Honors Physics 2006 - 2007

Teacher:  Mr. Buchli

Room 138

Phone & voice mail box:  (425) 837 - 4845

email:  buchlim@issaquah.wednet.edu

web site:  http://www.liberty.issaquah.wednet.edu/teachers/buchli/

Office Hours:  by appointment 7th period or after school

Philosophy and Expectations

“The rise of modern science grows out of quantification.”  (From The Mechanical Universe, 1985 – the text used for freshman physics @ Cal Tech) 

 

Honors physics is a college-level, algebra-based class that promotes higher – level thinking skills and a strong work ethic.  Physics is the search for the rules that govern the universe.  The teaching approach taken in this course involves:  1st - exploration, 2nd - concept development, 3rd application, & 4th problem solving.  We use mathematics – specifically graphing, arithematic, geometry, multiple variable algebra, and trigonometry.  Technology will be our constant companion.  “The great book of Nature lies ever open before our eyes, but is written in mathematical characters.” Galileo Galilei (~1600)

 

Emphasis is placed on acquiring fundamental physics concepts through inquiry-based approaches, i.e. laboratory and active discussion sessions, special projects, and your fav “solving problems.”  Topics covered include, but are not limited to: mechanics (kinematics & dynamics), work & energy, linear momentum & collisions, circular motion & gravitation, static & dc electricity, and an introduction to quantum mechanics and relativity – also rocketry.

 

This course you will afford you the opportunity to conduct student-generated research (SGR) – an experience that will make you a very attractive candidate when college admission time rolls around.

 

This course will also provide excellent preparation for college placement tests e.g. SAT & ACT.

Materials

N     College Physics – 3rd edition – Wilson and Buffa - (required)

N     Three ring binder with a laboratory section (required)

N     Engineering Paper – green tint, 5 x 5 per square inch – one sided graph ~ 30 sheets (required)

N     Scientific calculator (required – you do not need an SUV here)

N     CD-RW disk, jump, flash or USB drive, active email account, access to Liberty’s server, & the internet (required)

 

Important Information

Attendance:               You will be allowed three (3) unexcused tardies.  Upon the fourth (4), you will do a 30-minute detention with me after school.  Each subsequent tardy earns you an additional detention.  Subsequent tardies are bad news.

Quizzes/Exams:        There will be many quizzes & several exams per semester.  The quizzes are closed – book and usually “Poppers.”  For the exams you are allowed one 8.5 x 11-inch sheet of paper for notes.  Make ups require prior arrangement.  The lowest exam (excluding the last & final exam) is dropped.  A missed exam is your dropped score

Important Information - continued

Homework:                 Assignments are to be completed in a neat fashion, occasionally on engineering paper, and discussed at the beginning of the each class period.    We will occasionally be grading homework in class; therefore no credit is given for homework once grading has occurred.  Credit is given for attempt!

Lab Reports:              Formal lab reports (typed) are due on the designated due date following the lab at 3:00 p.m. sharp. Late reports are docked 50% per day (24 hours) late (w/a sliding scale.).  Reports may be submitted with a partner.  Non-formal labs are treated as class exercises & submitted the following class.

Extra help:                 Four options here:  1) office hours, 2) computer tutorials/physics web sites, 3) after school tutorials, or 4) study groups.

SGR:                            Two options:  1) WALTA cosmic ray research, or 2) Amusement Park Physics (an application of mechanics & community outreach).  Productive hours logged in each area earns extra credit that is applied to your course grade.

 

Grading in Honors Physics – below is the weighting used in this course

Homework & Class Exercises:                                  10% of the final grade

Quizzes:                                                                     10% of the final grade

Exams:                                                                        45% of final grade (lowest exam dropped)

Final Exam:                                                                 15% of final grade

Formal lab reports:                                                   20% of final grade

 

Course Grade for Honors Physics

Your grade is determined by the percentage (%) of the total points you earn.  The table below shows the conversion of your percentage score to a letter grade.  Plus and minus grades are given.  Extra credit will be applied to homework & class exercises and quizzes

.

PERCENTAGE
LETTER GRADE

100 –88
A

87 – 70

B

69 – 52

C

51 - 40

D
Below 40

F

Policy on Cheating

You, the student, are expected to conduct yourself with integrity.  When you cheat, or aid in someone else cheating, you violate a trust.  If you are caught cheating, you may fail yourself from this class.  If you are not caught, you probably will not be able to sleep at night.

We have read and understand the above and have visited the class web site.

 

 

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Student                                                            Date                 Parent/Guardian                                   Date