Conceptual Physics Reading and Lab Schedule
Dianne Palmer-Quay
dpalmerquay@excelsioracademy.org
Welcome to Conceptual Physics at Excelsior Academy. This course will explain the concepts of
physics in ordinary English. Since only a few mathematical equations are used in the laboratory section
of the course, both science and non-science majors will enjoy learning about the physics of everyday life.
Although the textbook was published in 1987, not much has changed in physics in the past two decades.
Supplementary materials will be used as needed to bring in a contemporary focus.
Thursday class times will include a brief lecture/summary of key concepts, a discussion of the
chapter review questions and at least one hands-on experiment. Since this is an older curriculum, the
textbook will be provided at a yearly rental fee of $5.00 and should be returned at the end of the year for
a future student’s use. These books will be handed out at orientation on August 21st. If you are not able
to attend orientation, please contact me and make other arrangements for obtaining the materials.
Students are expected to have read the assigned pages before coming to class and completed the
assigned chapter review questions.
Conceptual Physics students will take weekly chapter tests using an online quiz website. Login
information will be sent individually before the first quiz date. In addition, comprehensive tests are
given during class at the end of each semester.
All students are required to keep a detailed lab notebook following the format to be explained on
the first day of class. A single subject spiral notebook is preferred. This notebook will be a record of lab
experiences and will trace the development of each student’s understanding. Lab notebooks will be
checked by the instructor for completeness on the dates indicated in the schedule.
All students also are required to participate in the Excelsior Science Fair on March 7th.
Additional information on designing a science fair project will be made available throughout the year as
due dates approach. Due dates for the steps in designing a science fair project are listed on the schedule.
Final grades will be computed by the instructor using the following categories and percentages:
25% semester exams
35 % weekly quizzes, review questions, assignments
30% lab notebook
10% Science fair project
While every attempt has been made to plan wisely, it may be necessary to adjust this schedule or
incorporate new lab topics. Check the class website regularly for updates and assignment downloads.
Date
8/30/12
9/6/12
9/13/12
9/20/12
9/27/12
10/4/12
10/11/12
10/18/12
10/25/12
Chapter Reading and
Assignments due
Chapter 1 – About Science
Lab topics
Read and answer questions from
Parts 1 and 2 of case study: Rated
MPG for Confusion
Chapter 2 – Mechanics
Ch. 2 Review Questions (RQ)
completed in notebook
Creating and Interpreting Graphs
Notebook Check
Chapter 3 – Inertia
Ch. 3 RQ
Notebook Check
Chapter 4 – Force and
Acceleration
Ch. 4 RQ
Chapter 5 – Action and Reaction
Ch. 5 RQ
Chapter 6 – Vectors
Ch. 6 RQ
Scientific Observations
Moving Right Along
Galileo for a Day
Force, Acceleration and Mass
Tension in a Tug of War
Vectors for Sailors
Science Fair – Preliminary Topic Due
Chapter 7 – Momentum
Momentum and Collisions with Water Balloons
Ch. 7 RQ
Bring extra clothing – You may get wet!
Notebook Check
Science Fair – Final Topic Due
Chapter 8 – Energy
Ch. 8 RQ
Science Fair – Preliminary Research
Question
Chapters 9 & 10 – Center of
Gravity and Universal Gravitation
Ch. 9 RQ 1,2,5,7,9,11, 15,18-20
Ch. 10 RQ 1-4,7-11,14,
Science Fair – Final Research
Question
Explorations in Energy and Work
Gravity Rules!
11/1/12
11/8/12
11/15/12
11/22/12
11/29/12
12/6/12
12/13/12
Christmas break
Chapter 11& 12 – Gravitational
Interactions and Satellite Motion
Ch. 11 RQ 1-6,10,11,13,14,20
Ch. 12 RQ 1,3-5,7-10, 12,14
Chapter 13 – Circular Motion
Ch. 13 RQ
Satellite Motion in Space
Simulation: Gravity and Orbits
Circular Motion
Science Fair – Research Plan
Chapter 14 – Rotational Mechanics Rotational Inertia in Solids and Cylinders
Ch. 14 RQ
Notebook Check
Chapter 15 – Special Relativity –
No class
Space and Time
Chapter 16 – Special Relativity –
Additional readings in relativity
Length, Mass and Energy
Chapter 17 – Atomic Nature of
Matter
Chapter 18 – Solids
Ch. 17 RQ 1,2,6,9,14-18,21,25
Ch 18 4,9,10,12-16,18
Chapter 19 – Liquids
Ch. 19 RQ
Science Fair – Research Paper
Chapter 20 – Gases
Ch. 20 RQ
Notebook Check – Turn in
notebooks
Science Fair – Variables and
Hypothesis
Measuring Atoms
Buoyancy and Density
Weighing Air
Semester Test: Units 1 and 2
Read The Case for a Creator and complete
writing assignment
1/10/13
1/17/13
Chapter 21 – Temperature and
Heat
Chapter 21 RQ
Response paper due
Science Fair – Materials and
Procedure
Skim Chapter 22
Chapter 23 – Transmission of Heat
Ch. 23 RQ
Discuss The Case for a Creator
*Safety Goggles Required
Antifreeze in the Summer?
Cooling Off
Science Fair – Conduct Experiment
1/24/13
1/31
2/7
Chapter 24 – Change of State
Ch. 24 RQ
Chapter 25 – Vibration and Waves
Ch. 25 RQ
Chapter 26 – Sound
Ch. 26 RQ
Melting Away and Freezing Up
Wave Motion
Tick-Tock
Sound Barrier
Notebook Check
2/14
2/21
2/28/13
High school
break
3/7/13
Science Fair – Draft of Report
Chapter 27 – Light
Chapter 28 – Color
Ch 27 RQ 1,3,6,7,9-11,16,20-22
Ch 28 RQ 2,5,6,8,9,11,14,16,17
Science Fair – Final Report
Chapter 29 – Reflection and
Refraction
Ch. 29 RQ
Chapter 30 – Lenses
Science Fair – Final preparations –
Make Display Board
Skim Chapter 31
Chapter 32 – Electrostatics
Ch. 32 RQ
Science Fair at Excelsior
Diluted by Distance
Measuring Light with Chocolate
Refraction Action
Critical Lab
Do Geometric Optics simulation at home.
Brief Presentation on project during class
Electrostatics
3/14
3/21/13
3/28/13
4/4/13
4/11/13
4/18
4/25
Skim Chapter 33
Chapter 34 – Electric Currents
Ch. 34 RQ
Notebook Check
Chapter 35 – Electric Circuits
Ch. 35 RQ
Chapter 36 – Magnetism
Ch. 36 RQ
Chapter 37 – Electromagnetic
Induction
Ch. 37 RQ
Chapter 38 – The Atom and the
Quantum
Ch. 38 RQ
Chapter 39 – Atomic Nucleus and
Radioactivity
Ch. 39 RQ
Notebook Check – Turn in for
final grade
Chapter 40 – Nuclear Fission and
Fusion
Ch. 40 RQ
Sparky the Electrician
Wire it up
Magnetic Field Effects
Electricity and Magnetism
Messages from Within
Half-life and Radioacctivity
Energy through Nuclear Reaction
Semester Test: Units 3, 4, 5