Warwick School District

Course Description

In this approach to learning introductory physics, the student will witness a series of physical situations and demonstrations in which s/he will decide what factors might be affecting the outcomes observed. The student will then scientifically collect data on these factors (variables), analyze this data and be guided through Socratic style dialog to discover the mathematical relationships between these variables. These relationships will then be explored and applied to a wide variety of new situations. This approach to learning is called Modeling. Students should expect a rich immersion into a daily collaborative experience of dialog and student presentations.  Class participation is a large part of the course assessment, shared equally with lab and practicum presentations and reports, quizzes and tests.  The course covers the fundamentals of Newtonian Mechanics. A student scoring an A or B in this course will be well prepared for college physics at any level.

Core Curriculum Content Standards

PA Common Core: Science and Technical Subjects (2012)

• Reading Informational Text: Students read, understand, and respond to informational text – with emphasis on comprehension, making connections among ideas and between texts with focus on textual evidence.

• GRADES 11-12

• Evaluate the hypotheses, data, analysis, and conclusions in a science or technical text, verifying the data when possible and corroborating or challenging conclusions with other sources of information.(3.5.11-12.H)
• Synthesize information from a range of sources (e.g., texts, experiments, simulations) into a coherent understanding of a process, phenomenon, or concept, resolving conflicting information when possible.(3.5.11-12.I)

Sci & Tech - Physical Sciences: Chemistry and Physics (2009-2012)

• Sci & Tech - Physics

• PHYSICS

• -Compare and contrast scientific theories. -Know that both direct and indirect observations are used by scientists to study the natural world and universe. -Identify questions and concepts that guide scientific investigations. -Formulate and revise explanations and models using logic and evidence. -Recognize and analyze alternative explanations and models. -Explain the importance of accuracy and precision in making valid measurements. -Examine the status of existing theories. -Evaluate experimental information for relevance and adherence to science processes. -Judge that conclusions are consistent and logical with experimental conditions. -Interpret results of experimental research to predict new information, propose additional investigable questions, or advance a solution. -Communicate and defend a scientific argument.(3.2.P.B7)

Units

Unit #1 - Scientific Thinking in Experimental Settings

Unit #2 - Constant Velocity Particle Model

Unit #3 - Uniformly Accelerating Particle Model

Unit #4 - Balanced Force Particle Model

Unit #5 - Unbalanced Force Particle Model

Unit #6 - Two-Dimensional Particle Model

Unit #7 - Central Net Force Particle Model

Unit #8 - Gravity Model

Unit #9 - Energy

Unit #10 - Impulsive Force Model (Momentum)

Unit #11 - Rotating Particle Model