High School Physics Part 1 with Weekly Labs and Projects

Course Summary

This course is a 16 week semester course for High School Physics and when taken with Part 2 constitutes a full year of topics covered in High School Physics.

Course Description

*** EARLY BIRD SPECIAL *** $25 off before June 30th use code - 25DANPHYS1 A grade is available if requested. Requirements for a grade are to complete all three tests and 6 of the experiments/projects of the learner’s choosing. This is a 16 week full-semester class that covers concepts in High School Physics. Although technically Part 1 and Part 2 can be taken in any order, I will be integrating previous concepts into later classes so that learners are able to see how concepts relate to each other and learn to solve problems by synthesizing together information from different concepts. To succeed in the course, learners should have solid Algebra 1 skills. Images, activities, and short experiments will help solidify the concepts in class. During class I will teach by the Socratic method as much as possible while going over concepts and solving problems. Toward the end of each class we will do a worksheet with problems and short answer questions together to help students master the topics for that class. Also provided are optional homework problems with answers, reading assignments, and project-based assignments that learners can do at home as well as three optional tests with answers so learners can check their understanding. We will not, however, be doing full physics lab experiments with lab reports. Parent Reviews: Professor Lora’s High School Physics class is truly exceptional! My son thoroughly enjoyed the entire 16-week course and gained a deep understanding of complex physics concepts. Professor Lora’s teaching style is engaging and effective, utilizing the Socratic method to encourage students to think critically and connect ideas from different topics. Professor Lora’s dedication to her students is evident in her approach. The optional tests were a great addition, allowing my son to check his understanding and track his progress throughout the semester. Professor Lora’s passion for teaching and her ability to connect with students make this course a standout experience. Highly recommended!  Lora Danley is a great teacher! She's flexible and patient and her teaching methods keep my son engaged which is especially important for him due to his neurodiversity. She also gives helpful feedback and is very prompt in replying to questions.   This was a great course. It was rigorous, challenging, interactive, and at level. The homework was substantial (maybe 4 hours / week + 6 experiments which each took about 6 hours). Teacher Lora was responsive, helpful, and was an active and engaging teacher. We hope to take future courses with her!

Content Considerations

We will discuss black holes, special relativity, and one of the projects involves the heat death of the universe.

Syllabus

Week 1 - Linear Motion Speed, Velocity, Acceleration, Free Falling Objects, Objects Thrown Upward, Air Resistance Lab/project: DETERMINING CONSTANT ACCELERATION WITH GRAVITY Week 2 - Projectile Motion Vectors and Scalars, Working with Vectors, Upwardly Launched Projectiles Lab/Project: PROJECTILE MOTION (SHOOTING A MARBLE FROM A RAMP) Week 3 - Newton's Laws of Motion Newton's Three Laws of Motion, Weight, Friction Lab/Project: HOW HIGH CAN YOUR ROCKET GO? Week 4 - Momentum Changes in Momentum, Conservation of Momentum, Elastic and Inelastic Collisions, Momentum Vectors Lab/Project: EGG DROP CHALLENGE Week 5 - Energy Work, Power, Potential and Kinetic Energy, Conservation of Energy, Machines Lab/Project: TESTING A CLASS 1 LEVER Week 6 - Circular Motion and Center of Gravity Rotational Speed, Centripetal and Centrifugal forces, Center of gravity Lab/Project: LOCATING THE CENTER OF GRAVITY Week 7 - Rotational Mechanics Torque, Rotational Inertia, Angular Momentum Lab/Project: INVESTIGATING THE MOTION OF A PENDULUM Week 8 - Universal Gravitation and Gravitational Interactions Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation, Gravitational Fields, Weight and Weightlessness, Ocean Tides, Black Holes Lab/Project: CALCULATING THE RADIUS OF THE EARTH Week 9 - Special Relativity: Space and Time Space-Time, The First and Second Postulates of Special Relativity, Time Dilation, Space and Time Travel Lab/Project: WRITE A SHORT STORY WITH CORRECT CALCULATIONS ON THE TWIN PARADOX Week 10 - Special Relativity: Length, Momentum, and Energy Length Contraction, Momentum and Inertia in Relativity, Equivalence of Mass and Energy, Kinetic Energy in Relativity, The Correspondence Principle Lab/Project: LIGHT FROM DISTANT STARS (INTENSITY VERSUS DISTANCE) Week 11 - Solids and Liquids Density, Elasticity, Compression and Tension, Liquid Pressure, Buoyancy, Floatation, Pascal's Principle Lab/Project: BUILDING A MODEL SUBMARINE Week 12 - Gases Atmospheric Pressure, Barometers, Boyle's Law, the Bernoulli Principle Lab/Project: TAKE FLIGHT - DESIGN A FLYING OBJECT Week 13 - Heat and Heat Transfer Temperature, Heat, Specific Heat Capacity, Thermal Expansion, Conduction, Convection, Radiation Lab/Project: COFFEE CUP CALORIMETRY Week 14 - Thermodynamics The First Law of Thermodynamics, Engines, Entropy and the Second Law of Thermodynamics Lab Project: THE HEAT DEATH OF THE UNIVERSE (A RESEARCH PROJECT) Week 15 - Vibrations and Waves Anatomy of a Wave, Transverse and Longitudinal Waves, Interference, Standing Waves, The Doppler Effect Lab/Project: MEASURING THE SPEED OF LIGHT Week 16 - Sound Sound in Air, Loudness, Resonance, Interference, Beats Lab/Project: ABSORPTION OF SOUND

Supplies

Learners will need a calculator for working through certain problems in class. A cell phone calculator should suffice and learners should be able to find an appropriate free online calculator as well. Learners will be provided with an e-book as well as optional homework problems with answers after the first class. Three times throughout the term learners will be provided with optional tests with answers to check their understanding of the topics. Learners will be provided with a packet with worksheets and at-home projects which lists the supplies needed for each project.