Online Physics: Energy, Forces, & Motion, Investigating

12 students maximum

Prerequisite: Pre-algebra math level is ideal, but not required

Required Materials: A list of required materials (found here) will be posted to Canvas weekly. Materials will be provided electronically; writing supplies and paper may be required; papers may need to be printed. 

Description: Join us as we explore the fascinating subject of physics, the most fundamental and far-reaching of all the sciences! Simply put, physics is the study of how things work. In this hands-on and conceptually based physics course, students discover how things work by participating in intriguing investigations designed to enrich learning. Students will build balloon-powered rockets, catapults, spinning tops, and mousetrap cars as they learn about force, projectile motion, angular momentum, and energy transformations. They will perform engaging experiments involving pendulums and metal springs and participate in the infamous “egg drop” contest as they learn about momentum and impulse. Most importantly, students will learn how physics works in their everyday lives. Covering everything from the physics behind amusement park rides to improving your performance in sports or winning your next water balloon toss contest, the basic concepts of physics become clear when they are applied to everyday experiences!

During the fall session, lessons will focus on energy, forces, and motion. Topics covered will include the following: Newton’s laws of motion; force, inertia; the center of mass; velocity, speed, and acceleration; mass and weight; gravity; circular motion; centripetal force; centripetal acceleration; free fall and terminal velocity; static and kinetic friction; projectile motion; momentum and impulse; periodic motion; pendulums and springs; simple harmonic motion; potential and kinetic energy; rotational motion and torque. Students will be expected to take notes and participate in class activities, projects, and investigations.

At-home Work: One hour per week, reading and answering questions, projects, designed to supplement and reinforce the concepts covered in class.

Semester-long class; Spring companion class title: Physics: Light, Sound, Electricity & Magnetism

Monday and Wednesday classes have been moved online for the Fall 2020 session.  For the fall, the session-long (non-high school) classes have been shortened to one hour and reduced to the online price; materials will be provided by families.  We plan to resume in-person classes on Mondays and Wednesdays in the spring.