ADVANCED PHYSICS: GENERAL INFORMATION 2010-2011
You need to acquire the following materials
as soon as possible (if you haven’t already):
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Text: Fundamentals of Physics Vol. 1, 8/E, Halliday, Resnick, Walker, 2008
Problem Supplement (optional)
Three-ring binder notebook with plenty of paper and dividers
Scientific/graphing calculator (preferably the TI-84)
A binder of all of your past physics lab reports from your first physics course
Organization, responsibility, energy, drive, and a willingness to work hard
Your homework will be based on assignments given both in the form of assignment sheets
and in problems and exercises assigned during class.
Completing all homework
assignments on time and to the best of your ability is an expectation in this class, and it is
assumed that you would not have signed up for quantitative physics if you were not
prepared as such. Collaboration on homework is encouraged; however, when submitting
someone else’s ideas or presentation, you need to acknowledge the source. Collaboration on
our laboratory and computer experiments is discouraged except when we are working in
teams or pairs.
Keep in mind that an effective homework assignment is one that incorporates and
demonstrates correct solutions rather than answers. In this course, the completeness and
thought process behind the correct answer is far more important than the answer itself.
More often than not, the “right answer” is worth as little as 1 out of 10 to 15 possible points.
This is why the development of logical solutions is so vitally important in this course, and
your homework assignments should help reinforce your understanding in this regard. We
will spend a great deal of time learning to emulate the style and completeness of solutions
that will be of great importance in college-level physics.
We will also have lab investigations, computer exercises, demo discussions, and occasional
timely readings to help reinforce the concepts we are studying. While we will always be
concerned with the relevant mathematical foundations of physics, we certainly want to be
able to write about it and talk about it in plain English when we need to. All of these
activities will hopefully promote effective thinking, writing, and speaking of physics
throughout the year.
Your term grades will be comprised of homework assignments, lab reports, computer
exercises, demo discussions, class contributions, quizzes, and tests. You will normally be
told well ahead of time to prepare adequately for these items. Grading will generally be
computed in the following manner:
Tests
40%
Computer/Demo Exercises/Labs
30%
Quizzes
20%
Homework/Class Contributions
10%
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Advanced Physics
This course is designed to provide a solid understanding of the major concepts in college preparatory physics. It is ideal for students who enjoy blending science and mathematical problem solving, and it emphasizes
learning through modeling and experimentation. Students will develop the mathematical relationships between physical quantities and will apply graphical analysis throughout the course. Topics of study will include
vectors, kinematics, Newton’s laws of motion, the laws of conservation of energy and momentum, gravitation, center of mass and modern physics if time permits. Demonstrations and student projects are integrated
throughout the course. Co-requisite: Enrollment in AP Calculus or departmental permission.