Honors Physics Course Description and Policies

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to Honors Physics! In this course you will learn about forces, energy, and matter -- the things that make up and control our universe, our world, and our selves. This class should challenge and intrigue your intellect and at the same time help prepare you for life in an increasingly technological society. This course description is about expectations -- what I can expect of you and what you can expect of me.

Grading

Homework, Tests, Lab Exercises, etc. all give you the opportunity to earn points. Your grade at any time is the percentage of points you have earned out of the total possible points. At the end of the term 3 percentage points will be added to your average (honors policy), it will be rounded to the nearest whole number, and letter grades will be assigned according to the following scale:

93 - 100 A

85 - 92 B

75 - 84 C

70 - 74 D

0 - 69 F

Homework - 50 points

For each unit of study there will be one fairly large homework assignment. To receive credit on the homework assignment all problems must be written out so that the method of solution is evident. Circle or box your answer. It must be apparent, in writing, how you arrived at your answer. In most cases this means showing calculations, equations, and/or algebraic operations -- no matter how simple these may be! Your solution does not have to be correct to get credit as long as you have made a reasonable attempt to work the problem.

Tests - 100 points

Each unit of study will end with an exam covering the stated objectives. Tests are graded on correctness but partial credit will be given when it is appropriate.

Midterm Exam - 100 points

Final Exam - 10% of total points for the term

The midterm and final are comprehensive exams and will be similar to the unit tests.

Lab Exercises - 40 to 50 points each

There will be several lab exercises during the year. The point value will be determined by the amount of work required in the reporting of the lab activities. You will receive more information on lab write-ups at a later date.

Daily Participation - 25 points

You must participate in the classroom. The value of this grade works out to be approximately 1 point per day. To earn that point you must participate in all class activities such as: taking notes, responding to questions, working practice problems, group work, etc. Failure to participate in class is noted by such behaviors as: sleeping, playing with calculator, working on assignments for a different subject, etc. You will receive this grade once each grading period.

Optional Assignments – 25 to 100 points

Students may choose to do certain additional assignments that are alternate forms of assessment. The value of these assignments will add to the total points possible for that student (and it is therefore not extra credit). More information can be found online at the website.

Extra Credit - 0 points

I do not believe in giving extra credit. I think that extra credit renders the grading scale meaningless and encourages the student to be irresponsible. I do believe in giving extra help. If you are having trouble making the grade in the class I will be very willing to help you. Please do not be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

LATE WORK

Assigned work will have a due date. Work should be ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period before the bell. Work turned in after the bell will have 10% deducted. Work received one day late after the due date will have 20% of the possible grade deducted. Work received beyond one day late will have another 10% deducted for each additional school day late -- up to a maximum deduction of 50%. For this purpose the day ends when class begins. If you are absent from school on the due date or the day before, the due date for you will be extended beyond your return to class the number of consecutive days you were absent.

MAKING UP WORK

You may make-up a test or a lab activity in the case that you have an excused absence from class. If you are present on the day of the test you must take the test unless you have missed the previous 2 or more days in a row. It is your responsibility to see me to arrange for the test or lab to be made up. You have three days upon your return to arrange the make-up. Failure to do so may result in a score of zero on the missed work. Preparing and grading make-up tests is a pain for me. For this reason rescheduling make-ups will be permitted only in extreme cases.

TARDINESS

If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late to class. If this happens to you, sign the Attendance Log located near the door. Do not interrupt class! If you feel you have a good reason for being late, either see me after class or give me a note from a faculty member. The policy for unexcused tardies is explained in the student handbook that you received at the beginning of the year.

CHEATING

All tests will be closed book, closed notes. Calculators are permitted but only for purposes of doing calculations. Calculators may not be used to store definitions, equations, or programs which contain material you are expected to memorize. Homework and Labs are not to be copied! It is fine to work with a partner or partners on such assignments but in the end it should be your own work that is turned in. Any student caught cheating will be subject to parent notification and permanent school documentation.

BEHAVIOR

I expect you to be honest, courteous, tolerant, respectful, and responsible. There is to be no food or drink in the room at any time. There should be no cell phones, i-pods, etc visible or audible (will be taken up).

GETTING HELP!

I have tried to anticipate most situations and questions in preparing this description. However, I know there will always be some circumstances that are impossible to foresee. Please let me know ASAP if you have some special conditions or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in this class. I am willing to be flexible if the cause is sufficient. Also, don't hesitate to seek me outside of class if you are having difficulties. I care. After all, it is my job to help you learn and that's what it's all about. I hope we have a fun and productive year.

I am available for extra help and tutoring before or after school most days – however, the best times for me are: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.

Additional information, calendars, due dates, resources, etc. can be found at:

Mr. M’s World:	http://www.milliganphysics.com
Canvas:	https://knoxschools.instructure.com
Aspen & Parent:	https://aspen.knoxschools.org/
Farragut High School Home:	http://www.knoxschools.org/farraguths

FEES

The total course amount is $30. These fees have been approved by the Knox County Board of Education. Any students receiving free or reduced price meals may have these fees waived. This money covers the cost of materials that are expended in the lab and supplies and maintenance for the science department computers and printers that are used by students in various activities.

Course RESOURCEs

Text: Physics - Principles With Applications (5th Edition) by Douglas Giancoli

The following videos may be shown at some point during the course in physics:

Physics Single-Concept Films SKT Ltd., Ztek Co.

Nova: Roller Coaster PBS

Creation of the Universe PBS

Eureka: Energy and Force Parts 1 and 2 Films for the Humanities and Sciences

Applications of Sinusoidal Waves Films for the Humanities and Sciences

Energy Transformations in an Automobile Ford Motor Company

If you do not approve of a specific resource listed in this syllabus, please make your request to me in writing and an alternative assignment and/or materials will be provided. The request should include your name, the child's name, the specific activity/materials in which you do not want your child to participate or to which you do not want them exposed, and the nature of your objection.

STUDENT MATERIALS

The following materials should be brought to class daily:

q Notebook, paper, and pencil/pen of your choice for taking notes and daily class work (Recommended: 3-ring binder)

q Graph Paper

q Graphing/Scientific Calculator

q Ruler with centimeter scale (Recommend: plastic “see-through” type)

q Protractor

Honors Physics Course Outline

The course is divided into units of study as listed below. For each unit there will be a 100 pt. test and homework assignment of at least 50 pt. Some (but not all) units will also include a lab and/or other assignments to be announced. Each unit lasts about two weeks.

This course correlates with physics guidelines from the Tennessee Department of Education
(see http://www.tn.gov/education/standards/science/SCI_3231.pdf) and Knox County Schools (see www.milliganphysics.com/Physics/Physics_KCS_2011_12.pdf)

A. Kinematics

Distance, displacement, position, speed, velocity, acceleration relationships in constant speed and in constant acceleration situations, freefall, graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration

B. Vectors

Trigonometry review, vector components, vector addition and subtraction, relative motion, projectile motion

C. Forces

Newton's Laws of motion, inertia, mass, weight, force analysis, sliding and starting friction, air resistance, terminal velocity, inclines, Hooke’s Law

D. Circular Motion and Rotation

Circular motion, centripetal force and acceleration, rotational kinematics and dynamics, torque, moment of inertia.

E. Gravity and Simple Harmonic Motion

Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, orbital mechanics

F. Work, Energy, and Power

Energy forms, potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy, work, work-energy relationships, conservative and nonconservative forces, power

G. Momentum and Impulse

Conservation of momentum, internal and external force, closed systems, elastic and inelastic collisions, impulse, systems of particles

H. Electrostatics

Charges, electric force, Coulomb's Law, electric field properties, electric potential

I. Electric Circuits

Current, voltage, resistance, Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, electric power

J. Waves and Interference

Wave parameters, wave graphs, wave types, polarization, principle of superposition, wave phenomena, constructive and destructive interference, standing waves, interference patterns, diffraction

K. Optics (If time permits)

Reflection, refraction, dispersion, index of refraction, mirrors, lenses

L. Magnetism (If time permits)

Magnetic field properties, magnetic materials, magnetic force, charge and current in the presence of magnetic fields, magnetic induction