Teacher: Fred Kral, Ph.D.
Email me: fkral
Call school: 415-339-9336
Get info: http://teach.kralsite.com
Course Description
Physics is the branch of science concerned with the study of the physical world: energy, matter, forces, motion, phenomena, and the relationships between them. The topics of this introductory laboratory course are mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, light, the physics of the 20th century, and contemporary physics. Students use the scientific method, conceptual reasoning, mathematical modeling, hands-on experimentation in the laboratory, computer simulation, and investigation of objects of daily life. Scientific ideas and problem-solving approaches are communicated using graphical, numerical, algebraic, verbal, diagrammatic, and physical approaches. Students who qualify for this Honors course are enrolled in Pre-Calculus or Calculus and are self-starters who want to know more about the physical world and are excited about sharpening their abstract reasoning and analytical problem solving skills. The course has a strong quantitative component and students learn to understand and use the more than fifty formulas expected for a general physics course based on algebra and trigonometry and covering the topics of this course.
Required text and supplemental materials
- Giancoli, Douglas C., Physics: Principles with Applications, 7th Edition. Boston: Pearson, 2014. ISBN-13: 978-0-321-62592-2. Primary. Required.
- Bloomfield, Louis A., How Things Work: The Physics of Everyday Life, 5th Edition. New Jersey: Wiley, 2013. ISBN-13: 978-1118237762. Secondary. Required.
- HP Prime CAS Graphing Calculator and charger. Required.
- Organizer of paper: holes punched and not; Pencils (mechanical recommended).
Assessment
| Homework: timely completion of homework assignments. Assessed formally and informally. | 2 points per homework (about 10%) |
| Quizzes and Tests: written and graphical solutions of problems. | 100 points per test, 50 points per quiz (about 30%) |
| End-Semester Assessments: Final examination. | 20% of course grade |
| In-Class work: positive energy and interest level during in-class work including discussion, working on experiments, and practice during class. Assessed informally. | 20 points every other week (about 20%) |
| Commitment to learning: Taking on what is challenging to you, getting help, communicating with the teacher, engaging with the material, and documenting work in the notebook. Assessed informally. | up to 100 points per semester (0% to 10%) |
| Projects, Presentations, and Labs: quality and correctness of written and graphical results, and quality of delivery. | 5 to 100 points depending on scope (about 20% total) |
Safety policy: only use equipment when and as instructed
Late work policy and tardy policy
The teacher enters grades once per week on Fridays. Students get credit for late or partial work up to that weekly deadline. Students who are tardy to class or leave the classroom for an extended time during class receive a maximum of 60% of the day's in-class work credit.
Cell phone and device policy
Devices are not allowed in class, except by explicit permission to do class work. If you need a calculator, please go borrow a classroom calculator or ask the teacher as soon as possible.
Class computer use policy
Personal and school computers shall be used for this subject only. The Marin School supports the responsible use of technology on our campus. See the Parent and Student Handbook.
Collaboration policy
I encourage study groups. You may work with others (not just students) unless instructed otherwise as long as all of you contribute. It is wise to put the name of each contributing student on an assignment to avoid issues with plagiarism.
Come visit or email! – Fred