This course is designed to prepare any student for the next level of Physics. Throughout the entire course, students will be required to think critically, analyze real world problems and learn how to become better problem solvers through a unique approach to online learning. The course covers all major topics of any college level Physics course with the exception of Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics and Modern Physics. Assignments require a knowledge of the concepts as well as the mathematics behind the content. Many of the topics include interactive assignments which have the student looking at a short video clip of a real world object. Measurements are made directly from the video and students must apply the concepts and math skills learned in the lesson to solve the problem. Also used in many of the lessons are quick simulations and physics animations with links provided so a greater level of understanding can be achieved.
This course includes:
- 15 UNITS
- 61 PHYSICS WORKSHEETS/ASSIGNMENTS WITH COUNTERPART ANSWER SHEETS
- 61 VIDEO LESSONS
- 61 EXERCISE REVIEW VIDEOS (I explain step by step how to reach the correct answer)
- OVER 450 PRACTICE PROBLEMS AND STEP BY STEP SOLUTIONS
- 15 UNIT ASSESSMENTS
- OVER 51 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES (Extra practice problems with solutions and Interactive Problems with worked out solutions)
- OVER 24 HOURS OF VIDEO-LESSONS
Course Goals
Upon course completion, you will learn how to think critically and approach problem solving systematically. You will be able to relate general Physics topics to real world situations and analyze everyday things with the concepts and mathematical models learned. The skills learned in the course will make you successful and confident in other science and math courses as well as college level Physics.
Target Audience
This video-course is primarily intended for students wanting to pursue a career in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Course Requirements
Students taking this course will need to have completed Algebra II or an equally rigorous course with basic covering of Trigonometry.
COURSE TOPICS
Unit 1. Force, Motion, and Free Body Diagrams
This unit explores the basics behind different kinds of forces, how forces cause motion and how to represent the forces acting on an object to discuss the net force acting on the object. Forces will be discussed in the situation of equilibrium and how different forces balance out and cause the object to either remain at rest or move with constant speed. Friction will also be explored in detail.
Unit 2. Motion in One Dimension
This unit explores objects that undergo constant acceleration. Displacement, velocity, and acceleration are the main topics within this unit and students will required to solve for the motion of an object using the kinematic equations for motion taking place in either the horizontal or vertical direction.
Unit 3. Vectors and Trigonometry
This unit review the basics of the right triangle and how to break a vector into components to be added together.
Unit 4. Motion in Two Dimensions (Projectile Motion)
In this unit, motion is now taking place both horizontally and vertically as the object is launched through the air and allowed to fall freely to the ground. Equations of constant acceleration will be used to solve for time of travel, maximum height or range as well as final velocity of the object.
Unit 5. Force and Newton’s Laws of Motion
This unit revisits the ideas of force, but now explores situations in which the object is accelerating. Situations where forces are angled, objects on incline planes and systems of objects will also be covered and discussed using Newton’s 3 Laws of Motion.
Unit 6. Circular Motion and Gravitation
In this unit, Newton's laws of motion and kinematic principles are applied to describe and explain the motion of objects moving in circles; specific applications are made to roller coasters, masses on string and cornering. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation is then presented and utilized to explain the circular motion of planets and satellites.
Unit 7. Work, Energy, and Power
In this unit, concepts of work, kinetic energy and potential energy are discussed; these concepts are combined with the work-energy theorem to provide a convenient means of analyzing an object or system of objects moving between an initial and final state.
Unit 8. Impulse and Momentum
This unit discusses the impulse-momentum change theorem and the law of conservation of momentum are introduced, explained and applied to the analysis of collisions of objects.
Unit 9. Rotational Motion
This unit covers topics for an object that is rotating. Kinematics, force, energy and momentum will be revisited but using angular definitions instead such as angular velocity and acceleration, torque, angular momentum and moment of inertia.
Unit 10. Simple Harmonic Motion
This unit discusses the periodic motion of a mass on a string and on a spring. The object’s motion will be discussed in terms of force and energy and equations of periodic motion will be derived.
Unit 11. Electrostatics
In this unit, the basic principles of electrostatics are introduced in order to explain how objects become charged and to describe the effect of those charges on other objects in the neighboring surroundings. Charging methods, electric fields, electric force and electric potential energy and potential are among the topics discussed in this unit.
Unit 12. Circuits
This unit discusses the flow of charge through electric circuits is discussed in detail. The variables which cause and restrict the rate of charge flow are explained and Ohm’s Law and electrical power principles are used to solve series, parallel and combination circuits. Capacitor circuits and resistor – capacitor circuits are also discussed.
Unit 13. Magnetism
This unit looks at how charges and current carrying wires interact and create magnetic fields and apply magnetic force. Magnetic flux and induced EMF and current is also discussed using Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law.
Unit 14. Waves and Sound
This topic explores the nature, properties and behaviors of waves and the unique nature of a standing wave is introduced and explained. Also, the nature of sound as a longitudinal, mechanical pressure wave is explained and the properties of sound are discussed. Wave principles of resonance and standing waves are applied in an effort to analyze the physics of musical instruments.
Unit 15. Optics
This unit looks at the ray nature of light is used to explain how light reflects and refracts at planar and curved surfaces; Snell's law and refraction principles are used to explain a variety of real-world phenomena; reflection and refraction principles are combined with ray diagrams to explain why mirrors and lenses produce images of objects. Diffraction of light and thin film interference is also dicussed.
