Physics Syllabus

Course Overview

This course is an integration of the theoretical and mathematical aspects of physics.  Students will acquire lab-oriented skills while getting an introduction to the fundamental laws of physics. Major fields of study are mechanics, energy and heat, electricity, waves, light, and nuclear physics.

Teacher: Sean Moore

Location: Room 310

Email: [email protected]

 

Learning Objectives: (TEKS)

P.Gen.1 Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion of this course. Algebra I is suggested as a prerequisite or core requisite. This course is recommended for students in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12.

P.Intro.1 Physics. In Physics, students conduct laboratory and field investigations, use scientific practices during investigations, and make informed decisions using critical thinking and scientific problem-solving. Students study a variety of topics that include: laws of motion; changes within physical systems and conservation of energy and momentum; forces; thermodynamics; characteristics and behavior of waves; and atomic, nuclear, and quantum physics. Students who successfully complete Physics will acquire factual knowledge within a conceptual framework, practice experimental design and interpretation, work collaboratively with colleagues, and develop critical-thinking skills.

P.Intro.2 Nature of science. Science, as defined by the National Academy of Sciences, is the "use of evidence to construct testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena, as well as the knowledge generated through this process." This vast body of changing and increasing knowledge is described by physical, mathematical, and conceptual models. Students should know that some questions are outside the realm of science because they deal with phenomena that are not currently scientifically testable by empirical science.

P.Intro.3 Scientific inquiry. Scientific inquiry is the planned and deliberate investigation of the natural world. Scientific methods of investigation can be experimental, descriptive, or comparative. The method chosen should be appropriate to the question being asked.

P.Intro.4 Science and social ethics. Scientific decision making is a way of answering questions about the natural world. Students should be able to distinguish between scientific decision-making methods and ethical and social decisions that involve the application of scientific information.

P.Intro.5 Scientific systems. A system is a collection of cycles, structures, and processes that interact. All systems have basic properties that can be described in terms of space, time, energy, and matter. Change and constancy occur in systems as patterns and can be observed, measured, and modeled. These patterns help to make predictions that can be scientifically tested. Students should analyze a system in terms of its components and how these components relate to each other, to the whole, and to the external environment.

P.Intro.6 Statements containing the word "including" reference content that must be mastered, while those containing the phrase "such as" are intended as possible illustrative examples.

Units We Will Cover

 

Unit 1: Physics Skills and Processes

Unit 2: Kinematics in 1D and Graphing Motion

Unit 3: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Unit 4: Two-Dimensional Motion

Unit 5: Universal Gravitation

Unit 6: Conservation of Energy 

Unit 7: Conservation of Momentum

Unit 8: Thermodynamics

Unit 9: Mechanical Waves: Properties and Application

Unit 10: Electromagnetic Waves 

Unit 11: Electrostatics: Forces, Fields, and Energy 

Unit 12: Current Electricity

Unit 13: Atomic, Nuclear, and Quantum Physics

Unit 14: Physics is Everywhere 

 

 

 

Classroom Expectations:

 

Maintain a SAFE and CLEAN environment.

Be PROACTIVE.

Engage your 4 P’s.  

No HORSE PLAYING during lab activities.

Any kind of HATE SPEECH (hate speech is speech which attacks a person or group on the basis of attributes such as race, religion, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, or gender) is unacceptable at any time. 

 

Consequences

1st time: Warning

2nd time: A meeting with your teacher.

3rd time: C-Form

 

Grading System

The grading system is based on three criteria.

Soft Skills - 10% (including the 5 P’s - Punctual, Prepared, Productive, and Professional)

Assignments - 55%

Test/Quizzes - 35%

 

Calculating semester grades: 

1st/3rd Quarter: 50%

2nd/4th Quarter: 50% 

 

1st/2nd Semester: 100% 

 

 

Late classwork and homework:

* One day late: 10% of the total grade will be deducted

 

* 3 days late: 25% of the total grade will be deducted

 

* 5 days (or more) late: Grade will be zero (0).

 

* Those who did not hand in assignments on time will receive a grade of 1 point for the assignment. Students will have five school days to complete their missing work. Once they complete the assignment, they will receive a deduction of a specific percentage pending how late it was submitted. 

 

* Tests and quizzes cannot be made-up unless the student has an excused absence(s).

 

* If a student is tardy (unexcused), s/he cannot make up the daily warm-up assignment as well as any portion of a quiz, test, or assignment given during the time the student was absent from class.

 

* Assignments will NOT be accepted five days after the due date.

 

* Note: Unique and special circumstances may allow students to make up a quiz, test, and/or assignments based on the consideration and discretion of the teacher and/or administrator.

 

Absence Policy

 

* Per student handbook, missed assignments and/or tests/quizzes can be made up if the student has an excused absence. (See Grading Policy for more information).

 

* Students cannot make up work and/or tests/quizzes for unexcused absences.

 

* The student is responsible for communicating with the teacher regarding missed work and lectures/activities.

 

* Refer to the student handbook regarding the time allowed to make up and submit missed work.

 

 

 Supplies: 

* Bring paper and pencil to class if you want to take notes. 

* Bring your iPad or Laptop & Charger (charge your iPad/laptop overnight).

 

Follow all Laboratory Safety Rules

* First offense = NO TOLERANCE, if you break a lab safety rule, you will sit out for the rest of the lab and receive a zero on your lab for an incomplete lab. If the violation is serious, you may be suspended from labs for a given amount of time to be determined by the teacher and principal (depending on the seriousness of the violation).

 

Lab Fee   

* We encourage you to help contribute to the cost of disposable lab materials and supplies used throughout the year.  We gently ask for a $10.00 lab fee that will go directly toward science department funding.

 

Go to the restroom before or after class

* This is high school, and my students are now learning how to be adults. Class time is valuable, and I expect my students to go to the bathroom during the transitional time between classes, not during my class. I understand that sometimes going to the bathroom is an urgent matter, yes and I will grant permission at my own discretion. 

 

Food and Drinks in the Classroom

* Students may eat and drink during class IF they agree to maintain their areas clean and dispose of trash appropriately. This is a privilege and may be revoked at any time by the teacher.

 

* Sunflower seeds are NOT permitted in class at any time.

 

* If a student spills something that stains or damages property (such as red Kool-Aid), the student will be responsible for paying for the cleaning costs and/or damages.

 

* Students are strongly encouraged to bring reusable water bottles to class.

Electronic Device: 

 

* No phones in class/instruction; allowed before/after school, lunch, and between classes.

* Phones stored in backpacks, lockers, or designated areas when entering. lass; not visible in class.

 

1st offense: Warning

2nd offense: IR/Soft skills grade/teacher meeting

3rd offense: IR/soft skills grade/self-reflection/parent contact.

Recurring: Meeting with admin. & may include parents.

 

Educational Trips

 

* The purpose of educational trips in this course are designed for two reasons: 1) to enhance the hands-on learning experiences and make real-world connections of content-based instruction from the classroom to the world and 2) as a motivation tool to reward students for positive reinforcement of learning.

 

*If a field trip is intended to enhance learning, students may not opt-out of participating. These educational trips are to be regarded to be the same as a regular class, thus the aforementioned absence policy & grade policy will apply. Note that the Academic Intervention Program (AIP) has specific rules regarding field trips for students who are placed in the program.

 

* For field trips designed to be reward activities (which are also linked to current learning), the teacher has the authority to make the determination of who can and cannot attend based on a clear set of individual and/or group goals that have been/have not been met. Students are allowed to opt-out of these trips, but they must write a report to the teacher that includes the reason(s) s/he does not want to participate. Students are responsible for paying for his/her own meals/drinks and any other costs such as admission fees.

 

* Students will be required to actively work on a given/ assigned task(s) during class time if s/he misses any trip activity for any reason. The teacher will determine the location for the student to attend class and task(s) to be completed during that time.

 

Copying/Cheating/Plagiarizing:

If two or more people turn in homework that has been COPIED from each of their grades will automatically be dropped to 0% for that assignment. You MAY work together in a group, but the answers must be IN YOUR OWN WORDS.

 

If I catch you CHEATING during a test, your grade will automatically be zero (0%) and a discipline report will be filled out. There will be no chance for make-up. 

 

Plagiarizing is saying someone else’s work is yours. It is the same thing as lying or stealing. Students caught plagiarizing will be written up with the discipline to follow (usually ISS or a suspension). Plagiarizing includes cutting and pasting information directly from the internet. The grade for said “work” will be a zero (0%) with no chance of making it up. If you need help citing sources or are concerned about a specific assignment, please see me and I will help you! 

 

Do not start using laptops/iPads when not prompted to and stay on task when using laptops/iPads. 

1st Offense: Verbal Warning. 

2nd Offense: A meeting with me in the hallway. 

3rd Offense:  Class C Form

 

Contract:

I have read and understand the syllabus for this Physics course. I understand how to contact the teacher if I have any questions or concerns.

 

(Note: Refusal to sign the syllabus does not mean you opt-out of following the requirements for this course )

 

 

CONTACT ME: 

I am available most Mondays, Wednesday, and Thursday immediately after school. If you are in need of additional tutoring,  I will be happy to set up something with you and/or your parents (if you are a day student). My email address is [email protected]. Please contact me if you have any problems or questions.

 

Thanks! I am looking forward to an EXCITING and FUN year in Physics!