Mr. Poley Holy Innocents’ Episcopal School

michael.poley@hies.org 2011 – 2012 School Year

(404) 303-2150 x855 Fall Semester

College Prep Physics Syllabus

Text

Conceptual Physics by Paul Hewitt, © 2009 by Pearson

Course Description

College Preparatory Physics is a course designed to give you a firm foundation in understanding the physical processes that go on in the world around us. Topics include mechanics including momentum and energy, waves such as sound and light, heat, electricity, magnetism, and topics in modern physics. A major component of the class consists of conducting laboratory investigations. A list of the units with an approximate timeline is as follows:

• Unit One: Equilibrium and Inertia. Chapter 1: About Physics. Chapter 2: Mechanical Equilibrium. Chapter 3: Inertia. 2 weeks.
• Unit Two: Motion in a Line. Chapter 4: Linear Motion. 2 weeks.
• Unit Three: Projectile Motion. Chapter 5: Projectile Motion. 2 weeks.
• Unit Four: Forces, Acceleration, and Interaction. Chapter 6: Force and Acceleration. Chapter 7: Action and Reaction. 1 ½ weeks.
• Unit Five: Momentum. Chapter 8: Momentum. 1 ½ weeks.
• Unit Six: Work and Energy. Chapter 9: Energy. 2 weeks.
• Unit Seven: Moving in Circles. Chapter 10: Circular Motion. Chapter 13: Universal Gravitation. Chapter 14: Satellite Motion. 2 ½ weeks.
• Unit Eight: Relativity. Chapter 15: Special Relativity – Time and Space. Chapter 16: Special Relativity – Momentum, Mass, Energy, and Gravity. 2 ½ weeks.

Expectations and Grading

You are going to be in a challenging course, and meeting this challenge will take conscientiousness on your part. You are literate and competent to read, understand, and write about the information presented, both in the textbook, in the classroom presentations, and in the laboratory activities. You provide your own motivation for being here and learning. When textbook reading assignments are given, you will read thoughtfully and completely. Class time will be used for learning experiences, interaction, and questions. Questions not asked will be answered on your own. The grading scale is as follows:

Test: weight of 10 Quizzes: weight of 4

Labs: weight of 3 Homework average: a weight of 10

Class preparation / participation: a weight of 10

Final Exam (each semester): 20% of grade

Extra credit is not awarded. The final exam will be cumulative in nature, covering material that was learned during the course of the semester.

Classroom Behavior

Simply, you are expected to:

1) Demonstrate Respect for yourself, for the other students, for the school, and for your teacher. Specifically, some examples of this behavior include:

a. Be in your seat when the bell rings.

b. No conversation which disturbs anyone else, including the teacher

c. No moving of furniture or handling of equipment without the teacher’s consent.

2) Behave in a Scholarly Manner so that your learning experience and the learning experience of others around you may be useful to you. Specifically, some examples of this behavior include:

a. Bringing handouts, a pencil, either your laptop and charger or your book and calculator to class each day. You may not use class time to retrieve any of these items.

b. Participation in all class activities

c. Having your homework out when the tardy bell rings.

Integrity Code Violations

Just so there are no misunderstandings, integrity code violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

1) Copying someone else’s lab report. Even though you will collect data with a partner, the report you submit must be your own work.

2) Copying someone else’s homework. I don’t mind if you work together on homework assignments, but you will learn nothing if you simply copy another’s answers.

3) Cheating off of someone else’s paper during a test or quiz. This also includes telling someone in another section or someone taking the test late what was on a particular test.

4) Lying about an absence or any other type of falsification of information.

Any indication of an integrity code violation will likely result in a formal discipline procedure as described in the student handbook. In general do not put yourself in any position where there is the possibility of inappropriate behavior.

Extra Help

I will be available normally after school until 4 p.m. except when I have appointments or meetings. If you are getting below an 80 on tests you should be getting help regularly. Come to me during this period to get help. I can occasionally be able to help students during lunch or before school. Check with me if you have a time conflict.

Assignment Submissions

Assignments turned in late without an excuse are downgraded by eight points per day. Missed assignments due to excused absences are scheduled on a one-on-one basis; you will have one day for each day missed to schedule a missed assignment. Missed assignments due to unexcused absences receive a grade of zero, and cannot be made up.

Food, Drinks, and Gum in Class

You may not consume food, drinks, or gum in the classroom. Any and all food and drink, including water bottles, must be in your backpack or bag, and remain there during the period.

Fire Drills

You will exit the lab, turn left, exit the rear of the hallway and proceed down the concrete ramp to Baker field. I will designate a “point” person that will lead the group (I have to check the hallway and doors). I will take roll when you get to the field. Do not wander off and chat with friends.

Tornado Drills

We will exit the room and try move to the boys’ and girls’ bathroom on the 300 Hall. Sit down with your back against the wall, and cover your head.

Electronic devices

Any personal electronic entertainment or cell phone must be left in your locker. You may not receive calls during class. Students that violate this rule will have their equipment confiscated for the day.

I have read and understood this syllabus: _________________ __________________

(student signature) (parent/guardian signature)