This is our catalog of courses. We will occasionally adjust the course listing to reflect the addition of new courses and the retirement of others.
Learn about the world around you and spark curiosity with a study of rotational motion and stability, heat transfer, Einstein’s Theory of Relativity, waves, sound, and light, as well as electricity and basic circuits. Develop your critical thinking and problem-solving skills with dynamic applications of science.
Total classes: 14
Prerequisite: Physics with Lab, Part One
Suggested grade level: 9th to 12th grade
Suggested credit: One full semester Physics or Physics with Lab
Description
This 14-week course is the second part in a two-part series in introductory Physics concepts. The course does not rely too heavily on advanced mathematical calculations but algebraic understanding is required. Instead, we will stick to principles, overarching concepts, and major theories and how they apply to our everyday lives. Students will have live instruction once a week, as well as frequent online interactives and simulations that will assist them in understanding and applying knowledge. The course is a survey of topics in physics with the goal of leading toward further study (Advanced Placement or College Prep Physics). Students will build on their natural intuition—and break some commonly held misconceptions. Students will learn how the cosmos that God created works and apply the laws of physics to everyday examples in their lives. Students will learn that physics is phun!
Outline
Week 1. Circular Motion, Ch 9
Week 2. Center of Gravity, Ch 10
Week 3. Rotational Mechanics, Ch 11
Week 4. Special Relativity, Time and Space, Ch 15
Week 5. Special Relativity, Length, Energy, & Momentum, Ch 16
Week 6. Temperature, Heat, & Expansion, Ch 21
Week 7. Heat Transfer, Ch 22
Week 8. Vibrations & Waves, Ch 25
Week 9. Sound, Ch 26
Week 10. Light, Ch 27
Week 11. Electrostatics, Ch 32
Week 12. Electric Fields & Potential, Ch 33
Week 13. Electric Current, Ch 34
Week 14. Electric Circuits, Ch 35
Materials and Homework
Course materials:
Conceptual Physics, Paul Hewitt (2002) ISBN: 0130542547 (https://amzn.to/3sSsD3S)
OR
Conceptual Physics, Paul Hewitt (2004) ISBN: 0131663011 (https://amzn.to/3brimGi)
PLUS
We will also use online curriculum from ThePhysicsClassroom.com
Computer with video camera and microphone (this class is interactive)
Scientific or Graphing Calculator
PDF Scanner or smart phone with Adobe Scan (or equivalent)
Homework: Students should expect three to four hours of homework per week, including reading, online discussion forums, online interactive activities, and assessments.
Weekly reading from the textbook as well as online resources will be assigned. Homework questions will be assigned from the textbook along with solutions for students to self-check progress. Students will also be assigned interactive online activities that will help them to better understand and apply concepts learned in class. Each unit will have a quiz or test at the end, which will be graded by the instructor in the Moodle interface. Grades are calculated according to the following weights: Homework ‐ 25%; Quizzes ‐ 30%; Tests ‐ 35%; and Participation ‐ 10%.
Important Dates
Class dates: Thursdays, January 11 to April 25, 2024 (No class Feb. 15 or March 28)
Starting Time: 4:00 PM Eastern (3:00 Central; 2:00 Mountain; 1:00 Pacific)
Duration: 75 minutes per class
Registration link
