Download 2-3 Weeks - Seton Hall Prep

Honors Freshmen Physics
Seton Hall Prep, 2016-17
Instructor: Mr. Trinh
E-mail: [email protected]
Welcome! This course is your introduction to the world of physics. Physics is the study of how the universe works and
the mathematical models and laws that govern it. That is a lot of information so in this course we will limit ourselves
primarily to the study of classical mechanics in the areas of kinematics, dynamics, momentum, and energy.
Course Goals/Objective
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

To learn to reason as a physicist:
o Construct major ideas in physics through observation and testing.
o Develop problem solving skills.
Experience physics as a dynamic process of discovery, not just a body of knowledge.
Appreciate the connection that physics plays in society and with individuals.
Class Requirements
Textbook: Physics: Principles and Problems; Glencoe McGraw-Hill
 Text can be taken home. Extra copies will be available for use in class.
Workbook: PUM: Physics Union Mathematics; Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
 Printouts from this workbook will be provided.
Other websites, documents, presentations etc… will be available on the class website at www.shp.org
You will need the following with you every day in class:
1. A 1-inch, 3-ring binder with 9 tabbed dividers and plenty of lined 3-hole paper.
2. PENCILS, erasers, and calculators.
Keys to Success
The best way to do well in this course is to pay attention, stay involved during class, and come prepared. Keep an open
mind and never be afraid to ask questions. So that I do not keep answering the same questions over and over again,
neat detailed note taking is very important. Being prepared means reviewing your notes on a nightly basis.
Evaluation Methods
1. Summative Assessments (100 pts)
o Unit Tests – There will be two to three unit tests each trimester. Tests will be announced at least one
week in advance.
2. Formative Assessments (20 pts)
o Quizzes – Expect at least 1 quiz a week that will be given at the beginning of class so be on time. You will
not be given extra time to finish the quiz if you are late.
3. Homework (5 – 20 pts)
o Reviewing your notes – I expect you to review your notes on a nightly basis to prepare for next class.
While I will not grade you on this it will reflect clearly in the quizzes you take.
o Problem Sets – You will be assigned problems from the book or worksheets that will be due on Fridays.
4. Lab Reports (20 – 50 points)
o Lab Report – a lab report will be due within one week of completing a lab.
To calculate your grade at any point in the trimester, divide the total number of points you earned on all tests, quizzes,
classwork, and homework and divide by the total number of points possible.
Absent Policy
If you are absent, then unless otherwise noted…
 …all assignments must be handed in the day you get back whether or not we have class.
 …expect to make up any tests or quizzes on the day that you return either before or after school.
 …you are responsible for any notes or handouts you missed that day. Check with your classmates first before
you check with me.
Late Work and Resubmission
All work handed in after the due date will lose a full letter grade of each day late. Late work cannot be resubmitted. The
process of resubmission will be outlined in a separate document on our class website.
Classroom Policies and Expectations
1. Be on time and ready to learn. This means coming to class with your notes out and whatever assignments due,
ready to be handed in at the beginning of class!
2. Don’t be afraid to volunteer your ideas, no matter how crazy. They thought Einstein was crazy... and he was,
but at least he was right about relativity.
3. Respect each other’s ideas, otherwise no will want to volunteer their ideas. Keep an open mind, science never
progressed with a closed one.
4. Don’t be afraid to ask questions either. Class is about learning not knowing the right answer.
5. Work hard for me and I’ll work hard for you.
On my end this means you can expect:
 …that I will always try and make myself available for extra help whenever possible provided that you
come and ask for it.
 …that I will always answer your questions to the best of my knowledge and if I do not know the answer I
will find out for you.
 …that I will have your tests, quizzes, and homework graded on time.
Laptop/Electronic Device Policy
Laptops and other devices such as tablets are discouraged in class. While the school allows such devices for note taking
in my experience students are more often distracted by a computer and take poor notes as a result. In addition, we will
regularly draw diagrams or pictures, which is very difficult or impossible to do in such a device unless you have a stylus.
So while I will allow the use of a laptop or other typing device (excluding cellphones) I reserve the right to take away
your laptop/electronic device privileges in my class if I decide it is a distraction to yourself or others.
Help Access:
Help class is for you to ask additional questions or clear up any confusion about the material. That being said the
purpose of help class is not to reteach the material so come to help class prepared, otherwise I cannot help you. At the
very least you should come to help class knowing the key terms. All help access will be in Room 340 unless otherwise
noted. If these times do not work for you please schedule something with me.
Tuesday
Activity Period:
9:25-10:05 AM
Wednesday
After School:
2:45-3:30 PM
Thursday
Activity Period:
8:45-9:25 AM
Honors:
As an honors class I will expect more from you in terms of the quality of your work. In general, we will cover more
material in greater depth and do additional lab activities. For this to be possible we will keep a much quicker pace
compared to a regular class.
At the end of the first trimester I will review these policies. If everything is working then we will continue with them, if not
I reserve the right to change them.
Trimester 1
Goals
Unit 1: 1-D Relative motion, coordinate system.
Kinematics
Develop motion diagrams and position graphs.
4-5 weeks
Define velocity.
Chapters 3
and 5 Develop x(t) = xi + vit for motion with constant
velocity from graphical analysis
Develop velocity graphs.
Possible Labs/Demonstrations
Lab 1: Digital Lab PhET Moving Man
Use mathematical models to predict unknown
quantities using a digital simulation. (Annex)
Reinforce different descriptions of motion.
Lab 2: You are the Moving Man
Define acceleration.
Relating different representations of motion
using PASCO motion sensor.
Develop mathematical models for motion with
constant acceleration from graphical analysis.
Familiarize students with SparkVue software and
related equipment.

Position x(t) = xi + vit + ½at2
Lab 3: Where will they Meet?

Velocity v(t) = vi + at
Model the motion of real objects using
kinematics equations.
Interpreting graphs and graphical relationships.
Revisit moving man simulation to test kinematics
equations.
Problem solving strategies and whiteboard
practice.
Discuss uncertainty, assumptions, precision,
accuracy, and significant figures. Chapter 2
Determine g: minilab w/ iPad drop.
Analyze motion of objects in freefall and apply
kinematics concepts.
Predict where and when two objects will meet if
moving towards each other.
Determining uncertainty, evaluating assumptions.
Lab 4: Freefall
Determine the initial velocity of an air rocket
launched vertically.
Predict the maximum height of an air rocket,
work with altimeters.
Problem solving strategies and whiteboard
practice.
Unit 2: 2-D Develop idea of independence of x and y motion.
Kinematics
(Projectile Horizontal launch problems.
Motion)
Manipulating vectors, review of trigonometric
2-3 Weeks functions (SOHCAHTOA)
Lab 5: Marble in a Cup
Chapters 4 Generalized angled launch problems
and 7 (symmetrical)
Predict the landing location of an air rocket
launched at different angles.
Predict the location of a marble launched
horizontally at different heights.
Lab 6: X Marks the Spot
Best launch angle discussion and air resistance.
Determine apex and film with drone.
Generalized solution for angled launch problems
involving different heights.
Class Minilab: Launch a Field Goal
Use of the quadratic equation.
Trimester 1
Goals
Unit 3A: Start Unit 3: Dynamics
Dynamics
 Chapter 6 and 7
Part 1
Define forces.
1-2 Weeks
Develop force diagram.
Chapters 6
and 7 Define equilibrium.
Reinforce vector analysis with problems involving
static equilibrium.
Possible Labs/Demonstrations
Minilab: Find FEonO
Effect of Air – upload to physics channel
Lab 7: Static Equilibrium
Analyze real life setup of static equilibrium.
Predict unknown quantities of force, mass, and or
angles.
Problem solving strategies and whiteboard
practice.
Trimester Review and Exam
End of 1st Trimester
Trimester 2
Goals
Unit 3B: Determine the relationship between motion
Dynamics diagrams and force diagrams.
Part 2
Define inertial and non-inertial reference frames.
3-4 Weeks
Define Newton’s 1st Law of Motion
Chapter 6
and 7 Balloon in a Cart Puzzle
Develop Newton’s 2nd Law qualitatively and
quantitatively through experiment.
Develop a problem solving strategy for solving
problems with Newton’s 2nd Law in one and two
dimensions.
Develop an expression for static and kinetic
friction.
Defining Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion qualitatively
and quantitatively through experiment.
Predict through analysis of forces and application
of Newton’s laws the behavior of a fan cart with a
sail attached.
Develop a problem solving strategy to deal with 2
body problems using Newton’s laws. Whiteboard
problem solving.
Advanced Dynamics Problems:
 Incline planes
 2 body problems
Possible Labs/Demonstrations
Lab 8: Hooke’s Law
Develop an expression for the force that a spring
exerts on an object.
Problem solving with Hooke’s Law
Slinky Puzzle
Lab 9: Shoe Lab
To determine the coefficient of static friction of
an object using two methods that apply Newton’s
Laws
Lab 10: Buoyancy Lab
To determine what factors influence the force
that a liquid exerts on an object.
Veritasium Puzzle
Lab 11: Atwood Machine
To use Newton’s laws to predict the acceleration
of an object on an Atwood Machine and verify
using kinematics.
Minilab: Determine the acceleration of the
school’s elevator by experiment.
Trimester 2
Goals
Unit 4: Define the quantity of momentum.
Momentum
Understand the difference between constant and
2-3 Weeks conserved.
Possible Labs/Demonstrations
Lab 13: Testing Momentum Conservation
To use momentum conservation to predict the
final velocity of a cart-pulley-hanging mass
system.
Chapter 9 Develop momentum bar chart representations.
Verifying Assumptions
Develop Impulse-Momentum conservation
Lab 14: Recoil Lab
Happy Sad Ball video analysis
Problem Solving Strategy:
 Elastic
 Inelastic
 Recoil/Explosion Problems
 Impulse Problems
Advance Momentum Problems:
 2 Part Problems
 2-D Momentum
Use spring loaded carts to make predictions using
momentum conservation
Analyze the motion of a pendulum with energy
bar charts.
Trimester 3
Goals
Unit 5: Predict the motion of Galileo’s Pendulum via
Energy work-energy conservation.
4-5 Weeks Develop concept of work and energy.
Chapter 10 Develop energy bar chart representations.
and 11
Develop an expression for kinetic energy.
Possible Labs/Demonstrations
Lab 15: Bungee Jumper
Use energy conservation to make predictions
about the motion of objects on a spring.
Analyzing assumptions of dynamics versus
energy.
Lab 16: Nerf Gun Lab
Develop an expression for spring potential
energy.
Determine the muzzle velocity of a NERF gun
using two different methods.
Develop an expression for gravitational potential
energy.
Problem solving strategy for energy conservation
and work problems.
Whiteboard problems
Expression for change in internal energy.
Expression for power.
Discussion of conservative and non-conservative
forces.
Unit 6: Develop a conceptual model of uniform circular
Circular motion.
Motion
Define centripetal acceleration; “centrifugal”
2-3 Weeks force.
Lab 16: Record Player
Problem solving with uniform circular motion.
Unit 7:
Gravity
2-3 Weeks
Chapter 8
Lab 17: PhET Orbits