Physics Regents PHYSICS R – 4400 Full year - 1 credit Grades 11, 12 Prerequisites: Completion of Earth Science, Living Environment, and Chemistry The course covers the Physics Regents syllabus. The fields of mechanics, electricity, wave motion, and modern physics are explored. Facility with the mathematical aspects of physics is expected. Students in the three-semester mathematics programs may experience difficulty. The course has alternating lab periods each week (meets 7 or 8 times each week). Written laboratory reports are required. The Physics Regents Examination terminates the course. Instructional philosophy The instruction focuses on the understanding of concepts, relationships, processes, mechanisms, models, and applications. In attaining scientific literacy, students will be able to demonstrate these understandings, generate explanations, exhibit creative problem solving and reasoning, and make informed decisions. The assessments will test students’ ability to explain, analyze, and interpret chemical processes and phenomena, and use models and scientific inquiry. Critical to understanding science concepts is the use of scientific inquiry to develop explanations of natural phenomena. Therefore, as a prerequisite for admission to the Physical Setting/Physics Regents Examination, students must have successfully completed 1200 minutes of laboratory experience with satisfactory reports on file. (The Physical Setting/ Chemistry. Core Curriculum. http://www.nysed.gov) Knowledge and Skills Objectives Students will use mathematical analysis, scientific inquiry, and engineering design to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions. Students will access, generate, process, and transfer information using appropriate technologies. Students will understand the relationships and common themes that connect mathematics, science, and technology and apply the themes to these and other areas of learning. Students will apply the knowledge and thinking skills of mathematics,

science, and technology to address real-life problems and make informed decisions. (The Physical Setting/ Chemistry. Core Curriculum. http://www.nysed.gov)

Regents Physics Curriculum Overview I.

Measurements & Units

a.

SI Units

b. metric system c.

estimations

d. uncertainty in measurements & significant figures e.

Conversions

f.

Trigonometry

II. a.

Graphing axes, labels, units, scales, etc.

b. types of mathematical relationships/proportionalities c.

calculation & significance of slope

III. Kinematics a.

definition

b. characteristics of motion i. position, velocity, acceleration c.

1-dimensional motion i. equations of motion 1. average velocity

2. acceleration 3. derivation of d= vit + 1/2at2 4. derivation of vf2 = vi2 + 2ad d.

Vector vs. Scalar i. definition & examples

e. Motion under Influence of Gravity i. analysis of up-and-down motion 1. emphasize meaning of negative sign 2. symmetry of up-and-down motion f.

Concepts of Graphing i. compare & contrast d vs. t, v vs. t, and a vs. t ii. slopes and area under graphs

IV. a.

Vector Addition Vector Representation i. arrows with length proportional to magnitude

b. Resultant Vector i. definition and representation c.

Graphical Addition i. rules for addition 1-dimensional

V. a.

Projectiles Independence of Perpendicular Vectors

b. resolving vectors into components

c.

Adding vectors by adding components

d. analysis of motion in vertical and horizontal directions i. horizontally fired projectiles ii. projectiles fired at an angle (from ground) iii. projectiles fired at an angle (from above ground level) VI. a.

Dynamics & Newton’s Laws definition

b. Newton’s 1st Law i. definition & examples ii. Equilibrium 1. equilibriant c.

Newton’s 3rd Law i. definition & examples

d. Newton’s 2nd law i. derivation via lab ii. definition & examples iii. weight vs. mass (inertia) e.

Free-Body Diagrams

f.

Frictional Forces i. coefficients of friction 1. static vs. kinetics

g. Incline Plane

i. components of weight h. Centripetal Forces i. definition ii. relative direction of velocity, acceleration, & force iii. derivation of equation Fc = mv2/r iv. examples: 1. horizontal circles 2. vertical circles a.

minimum velocities

b. weightlessness c. VII. a.

amusement park rides

Universal Gravitation

Cavendish experiment

b. equation c.

satellites

VIII. a.

Momentum

definition

b. impulse c.

conservation of momentum i. 1-dimensional

IX. Work & Energy a.

definition of work & energy

b. units c.

power

d. derivation of kinetic and potential energy equations e.

Conservation of Energy i. conversion between different forms of energy ii. mechanical energy

X.

Springs

a.

Hooke’s Law i. derivation of equation

b. spring potential energy i. variable forces ii. work done on spring iii. derivation of equation XI. a.

Electrostatics atomic structure

b. electroscopes c.

elementary charges i. Milliken Oil-Drop experiment

d. Coulomb’s Law e.

Electric Field i. definition ii. field lines

f.

Electric Potential (Voltage)

XII. Current Electricity a.

electric current

b. measurement of electric current c.

Ohm’s Law i. resistance ii. resistivity

d. electrical circuits i. diagrams ii. components iii. energy considerations iv. power considerations v. series vs. parallel circuits 1. current & voltage in each XIII. Magnetism a.

source of magnetism

b. magnetic field i. north and south poles ii. field lines c.

paramagnetic, ferromagnetic, diamagnetic

d. Electromagnetism i. field around a straight, current-carrying wire

ii. field around a solenoid iii. force on moving charges within magnetic field XIV. Waves a.

definition

b. mechanic vs. electromagnetic c.

transverse vs. longitudinal (compression) waves

d. wave properties i. wavelength, frequency, amplitude, period, velocity e.

waves at boundaries

f.

wave interference i. superposition principle ii. constructive / destructive interference iii. standing wave

1. nodes/antinodes g. resonance h. diffraction