Aptos High School Physics Course Outline and Student Expectations

2008-2009

Teacher: Mr. Manildi

Great News! Mr. Manildi is your Physics Teacher!

Goals: 1. Students will develop a basic knowledge of the discipline of physics and energy conservation laws through concept based problems, hands on laboratory exercises, and real life examples.

2. Students will develop and practice problem solving skills and scientific inquiry, and will be able to demonstrate their knowledge by asking appropriate questions to obtain answers to physical questions by use of quantitative and qualitative reasoning and experimental investigation.

3. Students will make connections between physics and other disciplines and to relevant social issues. Students will contribute to the Million Word Challenge by reading one approved novel for this class, and understand the relevance of literature to the promotion and continuation of physics.

4. Students will be aware of each of the Schools ESLER’s that is addressed during the course of the school year in physics.

Course Description: Introductory Physics takes a conceptual approach to teaching physics that covers the California state standards for high school physics. Students will use a variety of methods from group discussions, computer simulations, concept challenges, and a hands on laboratory exercises to help understand the physical laws that govern our universe, as they are currently understood. Students will be expected to participate in class discussions and activities on a regular basis. Students can expect to spend about ½ hour per night on homework, although individual studying times may vary.

Materials Provided:

Text: Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt.

All laboratory equipment

Materials required:

Separate Binder of notebook for physics.

Pen, pencil, basic calculator.

Materials for projects.

Grades will be updated at the end of each unit.

Grades are based on percentage, not total points.

1. Grading Policy:

Semester Grade

Each quarter grade is worth 40%

Final Exam 20%

Quarter Grade

Make-Up Work:

Tests, Labs, Activities, and Homework: ONLY WHEN AN ABSENCE IS EXCUSED BY THE OFFICE will make up work be accepted. Students will have one week from the day they return to make up all missed work. Late work is given 50% credit for one week after the due date. Late work more than one week late is given a zero.

Exams 50%

There will be an exam at the end of each unit. Make up exams are not given. There will be practice tests and/ or study guides. Students are expected to study for the exams. Bonus questions will be included on each exam to give students the opportunity to get back 10 to 20 percent of their score.

Laboratory Activities 25%

There will be one formal lab write up for each unit, and many short labs, demos, and activities.

Projects 5%

Projects are assigned well in advance and may not be made-up or turned in late unless prior arrangements are made with Mr. Manildi.

Quizzes10%

Quizzes are based on homework and reading assignments. There will be at least one quiz during each unit, and may be a pop quiz, or unannounced. Quizzes cannot be re-taken. Every Tuesday at the beginning of class there will be a chance to make up Quizzes by presenting a current newspaper, magazine, or Internet article related to science. 2 articles will count for an A on each of your lowest quizzes. This extra credit will be applied at the end of each quarter grading period. This is how I give you 10 % of the class for free.

Homework 10%

Many homework assignments are reading assignments. Homework will be checked for on-time completion and then collected at the time of the unit test.

Tardiness

The school tardy policy will be enforced!

Course Outline

Semester 1

Unit one Linear Motion

Unit two 2 – D Motion

Unit three Newton’s Laws of Motion

Unit four Circular Motion

Unit five Work and Energy and Conservation laws

Unit six Linear Momentum and Conservation Laws

Unit seven Universal Gravitation

Unit eight Waves and Sound

Semester 2

Unit nine Electrostatics

Unit ten Electric Circuits

Unit eleven Magnetism and Magnetic Induction

Unit twelve Thermodynamics

Unit thirteen Fluids

Unit fourteen Light and color

Unit fifteen Light and optics

Unit sixteen Modern Physics and Relativity

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I have read and understand the contract for Mr. Manildi’s physics class.

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Students Signature______________________________________ Date______________

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