9th+Physics

=**9th Grade Physics Syllabus**=

Welcome to Physics, the fundamental science! In this class we will discover and study the exciting topics shown on this page below. This class is largely performance-based, so lab work and projects count a lot. Unfortunately, we cannot completely eliminate the need for some memorization and testing. For example, you will need to memorize some vocabulary, a few equations and units to talk-the-talk and understand the concepts. See this Bloom's Taxonomy [|explanation] and [|graphic]. This illustrates how we will need to not just remember, but understand and apply knowledge, and then create to fully grasp what we are learning.

Look carefully at the Taxonomy and re-read and really understand that last statement. This is NOT a class where just listening to the teacher will allow you to understand the material. You MUST read the text and check out some resources that I have made available to help you get the material well enough to test well on it.

**Grading**: //Participation // (20%): Participation is an important part of learning. Good participation includes asking questions, answering questions, reading the assignments, watching videos on topics, doing your part in //every// activity, helping others, turning in your assignments on time, and more. Warm-Ups are part of participation and will be given to you at the beginning of a class period to help you focus your mind on Physics. There is NEVER talking allowed during the warm-up, even if you are finished answering the question. You must answer each question or problem __thoroughly__, and you must hand them in every week for a grade. //Homework //(20%): All of the homework I assign will help you to practice and remember what you have learned in class. It is very important that you always complete your homework on time and complete it __thoroughly__. Homework includes introductions to each topic. You may read the text on the topic, watch videos or read on-line about the topic. Warm-ups will include answering basic questions about the topic. Not completing this preliminary work will mean you will be behind on the activities on that topic. There is also reading of your choice with reports on that reading to be shared with on a Google doc. One book each quarter on a topic in science related to physics, or a biography of a scientist to be completed by the end of the quarter. //Projects and Experiments //(30%): You will be working on several different projects to help you understand more about different concepts. This will be your chance to be creative and learn more about the topics we are covering and that interest you. Projects are a fun and important way of showing what you have learned. //Tests & Quizzes //(30%): You will have tests and quizzes to find out how well you are learning and what you still do not understand. I will let you know at least one day before we have a quiz so that you can be well prepared. We will also review in class before each test. //__Mid-Term & Final Exam __//: These exams will give you the chance to demonstrate how well you understand each of the skills we covered for the semester. You will take them at the very end of each semester and they will have questions about what you have learned the whole SEMESTER. This means you need to pay attention in class, and keep ALL of your notes, tests, quizzes, and homeworks to help you study for these exams.
 * Instructor**: Janet Ott. You may call between 9am and 9pm or text me anytime. 360-870-7363. Email works too - jott@chinquapin.org.
 * Text**: //Conceptual Physics// by Paul Hewitt. Notice we are __not__ going in chapter order.

(The instructor reserves the right to change these.) Bonus work is rare but does exist. It is more important that you study and do the homework given than try to make up your grade later.

Our major project for the spring will be on alternative energy. We will be studying both wind and solar energy by creating prototypes of both to test them for efficacy and efficiency and cost effectiveness. I hope we will create three wind turbine prototypes and a solar panel to test.


 * Logistics**
 * 1) I need your cell phone # and carrier so we can communicate outside of class
 * 2) Create a Moodle account. If you already have one make sure it's up to date (current email, etc.)

Here are the class rules. Late work policy is here too.

__Curriculum__
Click on the semester heading, below, to see more detailed descriptions of each chapter in that semester.

__Semester 1__
Scientific Method (Ch 1)

Unit II: Properties of Matter Atomic Structure (Ch 17) Solids (Ch. 18) - exploration: Density. Liquids (Ch. 19) - demos Gases (Ch. 20)

Unit III: Heat Temperature, Heat and Expansion(Ch 21) Heat Transfer (Ch. 22) Phase Change (Ch. 23) Thermodynamics (Ch. 24)

Unit IV: Sound and Light Vibrations and Waves (Ch 25) Sound (Ch. 26) Light (Ch. 27) Color (Ch. 28) Reflection & Refraction (Ch. 29) Lenses (Ch. 30) Diffraction, & Interference (Ch. 31)

__Semester 2__
Unit V: Electricity and Magnetism Electrostatics (Ch 32) Electric Fields and Potential (Ch. 33) Electric Current (Ch. 34) Electric Circuits (Ch. 35) Magnetism (Ch. 36) Electromagnetic Conduction (Ch. 37)

As possible, depending on time allowed given our wind turbine project Unit I: Mechanics Linear Motion (Ch 2) Projectile Motion (Ch. 3) Newton’s Laws (Ch. 4-6) Momentum (Ch. 7) Energy (Ch. 8) Circular Motion (Ch. 9-11) Gravitation (Ch. 12-14) Special Relativity (Ch. 15-16)

Resources:

[|The Chinquapin physics Group with all sites we've found and tagged]

[|The LiveBinders set of sites I've collected. You should be able to find almost anything about physics topics in here]