Physics/honors/AP/GT

303310 Physics

Prerequisite: Chemistry and Geometry Credit:1

Physics is a study of the natural laws of the universe as they relate matter and energy to one another. Topics to be studied include: measurement, vector quantities, motion (single and multiple dimensions), Newton’s laws of motion, energy, momentum, collisions, simple harmonic motion, wave motion, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and atomic/nuclear physics. This course is taught from a conceptual rather than a mathematical point of view and contains problem solving and laboratory work.

303320 Honors Physics

Prerequisite: Chemistry and Algebra II or concurrent enrollment Credit:1

This is the recommended first year Physics course for most higher-ability students. The course is a study of the elementary concepts of physics. Topics to be studied include: measurement, vector quantities (in one dimension and two dimensional), motion, Newton’s laws of motion (statics and dynamics), energy, momentum, collisions, rotational dynamics, simple harmonic motion, wave motion, fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and atomic/nuclear physics. Coursework includes problem solving and laboratory experiments. This course is intended for those students who desire to complete the AP Physics I course but do not yet have the mathematics background required for those courses.

303330 AP Physics I

Prerequisite: Geometry and concurrent enrollment in Algebra II Credit:1

Students should have a strong foundation in Algebra I. Although the Physics 1 course includes basic use of trigonometric functions, this understanding can be gained either in the concurrent math course or in the AP Physics I course itself. No prior coursework in physics is necessary. AP Physics I is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as motion (in one and two dimensions) Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion); momentum (linear and rotational) work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound; and introductory, simple circuits. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills. This course requires that 25% of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.

303430 AP Physics II

Prerequisite: AP Physics 1 Credit:1

Students should have taken or be concurrently taking precalculus or an equivalent course. AP Physics II is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills . This course requires that 25% of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.

303434 GT AP Physics II

Prerequisite: AP Physics 1 & GT Designation Credit:1

Students should have taken or be concurrently taking precalculus or an equivalent course. AP Physics II is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course that explores topics such as fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students will develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills . This course requires that 25% of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to apply the science practices.