ICGSE Physics Syllabus (0443) – Imagine Prep Surprise 2015-2016
Contact Information
Mr. Macpherson
Email: chris.macpherson@sp.imagineprep.com
Website: http://sciencemac.weebly.com/ (Works great on a cell phone or iPod too!)
Phone: (623) 344-1770
Office Hours: Tuesday from 8:00 – 8:45am, Wednesday from 2:00 – 2:30pm, and Friday from 8:00 – 8:45am
Remind 101: Send a text to the number 81010
Once you have entered that number, send the following message depending on the hour that you have:
1st Hour: @IGCSEPHY1
2nd Hour: @IGCSEPHY2
5th Hour: @IGCSEPHY5
Course Description from Cambridge The purpose of this course is to provide exploratory experiences, laboratory, and real-life applications in the physical sciences.
Students will demonstrate knowledge and understanding of physical phenomena, facts, laws, definitions, concepts, and theories;
physical vocabulary, terminology, and conventions (including symbols, quantities, and units); scientific instruments and apparatus,
including techniques of operation and aspects of safety; scientific quantities and their determination; and scientific and
technological applications with their social, economic, and environmental implications. Students will also learn to use oral, written,
symbolic, graphical, and numerical forms of presentation, to locate, select, organize, and present information from a variety of
sources; translate information from one form to another; manipulate numerical and other data; use information to identify patterns,
report trends, and draw inferences about physical relationships; present reasoned explanations of physical phenomena, patterns
and relationships; make predictions and propose hypotheses; solve problems, including some of a quantitative nature. Students will
apply this knowledge and skills to use techniques, apparatus, and materials, (including the following of a sequence of instructions,
where appropriate); make and record observations and measurements; interpret and evaluate experimental observations and data;
plan physical investigations, evaluate methods, and suggest possible implications (including the selection of physical techniques,
apparatus, and materials).
Units that will be covered this year include –
Unit
Tentative Dates
Unit 0: Lab Equipment Mastery
Early August
Unit 1: Motion
August & September
Unit 2: Forces and their Effects
Late September
Unit 3: Forces in Equilibrium
Early October
Unit 4: Energy
Late October & Early November
Unit 5: Pressure
Late November
Unit 6: Thermal Physics
December
Unit 7: Waves
Early January
Unit 8: Light
Late January
Unit 9: Sound
Early February
Unit 10: Magnetism
Late February
Unit 11: Electric Charge
Early March
Unit 12: Electrical Energy
Mid March
Unit 13: Electric Circuits
Late March & Early April
Unit 14: Electromagnetism
Mid April
Unit 15: Radioactivity
May
Testing in May
Students who complete this course will be eligible to test in May for IGCSE Physics. Students will take papers 1 and 2/3 as well as
completing coursework.
Coursework
Seeing as how many of you tested in the past, I assume that you have a working knowledge of the science coursework skills.
The experimental skills and abilities to be assessed are:
C1 Using and organizing techniques, apparatus, and materials
C2 Observing, measuring, and recording
C3 Handling experimental observations and data
C4 Planning and evaluating investigations
Coursework labs will be planned within the school day throughout the year, however, expect to attend coursework Wednesdays in
order to fully complete your coursework by March.
Conventions
The syllabus and question papers will conform with generally accepted international practice.
 To avoid any confusion concerning the symbol for liter, dm 3 will be used in place of l or liter.
Candidates should be able to give the symbols for the following physical quantities and, where indicated, state the units in which
they are measured. Candidates should be able to define the items indicated by an asterisk (*).
Candidates should be familiar with the following multipliers: M mega, k kilo, c centi, m milli:
Core
Supplement
Quantity
Symbol
Unit
Quantity
Symbol
Unit
length
l, h ...
km, m, cm, mm
area
A
m2, cm2
volume
V
m3, cm3
weight
W
N
N*
mass
m, M
kg, g
mg
time
t
h, min, s
ms
g / cm3, kg / m3
density*
speed*
u, v
acceleration
a
acceleration of free-fall
g
force
F, P ...
km / h, m / s, cm / s
N
work done
W, E
J, kJ, MJ
energy
E
J, kJ, MJ
power
P
W, kW, MW
pressure
p, P
acceleration*
m / s2
force*
N*
moment of a force*
Nm
work done by a force*
J*
J*, kW h*
power*
W*
pressure*
Pa*, N / m2
atmospheric pressure
millibar
temperature
θ, T
°C
specific heat capacity
c
J / (g °C), J / (kg °C)
specific heat capacity*
latent heat
L
J
specific latent heat*
l
J / kg, J / g
frequency*
f
Hz
wavelength*
λ
m, cm
refractive index
n
focal length
f
angle of incidence
i
degree (°)
angle of reflection, refraction
r
degree (°)
critical angle
c
degree (°)
potential difference/ voltage
V
V, mV
potential difference*
current
I
A, mA
current*
charge
e.m.f.
E
V
resistance
R
Ω
e.m.f.*
V*
C, A s
Command Words
1. Define (the term(s)...) is intended literally, only a formal statement or equivalent paraphrase being required. 2. What do you understand by/What is meant by (the term (s)...) normally implies that a definition should be given, together
with some relevant comment on the significance or context of the term(s) concerned, especially where two or more terms
are included in the question. The amount of supplementary comment intended should be interpreted in the light of the
indicated mark value. 3. State implies a concise answer with little or no supporting argument (e.g., a numerical answer that can easily be obtained
“by inspection”). 4. List requires a number of points, generally each of one word, with no elaboration. Where a given number of points is
specified, this should not be exceeded. 5. Explain may imply reasoning or some reference to theory, depending on the context. 6. Describe requires the candidate to state in words (using diagrams where appropriate) the main points of the topic. It is
often used to refer either to particular phenomena or to particular experiments. 7. Discuss requires the candidate to give a critical account of the points involved in the topic. 8. Outline implies brevity (i.e., restricting the answer to giving essentials). 9. Predict implies that the candidate is not expected to produce the required answer by recall but by making a logical
connection between other pieces of information.
10. Deduce is used in a similar way to predict except that some supporting statement is required, e.g., reference to a law, a
principle, or the necessary reasoning should be included in the answer. 11. Suggest is used in two main contexts, i.e., either to imply that there is no unique answer (e.g., in Physics there are several
examples of energy resources from which electricity, or other useful forms of energy, may be obtained), or to imply that
candidates are expected to apply their general knowledge to a “novel” situation, one that may be formally “not in the
syllabus”—many data-response and problem- solving questions are of this type.
12. Find is a general term that may variously be interpreted as calculate, measure, determine, etc. 13. Calculate is used when a numerical answer is required. In general, working should be shown, especially where two or
more steps are involved. 14. Measure implies that the quantity concerned can be directly obtained from a suitable measuring instrument, e.g., length,
using a rule, or mass, using a balance. 15. Determine often implies that the quantity in question cannot be measured directly but must be found by calculation,
placing measured or known values of other quantities into a standard formula. 16. Estimate implies a reasoned order of magnitude statement or calculation of the quantity concerned, making such
simplifying assumptions as may be necessary about points of principle and about the values of quantities not otherwise
included in the question. 17. Sketch when applied to graph work, implies that the shape and/or position of the curve need only be qualitatively correct
but candidates should be aware that, depending on the context, some quantitative aspects may be looked for, e.g., passing
through the origin, having an intercept. In diagrams, sketch implies that simple, freehand drawing is acceptable;
nevertheless, care should be taken over proportions and the clear exposition of important details. Classroom Expectations
Our classroom follows a set of rules and procedures in order to best facilitate learning, critical thinking, problem solving, and a safe
environment. If we do not follow these rules and procedures then the following actions may take place: detention, referral, and/or
parent conferences.
 Be prepared for class. This means that we should have our pen/pencil (already sharpened), science binder, notebook paper,
and agenda out before the bell rings.
 Be respectful and responsible
 If we are not in our seats working on the warm-up by the time the bell rings, we will be asked to go to the office to get a
tardy pass
Discipline Policy: Students have 2 strikes and you’re out policy in this classroom. When a student is being disruptive or off task, Mr.
Macpherson will give them a warning. This means if you aren’t working on what you’re supposed to, you will receive a warning.
1st Warning: A verbal warning
2nd Warning: Detention
Grading Policies
Assessments: In this class, we will have a wide variety of assignments or activities that assess our learning. These assessments can
be broken down into two categories; formal and informal. These assignments or activities include but are not limited to –
Formal: Lab Reports, tests, quizzes, long term projects
Informal: Warm-Ups, exit tickets, skits, in-class work, short term projects, etc.
Warm-Ups: Each warm-up is worth 1 point, making a typical week worth 5 points. Over the course of the 9-10 week quarter, the
points for these assignments adds up and ends up being about 10% of your grade. i.e. if you don’t complete and turn in your warmups, your grade will drop ~10%.
Homework: The amount of homework for this class varies depending on the subject being discussed, but it can be expected that
homework will be assigned up to three times a week.
√ =100%
Tests and Quizzes: Tests and Quizzes will be worth approximately 60% of your quarter grade.
Grades
A = 90%-100%
B = 80%-89%
I = Below 50% (Incomplete)
C = 70%-79%
√ =100%
D = 60%-69%
F = 50%-59%
Late Work Policy
All late work must be turned in with a completed late slip stapled to the front.
 Late work must be turned into the late work folder.
 Late work must be turned in within 2 weeks of the assigned due date for 80% of the original credit.
 Late work will be graded after all current assignments have been graded.
 Late work that doesn’t have a completed late slip won’t be considered.
All late work must be completed 1 week before the end of the grading period regardless of the deadlines stated above.
Redoing Assessments
 Students must redo assessments within two weeks of their return; otherwise the original grade stands
 The higher grade is taken; not the average
 Students must redo assessments on their own time, not during instructional time in class.
 Students must attend at least one office hour session in order to study or get a reteach before they can redo an assignment.
The only assignments that can be redone are quizzes, tests, labs, and projects.
Absent Make-Up Work
Students can find the work that they missed in the folders in the front of the room. It is your responsibility for getting the work that
you missed as well as asking your classmates or Mr. Macpherson any questions about the work that you missed. The students may
attend office hours to work on these assignments or if they have any questions about the material that they missed. Students are
allowed the same number of days they were gone to make up the work.
 Absent work must be turned in with a completed absent slip stapled to the front.
 Absent work should be turned in to the turn in trays during independent work time in class OR during office hours.
 Absent work is eligible to earn 100% credit as long as it is turned in within the same number of days that the student
missed. If absent work is turned in after that period of time, it will be considered late and treated as such.
Absent work that doesn’t have a completed absent slip won’t be considered.
Office Hours
Mr. Macpherson’s office hours are Tuesday from 8:00 – 8:45am, Wednesday from 2:00 – 2:30pm, and Friday from 8:00 – 8:45am.
You must sign in if you are to attend office hours. If you are unable to make it to the office hour times above, please see me before
or after class in order to schedule an appointment. During this time you are welcome to come into the classroom for the following:
obtaining and working on late and/or absent work, getting a reteach lesson, retaking a quiz or test, and completing a lab. Office
hours are not times to ‘hang out’ because Mr. Mac needs there to be a good learning environment for the students who are working
on science content.
Supplies
The following is a list of materials this is required for this class:
 A 2in 3-ring binder
 A planner/agenda
 Pen or pencil
 Notebook and Graphing Paper
 Ruler
 Scientific Calculator (I have a class set, but you may want your own. Don't count on your cell phone’s calculator)
When using the classroom supplies, especially lab materials, it is your responsibility to handle them with care. This includes using the
materials only for what they are intended for (i.e. meter sticks are not swords) as well as putting the materials back where they were
when class began.
Extra Supplies
Donations of copy paper, construction paper, pens, pencils, tape, scissors, and Kleenex are always greatly appreciated.
Plagiarism
According to the Arizona State University’s academic integrity policy, plagiarism is defined as follows:
“`Plagiarism’ means using another's words, ideas, materials or work without properly acknowledging and documenting the source.
Students are responsible for knowing the rules governing the use of another's work or materials and for acknowledging and
documenting the source appropriately.”
Contact
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you have any questions, comments, or concerns. I am most easily available by email. I will
respond within 48 hours of your contacting me. I also have setup a Remind 101 group for your students’ class. I strongly encourage
you as well as your student to join this group. You will receive messages from me about quizzes and tests, reminders about
homework, and notifications about grade updates. The code is on the front page of this syllabus.
Please detach this entire page and hand it in to Mr. Macpherson. If you have any questions regarding the policies listed in the
syllabus please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Student Name: ________________________________________________________________
Student Signature: _____________________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Name: ____________________________________________________
Parent(s)/Guardian(s) Signature: _________________________________________________
Best Email: __________________________________________________________________
Best Phone Number: ___________________________________________________________
Do you intend for your student to take the IGCSE Physics test if he or she is deemed ready? _____________________________
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