HONORS PHYSICS - SYLLABUS

Riverdale High School

2019-2020
Teacher: Dr. York
yorkda@rcschools.net
Welcome to Riverdale High School Honors Physics! Physics is a challenging subject but I think I will be able to
make it both fun, educational, and INSPIRATIONAL. I also feel strongly about helping students become better
organized and more independent when it comes to learning AND LIFE.
Textbook: HMH Tennessee Physics, 2019 edition.
Objective: This course will introduce the student to the physical properties of matter, motion, energy, and force;
their theory and practical applications, laboratory procedures, problem solving, and mathematical analysis.
Course Content: Topics such as Newtonian Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Waves, Optics,
Electricity/Magnetism, and Nuclear Physics will be presented through both classroom
instruction/demonstrations and student-led laboratory exercises. Roughly one or two projects ( to be completed
outside of the classroom ) every Nine Weeks will also be assigned.
Supplies:

-compbook or loose-leaf paper/3-ring binder [ YOUR CHOICE ]

-somewhere to put handouts [ folder or pockets in your binder ]
-pencils and ink pens
-A scientific calculator ( graphing capability is strongly recommended but not required ); I do have about 10 for
students to use

Website: Many assignments in physics will span several days ( or even months ) of class time, so organization
is critically important. Students and parents can use the materials on our classroom website
( www.rhs.rcs.k12.tn.us/teachers/yorkda ) to keep abreast of the course. This and many of the other
classroom documents may be found there also.

Tutoring: I will be available anytime between 7:50 – 8:30 in the mornings. If you would like to meet earlier or
in the afternoon, please let me know and I will gladly accommodate as soon as possible. It is crucial that you
seek this extra help as soon as you feel the need ( if you are struggling still with a concept after the class has
spent a week or more on the topic, you should seek this extra help from me ).

Procedures:
1) Put your phone away when I ask you too – THE FIRST TIME
2)Be on time and come prepared to class
3)Pickup after yourself – do not throw trash in the sinks!!
4)Be respectful to the teacher and your fellow classmates ( it will be returned )
5)PAY ATTENTION!! DO NOT TALK WHILE I AM TEACHING
6)No cheating on quizzes/tests – Automatic zero
Consequences – Warning, Call to Parents, AM detention, Pink Slip [ defiance over phones – str8 to pink slip ]
 Grading Policy: All grades are based on a 100 point scale unless noted by teacher.

1. Projects ( 20% )
2. Homework ( 15% ) – see comment in “Make-up Policy” section below
3. Quizzes ( 15% )
4. Lab Writeups ( 20% )
5. Tests ( 30% )

Make-up Policy: The teacher will reschedule missed tests. Make-up work is due within FIVE SCHOOL DAYS
of returning to school. Only THREE SCHOOL DAYS will be given to make-up tests and quizzes. IF YOU
CHOOSE TO ATTEND OPTIONAL IN-SCHOOL ACTIVITIES YOU ARE STILL RESPONSIBLE FOR
MAKING UP ANY MISSED WORK. If you do not turn in homework by the time the original assignment is
handed back to the class, you will have to complete an alternate homework assignment ( original assignment
will no longer be accepted at this point ). A late penalty of 2 points per day will be applied to late assignments
regardless of which assignment you are turning in.

Exams: All students must take the comprehensive mid-term. Students who qualify will be exempt from the final
exam, at the teacher’s discretion. If a student is caught cheating or plagiarizing, he/she must take the final exam.

Course Scope and Sequence:

Chapter 1: Introduction, Math Review, and TOOLS

1st Nine Weeks Chapter 2: Kinematics – Displacement, Speed, Velocity, Constant Acceleration, Freefall
Chapter 3: Kinematics - Vectors
Chapter 4: Kinematics - Relative Motion, 2D Motion, Projectile Motion

Chapter 5: Newton’s Laws

Chapter 6.1-6.4: Forces, Free Body Diagrams, Application to Newton’s Laws, Static Equilibrium
Chapter 7: Energy, Work, and Power
Chapter 8: Conservation of Mechanical Energy
2nd Nine Weeks Chapter 9: Linear Momentum, Collisions, Center of Mass
Chapter 6.5 Uniform Circular Motion
Chapter 10: Rotational Kinetic Energy
Chapter 11: Torque and Rotational Statics
Chapter 12: Gravitation
Chapter 13: Oscillations
Chapter 14: Waves and Sound
Chapter 15: Properties of Fluids
3rd Nine Weeks
Chapter 16: Temperature and Heat
Chapter 17: Ideal Gases and Kinetic Theory
Chapter 18: Laws of Thermodynamics

Chapter 19: Electrical Charge, Forces, Fields, and Flux; Coulombs Law; Charging by Induction
Chapter 20: Electric Potential, Electric Potential Energy, Equipotential Surface
Chapter 19.2: Insulators and Conductors
4th Nine Weeks
Chapter 20: Capacitors, Electrical Energy Storage
Chapter 21: Fundamentals of Electrical Circuits

AGREEMENT
I, ___________________________ ( print student name ), have read the above statements and agree to abide by
the terms in order to succeed in Dr. York’s classroom.

Student Signature: ___________________________________________ Date: ____________

Parent/Guardian Signature: ____________________________________ Date: ____________

Parent Email: ______________________________________ Daytime Phone: _____________