Download Physics 1 Syllabus 2015-2016 Roberto Lopez

SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
PHYSICS
Teacher: Dr. Roberto Lopez-Boada
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (305) 818-3000 Ext: 2191
Course Policies
PHYSICS HONORS, is a two semester Physics without the calculus sequence. Mechanics,
Thermodynamics, Electricity and Magnetism, Optics, and Modern Physics are studied in this
course. We will be using the book Conceptual Physics (Hewitt).
Course Information: This course will cover basic concepts of physics including practical
examples of the role of physics in other disciplines. The course is also designed to develop
physical intuition and problem-solving skills. Topics to be covered include mechanics,
thermodynamics electricity, magnetism, optics, and modern physics. Regular class attendance in
lecture, recitation and laboratory is necessary for the successful completion of the course.
Lecture: The lecture will emphasize physical concepts, principles, examples, illustrations, and
demonstrations. It is intended to compliment the textbook. The textbook gives excellent
coverage of the material of this course. You are expected to read the chapter assignments (see
attached sheet) before coming to the lectures. After each chapter is covered in the lectures, you
should reread it at least one more time to further your understanding of the material.
Laboratory: Laboratory experience is considered an essential part of the course. These sessions
are designed to provide students with explicit examples of well-defined physical phenomena in
order to emphasize observational and measurement skills. Laboratories meet once each week.
Hour Examinations: There will be exams, quizzes, classwork and homework during the
normal lecture time. The dates on which these exams will be given in class a week in advance.
The exams will consist of multiple-choice questions, short answer essay questions, and one or
two problem solving exercises. The problem solving exercises will use the same format as the
homework problems, and must show the physical principle being used, the substitution of any
numbers into the calculation, a diagram when appropriate and the answer. All examinations will
be closed book. The use of formula sheets, dictionaries, scratch paper (other than that which will
be provided) is prohibited. You are expected to bring pencils with erasers and a simple
calculator (but NOT a programmable calculator which is capable of storing physics
formulae). Note that problems based on material covered in the lecture, recitation, laboratory,
and homework, as well as chapters covered from the book, may be included on these exams. In
the event of a fire alarm during an exam, should follow the instruction of the proctors, as the
exam may be continued in another building.
Late Work: Late homework and missed examinations will be assigned a grade of zero. Only for
exceptional circumstances, when accompanied by an acceptable written excuse, may some
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
accommodation be made. In this case, the prorated average score on the remaining examinations
may replace a missed examination score. NO MAKE-UP EXAMS WILL BE GIVEN.
Grading Policy
Your grade will be based on the numerical scores obtained from:
Exam (50%)
Quizzes (30%)
Classwork and homework (20%)
The remaining grades will be averaged. The resulting numerical grade is converted to a letter
grade according to the following scale:





90-100%
80-89%
70-79%
60-69%
0-59%
A
B
C
D
F
Exceptions: Exceptions are possible but not likely.
Schedule: Year at a Glance
First Nine Weeks
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
I. Scientific Thinking/Graphical
Methods (How do scientists
model the physical world?)
A. Review the Scientific Process
B. Develop the Modeling Cycle
through Lab Activities
C. Use Linearization to Develop
Relationships
D. Use Dimensional Analysis to
Give Meaning to Physical
Quantities
II. Constant
Velocity Particle Model
(How do you describe motion?)
A. Derive the Meaning of
Velocity
B. Represent Motion in Multiple
Ways
C. Develop the Concept of
Relative Motion
III. Uniform
Acceleration (Why do
we need seatbelts?)
A. Derive the Meaning of
Acceleration
B. Analyze Motion of Objects in
Free Fall
IV. Inertia and
Free Particle Model
(Why does a car skid in the
rain?)
A. Review the Concept of Force
B. Apply Newton’s First Law
C. Apply Newton’s Third Law
Apply Newton’s Law of Universal
Gravitation
Second Nine Weeks
I. Constant
Force Particle Model
(What causes a change in
motion?)
A. Apply Newton’s Second Law
B. Analyze Friction
C. Review the Concept of FreeFall
II. Two-Dimensional
Particle Motion
(Why does a free-throw from
Lebron James follow a curved
path?)
A. Apply the Concept of
Projectile Motion
B. Derive Kepler’s 3rd Law
III. Energy (What
is Energy?)
A. Review Kinetic-Molecular
Theory
B. Develop Models to Describe
the First Law of
Thermodynamics
C. Apply the Law of Conservation
of Energy
D. Discuss the Second Law of
Thermodynamics
E. Explore the connection
Between Work and Energy
IV. Momentum
(What effect does
mass have on the result of a
collision?)
A. Define Linear Momentum
Apply the Concept of Conservation of
Momentum
SCIENCE DEPARTMENT
Third Nine Weeks
and Interactions
(What is an electric charge?)
A. Develop a Model of Charges
B. Distinguish Between
Conductors and Insulators
C. Analyze Coulomb’s Law
D. Explore Electric Fields
Fourth Nine Weeks
I. Charge Behavior
I. Waves
II. Electric Potential
II. Light
(How does a
battery store energy?)
A. Discuss the Energy
Implications of the Electric
Field
B. Discuss Electric Potential
C. Map Equipotential Lines
III. Electric Current
and Circuits
(What makes charges move?)
A. Define Electric Current
B. Develop Ohm’s Law
C. Define Electric Power
Develop Diagrams for Electrical
Circuits
and Sound (Can you hear
sound in space?)
A. Describe Vibrations and
Waves
B. Represent the Types of Waves
C. Discuss Interference
D. Describe Sound
(What is Light?)
A. Describe the Dual Nature of
Light
B. Analyze Electromagnetic
Waves
III. Optics
(Why do you see yourself
in the mirror?)
A. Analyze the Properties of
Reflection
B. Analyze the Properties of
Refraction
C. Model the use of Lenses and
Mirrors to Produce Images
Discuss Diffraction and Interference