Course Syllabus

Physics II

Policies and Procedures

2011-2012

Albuquerque Academy

Nick Rubie

 

Introduction

Welcome to Physics II for the 2012-2013 school year. The overall scope of the course is to give students a solid foundation in the principles of physics. This course will serve as an excellent foundation to take AP Physics here at the Academy or first year physics at any college. The course content will be presented by lectures, demonstrations, videos and labs.

Attendance and Behavior

Students are expected to be in class at the beginning of the period and be prepared to work. Students are expected to stay in class the entire period. If you are more than 10 minutes late, you will be marked absent unless you have a valid excuse. Please make doctor, dentist or other appointments in the afternoon after school if at all possible. Students are expected to act in a mature and responsible manner at all times. Students are expected to abide by the rules of behavior and dress code set forth by the Albuquerque Academy. Students may bring in water bottles into the classroom but not the lab. Do not bring soft drinks and food into the lab. (Occasionally it will be permitted to bring food and soft drinks into the classroom for special occasions). You must dress appropriately according to the current Academy dress code. It you come to class dressed inappropriately, you will be asked to leave and will be sent to either Mr. Kim or Ms. Roth.

Materials Needed

1 large (2 inch) three ring binder, 1 small (1 inch) three ring binder, ruled paper, graph paper, ruler, pencils, pens, and calculator. Stapler, pencil sharpener and 3-hole punch will be provided in the classroom.

Textbook

Students will be provided with the textbook “Physics”- Giancoli 6th edition. Lab instructions will come from several different sources. Students are expected to actually READ the assigned chapters in the text provided.

Topics to be covered

Measurement, Motion in One Dimension, Motion in Two Dimensions (Vectors), Newton’s Laws, Circular Motion and Gravitation, Work and Energy, Linear Momentum, Fluids, Vibrations and Waves, Sound, Temperature and Kinetic Theory, Heat, Thermodynamics, Electric Charge and Electric Fields, Electric Currents, DC Circuits, Magnetism, Electromagnetic Waves, Light and Geometric Optics, The Wave Nature of Light.

Grading

The student’s ability to understand the principles of physics will be assessed in many ways. There are four categories that will be used this year to determine your marking period grade.

Tests - 40%. Students will be taking a major test once per ten day cycle. Major topic tests will be announced well in advance.

Quizzes- 9%. Quizzes will be given on Canvas and I may give a pop quiz in class at any point.

Lab Reports- 16%. Students will be expected to do a lab report for every lab that we will do this year. Lab report guidelines are described in a separate document.

Homework- 10%. Students will have homework several times per week. Homework will consist of writing lab reports, section reviews and problems. Students are expected to actually read the chapters assigned. Not all homework will be graded. I will collect and grade selected homework assignments. Sometimes I will grade every problem, sometimes I will grade only on completion. Other times I will pick a few problems at random and grade only those.  Be sure to do each and every homework problem assigned!

Participation- 5%. Students will be expected to participate POSITIVELY during the year. This means working cooperatively with their lab partners, contributing to class discussions, asking relevant questions, quietly watching videos, working only on relevant physics problems and assignments, following instructions, etc.

Final Exam – 20%. This will be a comprehensive exam covering the entire semester.

Extra Credit- there will be extra credit problems and questions on most tests.  The maximum score will still be 100%. So, there will be no padding for your next test.

Late Work

Work is due at class time. Anything turned in after class is considered late. Late assignments will be docked 4% for assignments turned in after class but before the end of the day. Assignments will be docked an additional 4% for each day they are late. If you are absent due to an unexpected reason, you will need to hand in the work when you come back to school with no penalty. If you know you are going to be absent, I can usually give you the assignment before you go. Late assignments must be turned in to me (placed in my hand), not left on my desk. If you have someone else turn your assignment in, you are the one who is ultimately responsible if I don’t get it.

If you need help…..

1. Make arrangements preferably before you leave the classroom.

2. Come to my office (S222) during a free period or before/after school

or S120.

3. Call me at my office: 828 3173

4. Email me: rubie@aa.edu

General guidelines…

• Treat everyone in class, as you would want that person to treat you.

• Follow the dress code set forth in the Handbook.

• Do your homework every night. Don’t fall behind.

• Actually Read your textbook

• Only one person speaks at a time. Listen to your classmates-you may learn something.

• Always bring your text, binder, paper, pencils and calculator every day.

• If you need extra help, make arrangements with me. We can meet in the morning before class, during a free period, or in the afternoon after the class.

• Be in your seat at the beginning of class every day and be ready to work. Do not ask to leave early. We will work up to the end of each session every day.

• You must wear your safety goggles every lab without exception.

• You must wear long pants and closed shoes during a lab

• Help your fellow students.

• Be kind to your parents and your teachers.

My free periods for 2011-2012

Period 2 except Day 4 and Day 9

Period 5 (my lunch) by special arrangement

Period 6 everyday

Period 7 except Day 4

Students Responsibility in Science

Each student is responsible for doing HIS or HER part in the learning process. This includes but is not limited to the following:

1. Students must read the appropriate or assigned material BEFORE class-time.

2. Students must complete all assigned problems at the very minimum and in a timely fashion (before they’re due). Working extra problems is strongly encouraged.

3. Students should come to class each day with relevant questions in mind.

4. Each student is responsible for determining his or her level of preparedness BEFORE test day, and seeking extra help as appropriate BEFORE the test.

5. All students need to be aware of and obey ALL safety procedures. Violation of safety procedures during a lab or in class (like not wearing safety goggles) will result in accrual of disciplinary points. You will be warned ONCE without penalty.

6. Make-up of labs and tests is the STUDENT’S responsibility. You will need to make arrangements with me when you will do the makeup. Labs will need to be made-up within two weeks after you missed the lab. No student will be allowed more than 2 lab make-ups per semester without special arrangements.

7. On test days, do NOT expect me to explain the concepts to you. That is what the previous two weeks were all about.  Ask all your questions BEFORE the test.