PHYSICS 1 & HONORS PHYSICS COURSE SYLLABUS

Teacher Information
Name; Dr. Nmaobi Uzochukwu
Phone #:404 802 4600 (school)
404 349-1229 (home)
E-mail: nuzochukwu@atlanta.k12.ga.us
Education and Certification:
Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Masters, Education Specialist and Doctorate
Fields of Study: Physics, Education, Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership
Experience: 30 years teaching
Certification: Georgia T-7and L-7, National Board Certified (2003).
Text: Physics Principles and Problems by Paul W. Zitzewitz; Publishers
Glencoe/McGraw-Hill Inc, 2002.
Parent/Teacher Conferences: Thursdays 3:30 P.M. 4:00 P.M.
Tutoring: Thursdays 4:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M
Course Description
The physics curriculum continues students investigations of the physical sciences that
began in Grades K-8 following a vertical instructional framework of the Atlanta Public School
system. The course is designed to provide students with the necessary knowledge and skills in
physics. Physics extends the physical sciences to more abstract concepts including interactions of
matter and energy, velocity, acceleration, forces, energy, momentum, and charge. These concepts
are investigated through laboratory experiences and fieldwork designed for students to develop
appropriate knowledge and skills in science as inquiry.
Outcome and Expectations in Accordance with Georgia Performance Standards
At the end of this course students should be able to:
1 Design and conduct scientific investigations (GPS, SLO SCSh1).
2 Apply standard safety practices for all classroom laboratory and field investigations GPS,
SLO SCSh2).
3 Use appropriate scientific tools and technology to observe, collect, record, organize,
analyze, interpret, conclude, write, and present the results of scientific investigations
clearly and accurately GPS, SLO SCSh3, 4, 5, 6).
4 Read scientific materials to establish context for subject matter, develop vocabulary and
to be aware of current research (GPS, SLO SCSh9).
5 Measure, calculate, analyze and explain the relationships among force, mass, gravity, and
motion of objects; including in a state of static equilibrium (GPS, SLO SP1: SCSH1-8).
6 Evaluate and explain the significance of energy in understanding the structure of matter
and the universe as it relates to energies of fusion and fission (GPS, SLO SCSh6, 9:
SP2).
7 Evaluate and explain the forms, transformations and conservation of energy using the
components of work-energy theorem, momentum, work, and power (GPS,SLO SP3:
SCSh1-8).

Analyze the properties of waves and processes involved in energy transfer of waves
including electromagnetic waves (GPS, SLO SP4).
9 Describe the transformations between mechanical, electrical and magnetic energies (GPS,
SLO SP5).
10 Evaluate relationships between electrical & magnetic forces (GPS, SLO, GPS).
11 Describe the corrections to Newtonian physics given by quantum mechanics and
relativity when matter is very small, moving fast compared to the speed of light, or very
large. (GPS, SLO SP6).
Course Outline and Pacing Guide
Semester 1
Chapter
1
2, 3 & 4

Number of Days
Topic
45
The Science of Physics
5
Motion in one dimension
2
Accelerated Motion
3
Benchmark Test 1
1
3
Two-dimensional motion and Vectors
3
4
Forces & Newtons Laws of motion
3
Benchmark Test 2
1
10 & 11
Work, Energy & Simple Machines
5
9
Momentum and Collisions
2
Benchmark Test 3
1
7
Rotational Motion & Law of Gravity
2
8
Rotational Equilibrium & Dynamics
3
12
Thermal Energy & Thermodynamics
4
Benchmark Test 4
1
Labs
8
Examinations
2
Semester 2
13
States of Matter
13
Fluid Mechanics
Benchmark Test 1
14
Vibrations and Waves
15
Sound
16, 17, 18, 19 Light and Optics
Benchmark Test 2
20 &21
Electric Fields and Forces
22 & 23
Current Electricity
24, 25, 26
Magnetism
Benchmark Test 3
28 & 30
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Benchmark Test 4
Labs
Examinations

45
2
4
1
5
2
6
1
3
3
3
1
3
1
8
2

There will be at least 5 mini lab and 5 full lab activities each semester, and daily demos to
illustrate concepts.
LABORATORY REPORTS AND PROCEDURES
Lab reports are due at the beginning of the first class period following the completion of an
experiment. All lab reports will be reported in the notebook.
The following will contain the following headings:
1 Title: As given by the teacher.
2 Purpose: a concise statement of the purpose of the experiment.
3 Hypothesis: A statement of what you predict to be the outcome of the experiment based
on previous knowledge. You must give a logical reason for your guess this makes it
educated or intelligent.
4 Material: A list of all the materials and equipment used for the experiment.
5 Procedure: A concise, step by step description of the methods used.
6 Results: A completed data table of final readings or numerical observations/calculations
made during the experiment. Results include graphs and drawings where required.
7 Analysis Questions: These questions help to guide understanding of the concepts being
investigated and to make proper inferences from the results.
8 Conclusions: A brief summary of the results of the experiment including successes and
failures. It is usually not more than two cogent sentences that may include answers to
analysis questions.
A lab report must be coherent, neat, legible and organized in the format presented above. Each
step carries 10 points except for the Results which carries 20 points. Failure to follow the format
will result in the loss of the allotted points. Also read the Rubric for details on hoe points are
awarded for each subheading.
Projects
There are four required projects for the entire year; two per semester. One class period each will
be allotted for the research in the school media center and the rest of the work completed as
homework. Rubrics and deadlines are provided to guide the students as they work on their
project. The projects for this year are:
1 Rube Goldberg Machine:
Students are expected to use several simple machines to build a compound machine that
can accomplish a certain task for example, stick a spoon in your mouth and feed you
automatically.
2

Torque
Hang objects of different masses on a dowel and arrange it for the torques to balance
when hung vertically. Going above and beyond to make calculations will earn extra
points. As stipulated in the rubric

Newtons Laws of Motion

Each student is assigned one of Newtons laws of motion, or the Universal Gravitational
Law. From research information, students prepare their class presentation, (power-point
or poster board) following the outlines on the rubric.

Fluid Mechanics
Students are assigned one of the principles of Fluid Mechanics (Pascals, Archimedes,
Bernoullis), to research and prepare a class presentation using the outlines on the rubric.

Other
A student may choose to build something of interest to him/her that will illustrate a
physics concept and present it to the class. This may take the place of one of the projects
or used as an extra credit.

Safety Rules and Procedures

All safety guidelines discussed in class and written in the contract apply at all times in the lab.
Horseplay is absolutely not allowed. Any student involved in this will be removed from the lab
and will neither be allowed to complete the experiment nor make it up.
Classroom Rules:
Students are expected to follow all district and school rules. Specific classroom rules are posted
at the front of the class. Special rules will be issued for laboratory activities. In addition to these
rules, all Washington High School rules apply.
o
o
o

Be Respectful
Be On Time
Be Willing to learn

NO EATING OR DRINKING IN CLASS, THIS INCLUDES CHEWING GUM.

Students must come to class prepared to learn this includes having all the necessary material
(textbook, workbook, notebook, calculator, paper, pencils, etc.) and assignments completed and
ready to turn in. Points will be deducted for any work that is not turned in on the date it is due.
Offense
First Offense
Second Offense
Third Offense
Severe Class Disruption

Consequence
Verbal warning/Phone call to parents
Phone call to parents; Referral to Center for Success
Phone call to parents; Parent Conference
Immediate removal from class and referral to office

Requirements
Students are required to take notes in class and therefore, they need to come prepared with their
pens, pencils and notebooks. Students write in pen (blue or black) and draw in pencil. Students
should be ready for pop quizzes given any day in the week. Formal lab reports will be
completed for all labs. Tests will be given at the end of each unit. Science Projects will be
required as part of the learning process through independent investigations. Team work is basic
in class; students are for the most part required to work cooperatively.
Supplies:
1 Three-subject notebook with pockets
2 Black or blue pens
3 Pencils
Grade Determination
Participation
Homework
Tests
Quizzes
Labs/Projects
Total

4. A protractor
5. A metric ruler
6. A scientific calculator
Grading Scale

20 %
10%
30%
20%
20%
100%

90 -100%
80-89%
70-79%
below 70%

A
B
C
F

Resource for Parents

PROGRESS REPORT/DEFICIENCY NOTICE
A Deficiency Notice/Progress Report and Report Cards will be sent home on the following
dates:
Progress/Mid Semester Report
Report Card
October 14
January 8
March 23
June 3
Parents please mark these dates on your calendar and make sure you collect these notices from
your child. It is essential that you get this piece of information to be better able to work with the
teacher to help your child in the area he/she is lacking or not successful. Parents should contact
the teacher by phone or e-mail if they have concerns and/or questions.
Make-Up Work
See student handbook for make-up policy. Make-up work will NOT be given during classes.
Make-up tests and quizzes may be different from the original but they will test the same
concepts. The absent student is responsible for all class assignments during his/her absence.
Extra Help
The teacher is glad and very willing to help students with any material they have difficulty
comprehending and/or mastering. This would be during the teachers free time during lunch, and
officially on Thursdays after school from 4:00 P.M. 5:00 P.M.

Late Work
Homework will be accepted one day late with a penalty of 50%. Projects and lab reports will
carry a penalty per school day late as follows: 20% each day late.
Cheating
Cheating on a test or quiz is automatically a zero grade. Cell phones are not to be visible
during a test. It has been noticed that some students send text messages back and forth
during tests. If a student is caught with a phone during a test, he/she will not be allowed to
continue with the test and automatically gets a zero grade. To avoid the temptation of
texting questions and answers to each other, the teacher will offer the opportunity for the
students to turn in their cell phones to her before the tests starts and pick them up at the
end of the test.
Special Note to Parents
I wish to thank you for allowing me to be part of your childs education this school year. I would
like to use this opportunity to dispel the myth that physics is hard and therefore is for a few. I am
an advocate of Physics for All. I love physics, and I will share this love with your children.
This is one subject that makes you smart; you learn how everything works. I know it is
challenging, requiring extra time and dedication because you have to think, but it is a fun subject.
I appeal to you to please help us by making sure our homework is done, projects are completed
on time, lab reports are turned in, and teacher is contacted when there is need. Also feel free to
visit us any day even without notice, we will be glad to have you.
Signatures of Acknowledgement:
We the undersigned, have read, reviewed, and agree to support all the expectations required for
the successful completion of this course during the 2015-201 academic year. We are aware of all
academic policies (for Washington and APS) and the opportunities for assistance in the Physical
Science class. We will utilize these resources for the maximum benefit of our child. Should we
have any questions or concerns, we acknowledge that we are aware of how to contact the teacher.
Parent/s

Date..

Student:.

Date

Dr. N. Uzochukwu..
Science Teacher, B. T. Washington High School

Please fill out this information sheet, sign and return it to the teacher with the signed
syllabus

STUDENT & PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION SHEET

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