Conceptual Physics and Astronomy Teacher: Keane Richards Contact: krichards@agsd.us, 907-251-0322 Welcome to Physics! I am excited to be teaching this wonderful branch of science! Physics is, quite simply, how things work. It is the mechanics and rules of both our world and the many others in the universe. Physical laws are what make matter, energy, and chemistry predictable and stable so that our planet can orbit a star, materials can collide and combine, and atoms can attract and repel one another. Why study Physics? Physics is about learning more about the way things work. If you are interested in why things work, and bring that curiosity to the school, you will enjoy physics. (Questions like, why and how do objects attract each other? What is the rate of fall of an object due to gravity? How is the speed of light related to energy, mass, and black holes?) Physics was also described to me as math that makes sense. In this class we will use mathematics as a language describing the phenomena around us. It is applied math, and most of the math is basic. If you have a math phobia, fear no more! We will take a conceptual approach to physics, using math to help us better understand the concepts, not using the concepts to better understand the math.
SCHEDULE Below I have broken down the schedule of the course. If anything changes the online version will be updated and you will be notified. Week Days Long Chapter(s) Description Lab? Assignments Due 1 (Aug 20 th ) 5 1 Nature of scientific inquiry in physics 2 (Aug 27) 5 2-3 Mechanical Equilibrium and Newton s First Law - Inertia 3 (Sept 3) 4 4 Linear Motion 4 (Sept 10) 4 5 Projectile Motion Physicist Research Project topic outline due 5 (Oct 1) 5 6 Newton s Second Law: Force and Acceleration 6 (Oct 8) 5 7 Newton s Third Law: Action and Reaction 7 (Oct 15) 4 8 Momentum NO LAB 8 (Oct 22) 5 9 Energy Physicist Research Project topic draft 1 due 9 (Nov 12) 5 10-11 Circular Motion and Rotational Equilibrium 10 (Nov 19) 3 11 Rotational Motion NO LAB THANKSGIVING BREAK 11 (Nov 26) 5 12 Universal Gravitation Physicist Research Project topic final draft due 12 (Dec 3) 5 14 Satellite Motion CHRISTMAS BREAK Week Days Long Chapter(s), Readings Description Lab? Assignments Due 1 (Jan 6) 3 15-16 Einstein and Special Relativity, Science Fair (Project Projects 2 (Jan 13) 5 15-16 Einstein and Special Relativity, Science Fair (Project Projects 3 (Jan 20) 5 TBD Astronomy Earth and the Solar System (Project 4 (Jan 27) 5 TBD Astronomy The Stars (Project
and Beyond 5 (Feb 20) 3 21 Temperature, Heat, and Expansion Project Presentations Project Presentations 6 (Feb 24) 5 22 Heat Transfer AGSD Science Fair: Feb 25 1-3PM 7 (Mar 4) 5 24 Thermodynamics 8 (Mar 11) 4 25 Vibrations and Waves SPRING BREAK 9 (Apr 8) 5 27-28 Light and Color 10 (Apr 15) 5 29 Reflection and Refraction NO LAB 11 (Apr 22) 5 39 Radioactivity 12 (Apr 29) 4 TBD Physics Challenges NO LAB Required Coursework Semester 1: Labs: 10 (10 points each) = 100 points Research Project: 1 research project (20 points) = 20 points Quizzes: 12 (2 points each, drop lowest 2) = 20 points Daily challenges: 40 (1 point each) = 40 points Physics Portfolio: 1 (5 points) = 5 points Blog posts: 1 (10 points) = 5 points Timliness: 1/12 per week, total of 10 weeks = 10 points TOTAL = 200 points Required Coursework Semester 2: Labs: 5 (10 points each) = 50 points Science Project: 1 science project (50 points) = 50 points Quizzes: 11 (2 points each, drop lowest 1) = 20 points Daily challenges: 42 (1 point each), drop lowest 2 = 40 points Physics Portfolio: 1 (5 points) = 5 points Blog posts: 1 (5 points) = 5 points Controversial Issues in Physics: 1 (10 points each) = 10 points Timliness: 1/12 per week, total of 10 weeks = 10 points TOTAL = 200 points
Physics Course Plan: Daily Introduction and / or puzzle (10 minutes) Concepts / lecture / demonstrations (20 minutes) Reading (20 minutes) Daily Challenge + write up (20 minutes) Major Assignments Labs: We will usually complete a lab every Thursday. The labs will focus on applying content that we have learned through the week. These will usually be inquiry-based and some will ask that you build and experiment with a device of some sort (potato guns, catapults, etc.) Physicist Research Project (semester 1): In the first semester you will complete a research project on a physicist of your choice. You will include a biography, a description of a particularly important aspect of their work, and how this work affected future research / society. This can be done in three ways: as a 3-5 page written report, a 7-10 minute audio program, or a 7-10 minute film. Here is a list of the parts of the project: 1) Project proposal (topic, type of project) 5 points 2) Project 1 st draft - 10 points 3) Project 2 nd draft -15 points Science Project (semester 2): In the second semester, you will complete a science project of the type that you could take to the science fair. This could be done in two ways: either as original scientific research, as an engineering design challenge, or as a concept demonstration and explanation. 1) Original Research: in this option, you will choose a topic to study relating to physics. You will try to find the answer to an unanswered question, following the steps of the scientific method. 2) Engineering design challenge: in this option, you will build a device that performs a task related to physics. For example, you could ask: what is the best trebuchet design? You would follow the steps of the engineering design process and build your device, reflecting on what you learned. 3) Concept demonstration and explanation: in this option, you will choose a previously known and described phenomena related to physics, and perform that experiment or demonstration. You will then describe the concepts behind the demonstration. Because this requires the least amount of up-front original thinking, I will be holding you to high standards researching and describing all aspects of the concept (why it works).
Quizzes: Every week we will hold a quiz. The quiz will be short and focus on major concepts, formulas and equations, and vocabulary from that week. In general, the quiz will rely on information in the textbook, but I will try not to include material that was not covered in class. Daily challenges: Every day at the end of class we will do something with the material we ve covered. Sometimes this might be more academic and focus on applying the math we ve learned to a physics problem. Other times we might be building or designing, or describing the solution to a physical logical puzzle. Every day after completing the challenge, you will journal about it in three parts. Please use full sentences in your responses. 1. The challenge question / prompt 2. Possible solutions to the question / challenge (brainstorming) 3. Your solution, whether it was successful, and why / why not (NOTE: you can use a computer to do this if you prefer, as long as you scan in and include any relevant drawings, etc.) Physics Portfolio: This is your collection of work throughout the year. You are responsible for keeping and compiling all of your work, including labs, daily challenges, quizzes, etc. This does two things: 1) It allows us both to see what you re turning in and the progression in skills you are making throughout the year 2) Organization is a skill; it is good practice compiling and organizing your work! If you prefer to use an online portfolio, you are welcome to scan in your work and keep it in a Google Drive folder (please organize it though J). Blog Posts: Once a semester, I will have you write a 3-paragraph summary of the topics we ve covered in class. You can choose one and go into depth, or cover the array of topics it s your choice. You will also need to provide at least three pictures. These will be published on our class blog online.
Grading Policy 1) My commitment is to grade your work by either the Friday it is due, or the following Monday. If for some reason your work is not graded, please come to me immediately and I will grade it right away. 2) Late work: If I do not receive something by the due date I will mark it as a 0 in PowerSchool. On the assignment, you are never punished for late work, however, there is a 5% sum for turning work in on time. (In other words, if you get perfect scores in all assignments, but turn in everything late, you can only receive a 95% in the course.) 3) PowerSchool: I will be entering in grades in powerschool but also will be giving a grade and comments in your portfolio. Grading Scale: A - 90-100 Excellent: indicates the student has done work in quality and quantity far in excess of the standards set forth for a satisfactory grade in the subject. B - 80-89 Above average: indicates the student is doing work in quality and quantity above the standards set forth for a satisfactory grade in the subject. C - 70-79 Satisfactory: indicates the student is acquiring the necessary information and skills to proceed in the subject. He/she is meeting the standards set for a satisfactory grade in the subject. D - 60-69 Poor: indicates the student is not meeting the minimal standards expected of our students. Parents will be notified anytime that a student s grade falls below 60%. F - 0-59 Failure: indicates insufficient progress in the subject to merit granting of a passing grade in the subject. NS - indicates that non-sufficient information is available to give a grade because the student has been enrolled for fewer than twenty (20) days.
Classroom Rules: 1. Be in your assigned seat with required materials at the start of class. 2. Respect the teaching and learning of others. 3. Respect the personal space, rights and property of others. 4. Follow the directions of all staff. 5. Observe all the rules in the student handbook. CHAMPS (Conversation, Help, Activity, Movement, Participation, Success): The CHAMPS system will be introduced to students this year. The proactive and positive structure of CHAMPS gives specific expectations to help develop responsible, motivated, and engaged students. Basic Class Etiquette: Cell phones please keep your cell phones away during class unless you are using them for class purposes. If your phone is becoming too much of a distraction and I ask you to put it on the desk, please do so and I will make sure you have it at the end of class. Be on time I will start and end class on time. If you are late for any reason, please ask someone around you for guidance on what we re working on before you ask me. If you are not present when I start the first class puzzle I will mark you as absent / tardy. Interrupting others I make a strong effort to get you up and about, doing things, and working on projects. I try to keep my time lecturing to a minimum. When I do, or when another student is talking, please be respectful and do your best to listen. Questions are always welcome! Others (to be added by you):