Moravian Academy
Dr. Lawlis
Physics is a fundamental science that creates a foundation for other natural sciences. It describes the interactions between matter and energy, predicts particle trajectories, provides a foundation for sound, light and electromagnetism, and explains the natural world around us. We will be focusing on a wide range of topics in Physics, and although the course will involve the use of math up to Algebra 2, it is considered to be introductory in nature. Labs will be a significant part of the course, as will reports that involve scientific writing.
Scoring rubric
| Exams | 20% |
| Homework | 20% |
| Labs (Excel) | 20% |
| Projects | 20% |
| Semester Exams | 20% |
Late assignments
Written assignments and/or data analysis will be turned in through Google Classroom. Any homework not turned in by the deadline will receive a late penalty. There will be two late homework exemptions per semester, but students must turn in an assignment to use them. Homework that has not been turned in after two weeks will receive no credit. Exception: Students may receive additional time if they have an excused absence (e.g. medical appointment or illness).
Software used in this course
We will make use of Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets for data analysis. Venier's Logger Pro will be used for data acquisition, as well as the program ImageJ for image analysis. Some lab reports, particularly those involving calculations, will be handwritten, while others will be submitted on a Google Doc, which will be turned in on Google Classroom.
Absences
If you are absent from class, you are still responsible for finding out what material you may have missed in class. It is up to you to make up any work you might have missed. If you miss a test, you may be given a different version of the test with questions of similar difficulty. It is expected that missed tests should be made up within a couple days of returning to school.
Cell phone policy
I will be collecting cell phones for the duration of class. Phones may not be used as a calculator, to access Google Classroom, or for any of the other activities you are accustomed to. Please be sure to take your phone at the end of class.
Academic Integrity Policy
Moravian Academy has implemented a new academic integrity policy, which covers incidents of cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized sources such as artificial intelligence or answer keys, etc. In physics, such infractions may include sharing Excel workbooks, homework assignments, worksheets, project work or test answers. Examples may also include consulting or using labs or tests from previous years, asking a student from another section what is on a test, or storing information on your calculator. A link to Moravian Academy's Academic Integrity Policy can be found here.