General Physics 2012-2013
Contact Information:
Teacher: Mr. Jacob Dunklee
Phone: (696)520-5627
Email: Mr.Dunklee@gmail.com (this one is preferred because of filters on the @amphi
email.)
Jdunklee@amphi.com
Twitter: @JDunk54nl (you can contact me via twitter anytime about any questions,
HOMEWORK INCLUDED)
Website: http://mrdunklee.wikispaces.com/
Texts/Materials
Regular Textbook:
Title: Conceptual Physics
Author:
Paul G. Hewitt
Publisher:
Addison Wesley
Year:
1997
Edition:
Third Edition
* This book can remain at home unless otherwise stated. It is an additional resource for the
learners and only occasional readings will be assigned out of it that shouldn’t take over twenty
minutes at home.
Materials Needed;
 Bound (composition) Lab Notebook
 Calculator (must be able to do sine, cosine, tangent functions)
 Proper Lab Attire (Closed toed shoes, no loose fitting clothes, long hair pulled back)
*Please contact me if you are unable to provide these materials.
Grading Scale:
The Course will be tentatively split up into four different categories;
10% Final
30% Labs
30% Homework/Class work
30% Tests/Quizzes
I will be using the district wide grading scale for letter grades and percentages:
90%-100% A
80%-89% B
70%-79% C
60%-69% D
>59%
F
Classroom Rules/Policies:
1. I will aid in other’s learning
2. I will be respectful to others
3. I will treat people the way that I would like to be treated
4. S: Sit Up
L: Listen Up
A: Ask Questions
N: Note take
T: Track the Speaker
5. All Learners are EXPECTED to follow proper LAB SAFETY RULES AND
ATTIRE!
Food/Drink Policies
I will allow healthy snacks and drinks during class time (not during labs); a good general rule
on whether it is healthy or not is if it comes in a pre-packaged bag then it is usually not healthy.
Examples of Healthy choices: fruits, vegetables, cheese, water, Gatorade, lifewater, fruit
smoothies, etc.
Examples of Unhealthy choices: chips, candy, pop/soda, slushies, energy drinks, cookies, etc.
If you bring unhealthy choices into class you will be given one opportunity to put it away. If it is
not put away after that warning, it will be thrown away.
Course Description:
This is an introduction to general physics. It is a non-calculus based physics course but requires
a firm understanding of algebra and some trigonometry. Even though this is a conceptual
course, mathematics will be used often to deepen the conceptual understanding. This course
includes Mechanics, Dynamics (1st Semester), Work Energy, and Sound and Waves.(2nd
Semester).
Course Objectives:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to do the following:
1
Design and implement laboratory experiments and collect information from these
experiments.
2
Compare laboratory results and decide on a common outcome based on results.
3
Identify and solve problems involving constant velocity and constant acceleration.
4
Demonstrate Newton’s three laws of motion and principles of kinematics to analyze and
solve force (dynamics) problems.
5
Apply concepts of work and energy to real life problems.
6
Define momentum and impulse (including conservation) and demonstrate these
concepts in laboratory experiments, problem solving, and group discussions.
7
Develop communication, critical thinking, global awareness and study skills that will
assist in current and future science courses.
Course Layout (tentative):
First Semester:
August-December: Mechanics and Dynamics
Scientific Method, Linear Motion, Constant Velocity, Uniform Acceleration, Newton’s
Laws of Motion, Forces, Free Particle (Free Body Diagram), Two Dimensional Motion,
Second Semester:
January: Projectile Motion
February: Uniform Circular Motion
Work and Energy
Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy, Conservation of Energy
March: Momentum
Conservation of Momentum, Impulse
April: Sound and Light
Waves and Optics
May: End of Year Physics Research Papers