Physics Syllabus
Instructor
Mr. Kyle Strzelecki
Class Hours
4th period Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
5th period Monday-Friday
Email
kyle.strzelecki@pleasantstaff.org
Course Description
Physics is an interrelationship between matter and energy in the universe and is
applicable to all sciences. This course is based heavily on mathematical calculations.
Physics is suggested for those students going into science related fields such as the
medical and engineering fields. The lab session will be used to explore and apply topics
learned in lecture as well as extra time for students to ask questions.
This course is a two semester course!
Pre-Requisites
Passed Chemistry I, completed or are currently enrolled in Advanced Math. The 2nd
Semester of Physics requires passing the 1st semester with a C- average or better.
Suggested Text
Knight, R.D. College Physics: A Strategic Approach with Mastering Physics, 2nd Edition,
Addison-Wesley Publishers.
ISBN Number 0-32-159548-3
Supplemental Materials
Strzelecki, Kyle. Laboratory Experiments for First Year Physics. 1st ed. 2010.
Virtual Physics Investigations v. 2.0, Holt McDougal, ISBN Number 0-03-099816-6
General Student Goals for the Course
1. Students are prepared to be critical and independent thinkers who are able to
function effectively in a scientific and technological society.
2. Students will be able to analyze scientific and societal issues using scientific
problem solving.
3. Students will physically manipulate equipment and materials in order to make
relevant observations and collect data; use the collected data to form
conclusions and verify hypotheses; and communicate and compare results and
procedures.
4. Students will become logical thinkers and will strengthen their problem
solving abilities.
5. Students will be able to apply their knowledge towards higher-level
coursework at the high school and collegiate level.
Specific Student Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the 1st semester, the student should be able to demonstrate the
following:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Draw and interpret motion diagrams
Describe motion in terms of distance, displacement, time, and velocity
Express quantities with appropriate units and correct number of significant figures
Describe motion using vectors
Represent one-dimensional motion in different ways: using numbers, graphs,
pictures, words, and equations
6. Use general physics problem-solving strategies and techniques
7. Solve problems for motion in one dimension
8. Work with vectors, coordinate systems, and components
9. Find accelerations vectors on motion diagrams
10. Solve problems involving projectiles following parabolic paths
11. Understand the basic ideas of motion in a circle
12. Identify specific forces acting on an object
13. Draw free-body diagrams
14. Understand the connection between force and motion
15. Use Newton’s first law to solve problems in static and dynamic equilibrium
16. Use Newton’s second law to solve dynamics problems
17. Understand how mass, weight, and apparent weights differ
18. Use Newton’s third law to solve problems involving interacting objects
19. Understand the kinematics of circular motion
20. Use Newton’s laws to analyze the dynamics of circular motion
21. Understand circular orbits
22. Understand the angular and tangential acceleration of a rotating object
23. Calculate torque exerted on an object
24. Determine an object’s center of gravity and moment of inertia
25. Apply the concepts of torque and moment of inertia to the rotation of an object
about a fixed axis
26. Use force and torque to analyze extended objects in static equilibrium
27. Use Hooke’s law to calculate the force due to a spring
28. Understand the elastic properties of materials and use the concepts of stress,
strain, and Young’s modulus
29. Understand and use the concepts of impulse and momentum
30. Solve problems using the law of conservation of momentum
31. Understand the concept of angular momentum and solve problems using
conservation law
32. Use the laws of conservation of momentum to solve problems involving elastic
and inelastic collisions
33. Solve problems involving collisions in two dimensions
34. Understand some of the important forms of energy, and how energy can be
transformed and transferred
35. Understand and calculate work
36. Understand and use the concepts of kinetic, potential, and thermal energy
37. Solve problems using the conservation of energy
38. Use the concept of efficiency
39. Understand the related concepts of heat, temperature, and thermal energy
40. Apply the first and second laws of thermodynamics
41. Understand the concept of entropy and the limits It places on energy
transformations
42. Use the atomic model of matter to explain thermal expansion of liquids and
solids, changes of phase, pressure in gasses, and the transfer of heat
43. Apply the ideal gas laws to gasses undergoing changes in pressure, volume, and
temperature
44. Understand the heat-transfer process of conduction, convection, and radiation
45. Understand and use the concept of mass density
46. Understand pressure in liquids and how pressure is measured
47. Make quantitative predictions about pressures and forces in moving fluids
48. Apply Bernoulli’s and Poiseuilles’s equations to problems of fluid flow
Upon completion of the 2nd semester, the student should be able to demonstrate the
following:
1. Describe oscillatory motion and the type of force that leads to it
2. Use graphical and mathematical representations of oscillatory motion
3. Apply concepts of damping and resonance in oscillating systems
4. Understand how a wave travels through a medium
5. Discern the important properties of sound and light waves
6. Understand the Doppler Effect to find the speed of wave sources and observers
7. Understand and apply the principle of superposition
8. Determine whether waves will have constructive or destructive interference
9. Understand how standing waves are generated
10. Calculate the allowed wavelengths and frequencies of standing waves on strings
and tubes
11. Calculate the beat frequency between two nearly identical frequencies
12. Use the wave model of light
13. Calculate the interference patterns of double slits and diffraction gratings
14. Understand how light diffracts through single slits and circular apertures
15. Use the ray model of light
16. Understand and apply the laws of reflection and refraction
17. Understand color and dispersion
18. Use ray tracing to analyze images formed by spherical mirrors and lenses
19. Use principles of mirrors and lenses to understand cameras, microscopes,
telescopes, and the eye
20. Use a charge model to explain basic electrical phenomena
21. Understand the properties of conductors, insulators, and semiconductors
22. Understand charging by conduction and induction
23. Use Coulomb’s Law to calculate forces between charges
24. Determine the electric field from charge distributions
25. Calculate forces and torques on charges in electric fields
26. Use electrical potential energy to analyze the motion of charged particles
27. Use the electrical potential to find electrical potential energy
28. Calculate the electrical potential of charge distributions
29. Represent the electric potential graphically
30. Understand the relationship between the electric potential and the electric field
31. Understand capacitance, capacitors, and dielectrics
32. Understand how charges move through a conductor
33. Apply the law of conservation of charge and current
34. Understand the emf of a battery
35. Use the concepts of resistance and resistivity to predict currents
36. Analyze the energy transfers as charges move through simple circuits
37. Draw and use basic circuit diagrams
38. Analyze circuits with resistors in series and parallel
39. Use Kirchhoff’s laws to analyze circuits
40. Calculate the power dissipated by resistors in series and parallel
41. Understand the growth and decay of current and voltage in RC circuits
42. Understand basic magnet phenomena
43. Draw simple magnetic fields due to line and loop currents
44. Determine the magnetic force on a moving charged particle and the particles’
subsequent motion
45. Determine the magnetic forces on currents and between currents
46. Understand magnetism in materials and the atomic basis of magnetism
47. Find the emf in a conductor moving in a magnetic field
48. Use Lenz’s law and Faraday’s law to determine the direction and size of induced
currents
49. Understand how induced electric and magnetic fields lead to electromagnetic
waves
50. Apply wave and photon models to the electromagnetic spectrum
51. Understand the properties of different types of electromagnetic waves
52. Understand the principles of polarization
53. Calculate the AC current in resistors, capacitors, and inductors
54. Understand inductors and inductance
55. Analyze RLC circuits and discuss their resonance
56. Calculate power in AC circuits
Evaluation Policies
Student evaluation will be based on the success of the student mastering the student
learning outcomes as demonstrated by performance on examinations, homework
assignments, lab reports, quizzes, laboratory performance and a comprehensive final
examination.
1. Homework: assigned material should be read prior to class. Assigned problems
for each chapter should be completed. Show all work when possible!
Homework assignments are due when assigned. Points will be given for
homework assignments and a late penalty will be assessed.
2. Other assignments may be given in class and may include study guides, handouts,
Internet assignments or any other format deemed useful by the instructor.
3. Examinations: four exams and a comprehensive final will be given.
4. Unannounced quizzes may be given at any time at the discretion of the instructor.
Laboratory
Laboratory quizzes, graded lab assignments and lab reports will be used to evaluate the
student’s lab performance. A short lab quiz may be given each lab period. This quiz will
cover the material from the previous week’s lab assignment. Laboratory assignments
should be studied prior to the scheduled lab. Pre-laboratory assignments should be
completed and, whenever possible, laboratory reports should be started prior to labs. This
saves time in lab and helps the student understand the procedure.
Students not submitting reports/labs on the due date will be assessed a late penalty of
10% of the points possible for the assignments. All lab reports are due the class
following the laboratory. Reports or labs that are more than one week late will not be
accepted and a score of zero will be recorded for the lab.
Due to the difficulty in saving materials for labs, students missing labs may be able to
make up missed labs. Students missing labs are expected to notify the instructor prior to
the lab missed. Equipment and/or chemicals will be saved only if the instructor is
properly notified and the nature of the lab allows it.
Grades
Grades in this class are based on a weight system. Points will be awarded for each
assignment. However, weight will be given for each assignment type as outlined below
over the course of the semester:
Homework/Quizzes
Laboratory
Midterms
Semester Final Exam
10%
10%
50%
30%
Overall semester grades will be calculated using pluses and minuses based on the scale
approved by school board policy (A’s= 90%-100%, B’s= 80%-89%, etc.).