Highwood High School

Course Outline – Physics 20

Teacher: Ms. Mulholland	Semester: Fall 2016-17	Classroom: Rm. 212

Contact Information:	Voicemail: (403) 652-5500 Ext. 25510	Email: mulhollands@fsd38.ab.ca

Curricular Outcomes

Each unit of study is divided into General Outcomes (GOs). Each GO is divided into Specific Outcomes (SOs). To further confuse you, each SO falls under one of the following categories: Knowledge, Science Technology and Society (STS), and Skills.

The Knowledge SOs focus on the subject matter of Physics, including the laws, theories, models, concepts and principles that are essential to an understanding of Physics. These SOs will be directly assessed by your teacher.

The STS SOs are concerned with understanding the scope and character of science and its connections to technology and society. These SOs are taught throughout the course and are not specifically tied to a particular GO. These SOs will not be directly assessed, although their understanding will be a necessary aspect of the course in order to be successful.

The Skills SOs are concerned with the skills that students will develop in answering questions, solving problems and making decisions. Some of these SOs will be directly assessed by your teacher.

General Course Outcomes

Students will

Describe motion in terms of displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time,

Explain the effects of balanced and unbalanced forces on velocity,

Explain that gravitational effects extend through the universe,

Explain circular motion, using Newton’s laws of motion,

Explain that work is a transfer of energy and that conservation of energy in an isolated system is a fundamental physical concept,

Describe the conditions that produce oscillatory motion,

Describe the properties of mechanical waves and explain how mechanical waves transmit energy.

Physics 20 Unit Overviews

Unit 1:	Kinematics: Vectors and Uniform Motion (Text Chapters 1 & 2.1-2.3)

In this unit, students investigate changes in the position and velocity of objects and systems in a study of kinematics.

Unit 2:	Dynamics: Projectiles and Forces (Text Chapter 2.4 & 3)

In this unit, students investigate the causes of change in the position and velocity of objects and systems in a study of dynamics.

Unit 3:	UCM, Planetary Motion & Energy: Circular Motion (Text Chapters 4, 5 & 6)

In this unit, students investigate concept of fields and the gravitational effects associated with those fields as they extend through the universe.

In this unit, students extend their study of kinematics and dynamics to uniform circular motion.

In this unit, students investigate work and energy in order to extend their knowledge of kinematics to mechanical energy, work and power.

Unit 4:	Waves and Simple Harmonic Motion (Text Chapter 7 & 8)

In this unit, students investigate simple harmonic motion.

In this unit, students investigate mechanical waves.

Specific Outcomes

There are far too many Specific Outcomes to list here in the assessment plan. A complete list of all of the SOs can be found online at http://www.education.gov.ab.ca/k_12/curriculum/bySubject/science/phy2030_07.pdf. This should be used by students as a “checklist”.

The SOs use a logical naming system. (It seems confusing at first, but makes sense once you get to know it)

For example:

20-A1.2k	This is the SO in Physics 20, Unit A, GO 1, Knowledge SO #2.

20-C2.3s	This is the SO in Physics 20, Unit C, GO 2, Skills SO #3.

Tentative Schedule

Text Chapter	Units of Study	Approx. # of Classes
1 & 2.1-2.3	Kinematics (Motion in one or two dimension)	20
2.4 & 3	Dynamics	21
4 & 5 & 6	UCM, Planetary Motion, & Energy	21
7 & 8	Waves and Simple Harmonic Motion	14
Final Exam

Course Evaluation

Unit Evaluation

Quizzes	30%

Labs	15%

Unit Exams	55%

Course Evaluation

Course Material	70%

Physics 20 Final Exam	30%

Extra Help

Extra help can be obtained outside of class time if needed. Here is where you can find it.

Focus Block – Physics/Math help is available every Wednesday and Thursday during Focus Block. Please ensure you are using this time effectively to enhance your understanding on concepts.

Your Teacher – Talk to me to schedule extra help sessions if needed. Please note that this time is available for students who are regularly attending Focus Block and require more help.

Website – Please visit mulhollandphysics20@weebly.com for extra help, notes, and videos

Highwood Science Department

Classroom Expectations

Be Prepared!

Always have your binder, textbook, calculator, pencil and eraser in class. All work is to be in pencil, otherwise it won’t be marked.

Be at your desk with your materials ready to work when the bell rings.

If you are unprepared for class on a regular basis, your parents will be contacted.

Attendance and Punctuality

Please be aware that Section 12 of the School Act states:

A student shall conduct him or herself to reasonably comply with the following code of conduct:

(a) be diligent in pursuing the student’s studies;

(b) attend school regularly and punctually;

(c) co-operate fully with everyone authorized by the board to provide education programs and other services;

(d) comply with the rules of the school;

(e) account to the student’s teachers for the student’s conduct;

(f) respect the rights of others

http://www.qp.gov.ab.ca/Documents/acts/S03.CFM

If for any reason a student chooses to miss school for reasons of family vacations, or extra- and co-curricular activities, this student will be diligent and prompt in catching up to his or her classmates. Therefore any missed information, assignments, and/or assessments will not be the responsibility of the teacher, but of the student.

Parents and/or guardians should be aware that Highwood does not condone, encourage or tolerate any extended absences by students. If a student chooses to miss class repeatedly, disciplinary action may apply.

Student Learning

Listen to instructions and ask questions if you do not understand. You are responsible for your own learning. When the teacher or another student is addressing the class, students are expected to be polite and listen.

Homework will be assigned daily and is your responsibility to finish on a daily basis.

Due to the length of the course, very little time will be available at the end of the course for in-class review. It is essential that students begin organized review on their own time before the end of the term.