Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School
Mountain View College
Pre-AP Physics
Course Syllabus 2013-2014
Instructor:
Christopher Pagán
cpagan@dallasisd.org
Tutorials: Before school – Mondays and Thursdays.
After school - Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.
Course Description
Physics: General requirements. Students shall be awarded one credit for successful completion
of this course. Algebra I is suggested as a prerequisite or co-requisite. This course is
recommended for students in Grade 9, 10, 11, or 12.
Required Resources and Materials:
 McGraw-Hill (2002). Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems
 Class Notebook
 Scientific Calculator
 College-ruled paper
 Pencil and/or pen (black or blue)
Resource List
Below are useful websites and a book which contain additional information about topics covered
in this course, including background information, animations, and simulations to enhance your
understanding.
The Physics Classroom:
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/
University of Colorado -- PHET Simulations:
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics
Hyperphysics (Georgia State University)
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hframe.html
The Cartoon Guide to Physics by Larry Gonick (1991)
Class Rules
1. Set high academic standards for yourself.
2. Arrive to class on-time and be prepared to work.
3. Treat other people with courtesy and respect.
4. Do not speak when I am speaking.
5. Stop talking immediately when I call the class to attention.
6. Never lie, cheat, or steal.
7. Read, understand, and follow all safety rules and procedures.
8. Cell phones and music players must remain out of sight at all times.
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Attendance (Tardies)
It is very important that you not miss class! If you are in the classroom, I can teach you and
you will make progress. Absences, physical or mental, are the kiss of death in physics. Students
are expected to attend class and to participate fully in all activities.
Tardy Consequences (Per Six-Weeks)
1st Tardy – Warning
2nd Tardy – Warning
3rd Tardy – Detention or FNB (Referral for a “No-Show”)
4th Tardy – Detention or FNB (Referral for a “No-Show”)
5th Tardy – Parent Conference with an Administrator and Student Support Team (SST)
Referral
Academic Integrity
Paraphrasing another’s work calls for a citation to the author. Even when you cite accurately,
you need to use your own words; use direct quotes sparingly. It is imperative that you create
your own work and use your own words. Cutting and pasting from another sources is not
acceptable. Never cheat, copy, steal, plagiarize, or misrepresent someone else’s work as your
own.
Academic Integrity Statement
I will use my own thoughts, my own words and do my own work to support my own
learning. This means:
NO CHEATING
NO COPYING
NO STEALING
NO PLAGIARISM
NO REPRESENTING SOMEONE ELSE'S WORK AS YOUR OWN.
Grading Policies:
All Students will receive a report card each six-week period.
 Classwork / Homework = 40%
 Projects = 20%
 Tests / Quizzes = 25%
 Six Weeks Test = 15%
Assignments / Classwork (40%)
I will assign you weekly assignments. The purpose of the assignments is master the
concepts and to prepare you for the test. If you choose not to do the assignments, you may
receive zeros for work not completed. Students who choose not to do the assignments are
setting themselves up for failure because they will not perform well on the quizzes and
tests.
Students who choose not to turn in assignments are choosing to have Parent Conferences!
I will call your parents to meet me at school if you do not turn in the assignments. YOU
HAVE BEEN WARNED!
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Tests (25%)
Tests are designed to measure a student's mastery of a specific subject. The tests in this
class are difficult. In order to do well, YOU MUST STUDY FOR MY TESTS! Just showing
up without advance preparation almost always leads to a failing grade.
Students will be permitted to retake any test that she or he has failed, with the exception of
ACPs, within 5 school days the failing grade was received -- or no later than 10 days of the
date of the test. The higher score earned on either test will be recorded in the grade book,
and the lower score removed.
Projects (20%)
Projects in this class include laboratory experiments, essays, research papers,
presentations, science fair projects, and science notebooks. Projects are in addition to the
weekly homework assignment – not in place of homework. These take time to think
through and complete so do not wait until the night before to complete them. Lack of
planning will show in your final product.
Six Weeks Test Grade (15%)
You will be given a Six Weeks Test at the end of each grading period to determine your
understanding of the material we covered. These tests will concentrate on the material
covered during that six week period, but will also contain concepts from the previous six
weeks.
Make-up Work
It is your responsibility to find out as soon as possible what you missed when you are absent
from school. I will not come to you. Do not wait until the next class meeting to obtain missed
work. See me the day you return to school. If you were absent the day an assignment was due,
you are expected to turn in the assignment the next time we meet. Generally, you will be
allowed one day for each day you were absent. If you are absent on a test day, you must
immediately make arrangements with me to take the test when you return to school. The test
will be given after school during tutoring, or as arranged outside of class time. Any special
circumstances should be discussed with me outside of class. Failure to make timely
arrangements with me could result in a test score of zero.
Late Work
Deadlines are one of the most important consequences of the real world. All work unless
otherwise specified is due by 4:15 pm. Ten percent will be deducted for each day the
assignment is not turned in. Late work must be completed correctly. No work will be accepted 2
weeks beyond its due date At my discretion, and if my schedule permits, I will sometimes
replace a zero or a very low grade on an assignment with a grade of 50 in exchange for one
hour of tutoring after school.
Failure Notices/Parent Notification
At the end of the 3rd week for each six week grading period students will be given a progress
report to review their current performance. All students must return a progress report signed by
a parent/guardian by the next class period for a grade. Turning in a signed progress report on
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time is an easy 100, so do not forget to turn it in. Progress reports more than 2 days late will
result in parents being contacted.
At the end of the 5th week of each six week grading period students with a grade below a 70 will
be given a progress report to take home and have signed. In addition to the progress report,
parents will also be called regarding student performance and potential failure. The 5 th week
progress report must be turned in the following class period.
Notification will be done with a note, phone call or in person. I will document efforts made to
contact parents. All copies of notes sent home will be kept on file.
Course Sequence
First Semester Unit Sequence
Unit
1. Vectors
2. Motion
3. Forces
4. Momentum
5. Energy
6. Thermal Physics
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems
Ch. 4: Vector Addition
Ch. 3: Describing Motion
Ch. 5: A Mathematical Model of Motion
Ch. 7: Motion in Two Dimensions
Ch. 6: Forces
Ch. 7: Forces in Two Dimensions
Ch. 8: Universal Gravitation
Ch. 9: Momentum and Its Conservation
Ch. 10: Energy, Work, and Simple Machines
Ch. 11: Energy
Ch. 12: Thermal Energy
Second Semester Unit Sequence
Unit
Glencoe Physics: Principles and Problems
7. Electricity
Ch. 20: Static Electricity
Ch. 22: Current Electricity
Ch. 23: Series and Parallel Circuits
8. Magnetism
Ch. 24: Magnetic Fields
Ch. 25: Electromagnetic Induction
Ch. 26: Electromagnetism
9. Sound Waves
Ch. 14: Waves and Energy Transfer
Ch. 15: Sound
10. Light -- Waves
Ch. 16: Light
Ch. 17: Reflection and Refraction
Ch. 19: Diffraction and Interference of Light
11. Light -- Optics
Ch. 18: Mirrors and Lenses
12. Light – Particle
Ch. 27: Quantum Theory
Ch. 28: The Atom
13. Nuclear Physics
Ch. 30: The Nucleus
Ch. 31: Nuclear Applications
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Course Learning Standards
1st 6
Weeks
3.F
4A
4B
4C
4D
4E
4F
2nd 6
Weeks
4C
4D
4E
5A
5B
6A
6B
6C
6D
3rd 6
Weeks
6D
6E
6F
6G
Express and interpret relationships symbolically in accordance with accepted
theories to make predictions and solve problems mathematically, including
problems requiring proportional reasoning and graphical vector addition.
Generate and interpret graphs and charts describing different types of
motion, including the use of real-time technology such as motion detectors or
photogates.
Describe and analyze motion in one dimension using equations with the
concepts of distance, displacement, speed, average velocity, instantaneous
velocity, and acceleration.
Analyze and describe accelerated motion in two dimensions using
equations, including projectile and circular examples.
Calculate the effect of forces on objects, including the law of inertia, the
relationship between force and acceleration, and the nature of force pairs
between objects.
Develop and interpret free-body force diagrams.
Identify and describe motion relative to different frames of reference.
Analyze and describe accelerated motion in two dimensions using
equations, including projectile and circular examples.
Calculate the effect of forces on objects, including the law of inertia, the
relationship between force and acceleration, and the nature of force pairs
between objects.
Develop and interpret free-body force diagrams.
Research and describe the historical development of the concepts of
gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces.
Describe and calculate how the magnitude of the gravitational force between
two objects depends on their masses and the distance between their
centers.
Investigate and calculate quantities using the work-energy theorem in
various situations.
Investigate examples of kinetic and potential energy and their
transformations.
Calculate the mechanical energy of, power generated within, impulse applied
to, and momentum of a physical system.
Demonstrate and apply the laws of conservation of energy and conservation
of momentum in one dimension.
Demonstrate and apply the laws of conservation of energy and conservation
of momentum in one dimension.
Describe how the macroscopic properties of a thermodynamic system such
as temperature, specific heat, and pressure are related to the molecular level
of matter, including kinetic or potential energy of atoms.
Contrast and give examples of different processes of thermal energy
transfer, including conduction, convection, and radiation.
Analyze and explain everyday examples that illustrate the laws of
thermodynamics, including the law of conservation of energy and the law of
entropy.
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4th 6
Weeks
5A
5C
5D
5E
5F
5G
7A
7B
5th 6
Weeks
5A
7A
7B
7C
7D
7E
7F
8A
8B
6th 6
Weeks
5H
8C
8D
Research and describe the historical development of the concepts of
gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces.
Describe and calculate how the magnitude of the electrical force between
two objects depends on their charges and the distance between them.
Identify examples of electric and magnetic forces in everyday life; investigate
and describe the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in
applications such as generators, motors, and transformers.
Characterize materials as conductors or insulators based on their electrical
properties.
Design, construct, and calculate in terms of current through, potential
difference across, resistance of, and power used by electric circuit elements
connected in both series and parallel combinations.
Identify examples of electric and magnetic forces in everyday life; investigate
and describe the relationship between electric and magnetic fields in
applications such as generators, motors, and transformers.
Examine and describe oscillatory motion and wave propagation in various
types of media.
Investigate and analyze characteristics of waves, including velocity,
frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, and calculate using the relationship
between wavespeed, frequency, and wavelength.
Research and describe the historical development of the concepts of
gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces.
Examine and describe oscillatory motion and wave propagation in various
types of media.
Investigate and analyze characteristics of waves, including velocity,
frequency, amplitude, and wavelength, and calculate using the relationship
between wavespeed, frequency, and wavelength.
Compare characteristics and behaviors of transverse waves, including
electromagnetic waves and the electromagnetic spectrum, and
characteristics and behaviors of longitudinal waves, including sound waves.
Investigate behaviors of waves, including reflection, refraction, diffraction,
interference, resonance, and the Doppler effect.
Describe and predict image formation as a consequence of reflection from a
plane mirror and refraction through a thin convex lens.
Describe the role of wave characteristics and behaviors in medical and
industrial applications.
Describe the photoelectric effect and the dual nature of light.
Compare and explain the emission spectra produced by various atoms.
Describe evidence for and effects of the strong and weak nuclear forces in
nature.
Describe the significance of mass-energy equivalence and apply it in
explanations of phenomena such as nuclear stability fission and fusion.
Give examples of applications of atomic and nuclear phenomena such as
radiation therapy diagnostic imaging and nuclear power and examples of
applications of quantum phenomena such as digital cameras.
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Trinidad “Trini” Garza Early College High School
Mountain View College
Pre-AP Physics Student Agreement 2013-2014
 I have read and understood this syllabus.
 My parents (guardians) have read and understood this syllabus.
 I agree to obey all class, school, and college rules.
 I agree to attend class on a regular basis, to make my best effort to understand the material
taught in this course, and to ask for help whenever I need it.
 I agree to complete and return the lab safety contract on time.
 I agree to keep my home phone number and address current so my teacher can speak with
my parents or legal guardians.
 I agree to provide a valid email address and to regularly check my email for any messages
sent by the instructor or the school.
 I agree to take any letter from my instructor to my parent (guardian) and to return the letter
with a parent (guardian) signature when requested.
 I agree to attend mandatory tutoring if I do not turn in an assignment, fail a test, miss a lab,
have two or more absences, or have an average below 70.
 I understand and grading policies, student conduct regarding cheating, and what to do for
missed assignments, including limitations.
 I understand the instructor’s office location and hours and how to reach him.
Student
Parent (Guardian)
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Signature
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Signature
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Phone
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Phone
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Email
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Date
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Date
Other Parent (Guardian) contact phone numbers: _________________________
Best time to call: _________________________
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