Burneson Honors Physical Science Syllabus
Mr. Berkheimer
room 137B
2015-2016
Berkheimer@wlake.org
Course Description
Honors Physical Science is a High School level course designed to introduce students to many basic
concepts in science. During the school year, students will discover the nature of science, acquire basic
science skills, be introduced to basic Chemistry concepts, introductory Physics concepts, and basic Earth
and Space science topics. It is also an introductory course to the Honors Science Program at Westlake
High School and a requirement for graduation. This course will help prepare students for success in
future honors and AP science classes at WHS.
Topics
Proposed Honors Physical Science Sequence
I) Intro to Science & Measurement
A) What is Science?
B) Scientific Method
C) Measurement and Graphing
II) Energy
A) What is energy?
B) Kinetic Energy
C) Potential Energy
D) Conservation of Energy /
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
E) Work & Transfer of Energy
F) Calculations using W, Ek, and Egp
III) Atomic Theory
A) History timeline
B) Identifying Atoms
C) Quantum Mechanical Model – Bohr,
Heisenberg, Schrodinger
IV) Periodicity and Classification of Elements
A) Periodic Law
B) Families & Properties
C) Atomic Mass & Average Atomic Mass
V) Electricity
A) Static Charge & Coulomb’s Law
B) Current
C) Electric Potential (Voltage)
D) Circuits
1) Resistors and transfer of energy
VI) Introduction to Matter
A) Classification of Matter
1) Pure Substance
2) Mixture
B) Properties of Matter – Physical vs.
Chemical
VII) Changes in Matter
A) Thermal Energy
B) Physical Changes vs. Chemical
Changes
C) States of Matter (Physical Changes)
1) Kinetic Theory
2) Changes of State
3) Difference in Density
4) Phase Diagram
VIII)Chemical Bonding (Chemical Changes)
A) Valence Electrons
B) Ionic Bonding
C) Covalent Bonding
D) Properties of Ionic and Covalent
compounds (Lab)
IX) Chemical Reactions
A) Chemical Equations & Conservation
of Mass / Balancing Chemical
Equations
B) Types of Chemical Reactions
C) Rates of Chemical Reactions
D) Electromagnetic Radiation
X) Nuclear Reactions & The Universe
A) Unstable nucleus and radioactivity
B) Nuclear Fission
C) Nuclear Fusion
D) Life Cycle of a Star
E) Galaxy Formation
F) History of the Universe
XI) Radiant Energy & Wave Behavior
A) Waves = transfer of energy w/o
transfer of matter
B) Wave Properties
C) Wave Interactions
XII) Introduction to 1D Motion
A) One Dimensional Motion Four
Questions – Where? What? What
Next? When?
B) Kinematics
XIII) Forces & Dynamics
A) What are forces – contact vs. field
B) Newton’s 1st Law – Inertia (Things
NOT changing)
C) Newton’s 2nd Law – F=ma (Things
changing)
D) Newton’s 3rd Law – Interaction
between objects (Action-Reaction)
Classroom Materials
Pen or pencil
spiral notebook
three ring binder or pocket folder
Scientific calculator
textbook (Physical Science, Concepts in Science)
supplies as needed for activities and labs
Class Expectations
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
On time, in your seat, with classroom materials
Follow directions – know expectations
Show mutual respect to staff and classmates
Be responsible and take care of classroom and equipment
Stay alert, and keep electronic devices silent and out of sight
Class Procedures
Students are expected to have assignments completed on time, late assignments will be given a
maximum of 50% the value of the assignment if completed within one school day. Many activities and
labs will require working cooperatively with a lab partner or group. Some projects will be done with a
partner or within a group, and working together outside the classroom will sometimes be required. You
are encouraged communicate with the classroom teacher about any issues concerning your lab partner
or group in a timely manner. If you have an excused absence, you will have the same number of days
absent to make up any missed assignments or evaluations you may have missed. It will be your
responsibility after an excused absence to see me or check online to obtain any missed assignments or
information.
Laboratory
Lab gives you an opportunity to experience the principles that we are studying in action. While lab can
be informative, challenging and fun, it can also be potentially dangerous if you are careless. Follow all
safety guidelines carefully, immediately report any injuries or accidents to the teacher, ask questions
about anything you do not understand. Students will be given a format for writing a formal lab report
and will be assigned writing such reports throughout the year.
Discipline
Initial infractions of the rules, or classroom disruptions will be given a verbal warning. Repeated
infractions, or serious initial infractions will be dealt with by some combination of staying after class,
extra responsibilities or work, detentions before or after school, removal from classroom, meetings with
administrators and/or parents if necessary.
Communication
I will help you if you need extra help, but I won’t know you need extra help unless you ask.
Communicate in person before or after class, ask questions in class, or use my e-mail to communicate
with me. Do not wait until the day before an assignment is due, or the day before a test to ask for help
or communicate concerns about peers that you are working with.
Evaluation
Quarter grades will be based on the percentage of total points earned. Assignments may include a
combination of homework, quizzes, labs, lab reports, lab practical’s, tests, projects. Assignments will be
given point values to reflect the length, difficulty and importance of the work done. Semester grades
are determined by the WHS grading scale reflected in the WHS student/ Parent handbook.