Physics

This is a lab-oriented course investigating the nature and function of motion, light, electricity, magnetism and energy. Students are asked to explore the role of physics in our society and are helped to develop the ability to make responsible decision regarding he role of science in our world today. Physics is an excellent background for anyone planning to enter the fields of math, engineering, the health services or any of the life and physical sciences.

Pre-requisite

• B in Algebra II, Trigonometry (or enrolled concurrently)

Textbook: Physics Principles and Problems by Zitzewitz, McGraw Hill, 1992
Recommended Calculator: Scientific Calculator (TI 30 or better)

COMPETENCY GOAL 1:The learner will build an understanding of linear motion. Objectives:

• Analyze velocity as a rate of change of position:
• Average velocity.
• Instantaneous velocity.
• Compare and contrast as scalar and vector quantities:
• Speed.
• Velocity.
• Analyze graphs to describe instantaneous velocity as motion at a point in time.
• Analyze acceleration as rate of change in velocity.
• Analyze graphically and mathematically the relationships among position, velocity, acceleration, and time.

COMPETENCY GOAL 2:The student will build an understanding of two-dimensional motion. Objectives:

• Evaluate the measurement of two-dimensional motion (projectile and circular) in a defined frame of reference.
• Assess the two dimensional motion of objects by using their component vectors.
• Assess the independence of the horizontal and vertical vector components of projectile motion.
• Analyze and evaluate uniform circular motion.

COMPETENCY GOAL 3:The learner will develop an understanding of forces. Objectives:

• Assess, measure and calculate the conditions required to maintain a body in a state of static equilibrium.
• Assess, measure and calculate the nature and magnitude of gravitational forces (Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation).
• Assess, measure and calculate the nature and magnitude of frictional forces.
• Analyze and evaluate the nature of centripetal forces.

COMPETENCY GOAL 4:The student will develop a basic understanding of Einstein’s Theory of special and general Relativity. Objectives:

• Understand the change in perspective Special Relativity brought to contemporary physics of the time.
• Apply equations of Special Relativity to changes in velocity and its effect on time, mass and size (length) of the moving object.
• Compare and contrast in a descriptive manner Newton’s and Einstein’s view on gravity.

COMPETENCY GOAL 5:The learner will develop an understanding of Newton's Laws of Motion. Objectives:

• Determine that an object will continue in its state of motion unless acted upon by a net outside force (Newton's 1st Law of Motion, The Law of Inertia).
• Assess, measure, and calculate the relationship among the force acting on a body, the mass of the body, and the nature of the acceleration produced (Newton's 2nd Law of Motion).
• Analyze and mathematically describe forces as interactions between bodies (Newton's 3rd Law of Motion).

COMPETENCY GOAL 6:The student will develop an understanding of the nature of mechanical energy. Objectives:

• Analyze energy of position:
• Gravitational potential energy.
• Elastic potential energy.
• Analyze energy of motion, kinetic energy.
• Analyze, evaluate and apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy
• Analyze and measure the transfer of mechanical energy through work.

COMPETENCY GOAL 7: The learner will build an understanding of impulse and momentum. Objectives:

• Assess the vector nature of momentum and its relation to the mass and velocity of an object.
• Compare and contrast impulse and momentum.
• Analyze the factors required to produce a change in momentum.
• Analyze interactions between objects and recognize the total momentum is conserved in both collision and recoil situations.
• Assess real world applications of the impulse and momentum including but not limited to sports and transportation.

COMPETENCY GOAL 8: The student will build an understanding of heat and temperature in the context of the Laws of Thermodynamics. Objectives:

• Compare the different modes of heat transfer:
• Convection.
• Conduction.
• Radiation.
• Apply problems in the measurement of heat.
• Understand the concept of heat involving phase changes:
• Heat of fusion (melting).
• Heat of evaporation (boiling)
• Sublimation.
• Understand and apply problems in the Kinetic Theory of Gases.
• Understand the 1st and 2nd Law of Thermodynamics.

COMPETENCY GOAL 9: The learner will develop an understanding of wave motion and the wave nature of sound and light. Objectives:

• Analyze the relationship among the characteristics of waves:
• Wavelength.
• Frequency.
• Period.
• Amplitude.
• Describe the behavior of waves in various media.
• Analyze the behavior of waves at boundaries between media:
• Reflection.
• Refraction.
• Analyze the diffraction of waves.
• Analyze the relationship between the phenomena of interference and the principle of superposition.
• Analyze the frequency and wavelength of sound produced by a moving source (the Doppler Effect).

COMPETENCY GOAL 10:The student will build an understanding of electricity. Objectives:

• Assess the inverse square relationship among force, charge, and distance in Coulomb's Law.
• Analyze the nature of electrical charges and the conservation of electric charge.
• Analyze the relationship between moving electric charges and magnetic fields.
• Analyze and measure the relationship among potential difference, current, and resistance in a direct current circuit.
• Analyze and measure the relationship among current, voltage, and resistance in series and parallel circuits.
• Analyze and measure the nature of power in an electrical circuit.

Technology Learning Outcomes
The student can

• Add and modify cell(s) shading and borders.
• Alter a chart's/graph's legend.
• Justify the use of a spreadsheet versus a database program (and vice versa).