Learn about the world around you and spark curiosity with the physics of motion and momentum, Newton’s laws, gravitation, work, energy, and power, and develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills with dynamic science.
This is Part One of a two-part course.
Total Classes: 14
Duration: 75 minutes
Prerequisite: Algebra I. Geometry is beneficial.
Suggested Grade Level: 9th grade and above.
Suggested Credit: One full semester Science or Physics.
Instructor: Thomas Frederick, MS
Instructor Email: tomfrederick42@gmail.com
Course Description: This 14-week course is the first course in a two-course series in introductory Physics concepts. The class does not rely too heavily on advanced mathematical calculations but algebraic understanding is required. Instead, we will stick to principles, overarching concepts, and major theories and how they apply to our everyday lives. Students will have live instruction once a week, as well as frequent online interactives and simulations that will assist them in understanding and applying knowledge. The course is a survey of topics in physics with the goal of leading toward further study (Advanced Placement or College Prep Physics). Students will build on their natural intuition—and break some commonly held misconceptions. Students will learn how the cosmos that God created works and apply the laws of physics to everyday examples in their lives. Students will learn that physics is phun!
Course Outline:
Week 1 - Science Basics
Week 2 - Describing Motion (part 1)
Week 3 - Describing Motion (part 2)
Week 4 - Calculations with Motion (calculator necessary)
Week 5 - Vectors and Relative Motion
Week 6 - Projectile Motion
Week 7 - Newton's 1st Law
Week 8 - Newton's 2nd Law
Week 9 - Newton's 3rd Law
Week 10 - Universal Gravitiation
Week 11 - Impulse and Momentum
Week 12 - Conservation of Momentum
Week 13 - Work, Energy, & Power
Week 14 - Conservation of Energy
Course materials: (We suggest buying used to save considerable money)
Conceptual Physics, Paul Hewitt (2002) ISBN: 0-13-054254-7
Some students have purchased the following text which seems to be identical inside.
Conceptual Physics, Paul Hewitt (2004) ISBN: 0-13-166301-1
We will also reference The Physics Classroom (online)
Homework & Grading: Weekly reading from the textbook as well as online resources will be assigned. Homework questions will be assigned from the textbook (along with solutions for students to self-check progress). Students will also be assigned interactive online activities that will help them to better understand and apply concepts learned in class. Each unit will have a quiz or test at the end, which will be graded by the instructor.
Grades are based on the following weights:
Homework - 25%
Quizzes - 30%
Tests - 35%
Participation - 10%
- Teacher: Thomas Frederick