Download Course Philosophy Goals of the Physics 30

Physics 30 Course Outline
Teacher: Derek Cooney
J.C. Charyk School
2014/2015 School year.
Prerequisites: Math 20-1 or 20-2, Physics 20 (recommended 65% or better)
Course Philosophy
Goals of the Physics 30 Course
According to the Program of Studies, the major goals of the Physics 30 curriculum are:
• encourage students at all grade levels to develop a critical sense of wonder and curiosity
about scientific and technological endeavours
• enable students to use science and technology to acquire new knowledge and solve problems
so that they may improve the quality of their lives and the lives of others
• prepare students to critically address science-related societal, economic, ethical and
environmental issues
• provide students with a foundation in science that creates opportunities for them to pursue
progressively higher levels of study, prepares them for science-related occupations and engages
them in science-related hobbies appropriate to their interests and abilities
• develop in students of varying aptitudes and interests a knowledge of the wide spectrum of
careers related to science, technology and the environment.
Course Outline
The following section outlines the units we will be studying in this course, approximate
timelines for those units, and a brief overview of what each unit entails.
Unit 1: Momentum and Impulse
Date: February (approximately 2 weeks)
Overview: All sports and activities use the concepts used
in this unit. Almost any helmet or safety device utilizes the
basic concepts of momentum and impulse in its design. It
is also commonly used to investigate car accidents In this
unit, students will investigate collisions, and learn how
momentum, impulse, and forces are all interrelated when
looking at collisions.
Unit 2: Forces and Fields
Date: September and October (approximately 5 weeks)
Overview: All electrical power and electrical motors operate
on the basic principals which are covered in this unit. Students
will investigate the underlying principals which have allowed
us to generate electrical power, as well as convert it into
useable forms. By the end of this unit, students will know how
to use all of their left hand rules.
Unit 3: Electromagnetic
Radiation
Date: October and November
(approximately 5 weeks)
Overview: Electromagnetic radiation comes
in many forms, and we are surrounded by
this commonly misunderstood phenomenon
at all times. In this unit, students will look at
the two fundamental theories which allow us
to predict the behaviour of electromagnetic
radiation, wave theory and the quantum
theory (using the photoelectric effect, first
explained by Einstein).
Unit 4: Atomic Physics
Date: November to January (approximately 4 weeks)
Overview: Whether it is used to date fossils, in radioactive
isotope injections to help diagnose patients, or to generate
Gigawatts of power, atomic physics is the basics of nuclear
physics. Students will learn about radioactive decay, nuclear
reactions, spectra of atoms, as well as the effects of
electrical charges at the atomic level.
Tentative Schedule
Topics
Unit 1
Unit 2
Unit 3
Unit 4
Review
Tentative Dates
Momentum and Impulse
February(2 weeks)
Forces and Fields
Feb-Mar (5 weeks)
Electromagnetic Radiation
Mar-Apr (5 weeks)
Atomic Physics
Apr-May (4 weeks)
Review
June (1 week)
Note: Completion dates for each unit are tentative, and may change.
Evaluation
Your final mark will be tabulated using the following weightings:
Category
Weighting of Units
Unit 1
15%
Unit 2
30%
Unit 3
30%
Unit 4
25%
School Final Mark
50%
Provincial Diploma Exam
50%
Each individual unit will be broken down as follows:
Evaluation type
Projects/Formal Labs
Practice Assessments
Tests
Weighting Within the Unit
20%
0%
80%
•Marks for this course are cumulative, meaning they are a running tally of student achievement
throughout the semester.
• Not all units will have a project.
• Please note that while the weighting of projects and labs is 20%, it is an essential part of this
course and is a standard requirement by Alberta Education for completion of this course.
•Please note that assignments are not part of your final mark. They will be tracked with
“homework checks” throughout the semester though, and it is essential that students complete
assignments on time in order to be successful in the course
Materials
A graphing calculator is required for this course. While it is recommended that students have a
TI-83 or TI84 graphing calculator, any equivalent graphing calculator will suffice. Students will
also be assigned a textbook.
General Expectations
• Regular Attendance - To be successful in any course, students must be attending classes and
completing the work associated with learning the concepts and skills of the course. The student
is responsible for getting notes and doing the work that was assigned if they were absent/late.
If you know you are going to be absent, please notify me so you can pick up your work prior to
leaving, to avoid falling behind. If you wish to leave the room at any time during the class, you
do not need to ask, but you must fill out the sign in/out sheet when you leave.
• Arrive on time/Be prepared - It is expected that you will be in your desk ready to start class
when the bell goes. If you unable to avoid being late, please enter the classroom quietly with
minimal disruption. Books, writing utensils, calculators, data booklets, etc. must be brought to
class every day. When you arrive, there will be an agenda on the board as to what we are doing
in today’s class.
•Work Habits - It is expected that students use their class time to the best of their abilities for
the whole period every class. I expect everyone to be listening when I am providing instruction.
Please raise your hand to ask questions at any time during class.
• Homework/Exams - Homework assignments are due at the beginning of class. If you miss an
exam or quiz, you will be allowed to write the exam on your own time upon returning.
• Late Assignments - Late assignments will be tracked by “homework checks”. Remember,
while the assignments are not marked, it is critical that you stay up to date on the assignments
to be successful in this course. If a student fails to complete a number of assignments, parents
will be notified.
• Help Sessions - Extra help will be available before school, during lunch, and after school if the
flex block time is not enough. Please make arrangements with me for help sessions.
• Attitude - Another necessity for this course is independence and accountability. You are
responsible for keeping up with homework, asking for help if needed, and studying for tests.
This class is designed to help prepare you for post-secondary studies, which requires all of these
skills. This class is designed to help prepare you for post-secondary studies, which requires all of
these skills.
Contact Information
Should you have any questions regarding this course outline, this course, or need to contact
me, please use the following contact information:
Derek Cooney
J.C. Charyk School
Phone: 403-854-3642
Email: [email protected]
Please see the school webpage http://view.dreamstalk.ca/plrd.jcc/index.php for any postings
related to the course.