Skip To Main Content

Physics I

Course Description

This is a college preparatory course, which will include the big three concepts of motion, force, and energy. These three concepts are applied over many topics in all of the sciences, but specifically in this class we will look at motions and energies associated with macroscopic objects, electrical current and electric energy. We will study the field forces that arise from both gravity and electricity. We study waves, their interaction and the wave/particle nature of light. As this is a science class, a significant portion of time is devoted to laboratory work. A proficiency in mathematics is required. 

Course Big Ideas

  • Motion can occur as accelerated motion or non-accelerated motion and these have different outcomes on a system.
  • Forces are interactions between two objects that occur at finite distances and can change the motion of a system.
  • Systems can be defined for convenience and have energy that we can account for.
  • Forces can change the energy distribution in a system.
     

Course Essential Questions

  • How do we combine vectors?
  • How can we predict an object’s continued motion, change of motion, or stability?
  • How do field forces compare and contrast?
  • How does the defined system change how we account for energy in the system? 
  • How does the defined system change how we account for momentum in the system? 
  • Where does energy go when it leaves a system?
  • How do we account for other forms of energy that exist beyond mechanical energy?
  • How do waves interact with one another?
  • How does the medium through which a wave travels, change the wave?
     

Course Competencies

  • Given a situation, discern the given information to select appropriate mathematical models to solve for desired quantities.
  • Use graphical means to represent an understanding of a situation.
  • Draw a force diagram (FBD) to represent non-negligible forces action on an object for a given situation.
  • Explain a situation using vocabulary terms.

Course Assessments

  • Course final assessment
  • Formative Assessments
  • Summative Assessments
  • Common Assessments
  • Performance-based lab assessments
     

Course Units