Explain the charging process
11. Cite an example of something charged by friction
12. Cite an example of something charged by contact
13. Explain charging by induction
14. Describe the purpose of a lightning rod
15. Contrast electrically polarized object with electrically charged object
16. Define electric dipole
17. Cite two examples of common force field
18. Contrast the direction of an electric field with the magnitude of an electric field
19. Explain electric shielding
20. Define electric potential
21. Compare the charge on one plate of a capacitor with that of the charge on the other plate
22. Explain the location of stored energy in a capacitor
23. Describe the principle behind a Van de Graaff Generator
Unit 15 Electric Current
1. Describe conditions conducive to the flow of heat
2. Describe conditions analogous to the flow of charge
3. Explain why electrons, not protons, are the principal carriers in metal wires
4. Cite two examples of electric pumps
5. Compare the statements “energy flows through a circuit” and “energy flows into a
circuit”
6. Compare the statements “voltage flows through a circuit” and “voltage is established
across a circuit”
7. Explain how heating a wire changes its electrical resistance
8. Define Ohm’s Law
9. Relate constant voltage and doubled resistance of a circuit to the amount of current
10. Relate constant resistance of a circuit, when voltage is decreased by half, to the amount
of current
11. Explain electric shock
12. Explain electric circuits in your body
13. Explain the reason for danger when an electric device is handled by someone in a waterfilled bath tub
14. Explain the purpose of the third prong on a household electric plug
15. Distinguish between direct and alternating current
16. Convert ac to dc and dc to ac
17. Explain why electrons in a common battery-driven circuit travel at the speed of light
18. Define drift velocity
19. Explain why the source of electrons in a circuit is the battery or generator
20. Relate electric power, current and voltage
21. Distinguish between a kilowatt and a kilowatt hour
22. Define electric circuit
23. Compare/contrast series circuits with circuits in parallel
24. Explain how a household circuit can become overloaded
25. Explain the purpose of a fuse or circuit breaker
Unit 16 Magnetism
1. Describe the forces acting between electrically charged particles
2. Define magnetic force
3. Contrast magnetic poles and electric charges
4. Define magnetic field
5. Relate magnetic field strength to the closeness of magnetic field lines about a bar magnet
6. Explain how a magnetic field is produced
7. Describe the two types of rotational motion exhibited by electrons in an atom
8. Define magnetic domain
9. Differentiate between an un-magnetized iron nail and a magnetized iron nail, at the
molecular level
10. Relate electric currents with magnetic fields
11. Explain the purpose of an electromagnet
12. Contrast superconducting electromagnets with conventional magnets
13. Explain the effects of magnetic force on a current-carrying wire
14. Explain how a galvanometer detects electric current
15. Describe the rate of current reversal in the loops of an electric motor
16. Define magnetic declination
17. Explain magnetic pole reversals
18. Relate cosmic rays to the aurora borealis
19. Define biomagnetism
Unit 17 Properties of Light
1. Define electromagnetic induction
2. Contrast discoveries of Michael Faraday and Joseph henry
3. Cite Faraday’s Law
4. Describe three ways to induce voltage in a wire
5. Define generator
6. Relate frequency of induced voltage to number of plunges of a magnet in and out of a
wire coil
7. Explain how a generator produces alternating current
8. Define power production
9. Define armature
10. Define MHD Power
11. Differentiate between an MHD generator and a conventional generator
12. Explain the function of a transformer
13. Explain why a transformer must be supplied with alternating current, not direct current
14. Differentiate the advantages of ac over dc
15. Define self-induction
16. Define power transmission
17. Explain the purpose of transmitting power at high voltages over long distances
18. Define field induction
19. Contrast magnetic field with electric field
Unit 18 Color
1. Define electromagnetic wave
2. Explain induction via a changing magnetic field, a changing electric field
3. Explain why an electromagnetic wave in space never speeds up or slows down
4. Differentiate between a radio wave and light
5. Differentiate between light and an x-ray
6. Describe the wavelength range of visible light
7. Contrast visible light at high frequency with visible light at low frequency
8. Relate wavelength of light with frequency
9. Explain the fate of energy in visible light that is incident upon glass
10. Compare the frequency of reemitted light in a transparent material with the frequency of
the light that stimulates its reemission
11. Contrast transparent materials with opaque materials
12. Explain the effect of light on opaque materials
13. Explain why metal is shiny
14. Explain why wet objects appear darker then when they are dry
15. Contrast an unbra and a penumbra
16. Define shadow
17. Distinguish between functions of rods and cones in the human eye
Unit 19 Reflection and Refraction
1. Explain the effects of incident light on the motion of an object’s electrons
2. Explain Fermat’s principle of Least Time
3. Cite the law of reflection
4. Define plane mirror
5. Relate the distance of an object from a mirror to how far behind the mirror it appears
6. Define diffuse reflection
7. Define refraction
8. Contrast the speed of light in thin air versus dense air
9. Explain the reason for a mirage
10. Describe the cause of refraction
11. Relate refraction and changes of speed of light in a material
12. Define dispersion
13. Define critical angel
14. Explain why light bends in optical fiber
15. Distinguish between a converging lens and a diverging lens
16. Define focal length of a lens
17. Distinguish between a virtual image and a real image
18. Define astigmatism
Unit 20 Light Waves
1. Define Huygets Principle
2. Contrast diffraction in a small opening versus that of a large opting
3. Define interference
4. Explain Thomas Young’s famous light experiment
5. Define optically flat
6. Define iridescence
7. Explain what causes iridescence
8. Define polarization
9. Distinguish between longitudinal and transverse waves
10. Compare direction of polarization of light with the direction of vibration of the electron
that produces it
11. Define three—dimensional viewing
12. Explain the role of polarization filters in a 3-D slide show
13. Differentiate between a hologram and a conventional photograph
14. Define holograph
15. Contrast coherent light with ordinary light
16. Explain how to acquire holographic magnification
Unit 21 Light Emission
1. Define excitation
2. Explain what it means to say that an electron is “excited”
3. Relate difference in energy between energy levels and the energy of the photon this is
emitted by transition between those levels
4. Define emission spectra
5. Explain how a spectroscope functions
6. Define incandescence
7. Differentiate the appearance of an absorption spectrum from that of an emission spectrum
8. Define Fraunhofer lines
9. Explain how astrophysicists can tell whether a star is traveling away from, or towards the
Earth
10. Explain how a fluorescent lamp can give off white light
11. Define phosphorescence
12. Explain metastable state
13. Differentiate between monochromatic light and coherent light
Specific Details/Policies:
Testing: A student who is absent on a test day must make up the test within one week of the test
day, or receive a zero for that test. Every student who earns less than 70% on any test must
attend the test review session and the test retake session (both will be after school). The
maximum retake score will be 85%. Failure to retake the test will result in loss of credit for the
course.
Attendance: Students may exit the classroom on a limited basis. A tardy will be recorded for
each exit taken to bring a text, notebook, pencil, or paper back to class. Tardies for arriving late
to class will be recorded as well, and detention will be assigned each time three tardies are
accumulated.
Assignments: Homework is due by the beginning of the period on the due date; after this time it
is considered one day late. 20% of the maximum points will be lost each day it is late; therefore
an assignment that is five days late will be worth zero points. Whenever appropriate, work must
be shown to earn credit.
Behavior: Be respectful at all times. Your workspace must be left neat. Points will be deducted
for items not put away or for messy work areas. Books must be covered and remain covered
throughout the year. Points will be deducted for uncovered books.
Study: *Students are expected to spend at least thirty minutes per night reading the textbook and
practicing problems.
Lab Safety: A lab safety contract must be signed by each student and parents, and returned to
the teacher by the end of the second week of class.
Internet use: All students will be using the internet from time to time. An Acceptable Use
Policy must be signed and returned to the teacher by the end of the second week of class.
LETTER TO PARENTS/GUARDIANS
Dear Parents and Guardians of MDHS Physics Students,
I am sending this course syllabus home to be signed to ensure that you understand the
details of the Chemistry course that your student will be taking this school year. It also gives me
a chance to briefly introduce myself and my expectations for my students.
I expect all of my students to be successful in my classroom! This means that each of
them is expected to do homework, complete classwork, participate and study. I am available
before and after school for extra help or individual issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if
you have any questions.
As part of my syllabus for the Physics curriculum, I will be conducting short field trip
excursions for my students periodically throughout the year. The duration of each trip will range
from about 10 minutes to the entire class period. The trips are for the purpose of conducting outof-classroom laboratory investigations, building students’ observational skills, and expanding
their learning environments. We will be traveling by foot, to locations near the High School.
The discussion of safety precautions and hazards will be routine, and the safety of each of
my students is my primary concern. Please have your student bring the signed lab safety
contracts back to me tomorrow. If you could read, sign and return the form promptly, I would
greatly appreciate it.
Sincerely,
Jamie Bell
Chemistry & Physics Teacher
(208)634-2218
[email protected]