S+Bemis,+Julia

Introduction to Physics **Syllabus**

Newton’s discoveries and inventions were the basis of a new type of science known as physics. The goal of this unit is for students to know and be able to apply Newton's Three Laws of Motion. Students will learn how to use these laws along with their other knowledge of force and motion. Students will discover who Sir Isaac Newton was and what affects his research had on the scientific community. They will also see how Newton used research and data of other scientist in order to formulate these laws. Students will also explore how changes in the mass and acceleration of an object changes the force the object exerts, both on earth and in different gravitational fields. From this unit’s lessons and labs students will be able to see how Newton’s Three Laws of Motion can be applied to there every day actions, they will also see how the laws apply to space travel. In the end students will demonstrate their knowledge by creating and taping an experiment that demonstrates one of these three laws. Students will gain an appreciation for the Laws of Motion, which were developed in 1687, and are still applicable today. ||
 * Teacher:** Ms. Julia Bemis
 * Office:** Room 173
 * Office Phone:** 207-778-0703
 * Office Hours:** MWF 8-11 TTh 12-3
 * E-mail:** julia.bemis@maine.edu
 * =__ Summary of Unit __ = ||

Grade 9-Diploma Students understand that the laws of force and motion are the same across the universe. a. Describe the contribution of Newton to our understanding of force and motion, and give examples of and apply Newton's three laws of motion.
 * __ Established Goals: __//Maine//** **//Learning Result//**
 * Science and Technology- D. The Physical Setting**
 * D4. Force and Motion**
 * D4. Force and Motion**

//**Students will understand…**// •Newton's three laws of motion are the same across the universe. •Each law can be explained and shown with an everyday example. •Newton's three laws of motion impacted our understanding of force and motion.
 * __ Understandings: __**

• How do Newton's three laws apply to everyday actions as well as the universe? • How will changing the mass, acceleration, and outside forces on an object impact each Law? • Why did these laws impact our understanding of the universe?
 * __ Essential Questions: __**

//**Students will know…**// •Formula: F=ma, and how to use it. •Terminology: Force, acceleration, motion, and how they relate. •Critical Details: How to explain and use the three laws, what everyday forces effect motion. •Important events and people: When discovery was made, when it was accepted, who Newton was, Laws of Conservation, Aristotle, Galileo, Inertia

//**Students will be able to do…**// •a. Describe the contribution of Newton to our understanding of force and motion. •Translate the three laws into their own words. •Design an experiment to show Newton's three laws of motion. •Infer what will happen if you change one of the variables. •Relate the three laws to each other and their other knowledge of force and motion. •Realize that the laws can be used anywhere in the universe and know why. || As a research scientist in another universe you have come across an interesting paper on Newton’s Three Laws of Motion, you believe these laws to be true but your boss does not agree. The department you work in does research on other planets’ scientific accomplishments and in order to keep departmental funding and continue your research on the planet Earth you must make them believe these laws are true. Your task is to design an experiment that will prove that one of the laws is true, and can be used on your planet. To make your scientific community believe that your research is worthwhile you must create a video to present your research, it must include information about who Newton was, shows your experiment, and explains why your experiment works on your planet. You and your colleagues will be presenting your research in front of your boss and the company's board of directors, in order to gain the required funding to continue your research. ||
 * __ Performance Task: __**

This will be an activity based class, so involvement and asking questions will be crucial. In order to participate, attendance will be important. If you are not in attendance there will be a chance to make up the assignments for that day, but understand that you can never fully make up the knowledge you missed from not attending a class. Students with unexcused absences will be unable to do make up work.
 * =__ Expectations __ = ||

Assignments are required to be turned in on time and to be complete, unless arrangements have been made prior to the due date. Late assignments will be accepted but ten points will be taken off for each day they are past the due date. If you are absent the day an assignment is due a version should be submitted via email on that day and a hard copy must be turned in the day you get back. Anyone without email access or if the assignment is not in digital form is excused from submitting a copy via email. Most assignments will have the opportunity to be resubmitted if they are turned in on time. All resubmissions must be turned in with the original assignment and graded rubric, along with a written summary of what was changed and why.

Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated and students who do so will receive an automatic zero on their assessment and be reported to the Main Office. Some say that copying is the greatest form of flattery, but you must remember to cite your sources and do your own work. ||

After every lab you will be required to answer the discussion questions and any other questions at the end of the lab. You can also use the blog to ask any questions or make comments that relate to the topic we are discussing. After each lab assessment you will have to find an example on the web (i.e. video, article) that relates to the lab. Everyone will have a chance to read each others blog entries and make comments and suggestions on how to improve them. In order to know who Newton was a person in groups you will be creating either a Wikispace or a blog. You will be using a WebQuest to answer questions and write an article on Newton’s life and discoveries. Each law will be rewritten in your own words and illustrated with an example. You will use either Comic Life or PhotoShop to create your final illustrations. Each law must be in your own words, and accurately explain each of the three laws. You will be required to draw or show a picture of at least one example of each law. In order to relate the Three Laws of Motion to other scientific knowledge you will be creating a Wiki page. You will relate each law to a given topic, write up a summary of what you have learned and add graphics You will relate your daily activities to Newton’s Three laws of Motion and create an Inspiration diagram of them. You will then create a blog entry describing your diagram. The understanding of Newton's Three Laws of Motion will be shown by creating an experiment and producing a movie that shows and explains one of the three laws. The video and presentation will be the final assessment for the unit. Since this unit is going to have many labs and student led discussions and discovery, participation is going to be very important. You will need to work with your lab groups, do the research that is required, and ask as many questions as you can think of. Being in class will be important, but make up assignments will be given to those with excused absences. ||
 * =__ Benchmarks __ = ||
 * Below is the point value for each section of the unit. Your final grade for the unit will be based on the percentage of points earned for each benchmark out of 200 points total.**
 * //Student Blogs: (30 points)//**
 * //Student Blogs: (30 points)//**
 * //Article on Newton: (20 points)//**
 * //Three Laws Illustrations: (20 points)//**
 * //Class Wiki: (20 points)//**
 * //My Day According to Newton//**
 * //Performance Task: Video and Presentation (90 points)//**
 * //Participations (10 points)//**

The basis for the academic achievement mark is the teacher’s evaluation of the quality of the student’s performance in a subject. A student must achieve a rank of at least 60 (D-) in order to receive credit for that subject. A+ (98-100) C+(77-79) A (95-97) C (74-76) A- (90-94) C- (70-73) B+ (87-89) D+ (67-69) B (84-86) D (64-66) B- (80-83) D- (60-63) F (59 and below) ||
 * =__ Grading Scale __ = ||
 * Grade Scale:**