Eastern Greene High School
Physics Syllabus 2014-2015
Instructors:
Text:
Brittney Andrews
bandrews@egreene.k12.in.us
Conceptual Physics, Prentice Hall, 2009
Course Description:
This is a first year survey course designed to supply the enrolled student with a general understanding of the laws of physics. The
course of study will include the topics of motion, both one and two dimensional, Newton's laws of motion and gravitation, uniform
circular motion, work and energy, momentum and collisions, rotational motion, simple harmonic motion, waves, sound, and
electricity. Attention will be given to the applications of the above concepts in the everyday world. The presentation will be at the
conceptual level with some mathematical applications involving algebra I, basic trigonometry, and geometry skills.
Big Ideas for Physics I:
Big Idea 1: Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure
Big Idea 2: Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions
Big Idea 3: The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
Big Idea 4: Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
Big Idea 5: Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws
Big Idea 6: Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve
as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
Scope and Sequence for Physics I:
Unit 1: Analyzing Data
 Students indentify the independent and dependent variables in an experiment.
 Students interpret the meaning of the slope and y-intercept on a graph.
Unit 2: Constant Velocity in One Dimension (Big Ideas: 3)
 Students analyze motion graphs (position versus time and velocity versus time).
 Students solve problems using both graphs and kinematic equations.
 Students distinguish between position, distance, speed, and velocity.
Unit 3: Acceleration in One Dimension (Big Ideas: 3)
 Students analyze motion graphs (position versus time, velocity versus time, and acceleration versus time).
 Students solve problems using both graphs and kinematic equations.
Unit 4: Forces and Newton’s Laws (Big Ideas: 1, 2, 3, and 4)
 Students draw free-body diagrams to predict the motion of an object.
 Students identify types of forces.
 Students apply Newton’s 2nd law to solve dynamics problems.
Unit 5: Motion and Forces in Two Dimensions (Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, and 4)
 Students use vectors to solve kinematic and dynamic problems in two-dimensions (projectile motion, ramps, etc)
Unit 6: Circular Motion and Gravitation (Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, and 4)
 Students will use dynamics to explain the cause of uniform circular motion.
 Students will explain and apply the universal law of gravitation.
Unit 7: Center of Mass (Big Ideas: 3)
 Students will find the center of mass of an object.
 Students will explain under what conditions an object will topple.
Unit 8: Rotational Motion (Big Ideas: 3, 4, and 5)
 Students explain how an application of a torque causes rotation.
 Students apply the concept of rotational inertia to predict the motion of an object.
 Students apply the concept of angular momentum to predict the motion of an object.
Unit 9: Momentum and Collisions (Big Ideas: 3, 4, and 5)
 Students explain how an impulse causes a change in momentum.
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 Students apply to concept of conservation of momentum to collision problems.
Unit 10: Work and Energy (Big Ideas: 3, 4, and 5)
 Students indentify the conditions for work to be done.
 Students explain how work, potential energy, and kinetic energy are related.
 Students apply the conservation of energy to real- world problems
Unit 11: Simple Harmonic Motion (Big Ideas: 3 and 5)
 Students will investigate and solve problems involving mass-spring systems
 Students will investigate simple pendulums and simple harmonic motion graphs
Unit 12: Waves and Sound (Big Ideas: 6)
 Students investigate both traveling waves and standing waves.
 Students will explain how sound is a longitudinal wave.
 Students will apply the concept of superposition to explain sound.
Unit 12: Electricity (Big Ideas: 1, 3, and 5)
 Students will explore electrostatics
 Students will apply Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Laws to DC Circuits.
Methodology and Procedures:
Multiple methods of instruction will be utilized which include but are not limited to:
Flipchart, live demonstration, modeling of problem solutions, video presentation and analysis with follow-up discussion,
whole class and small group discussion, small group inquiry and problem solving sessions, formal laboratory
investigations, and independent reading.
Evaluation:
Exams
Unit exams will be given according to the schedule set forth in the weekly syllabi. The exam will typically be a combination of
multiple choice questions, short essay questions and mathematical applications to be completed.
Quizzes
Two or three pop quizzes will be given for each chapter. Students are expected to keep up with the assigned reading, in-class work,
and homework as the quizzes will be aligned with such.
Applied Learning Activities
Throughout this course students will be expected to participate in applied learning activities. These activities can include open and
guided inquiry lab experiments, projects, and in-class assignments. There will be approximately one graded applied learning activity
per unit. Grades will be determined by a variety of means including but not limited to participation, performance, and written reports.
All written work to be submitted for a grade must be turned in on time.
Mid-Term and Final Exam
According to school policy, the mid-term exam and final exam scores will be worth 10 % of the final course grade. The format of the
exam will be announced well in advance of the exam.
Grading Policy
The grading scale is set forth by the district and is adhered to in the course. The scale can be reviewed in the Course of Study or
Student Handbook.
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Exams and Quizzes are worth 70% of your grade
Applied Learning Activities are worth 30%
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Classroom Rules, Policies, and Procedures:
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Follow ALL school rules set forth in your student handbooks.
Come to class prepared (bring your notebook, a pencil, and a calculator)!
Cell phones are to be placed in the closet at the beginning of each class.
Listen when others are speaking and participate in discussions.
Show respect for others and yourself.
Come to class with a positive attitude 
Consequences:
 Every Offense –You will sign the “Warning” Sheet.
 If your name appears a total of 3 times on this list, it is an automatic referral to administration for disciplinary action (This
means a detention) AND a phone call home.
Absent from Class / Make-up Work
It is your responsibility to make-up missed work. All exams, in-class work, and applied learning activities are published in the weekly
syllabi. Being absent from class when work is due or an exam is given will be handled according to the information listed below
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Applied Learning Activity – If such an activity occurs during your absence then you must make arrangements with your
instructor to perform the activity on your own time either before or after school hours. On rare occasions the activity may be
able to be completed during class time. The activity must be completed within 0ne (1) calendar-week of the original date.
Exams – You are required to take any missed exams on the day of your return to class. Being absent the day before a
scheduled exam will not excuse you from the exam as scheduled. Special circumstances will be considered and may result in
an extension of the deadline provided that you discuss your situation with the instructor via in-person, telephone or email
conversation prior to returning to class.
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