Physics Class Information

Goals:

Learn basic principles of classical physics: mechanics, heat,light, sound  and electricity.

Explore physics through hands-on demonstration and laboratorywork.

Apply the scientific method to laboratory work.

Have fun!  Physics iscool!

Classroom Expectations:

Be curious, ask questions, set high expectations for your ownlearning.  This is a senior levelclass, so be prepared to work.

Read the assignment or prepare the lab for the day BEFORE comingto class.

Come to class prepared - with assignments up to date, text,notebook, pencil and paper.

Homework is due daily as specified on your assignment sheet.  Lab reports and any extra credit is dueon the day of the test.

Grading:

Homework - about 20%

Labs - about 20%

Tests - about 35%

Trimester final - about 25%

Supplies:

Notebook (spiral OK) for class notes.  This book should be used only for your physics notes.  Quad-ruled is good because your noteswill include diagrams and graphs.

Hardcover, bound, quad. ruled lab notebook.  The school will supply this.

Graph paper.  Quad.Ruled paper is OK.

Pencil, pen, ruler, paper, calculator.

Homework:

Your homework grade will be based on correct answers. You must show work or (brief) reasoning to support your answer.  You may check your answers in theTeachers Edition of the text or with Mr. Roberts' answer key before turning inyour homework.  The assignments foreach unit will be typically worth a total of 25-30 points.

There will be extra credit opportunities available for mostunits.  These will be identified atthe bottom of your assignment sheet.

Tests:

Tests will include both multiple choice and written responsequestions.

Labs:

Most units will include one or two labs.

Students will follow all lab safety rules and follow all labinstructions.

There will be a lab report due for each lab.   You must follow the guidelinesfor lab reports.

Study Tips:

Review the "Chapter Review" page at the end of the chapter.

Study your class notes.

Outline the chapter.

Review previously assigned problems and try some new ones.

Reread the chapter.

Pay particular attention to the "blue" and "orange" boxes in thetext.  The blue boxes summarizeimportant information.  The orangeboxes highlight important formulas.

Use www.scilinks.orgfor additional reference information. You can set up a student account on this site.  Each chapter in the text has a code which you can use tolink to additional information with useful information about that topic.  For example, HF2012 is the code forSection 1-1 - see page 11.