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2. California Colleges and Universities Say... All students preparing for a baccalaureate education should take one year of biology, one year of chemistry, and one year of physics at the secondary level. [Emphasis added.] From the Statement of Preparation in Natural Sciences Expected of Entering Freshmen, prepared by the Academic Senates of the UC, CSU, and CCC universities and colleges.
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DESCRIPTION: Physics begins with an M as we explore the mysteries,
magic, and myths surrounding motion, Newton's laws, momentum,
energy, heat, electricity, magnetism, waves, sound, light, and
wave optics. Hands-on laboratory work, demonstrations, and classroom
discussions are the core of the course. Some math is used, but
the emphasis is placed on conceptual understanding and real world
applications. This course should be elected by anyone planning
to go to college. It must be completed successfully by anyone
wishing to enroll in Advanced Placement Physics. The current textbook
is Conceptual
Physics: The High School Physics Program by Paul G. Hewitt,
2nd Edition, 1992, Addison-Wesley.
AP PHYSICS 2
Grades: 11-12 Prerequisites: "B" or better grade
in Physics I, completion or enrollment in. Pre-Calculus. Chemistry
is not a prerequisite.
DESCRIPTION: Physics continues with more M's as we continue our exploration of the mysteries, magic, and myths surrounding projectiles, forces, harmonic motion and resonance, rotation, thermodynamics, electricity, circuits, electromagnetism, ray optics, and modern physics. Hands-on laboratory work, demonstrations, and classroom discussions are the core of the course. The course work and expectations match those of an introductory college-level trigonometry-based physics course. Students will be prepared to take the AP Physics B Exam (non-calculus), which is optional. This is considered an honors course for admission to most universities. Upon passage of the AP Exam, students may receive from 5-10 units of credit from most universities. The current textbook is Physics by Eugene Hecht, 1994, Brooks/Cole. (It's now called Physics: Algebra/Trig.)
2. Three-ring binder(s), Two 1-inch (one for each semester) or one 2-inch. You will need a binder reserved only for physics each semester. These binders need to be as sturdy as possible: you bring your physics binder to class every day.
3. A small ruler and protractor. I recommend the ruler-protractor combination. You would be wise to get a one of those little zippered pencil pouch things that can be attached in the 3-ring binder. Those ruler-protractors can be pretty fragile.
4. Paper and Pencils. Paper for taking notes; pencils for doing work. If you are perfect, pen is acceptable. If you ever make mistakes, use pencil. Take notes with whatever makes you happy, but complete labs and other physics work with pencil.
5. AP Physics 2 ONLY: Complete Physics 1 Binder.
The Book of Phyz by Dean Baird is a series of informational pages, labs, homework assignments, demonstration sheets, and video sheets prepared by the instructor for use by physics students at Rio Americano. It is the de facto textbook for our physics courses. This 800+ page project began in 1986; The Book of Phyz has undergone substantial revisions each year since then. Such a "loose-leaf" textbook allows the author to make immediate revisions based on in-class experiences and to incorporate the latest research in physics education.
All documents included in The Book of Phyz were realized on a Macintosh computer-the only system up to the task when the project began and the only system the author would choose to use since then.
"When I work on a PC, I feel like I'm working; when
I work on a Mac, I feel like I'm getting something done."
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