Course Description
This course is a survey of major concepts, methods, and applications of physics. Topics include a description of motion, Newton's Laws, conservation principles (energy and momentum), waves, electricity, magnetism, circuits and light. In addition, this course also provides students a strong general foundation in both science and mathematics. As importantly, the math and physics courses are synchronized such that they complement each other. The use of mathematics in this course reinforces what is learned in Algebra. Course Outline
Mechanics
Electricity & Magnetism
Waves and Light
Requirements and Expectations
Students are expected to arrive in class promptly with their binder and pencils. During class, students are expected to participate and show proper respect to their teacher, classmates and classroom. Of course, students will be expected to follow all rules and procedures that they are given by the teacher and the Perth Amboy Code of Conduct. It is suggested that students use a three ring binder, as there will be numerous documents, which will need to be kept in an organized manner. These include handouts, lab reports, homework assignments, and graded tests and quizzes. This will be important throughout the year, but will be especially important in preparing for the midterm and final exams. Students will be given homework and reading assignments. These assignments need to be completed by the designated time so that the student is prepared for class. Course Work and Assessment Students will be assessed based on their results on quizzes, quests and tests, as well as their lab work and lab reports. Tests will occur at the end of each major topic. Projects of various forms will also occur frequently. Together, projects and tests are worth approximately 50% of the total grade. Quizzes may be given at any time, with or without prior notice, but will generally occur approximately once per week. Other assignments of substance may be counted as quiz grades. Quizzes will be worth approximately 30% of the final grade. Students will always be given advanced notice of tests and quests. Retakes of quizzes, tests, and quests will be granted once the student provides sufficient evidence that he/she is prepared. The highest grade earned replaces the lower grade. Retakes are not given during class time. Arrange an appropriate time for retakes with your teacher. Students will be conducting a full-scale physics lab approximately every other week for total of about four labs per quarter. The write-up form each lab will be due the following week. The laboratory work during a quarter will have a weight of approximately 10% of the final grade. Participation and homework will be worth approximately 10% of the final grade. Midterms and Finals In addition to their four quarterly grades, students will also receive a separate grade on their transcript for their midterm and final exams. Each quarterly grade carries a weight of 20% of the full year grade while these two exams each have a weight of 10%. Together they have the same impact as a single quarter’s result. The midterm exam will be on the work covered through the first two quarters. The final exam will be on the work for the entire year. It tests the cumulative knowledge retained by the student at the end of the course. |
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