Physics Introduction Notes

Instructor: Mark Fontenot mfontenot@hbsd.net

I can be found for extra help before school from about 8:00-8:25 am, after school until about 4:00 pm, during my prep period, and other times by appointment. Or drop me an email and I will eventually reply. Don’t even look for me on Facebook! I encourage you to seek one-on-one help whenever you feel a little lost. It is something that most successful science students do frequently.

Course Description

Subject: Physics is the study of the fundamental laws of nature. It is concerned with the rules and patterns that underlie all of physical reality. The other branches of science should truly be called branches, because they sprout from physics, but physics is the trunk of the tree of scientific knowledge and inquiry. I guarantee you that this course will challenge you as well as cause you to view the world differently, and that you will come to understand what I mean when I say that physics is everywhere and everything.

Grading

The approximate breakdown of your grade in this course will be as follows: • Labs and other activities- 25% of overall grade • Homework and in-class participation and paperwork-25% of overall grade. • Tests and quizzes-50% of overall grade.

There will be a final exam given each semester that makes up a significant part of the test part of your grade. You can expect homework three nights a week. Small quizzes can be expected weekly. Larger unit tests will happen about once a month, or whenever we finish the units outlined on the syllabus. Labs are less predictable, but on average might happen once every couple of weeks.

Materials

You will need the following materials with you when the bell rings to start class EVERY DAY: • A scientific calculator of your own. • Notebook dedicated to this course alone, so that it can be handed-in (not containing stuff you need for other classes). Laptop • Pocket folder dedicated to this course alone, so you always know where your in-progress work is, and have a place to keep handed-back work for later reference. • A writing utensil of your very own.

Rules

The school rules are spelled-out in detail in your student handbook. My classroom rules are much simpler, but I do want to emphasize that it takes a constant effort on everyone’s part to maintain an environment where learning is possible for us all, and where much valuable time is not wasted.

• Be on time and prepared for this class. • Be respectful. • Messing around off-task in lab can be extremely dangerous, besides being a waste of time. IT WILL NOT BE TOLERATED. On the first instance of unsafe behavior in a lab or field trip environment, you will leave the lab, or wait out the trip in the van, and will not be given the opportunity to make-up for your missed experience. No second chances.

Late Work Policy:

Simple. To receive full credit you must hand your work in when it is due. Work is accepted one day late, but will receive at most half credit. Later than one day, work will not be accepted unless you have had an excused absence. Basically, if you want credit for your work, then do it and hand it in on time.