COURSE
Physics
Regular Credit
Prerequisite: Alg. II or enrollment in Alg. II, Biology
TEACHER INFORMATION
Mr. Thomas Tretter
Bachelor of Science – Electrical Engineering
Minor in Mathematics
Masters of Science – Electrical Engineering
from California Inst. of Tech., Pasadena
Teaching Certificate in Mathematics and Physics
2 years teaching experience in Gabon, Africa as a Peace Corps Volunteer
3 years teaching experience in Columbia, South Carolina
2 years teaching experience in Khartoum, Sudan, Africa
2 years teaching experience at Southern High School
Available most days after school (except Wed.) for conferences or extra help by appointment. Call 560-3968 to schedule conferences.
COURSE OF STUDY
Weeks (approx.)
Units
1
Math Review (Chap 2)
2½
Velocity, Acceleration (Chap 3,4)
1
Forces (Chap 5)
2
Vectors (Chap 6)
2
2-dimensional Motion (Chap 7)
½
Gravitation (Chap 8)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
1
Momentum (Chap 9)
1½
Work, Energy (Chap 10,11)
1½
Thermodynamics (Chap 12,13)
2½
Waves, Sound, Light (parts of Chap 14,15,16)
1½
Light Ray Interactions (parts of Chap 17,18,19)
1
Electricity & Magnetism (parts of Chap 20-26)
COURSE PROCEDURES
Students will learn these units through a variety of ways:
direct instruction with student involvement, student presentation and explanation
of work, individual assignments, group assignments, and laboratory experiences.
The following class procedures will help ensure that each student learns
to the best of his/her ability in this course.
RULES
I believe that all students can learn given the proper environment
combined with the proper attitude. The school policies published
in the student handbook will be enforced; my particular classroom policies
are simply that students will comport themselves in a manner conducive
to learning for all students. If a student is unsure of proper behavior,
I will be happy to talk individually with that student.
OTHER PROCEDURES
Entering the room
Upon entering the room, the students are expected to go to their
assigned seats and prepare for class. Any trash to be thrown away
or pencils to be sharpened should be done before the bell rings.
The students should also have any assignment due for the day ready to be
turned in at the beginning of the period. At the tardy bell, students
are to be in their assigned seats and ready to work.
Attendance/Tardy Policy
- Please refer to the student handbook for school policy regarding
absences and loss of course credit.
- Please refer to the school tardy policy. A student will
be considered tardy to my class if (s)he enters without a valid pass after
I have closed the door following the tardy bell.
Restroom Policy
Students are to use the restroom before school, during lunch,
or during the time between classes. Occasionally there may be an
emergency need to use the restroom during class. Students are expected
to take responsibility for organizing their time and planning appropriately
to avoid disturbing classroom instruction. If a student has a medically
valid reason to frequently need to use the restroom, please obtain the
appropriate doctor’s statement and/or schedule a parental meeting with
me to discuss his/her needs.
Make-up
The importance of daily attendance cannot be overstated.
In case of unavoidable absences, it is the student’s responsibility to
make up any work missed. This is best accomplished by contacting
another student for missed notes and assignments prior to returning to
class; students are still responsible for long-term work due (several days
or a week’s notice in advance) even if they are absent on the day prior
to the due date. Missed tests, quizzes, and all other work is to
be made up within one week and can be done by scheduling an appointment
with me after school. Failure to make up any work will result in
receiving a zero for that work. Long-term absences will be handled
on a case-by-case basis.
Laboratory Safety
It is important to maintain a safe working environment in the
laboratory for all students, and so laboratory safety procedures and policies
will be established. Blatant and intentional disregard of laboratory
safety procedures will result in that student being suspended from that
lab activity and being assigned a grade of zero for that lab grade which
will adversely affect his/her overall grade.
MATERIALS
Students are responsible for bringing materials to class each
day unless otherwise announced.
- Textbook
- Pencil or pen & pencil
- Science notebook and science folder for handouts
- Scientific calculator
- Graph paper (can split a pack with a classmate)
- Physics lab notebook (a bound notebook - an example will be
shown in class)
EVALUATION
Grades will be calculated by averaging each category of grades
below and applying the indicated percentage of the final grade to each
category:
Tests Homework
Labs Quizzes
50%
20% 20%
10%
Example: Suppose a student has the following averages at
the end of a grading period: Tests = 81%, Homework = 95%, Labs = 92%, Quizzes
= 78%. Then her grade would be:
Grade = (81)(.50) + (95)(.20) +(92)(.20) + (78)(.10)
= 85.7 which rounds to 86.
A letter grade is assigned according to the following scale:
93 – 100 = A
85 – 92 = B
77 – 84 = C
70 – 76 = D
0 – 69 = F
The Final Grade for the course will be calculated as follows:
1st six-week grade: 25%
2nd six-week grade: 25%
3rd six-week grade: 25%
End of Course Final Exam 25%
HOMEWORK
Homework assignments will be given approximately every week,
and so each assignment will cover approximately a week’s worth of content.
It is expected that you will spend at least 30-45 minutes per night on
homework and reading of the text. You may complete homework problems
at your pace, but you may find it easier to do the problems after we have
first discussed the content in class. Maximum credit on homework
will be given for complete and logically worked-out solutions, showing
all work. Incorrect results will not be heavily penalized as long
as your work demonstrates a sincere effort. Penalties apply for late
work. You may work with others or request assistance from me after
school, but the work ultimately must be yours. When solving numerical
problems, please follow the format below for each problem:
1) Draw an appropriate diagram
2) Write the givens (include units)
3) Write the unknown (what you are solving for)
4) Write the basic equation(s) you will use
5) Solve the relevant equations algebraically first
6) Substitute values, do calculation, and report result using
correct number of significant digits
7) Check that your answer is reasonable
Guidelines for Graph Constructions
1) Use a full sheet of graph paper.
2) Title the graph.
3) Label each axis and include the units in parentheses.
4) Scale the graph using equal intervals along each axis.
5) Record data as X’s or circled dots so that they are visible.
6) Draw the best fit line but do not connect the dots.
If you suspect a linear relationship, draw a line of best fit such that
some of the data points are above the line and
some below the line. It is not necessary that any of the data points
lie on the line.
If you suspect a curved line, draw a smooth curve such that some of the
data points are above the curve and some
below the curve.
If the point (0,0) can be logically included, then force the line or curve
through this point.
7) Calculate the slope of straight lines.
Choose two disparate points on the line, not data points.
Draw rise and run lines for the two chosen points.
Calculate the rise and run and indicate both the number and its units on
the graph.
Include the slope calculation on the graph, both the number and its units.
Include an interpretation of the slope (what does it mean?).
See the example of a well-done graph given in class.
Return to Physics Home Page