EHS Physics Course Descriptions

Description:

This course is designed to introduce students to a qualitative and quantitative description of matter and energy by applying mathematical methods to interpret physical observations. Topics include mechanics, rotation, torque, waves, sound, and light. Conceptual discussions of these topics will be expanded to mathematical analyses of real-world applications. Hands-on experimentation and mathematical calculations will be incorporated throughout the course. Algebraic applications are prevalent throughout this course. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

Students will explore the physical world around them and develop new insights. They will develop concepts qualitatively through critical thinking, and they will be able to distinguish between closely related ideas. Students will be able to apply the concepts they have learned to interpreting events observed in the classroom and in their daily lives.

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 75% or better in Algebra 2

Text:

Eisenkraft, Arthur. Active Physics 3^rd Edition: It’s about time publishing. Mount Kisko, NY.

Description:

This course is an introductory course in physics for college preparatory or technical school students. Since this is a preparatory course, a thorough understanding of the fundamentals of motion with graphical representation will be stressed. Topics include linear motion, Newton’s Laws, vectors, non-linear motion, momentum, work, and energy. Emphasis will be on mathematical concepts and their applications. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

The students will be able to…

--gain a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences through problem-solving methods.

--be able to plot and interpret graphs.

--develop techniques used to collect data with an appreciation of uncertainty.

--measure, organize, and communicate scientific information.

--study concepts in physics: mechanics (kinematics, forces, energy and momentum)

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 80% or better in Algebra 2 CP AND concurrent enrollment in Geometry, CP

Text:

Serway, Raymond and Faughn, Jerry. Holt Physics. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2012.

Description:

This laboratory-based course will focus on new concepts which are not included in Physics 1 CP or Physics 1 AP. This course will cover waves and optics, topics included in AP Physics 2 but not to the scope and depth. This course is intended for the student who has an interest in physics and wants to learn more about the subject. Topics will include waves and optics. Students will NOT be prepared to take the AP Physics Exam at the end of the course. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

The students will be able to…

--gain a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences through problem-solving methods.

--be able to plot and interpret graphs.

--develop techniques used to collect data with an appreciation of uncertainty.

--measure, organize, and communicate scientific information.

--study concepts in physics: waves, sound, light, optics

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 80% or better in Physics 1 CP OR recommended 70% or better in AP Physics 1 OR concurrent enrollment in AP Physics

Text:

Serway, Raymond and Faughn, Jerry. Holt Physics. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2012.

Description:

This laboratory-based course will focus on new concepts which are not included in Physics 1 CP or Physics 1 AP. This course will cover Electricity and other Physics topics which are included in AP Physics 2 but not to the scope and depth. This course is intended for the student who has an interest in physics and wants to learn more about the subject. Topics will include Electricity, Magnetism, and Other Physics Topics. Students will NOT be prepared to take the AP Physics Exam at the end of the course. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

The students will be able to…

--gain a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences through problem-solving methods.

--be able to plot and interpret graphs.

--develop techniques used to collect data with an appreciation of uncertainty.

--measure, organize, and communicate scientific information.

--study concepts in physics: electric fields and force, ohm's law, circuits, magnetism

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 80% or better in Physics 1 CP OR recommended 70% or better in AP Physics 1 OR concurrent enrollment in AP Physics

Text:

Serway, Raymond and Faughn, Jerry. Holt Physics. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2012.

Description:

This course focuses on external biomechanics, or the analysis of forces and their effects on the body. An understanding of internal and external biomechanics will provide us with greater insight about how structure and function related to human movement can be altered for improved performance and reduced injury risk. This course will introduce concepts of position (linear and angular), velocity, and acceleration (PVA). Concepts of PVA are mathematically and practically related to describe aspects of kinematics, or motion. It would offer a solid introduction to the study of biomechanics and would also include laboratory activities in which there would be real motion analysis of common activities such as walking, jumping, and cycling. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

The students will be able to…

--gain a genuine understanding of the physical laws fundamental to all sciences through problem-solving methods as they apply to the human body and movement focusing on injuries.

Requirements:

Prerequisite: 70% or better in CP Physics OR 70% or better in Anatomy/Physiology and 70% or better in Algebra 2

Description:

The content in this course is similar to that of Physics CP, but to a greater scope and depth. This course is comparable to an algebra-trigonometric based, introductory college physics course. Trigonometric applications are prevalent throughout the course. The student will be prepared to take the AP Physics 1: Algebra Based Exam. This course includes a summer assignment that must be completed by the start of school. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

Students will investigate and master the subject areas of mechanics, waves, and electricity. They will be able to transfer the mathematical techniques of vector analysis learned in mechanics to the areas of basic electric circuits. The techniques of graphical analysis will be used to predict the validity of derived relationships in the extreme cases.

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 85% or better in Algebra 2 CP or Honors, recommended 85% or better in Geometry CP OR 80% or better in Geometry Honors AND concurrent enrollment in Precalculus CP or Honors

Text:

Knight, Randall D., Brian Jones, and Stuart Field. College Physics: A Strategic Approach. 4th ed., AP® ed. Boston: Pearson, 2019.

Description:

This laboratory-based course will offer several topics that not only go into greater depth, but also introduce new concepts from AP Physics 1. This course is intended for students who wish to major in medicine, engineering, and sciences. Electricity, optics, heat, thermodynamics, fluids, solids, and modern physics are topics that will be included. The student will be prepared to take the AP Physics 2: Algebra Based Exam. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

Students will investigate and master the subject areas of electricity, magnetism, fluids, heat, thermodynamics, light, modern physics. They will be able to transfer the mathematical techniques of vector analysis learned in AP Physics 1 to this course. The techniques of graphical analysis will be used to predict the validity of derived relationships in the extreme cases.

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 85% or better in AP Physics 1 OR recommended 90% or better in Physics 1 CP with a recommended 85% or better in Precalculus CP, or 80% or better in Precalculus Honors

Text:

Knight, Randall D., Brian Jones, and Stuart Field. College Physics: A Strategic Approach. 4th ed., AP® ed. Boston: Pearson, 2019.

Description:

This course is for students who have a strong background in science and math. The topics are comparable to a first-year calculus based college physics course which includes mechanics and electricity/magnetism. This course will prepare the student for both Advanced Placement Level C Examinations (Mechanics and Electricity/Magnetism) in Physics. If successful at both exams, the student could earn 8 college credits. (Fulfills STEM requirement for graduation)

Goals:

Any student who successfully completes this course will be prepared to take the Level C AP Physics Exam. Students will acquire a college level attitude towards learning. They will value pre-reading topics so that they can develop their questioning skills to maximize learning. They will also solve many problems to hone their familiarity with the specific concepts. Students will be able to assimilate a large body of knowledge and establish a cumulative awareness of the inter-related concepts of mechanics, electricity, and magnetism.

Requirements:

Prerequisite: Recommended 85% or better in Precalculus CP or 80% or better in Precalculus Honors with a recommended 85% or better in AP Physics 1 OR recommended 90% or better in Physics 1 CP AND concurrent enrollment in Calculus CP. If the student does not take AP Physics 1 as a prerequisite, the recommendation is to have had 85% in Calculus CP, or 80% in AP Calculus. This course includes summer preparation in Calculus to be completed by the start of school in August.

Text:

Serway, Raymond and Jewett, John. Physics for Scientists and Engineers 10^th Edition. Cengage Publishing, 2019.

Description:

Any student enrolled in this course must also be enrolled in PLTW Principles of Engineering. Students in this course will investigate physics concepts such as, but not limited to, linear motion, Newton’s laws, vectors, simple machines, and simple electric circuits. The topics will typically be integrated with the topics and projects covered in the Principles of Engineering.

This course is not a replacement for CP Physics 1 or AP Physics 1. Students who take this course are not eligible for CP/AP Physics 2 or AP Physics C.

NOTE: Concurrent enrollment in PLTW Principles of Engineering.

Prerequisites:

Completed or concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 Honors OR completed Algebra 2 CP with 80% or better.

Text

Serway, Raymond and Faughn, Jerry. Holt Physics. Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 2012.