Physics

Physics is much more than equations and numbers. Physics is about what happens in the world all around you. It is about the colors in a rainbow, about the sparkle and hardness of a diamond. It is involved with walking, running, bicycling, driving a car, or directing an inter planetary probe. The principles of physics are evident in toys, in ball games, in musical instruments, and in giant electrical generators.

 

Physics is all around you. Physics, you will find, deals with the way nature behaves --- with what are called natural laws. Many of the technological advances of civilization have resulted from understanding these laws. Studying physics might make it possible for you to help advance both science and technology. You may even find yourself in a career that uses the results of physics. In any case, as a citizen with a knowledge of physics, you will be better able to help solve the difficult questions that technology poses for our society.

You will find that physics is a human activity, an exciting adventure. You will learn a little about the men and women from many countries who, over the years have helped us to understand the world around us.

 

The textbook is Merrill Physics: Principles & Problems (1995) authored by Paul W. Zitzewitz and Robert F. Neff.

Chapters of the text covered:

 

1. What is Physics?

2. A Mathematical Toolkit

3. Describing Motion: Velocity

4. Acceleration

5. Forces

6. Vectors

7. Motion in Two Dimensions

8. Universal Gravitation

9. Momentum and Its Conservation

10. Work, Energy, and Simple Machines

11. Energy

12. Thermal Energy

13. States of Matter

14. Waves and Energy Transfer

15. Sound

16. Light

17. Reflection and Refraction

18. Mirrors and Lenses

19. Diffraction and Interference of Light

20. Static Electricity

21. Electric Fields

22. Current Electricity

23. Series and Parallel Circuits

24. Magnetic Fields

25. Electromagnetic Induction

26. Electric and Magnetic Fields

27. Quantum Theory

28. The Atom

29. Solid State Electronics

30. The Nucleus

31. Nuclear Applications

 

In addition to work in the textbook, you will be involved in many Laboratory activities and experiments.

Physics challenges students with Projects. Some are individual and some require work in teams. Possible Projects are:

  • Egg Drop I
  • Rand Park Regatta
  • Toothpick Bridge
  • Mousetrap Powered Cars
  • Hot Air Balloons

Check out the Physics WebSites listed below:

  1. Interactive Physics Sites

  2. Science Learning Network: Home

  3. Physics Teachers Resources

  4. AP Physics

  5. Physics Class Table of Contents

  6. The Home Page of the publishers of Conceptual Physics

  7. Athena, Earth and Space Science for K-12

  8. Introduction to Windows to the Universe

  9. Bill Nye the Science Guy's Nye Labs Online

  10. Views of the Solar System

  11. The Yuckiest Site on the Internet

  12. Microsoft TerraServer Full Resolution Image Page

  13. National Solar Observatory / Sacramento Peak, Solar, Physics, Astronomy

  14. STS-95: John Glenn Page 

Class Guidelines Read about Grading Scales, Attendance, Make Up, and everything involved with Classroom Management.

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