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A.G.B.U. MANOOGIAN-DEMIRDJIAN SCHOOL
2009 – 2010 SCHOOL YEAR
TWELFTH GRADE HONORS PHYSICS SYLLABUS
INSTRUCTOR: KEVORK H. AGOPIAN
TEXT:
PHYSICS: PRINCIPLES AND PROBLEMS,
Zitzewitz . Elliot. Haase. Harper. Herzog. Nelson.
Glencoe Science, 2005 edition.
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This course covers the major topics of mechanics, heat,
optics, electricity, and atomic physics, with an emphasis on a problem solving approach.
The class meets five days a week in 45-minute periods. Concepts and problem-solving
techniques are introduced through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, questionanswer sessions, and teacher-generated worksheets that serve as a backup resource. Other
than teacher-conducted demonstrations, students perform experiments, working in small
groups of two or three. Through those laboratory experiments, students learn the
procedures and skills necessary to use lab equipment, make observations, record data,
and interpret experimental results.
OBJECTIVES:
 To develop the students’ abilities to understand and interpret physical
information – verbal, mathematical, and graphical.
 To enhance their ability to describe and explain the sequence of steps in the
analysis of a particular physical problem or phenomenon.
 To help them acquire and develop skills in basic mathematical reasoning, and use
them in physical situations and problem solving.
 To give the students the opportunity of gaining laboratory experience by
manipulating equipment, recording and organizing data, drawing conclusions,
and making an assessment of experimental uncertainties.
 To give students a strong foundation for future work in colleges and universities.
ASSIGNMENTS: Students are required to read the text, take notes, participate in
class discussions, solve problems, and write lab reports on experiments they perform.
EVALUATION: The grades at the end of each quarter are based on test scores, quizzes,
homework assignments, class participation, and lab work.
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Tests and Quizzes:
Class Participation and Homework:
Lab Work, including Lab Reports:
Semester average:
1st Q=40%, 2nd Q=40%, Exam=20%.
60%
20%
20%
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TOPICS TO BE COVERED (SEMESTER I)
CHAPTER 1
A PHYSICS TOOLKIT
Mathematics and Physics – SI units and significant digits,
Measurement – Comparing results, Precision vs accuracy,
Graphing data – Linear, inverse, and quadratic relationships.
CHAPTER 2
REPRESENTING MOTION
Picturing motion – Motion diagrams, The Particle Model,
Coordinate Systems – Position, distance, displacement,
Position-Time graphs – To find out Where and When,
Speed and Velocity – Scalar and Vector quantities.
CHAPTER 3
ACCELERATED MOTION
Acceleration – Changing velocity,
Average and instantaneous acceleration,
Velocity-Time graphs.
CHAPTER 4
FORCES IN ONE DIMENSION
Force and Motion – Contact and Field Forces,
Force and Acceleration – Force vs Acceleration graphs,
Newton’s First and Second Laws and their applications,
Interaction Forces – Newton’s Third Law.
CHAPTER 5
FORCES IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Vectors in Multiple Dimensions,
Vector Resolution – Components of vectors,
Graphical and Mathematical addition of vectors,
Friction and Coefficient of Friction,
Force and Motion in Two Dimensions,
Equilibrium and Motion Along an Inclined Plane.
CHAPTER 6
MOTION IN TWO DIMENSIONS
Projectile Motion – Independence of Motion in Two Dimensions,
Projectiles Launched at an Angle,
Circular Motion – Centripetal Acceleration,
Relative Velocity.
CHAPTER 7
GRAVITATION
Planetary Motion and Gravitation – Kepler’s Laws,
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation – The Gravitational Constant,
Orbits of Planets and Satellites,
The Gravitational Field and Einstein’s Theory of Gravity.
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CHAPTER 8
ROTATIONAL MOTION
Angular Displacement, Angular velocity, and Angular Acceleration,
Rotational Dynamics – Torque and Moment of Inertia,
Equilibrium – Center of Mass and Stability,
Conditions for Equilibrium
Rotating Frames of Reference.
CHAPTER 9
MOMENTUM AND ITS CONSERVATION
Impulse and Change in Momentum,
The Impulse-Momentum Theorem and its applications,
Angular Momentum and the Angular Impulse-Momentum Theorem,
Conservation of Momentum – Two Particle Collision,
Two-Dimensional Collision,
The Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum.
CHAPTER 10
WORK, ENERGY, AND SIMPLE MACHINES
Work and Energy,
Work and Direction of Force,
Power and its Measurement,
Machines: Mechanical Advantage and Efficiency.
CHAPTER 11
ENERGY AND ITS CONSERVATION
The Many Forms of Energy – The Work-Energy Theorem,
Kinetic Energy including Rotational Kinetic Energy,
Potential Energy – Gravitational and Elastic Potential Energy,
Conservation of Energy and Conservation of Mechanical Energy.
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TOPICS TO BE COVERED (SEMESTER II)
CHAPTER 12
THERMAL ENERGY
Temperature and Thermal Energy – Equilibrium and Thermometry,
Temperature Scales – Celsius, Fahrenheit, and Kelvin,
Heat and the Flow of Thermal Energy,
Transfer of heat by Conduction, Convection, and Radiation,
Specific Heat – Measuring Specific Heat: Calorimetry,
Changes of State – Heats of Fusion and of Vaporization,
The Laws of Thermodynamics.
CHAPTER 20
STATIC ELECTRICITY
Electric Charge – Like charges and opposite charges,
A Microscopic View of Charge, Conductors and Insulators,
Electric Force – Charging by Conduction and by Induction,
Coulomb’s Law – The unit of electric charge.
CHAPTER 21
ELECTRIC FIELDS
Creating and Measuring Electric Fields – Electric Field Strength,
Picturing Electric Fields – Electric Field Lines,
Energy and Electric Potential – Difference of Potential: the Volt,
Millikan’s Oil-Drop Experiment – Charge of an Electron,
Sharing of Charge, and Storing Charges: The Capacitor.
CHAPTER 22
CURRENT ELECTRICITY
Current and Circuits – Rate of Charge Flow: The Ampere,
Ohm’s Law – Voltage, Current, and Resistance,
Diagramming Circuits – Parallel and Series Connections,
Using Electric Energy – Electric Power, and heating effect,
Transmission of Electric Energy.
CHAPTER 23
SERIES AND PARALLEL CIRCUITS
Simple Circuits – Current and Resistance in a Series Circuit,
Equivalent Resistance for Resistors in Series,
Voltage drops in a series circuit – The Voltage Divider,
Parallel Circuits and equivalent resistance for resistors in parallel,
Applications of Circuits – Safety devices and household applications,
Combined Series-Parallel Circuits – Ammeters and Voltmeters.
CHAPTER 24
MAGNETIC FIELDS
Magnets: Permanent and Temporary
General Properties of Magnets – Magnetic Field Lines,
A Microscopic Picture of Magnetic Materials,
Forces caused by Magnetic Fields,
Loudspeakers, Galvanometers, and Electric Motors