Regents Physics First Quarter

Syllabus
Teacher: Ms. Penesis
Phone #: 914-777-4802
Office Hours: After School and During Prep Periods by Appointment

Email: lpenesis@ryeneck.org

Required Purchase for Regents Review: Brief Review in Physics: The current publication of The Physical Setting,
Prentice Hall.
Reference Texts:
Martin, B. and Spronk, C. Physics: Systems and Applications, J.M. LaBel Publishers, Inc, 2002.
Hewitt, Paul G. Conceptual Physics, 10th Edition, Addison Wesley, 2005
Web References: (See Teacher Website for More)
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/
http://www.stmary.ws/highschool/physics/home/notes/default.htm

Materials Required: 3 Ring Notebook, lab folder, and a scientific calculator (having a protractor and metric ruler at
home is also a big help)
Major Topics this Quarter: Mathematical Methods for Describing and Predicting Motion (aka Kinematics) and
Newtons Laws of Motion
Welcome to your first course in Physics. Since you have been living in this world for awhile, you have already been exposed to most
of the content- we will just work on the skills to understand what you have been seeing and experiencing. Physics is often a
challenging course because it requires you to slow down and think as you apply problem-solving skills and practice them. You cant
just memorize or plug-and-chug numbers in equations and be successful. If you are open to discussing problems and situations,
practicing the methods of solving problems by doing homework consistently, and willing to work in lab, you should do just fine. We
will begin our course by learning how to measure, record, and describe motion in one and two dimensions. You can expect an
emphasis on problem solving skills and application of mathematics.

What You Will Learn This Quarter?

Verbal, Mathematical, and Graphical Representation and Interpretation of Motion

Measurement Skills (accuracy, precision, unit conversion, significant figures, using scientific notation, etc.)
Exploring and Applying Newtons Laws of Motion
Scalar and Vector Addition of Physical Quantities (Mathematical and Graphical Methods)

Assessment this Quarter

Daily checks for understanding (HW, Do Nows, Classroom Work and Discussion, etc.)
Laboratory work and write-ups (informal and formal)
Approximately 3-4 quizzes and 2-3 tests
2-3 Tests

Grading Policy and Expectations (See contract for details, but in the nutshell):

Class Participation and Homework 10%

Quizzes 10%
Labs 20%
Tests 60%

Regents Physics Course Outline

Fall Term: Mechanics
I. Kinematics with Applied Math and Measurement Skills
Distance/Displacement
Speed/Velocity
Acceleration
Free Fall: Gravity
II. Understanding and Applying Newtons Three Laws of Motion
Statics
Dynamics
Two-Dimensional Motion and Trajectories-Fired Horizontally and at an Angle
Uniform Circular Motion
Newtons Universal Law of Gravitation
Gravitational Field Strength
Weight
Friction
Incline Plane
Momentum
Law of Conservation
The Simple Pendulum
III. Work, and Energy, and Power
Forms of Energy
Potential Energy
Elastic Potential Energy
Hookes Law
Kinetic Energy
Work-Energy Relationship
Law of Conservation of Energy

MIDTERM ASSESSMENT
Spring Term: Electricity and Magnetism, Waves, and Select Topics in Modern Physics
IV. Electrostatics
Structure of Atoms
Charged Objects
Transfer of Charge
Law of Conservation of Charge
Coulombs Law
Electric Fields
Field Strengths
Potential Difference
V. Electric Currents
Ohms Law
Resistivity
Electric Circuits
Series and Parallel Circuits
Electric Power
Electric Energy
VI. Magnetism
Fields, Flux Lines, and Strength

Electromagnetic Induction
Electromagnetic Radiation
VII. Waves
Introduction to Waves
Types of Waves
Wave Behavior
Wave Characteristics

 Pulses and Periodic Wave

Periodic Wave Phenomena
Doppler Effect
Interference
Standing Waves
Resonance
Diffraction
Sound
Light
Speed of light
Reflection
Refraction
Absolute Index of Refraction
Snells Law
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Frequencies and Wavelengths
VIII. Modern Physics
Wave-Particle Duality of Energy and Matter
Quantum Theory
Energy vs. Frequency (Photo Electric Effect)
Photon-Particle Collisions (DeBroglie wavelengths & Compton Effect)
Early Models of the atom
Thomsons Model
Rutherfords Model
Bohrs Model
Atomic Spectra
Cloud Model
The nucleus
Nuclear Force
Universal Mass Unit
Mass-Energy Relationship
The Standard Model of
Particle Physics
Fundamental Forces
Classification of Subatomic Particles
Quarks

YOUR FINAL IS THE REGENTS EXAM

Detailed Descriptions of Assessments

Classroom Participation: You are expected to be on time for class and prepared to work. Your
understanding will be assessed daily through classroom discussion and work. Solving problems or
investigating an answer to a question will be a daily part of each lesson. Problem solving time should be
valued since it is your opportunity to work with others, ask questions, and get or give help. Your classroom
participation will be tracked daily using the following criteria:
Type of Participation
# of Points
Awarded per
Day
Not on time and not prepared or engaged
0
Not on time, but prepared and actively engaged OR
1
On time, but not prepared or engaged
On time, prepared (homework, questions, reading, has
2
calculator and trying problems, etc.)
On time, prepared, plus positive contribution to the
3
topic of discussion- asking or answering questions
during a single class period
Note: Any piece of classroom work may be collected as a progress check of your understanding. For topics that
have been covered and learned, do nows or exit tickets may be occasionally graded as a quiz problem and
worth 10 points.
Homework: There is no way around doing work outside the classroom for this course. Homework will consist
of reading, reviewing notes, and responding to assigned questions or problems.
When formally assigned, homework will be checked for effort or collected on the due date
When homework is collected, random question/(s) or problem/(s) will occasionally be graded
for thoughtfulness, approach, creativity, and answer.
The amount of homework you do outside of what is formally assigned will depend upon you. If you
need more practice or wish to be challenged further, supplemental problems and questions will be
made available to you.
Laboratory Work: You must complete a minimum of 30 lab hours in order to sit for the New York
State Physics Regents Examination. If you do not meet this requirement, you will be barred from the
exam and fail the course. Both formal and informal write-ups of your work done in lab will be required.

Informal write-ups, if not completed during the lab period, need to be submitted by the due date.

A five point late deduction per day late will result for any late labs. All labs must be submitted if the
lowest lab score is to be dropped each quarter.

Formal laboratory write-ups will be assigned with project-based work- one to two reports each
semester.

Quizzes and Tests: Quizzes will be given to monitor progress, and tests will be used to assess
understanding, knowledge, and skills at the end of a major unit of study. The Physics Regents exam holds
students to a high-level of understanding with very little wiggle room in the scoring. Quizzes and tests will
be scored with that understanding. Quizzes will be 10 to 20 minutes in length and most tests will be 45
minutes to an hour in duration. Some tests may be 90 minutes and include a practicum. You can expect
three to four quizzes per marking period and two to three tests. All quiz and test items will be worth
10 points.

Regents Physics- 2015-2016 Classroom Contract

Ms. Penesis

Expectations and Policies

1. Class Participation and Homework (10 percent of grade)
Class Participation: Everyone is expected to contribute to class by participating in discussions,
asking and answering questions, working with others, completing classroom tasks, and not
disrupting the class. Active class participation will be tracked via a checklist.

Homework: Homework will be checked when assigned to monitor your commitment and track
your understanding of the material assigned. If you need more practice, do more problems and
answer more questions. Random collection of homework and spot checks for completion should
be expected.

2. Lab Reports (20 percent of grade): Informal labs are due at the end of the lab period or by the due date
given. Late lab reports are subject to point deductions. Complete, well-thought out, and neatly
presented work will result in a high grade.
3.

Quizzes (10 percent of grade) and Tests (60 percent of grade): You need to study, practice problem
solving skills, and make good use of classtime in order to do your best on quizzes and tests. Quizzes
will be a mixture of free response and multiple choice items. Tests will be in a Regents format and
mainly consist mostly multiple choice items with two to five free response items. You can expect three
to four quizzes per marking period and two to three tests. YOU MUST HAVE YOUR OWN
SCIENTIFIC CACLULATOR FOR EACH QUIZ AND TEST- NO SHARING OR LOANING IS
ALLOWED (Batteries or a spare calculator are a available if your calculators batteries die).

4. Classroom Behavior- You are expected to come to class prepared and ready to work. If you are late,
please sign the late log and take your seat quietly. An unexcused lateness will result in a detention with
me after school on the day of the lateness. Continued lateness will result in a call or meeting with
parents/guardians. It is extremely important to be respectful of everyone by not talking when someone
else is talking, asking a question, etc. Side conversations, lateness, and other distracting behaviors that
disrupt classroom learning will result in a lower class participation grade. Respect deadlines for all
assignments- labs, homework, and projects. No cell phones to be used during class time ever!
Physics is a challenging, but rewarding course. Your experience here should increase your problem solving
abilities. Individual time and effort spent learning the content and doing the work of this course will vary. I will
do my best to help you understand the material and support you as you learn by making myself available to you
inside and outside of class. However, you need to take responsibility for your work and learning. All of our
work requires a consistent effort. If you try your best, ask questions, seek help when needed, and do your work
conscientiously, you will do just fine.
After you read this, sign below and take this form home to your parents for them to sign. Feel free to contact
me if you have any concerns or questions.
Thank You.
Ms. Penesis
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I understand and agree with the above expectations and grading policies.
Student Name (Printed): __________________________________
Student Signature: _____________________________________ Date:__________________
Parent Signature: _______________________________________ Date:__________________