Honors Physics A - Syllabus
Mr. Groezinger
Text: Conceptual Physics, Hewitt, Paul G; 1st Ed. Boston: Pearson
About the Honors Physics A Course:
(Lecture-Discussion 4 hours/week; Lab 1 hour/week)
Honors Physics A is an algebra-based course in general Physics. This course will be a full year course. The
emphasis is on understanding the concepts and skills and using the concepts and formulae to solve problems.
Laboratory work will be an integral part of this course.
Evaluation:
Tests
Homework
Lab
Mid-Term Exam
Final Exam
40%
20%
20%
10%
10%
Calendar:
Aug 23 – Sept 3
Introduction
Kinematics
(Hewitt chapters 1, 2, 4 & 5)
Units and Dimensions
Scalars and Vectors
Motion in one Dimension
Motion in Two Dimensions
Projectile Motion
Sept 7 – Sept 24
Newton’s Laws of Motion:
(Hewitt chapters 3, 6 & 7)
Friction
Inclined Plane
Weight and Weightlessness
Sept 27 – Oct 7
Work, Energy, and Power
(Hewitt chapter 9)
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Oct 8 – Oct 15
Systems of Particles
Linear Momentum
(Hewitt chapter 8)
Impulse-Momentum Theorem
Law of Conservation of Linear Momentum [C1]
Oct 18 – 26
Circular Motion and Rotation
(Hewitt 10-11)
Uniform Circular Motion
Torque and Rotational statics
Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics
Angular Momentum and its Conservation
Oct 27 – Nov 24
Oscillations and Gravitation
(Hewitt chapters 12 – 14)
Simple Harmonic Motion
Mass on a Spring
Pendulum and Other Oscillations
Newton’s Law of Gravitation
Circular Orbits
Nov 29- Dec 1
Temperature and Heat
(Hewitt chapters 21-22)
Heat
Temperature
Thermal Expansion
Heat Transfer
Dec 2 - 17
Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics
(Hewitt chapters 23-24)
Ideal Gas Laws and PV diagrams
Kinetic Theory and rms speed of gas molecules
Reversible Thermodynamic Processes
Heat Engines and the Carnot Cycle
First law of Thermodynamics
Second Law of Thermodynamics
Entropy
Jan 3 – 11
Electrostatics
(Hewitt chapters 32-33)
Coulomb’s Law
Electric Field
Motion of Charged Particle in Electric Field
Electric Potential Energy and Electric Potential
Jan 12 – 19
Conductors, Capacitors, Dielectrics
(Hewitt)
Electrostatics with Conductors
Capacitors
Dielectrics
Jan 20 - Feb 3
Electric Circuits
(Hewitt chapters 34-35)
Current, Resistance, Power
Steady State DC Circuits
Capacitors in Circuits
Feb 4 - 11
Magnetic Fields
(Hewitt chapter 36)
Forces on Moving Charges in Magnetic Fields
Forces on Current Carrying Wire
Fields of Current Carrying Wires in Magnetic Fields
Ampere’s Law
Feb 14 – 23
Electromagnetism
(Hewitt chapter 37)
Electromagnetic Induction
Inductance
Feb 24 – Mar 4
Wave Motion
(Hewitt chapter 25-26)
Traveling Waves
Properties of Sound
Standing Wave and Beats
Doppler Effect
Maxwell’s
Equations
Mar 7 - 23
Geometric Optics
(Hewitt chapters 27 - 29)
Reflection and Refraction
Mirrors
Lenses
Mar 24 – Apr 1
Physical Optics
(Hewitt chapters 30 - 31)
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Snell’s Law
Total Internal Reflection
Image Formation by Plane and Spherical Mirrors
Image Formation by Lenses
Image Formation by a Two-Lens System
Interference and Diffraction
Apr 5 - 15
Atomic Physics and Quantum Effects
(Hewitt chapters 38 - 39)
Photoelectric Effect
Energy and Linear Momentum of Photon
Energy Levels in an Atom
DeBroglie Hypothesis
Compton Effect
Apr 18 - 21
Nuclear Physics
(Hewitt chapter 40)
Nuclear Reactions
Mass-Energy Equivalence
Apr 25 – May 6
Special Relativity
(Hewitt chapter 15)
Frames of Reference
Space-Time Travel
May 9 – 20
General Relativity
(Hewitt chapter 16)
Mass, Energy, and Gravity
May 23 – June 2
Review for Final Exams
Fall Laboratory Inquiries:
1. Rebound height
2. Indirect measurement of inaccessible heights and distances
3. Areas, Volumes, and densities of given solids and liquids
4. Prediction and reproduction of kinematics graphs with motion detector
5. Determination of acceleration due to gravity
6. Projectile Motion – Relationship between θ and Range
7. Elastic Force in Rubber Bands – Nonlinear spring
8. Inclined Plane – Coefficient of friction
9. Uniform Circular Motion – Relationships between F and r
c
10. Conservation of Mechanical Energy Spring-mass system – Air Track
11. Conservation of Linear Momentum – Air Track
12. Spring-Mass System – Force sensor
13. Simple Pendulum - Photogate
14. Density Using Archimedes Principle
15. Dependence of Cooling Rate on Surface/Volume Ratio
Spring Laboratory Inquiries:
1. Electrostatics – Ordering the given materials in the order of their electronegativity
2. Mapping Electric Fields I: Plotting equipotential and field lines
3. Mapping Electric Field II: 3-D Landscape
4. Ohm’s Law and Internal Resistance
5. Resistors in Series and Parallel
6. Standing Waves on a String
7. Standing Waves for sound in a pipe
8. Verification of the Laws of Reflection and Refraction
9. Image formation by Spherical Mirrors and Lenses
10. Young’s Double-Slit Experiment
11. Single Slit Diffraction and Diameter of Hair
12. Photoelectric Effect
Laboratory Notebook Format
Problem/Question
Hypothesis
Experimental Procedure
Data/Observations (in the form of a data table, graph and/or equation)
Calculations
Conclusion and error analysis
HONORS PHYSICS
Mater Lakes Academy
2011-2012
Mr. Groezinger
Materials Needed (bring to class each day):
- A TI-84 Plus Graphing Calculator (regular or silver edition). This
will cost you a few dollars, but it is a very worthwhile investment in your
education.
- A class notebook dedicated to Physics.
- At least 100 sheets of loose leaf graph paper for notes and homework
assignments.
- A quad-ruled notebook (graph paper notebook) to be used as a
dedicated laboratory notebook.
- A ruler calibrated in both inches and centimeters.
- A protractor.
- Writing and graphing materials (pencils and colored pencils).
Class Expectations:
- Homework will be assigned almost daily and will be collected the
following class period. It will often be graded. DO NOT COPY A
CLASSMATE’S HOMEWORK and turn in as your own work. If you
choose not to do an assignment you must give me a piece of paper
which states, “I did not do my homework because…”
- If you are absent from class it is your responsibility to make up the
work you missed. You have 48 hours to make up missing
assignments once you return to school from your absence. This
applies only to excused absences. You will not be given an
opportunity to make up homework, quizzes, labs, or tests from
unexcused absences.
- Quizzes will be given periodically. Some will be announced
beforehand, some may not be.
- Tests will always be announced beforehand. If you have an excused
absence the day of a test or quiz you have 48 hours upon your return to
school to make up the test or quiz.
- You will be issued a textbook for this class. Return the textbook at
the end of the school year in good condition or you will be charged for
it.
- Come to class in an approved school uniform.
- Do not bring food or drink into the classroom. If I see food or drink
I take it.
- Do not let me see you cell phones, I-Pods, MP3 players, or
cameras. If I see them I take them and your parents may come pick
them up.