Overview
Modern-day physics influences every aspect of human life – from the roar of the engine of the car to the explosions within nuclear reactors to generate energy. Regardless of whichever field a person pursues in the future, there will always be obstacles which require knowledge of physics to surpass. Therefore, with a deeper understanding and fundamental basis of physics at a younger age, one can reach higher levels and be well-prepared for whatever is to come in the future.
Students who enroll in this class will gain an insight into this field and establish a strong foundation to begin their journey into physics. There will be hands-on activities in which the student can learn as they do – seeing what their work has led to will help create a resolute connection between concepts and applications. From being in a positive environment in which students collaborate to improve, all students will deepen their interests in physics and be ready for the future.
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- Lectures
- Day 1: Introduction to the science of physics + Kinematics
- What exactly does physics entail?
- Introduce fields of physics i.e. mechanics, E & M, quantum, fluids, thermodynamics, etc.
- History of physics
- Kinematic equations + concepts (displacement, distance, speed, velocity)
- Day 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
- Introduce how these laws affect everyday life
- 1st Law: Everything at rest stays at rest, everything in motion stays in motion unless external factors affect the object
- 2nd Law: F = ma, how it holds true
- 3rd Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction and how it holds
- Day 3: Momentum and Energy
- What the equations mean, and why they apply
- Practical knowledge on energy on daily life, like cars
- Difference between potential and kinetic energy
- The energy crisis and the future of energy (alternative fuels, fossil fuels, clean energy, etc.)
- What is work?
- Day 4: Gravitational force and Kepler’s Laws
- What is gravity?
- Newton’s discovery of gravity (why the moon doesn’t just fly off)
- Kepler’s journey to discovering the laws named after him
- Day 5: Fluid Dynamics
- What constitutes a fluid?
- Archimedes principle, how this applies to measuring volume
- Ocean currents, Great Pacific Gyre, etc
- How does an airplane fly?
- Day 6: Thermodynamics
- What is heat?
- How does A/C work
- Types of heat transfer
- Laws of thermodynamics (entropy)
- Day 6: Electricity
- Examples of electricity and its usage in our lives (i.e. lightbulb, electric cars, how motors work)
- The power grid
- How does a battery work?
- Day 7: Magnetism
- How do magnets work?
- Practical knowledge about magnets (i.e. cutting a magnet in half)
- How magnets are used in daily life (motors, computers, health/medicine)
- Day 8: Light and Waves
- Pitches / frequencies
- Particle wave duality nature of light
- How does a prism work?
- Day 9: Nuclear Physics
- Atomic bomb
- Nuclear reactors
- Nuclear fusion / nuclear fission, atoms, decay
- Day 10: Topic of majority choice, as voted by the class/Review
- Day 1: Introduction to the science of physics + Kinematics
- Demos
- TBA (Dependent on equipment & materials)
- Practice
- Lectures
- Specific problem numbers TBA
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- Day 1: Acquire Textbook (or PDF version) – Holt Physics (Raymond A. Serway & Jerry S. Faughn)
- Ch. 2 Review Questions
- Ch. 3 Review Questions
- Day 2: Ch. 4 Review Questions
- Day 3: Ch. 5 & 6 Review Questions
- Day 4: N/A
- Day 5: Ch. 8 Review Questions
- Day 6: Ch. 9 & 10 Review Questions
- Day 7: Ch. 16 Review Questions
- Day 8: Ch. 12, 13, 14, 15 TBA
- Day 9: Ch. 21 & 22 Review Questions
- Day 10: Student presentation
- Day 1: Acquire Textbook (or PDF version) – Holt Physics (Raymond A. Serway & Jerry S. Faughn)