What
equipment is required for the class?
|
text book:
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Physics (5th ed.) by Giancoli (available
in the Hun Bookstore)
|
|
summer reading book:
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Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman
by Richard Feynman
|
|
calculator:
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TI84+ (a TI-83+ or a TI-83 is acceptable if you already
own it).
|
|
writing implement:
|
pen (black or blue ink) or pencil (black lead). You’ll
probably want both, and you may want colored pencils
for the diagrams and graphs.
|
|
writing medium:
|
notebook or lined paper. Unless you use a binder to
keep your notes, I strongly recommend against using
a pre-perforated notebook.
|
|
organizer:
|
folder or binder (with pockets)
You'll probably also want a good folder, as there
are a lot of handouts.
|
|
computer:
|
any species, and you may use the school’s computers.
Keep in mind that all out-of-class work is expected
to be typed and neat.
|
|
|
| Do I really have
to read a book? Do I really have to write? Come on, this is
a science class! |
At least half of science is the communication
and transmission of new ideas, and the method of choice is
overwhelmingly textual. Text has an information density and
a clarity unmatched by other media. To function as a citizen
in a modern nation requires the ability to understand text
when presented and to communicate clearly in prose. In addition,
science writing is subtly different from other types and it
is important that you learn to read it effectively. Writing
is bigger than English class!
For that reason, this class has a summer
reading book and
will also have readings throughout the year. In addition
you will be required to write short papers in reaction to the
readings. |
|
| What sort of mathematics
is required for the class? |
| The formal curricular requirements are
that you be concurrently enrolled in Precalculus or higher.
Physics is a highly mathematical science – indeed, much
of mathematics was invented to deal with problems in Physics – and
true understanding requires the use of mathematics. The class absolutely
demands fluency in algebra. If you are uncomfortable manipulating
and solving equations, you will experience difficulty in this
class. There will be a mathematics competency test the
first week of classes. |
|
| What does the "HP" stand
for in "Bernard HP Gilroy"? |
| Honors Physics |
|
| What
does "W0002A" (and other numbers) mean? |
This is an internal code
by which I refer to handouts, labs, etc. It absolutely not necessary
that you understand this code, but in case you’re interested:
The letter is a type prefix (more on this in a moment) and
the number is a two-part sequential code. The first two digits
refer to the section, and the second two digits simply increment
by one for each item. So W0002 means this is a Web-only Handout,
from the 00 section (Administration), and it is the second
one
I’ve prepared. (It might not be the second one you’ve
received.) The suffix "A" means it's the first of possibly
several related pages.
Note that we might not cover fluids in this
course. Also note that electricity and magnetism are not
covered in the introductory course. We have to save something
for AP Physics. :)
-
|
H
|
handout
|
T
|
test
|
|
L
|
lab
|
R
|
reaction paper
|
| W |
web-only handout |
|
|
|
P
|
project
|
Q
|
reserved for future expansion
|
The topics are listed below but we probably
won't follow this order.
-
|
#
|
Topic
|
|
00
|
Administration
|
|
01
|
Science, Philosophy, Technology, and Society
|
|
02
|
Kinematics
|
|
03
|
Energy
|
|
04
|
Momentum
|
|
05
|
Forces
|
|
06
|
Fluids
|
|
09
|
Simple Harmonic Motion
|
|
10
|
Waves
|
|
11
|
Sonics
|
|
12
|
Optics
|
|
30
|
Quantum Mechanics
|
|
40
|
Relativity
|
|
|
| What
distinguishes "Honors
Physics” from “AP
Physics”? |
The
first is in Serpentine Bold font and the second is in Bank
Gothic. :)
Honors Physics is
an introductory survey class. We range over a wide variety
of topics from classical to modern physics. Although problem
solving is important, the class focuses as much on the creation
of a proper frame of reference to understand the universe.
AP Physics, as the name implies, is geared toward the Advanced
Placement exam in Physics, which is itself driven by the
standard college curriculum for engineering physics.
Naturally, the AP Physics class culminates in
taking the AP test, whereas Honors Physics does not. The
lab work in AP Physics tends to be more independent and student-driven.
At Hun, it is essentially required that one
take Honors Physics before taking AP Physics. (In some circumstances,
a different introductory physics class is acceptable.) |
|
| What is Physics
Day? |
| Every year, in April, all the Physics classes
at Hun attend Physics Day at Great Adventure. It is an opportunity
to see in action some of the physics we will cover during the
year. Although it is meant to be fun, it also a school outing
and there is work associated with it. Attendance is not optional,
but you will not be forced to ride any of the attractions. Be
advised: Participation in Physics Day is currently under
review; we might not attend this year. |
|
| Does
taking Honors Physics prepare one for the SAT II in Physics? |
Not explicitly. The SAT II
subject tests are notorious for stressing assimilation over
comprehension and regurgitation over problem-solving. My
own review of the SAT-II Physics exam confirms this reputation.
As I consider such an approach to be pedagogically invalid
and in fact to be “anti-Physics”, I do not structure
my classes towards that test.
In particular, be aware that the SAT II covers
many more topics (albeit in an exceedingly shallow manner)
than Honors Physics will. If you are intent on taking this
exam, you must begin preparing early and you must expect
to do considerable work on your own. On the other hand, I
believe the critical thinking and problem solving skills
emphasized in Honors Physics will be of great benefit in
taking the SAT II, if you put work into securing the content
yourself. |
|
| Is Honors Physics a
hard class? |
| Yes. |
