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:
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http://www.milliganphysics.com
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Canvas:
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https://knoxschools.instructure.com
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Aspen & Parent:
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https://aspen.knoxschools.org/
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Farragut High School Home:
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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