College Physics I Syllabus for 2014-2015
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Course

PHYS-1401-DC001 College Physics I

Prerequisites

Prerequisite: Math 1316

Course Description

Fundamental principles of physics, using algebra and trigonometry; the principles and applications of classical mechanics and thermodynamics, including harmonic motion, mechanical waves and sound, physical systems, Newton’s Laws of Motion, and gravitation and other fundamental forces; with emphasis on problem solving. Laboratory activities will reinforce lecture content.

Student Resources Student Resources Website

Department Expectations

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Hours

(4 sem hrs; 3 lec, 4 lab)

Class Type

Dual Credit Course

Syllabus Information

Textbooks

The following textbooks will be available to students:

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  1. Physics: Principles and Application, 5th Ed by Douglas Giancoli -- available for check-out at AHS.
  2. \
  3. Physics: Algebra and Trig, 3rd Ed by Eugene Hecht -- available for check-out at AHS.
  4. \
  5. OpenStax College Physics, Paul Urons and Roger Hinrichs -- available free at www.openstaxcollege.org
  6. \
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Supplies

The following supplies should be brought to class every day:

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  • 3-ring binder with a view pocket in the front cover (1.5” or larger; slant rings are the best)
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  • 1 or 2 spiral-boun

    Student Performance

    \ Upon successful completion of this course, students will:

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    1. \ Demonstrate knowledge of basic physical units and their relationships.
    2. \
    3. \ Determine the components of linear motion (displacement, velocity, acceleration, and especially motion under conditions of constant acceleration).
    4. \
    5. \ Apply Newton’s laws to physical problems including gravity.
    6. \
    7. \ Solve problems using principles of energy.
    8. \
    9. \ Use principals of impulse and momentum to solve problems.
    10. \
    11. \ Determine the location of the center of mass and center of rotation for rigid bodies in motion.
    12. \
    13. \ Solve problems involving rotational and linear motion.
    14. \
    15. \ Define equilibrium, including the different types of equilibrium.
    16. \
    17. \ Discuss simple harmonic motion and its application to real-world problems.
    18. \
    19. \ Solve problems using the principles of heat and thermodynamics.
    20. \
    21. \ Solve basic fluid mechanics problems.
    22. \
    \

    \ Lab Component:

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    1. \ Develop techniques to set and perform experiments, collect data from those experiments, and formulate conclusions from an experiment.
    2. \
    3. \ Demonstrate the collections, analysis, and reporting of data using the scientific method.
    4. \
    5. \ Communicate effectively the results of investigations.
    6. \
    7. \ Demonstrate knowledge of basic physical units and their relationships.
    8. \
    9. \ Same as 2-11 above.
    10. \

    Students Rights and Responsibilities

    Student Rights and Responsibilities

    Log in using the AC Connect Portal

    In order to receive your AC Connect Email, you must log in through AC Connect at https://acconnect.actx.edu .

    If you are an active staff or faculty member according to Human Resources, use "Exchange". All other students, use "AC Connect (Google) Email".

    Expected Student Behavior

    Students are expected to be respectful to everyone in the classroom and exhibit responsibility with behavior as well as assignments.  Students are expected to work hard to understand the physics they are learning and attend tutorials if needed.  Students are expected to be on time to class and have their materials every day. Electronic devices may only be used during class with permission from the instructor.

    Grading Criteria

    This one-semester college course will be taught over an entire high school year. At the high school there are two semesters so the final course grade will be an average of 6 6-Weeks Grades (85%) and 2 Semester Exams (15%).

    Six Weeks Grades

    • 75%-- Tests (200 pts), Quizzes (100 pts), Formal Labs (200 pts), Informal Labs (100 pts), Daily Work (25 pts)
    • 25%-- Six Weeks Tests (1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th Six Weeks Grading Periods)

    FINAL GRADE for PHYS 1401

    • Six Weeks Grades (6) – 85%
    • Semester Exams (2) – 15%

    Additional Information

    • ALL students enrolled in this course will take a comprehensive final exam at the end of the semester. Test questions will be similar to those on the AP Physics 1 Exam.
    • Work missed due to an absence is to be made up in a timely manner.  You are allowed one day per day of school missed for a non-school-related absence.  If you miss class due to a school activity the work will be turned in before the absence or the day immediately following the absence.  Please contact your instructor as soon as possible.
    • Students may correct lab reports and daily work to earn back ½ of the points that were lost. Corrections MUST be done during a scheduled tutoring session within ONE WEEK of the assignment’s due date.

    GRADING SCALE

    • A – 90-100%
    • B – 80-89%
    • C – 70-79%
    • D – 60-69%
    • F – 0-59%
    • GRADE ROUNDING:
      • 0.5 rounds a grade UP to the next point; 0.49 does NOT
      • EX:  89.5 = A; 89.49 = B

    Attendance

    Since this is a dual-credit course at a high school, attendance is required per the Texas Education Code.

    Work missed due to an absence is to be made up in a timely manner.  You are allowed one day per day of school missed for a non-school-related absence.  If you miss class due to a school activity the work will be turned in before the absence or the day immediately following the absence.  Please contact your instructor as soon as possible if you have questions or need an extension.

    Calendar

    The class calendar will be on AISD's Blackboard web site at www.blackboard.amaisd.org since students enrolled in this course are also high school students and not all students in the high school course have access to the AC Blackboard calendar.

    Tests will be administered the 3rd and 6th week of each grading period following Amarillo High School's testing schedule and as required by AHS administration.

    This class will follow AISD’s calendar for AP Physics 1.

    FALL SEMESTER 2014

    Six Weeks

    Topic

    1

    Kinematics and Representations of Motion

    • Motion Graphs
    • Written Descriptions
    • Motion Maps/Diagrams
    • Using Equations
    • Vectors

    Six Weeks Test – Monday of the 6th Week

    2

    Newton’s Laws of Motion and Representation of Forces

    • Types of Forces/Identifying Forces
    • Gravitational Mass and Weight
    • Using Free-body Diagrams and Summation Equations
    • Net Force and Acceleration

    Six Weeks Test – Tuesday of the 6th Week

    3

    Gravitation; Uniform Circular Motion; Projectile Motion

    • Newton’s Law of Gravitation
    • Centripetal Acceleration
    • Central Net Force
    • Use of FBD and Summation Equations
    • Projectile Motion

    No Six Weeks Test this Six Weeks.

    Fall Semester Exam (week of December 15, 2014)

     

     

    SPRING SEMESTER 2015

    Six Weeks

    Topic

    4

    Work, Energy, Power & Linear Momentum

    • Work-Energy Theorem
    • Impulse-Momentum Theorem
    • Energy & Momentum Conservation

    Six Weeks Test – Wednesday of the 6th Week

    5

    Rotational Kinematics, Dynamics, and Conservation of Angular Momentum

    • Center of Mass
    • Rotational Kinematics
    • Static Equilibrium/Rotational Equilibrium
    • Angular Momentum Conservation

    Simple Harmonic Motion

    • Mass-Spring Harmonic Oscillators and Pendulums
    • Simple Harmonic Motion Graphs

    Six Weeks Test – Thursday of the 6th Week

    6

    Waves & Sound

    • Wave Characteristics and Behaviors
    • Standing Waves and Harmonics

    Electrostatics & Simple Electric Circuits

    • Electric Force
    • Basic DC Circuits
    • Kirchoff’s Rules

    No Six Weeks Test this Six Weeks.

    Spring Semester Exam (week of May 25, 2015)

     

    Additional Information

    This course follows the AP Physics 1 Framework in addition to the state requirements for Physics 1401.

    Syllabus Created on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM

    Last Edited on:

    11/30/-1 12:00 AM