PHYSICS 6 per cycle – 6 credits

4041 Junior Year

Prerequisite: B or better in Algebra II (2031/2032), B or better in Chemistry (4021/4022), currently enrolled in Pre-calculus 2042, or department head approval.

 

This course is intended for the student seeking a rigorous first year course in Physics. This course will provide a study of the basic principles of Newtonian mechanics, electricity, and magnetism with additional study in light, optics, wave motion, and sound. Students should possess strong algebra and trigonometry skills. Students should have a genuine curiosity for the natural world and be willing to be challenged and take risks as they learn to apply physics to real world situations.

 

PHYSICS 6 per cycle – 6 credits

4042 Junior Year

Prerequisite: C or better in Geometry, and currently enrolled in Algebra II, Intro to Pre calculus or Pre-calculus.

 

This course is offered to the college preparatory student as an introduction to physics. The curriculum is designed around modeling instruction, which emphasizes active student construction of conceptual and mathematical models. Topics include mechanics, waves, and optics. Problem solving requires an understanding of Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

 

CONCEPTUAL PHYSICS   5 per cycle – 5 credits

4043 Junior Year

 

The course looks at phenomena that students have seen and experienced in their everyday lives, and explores the underlying concepts in motion, energy, light, and electricity. The course seeks to promote safety, practical, and applicable understandings of physics. Some questions investigated include: Why does tire pressure, traction, and speed limits matter for driving safety?  What do WiFi and a microwave oven have in common? Why do buildings need lightning rods?  Problem solving will involve basic algebra skills. Students should have a genuine curiosity for the natural world.

 

AP PHYSICS 1 7 per cycle – 6 credits

4131 Junior – Senior Year

Prerequisite: B or better in Algebra II 2031, currently enrolled in Pre-calculus.

 

This course is intended for a student seeking a rigorous course in Physics. It is intended to be a college-level course, and students receiving a passing grade in the AP Physics Exam may receive college credit in Physics. This course provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of kinematics and dynamics, electricity, and waves, with emphasis on the development of problem solving ability. It is assumed that the students are familiar with Algebra and Trigonometry, and although Calculus is seldom used, some theoretical developments may use basic Calculus. The topics studied are those typically considered in a first semester college physics course.

It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the AP exam.

 

AP PHYSICS 2 7 per cycle – 6 credits

4141 Senior Year

Prerequisite: B- or better in AP Physics 1 or A- or better in Level 1 Physics 

 

This course is intended for a student seeking a rigorous course in Physics. It is intended to be a college-level course, and students receiving a passing grade in the AP Physics Exam may receive college credit in Physics. Course topics include thermodynamics, fluids, electrostatics, DC and RC circuits, magnetism, optics, and modern physics, with emphasis on the development of problem solving ability. It is assumed that the students are familiar with Algebra and Trigonometry, and although Calculus is seldom used, some theoretical developments may use basic Calculus. The topics studied are those typically considered in a second semester college physics course.

It is expected that students enrolled in this course will take the AP exam.