September 24, 2012 (week 4)

AP Physics 12 - Reminder of the chapter 2/3 test this week.  We have started chapter 29 & 30 on Quantum Physics.  We have learned about Bohr's Hydrogen atomic model and energy levels.  Next topic will be to understand the photoelectric effect and its practical applications.

Physics 12 - Reminder of the chapter 2/3 test this week.  We will get started with chapter 4 Dynamics which is the study of forces.

Physics 11 - Reminder of the kinematics test this week.  We will now learn how to solve problems involving accelerated motion and how that motion is depicted in graphical form.

September 17, 2012 (week 3)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will finish chapter Kinematics in 2 dimensions.  We will also start Quantum Physics.

Physics 12 - We will be finishing chapter 3 Kinematics in 2 dimensions.  Reminder of the chapter 2/3 test on September 25.

Physics 11 - We are continuing our study of Kinematics (motion) and graphs related to motion.  Kinematics test on September 25.

September 10, 2012 (week 2)

AP Physics 12 - We will start chapter 3 Kinematics in 2 dimensions (projectile motion)

Physics 12 - We will start chapter 3 Kinematics in 2 dimensions (projectile motion)

Physics 11 - We are studying Kinematics (the study of motion).

Tuesday, September 4, 2012 (week 1)

Welcome back to school everyone.  I hope that you had a terrific summer vacation and feel rested, re-charged, and ready to work and to learn.   Let's get things started by making a commitment to yourself that you will attend all classes and complete all assignments to the best of your ability.  What more can I ask...

AP Physics 12 - We begin the year with a very quick review of kinematics equations and graphs.  This is mostly review from physics 11 but we will have an opportunity to look at old AP exam questions and how the AP exam requires students to truly understand the concepts.  Anyone who has succeeded by simply plugging and chugging numbers into equations provided on the formula sheet is going to be in for a bit of an awakening.  In fact, the first half of the AP exam does NOT allow formula sheets or calculators!

Physics 12 - We will begin the year with a brief review of kinematics equations and graphs from physics 11.  We will try out the new iPad's and Vernier app to analyze motion and graphs.

Physics 11 - Welcome to senior physics!  We begin the course by reviewing some very fundamental and foundational math skills including metric units, algebra and trigonometry.  We will rely upon these math skills heavily in physics 11.  Then we will get started studying Kinematics, the study of motion.

Order of topics for the junior science classes:
Science 10 - Will start with the chemistry unit.
Science 9 - Will start with the biology unit.
Science 8 - Will start with the biology unit.

June 4, 2012 (week 37)

This week I am away grading AP Physics Exams in Kansas City.  Students in all classes will be reviewing and completing homework in preparation for their final tests.

AP Physics 12 - studying for the chapter 21/22 test on June 11.

Physics 12 - studying for the chapter 21/22 test on June 11.

Physics 11 - practice final exams.  The actual final exams for physics 11 take place in class on June 11 and June 12.  The final exam consists of 25 multiple choice questions, with the emphasis on terms 2 and 3 topics which include energy and momentum, thermal energy, nuclear energy, special relativity, Universal Gravitation and a bit of kinematics and dynamics from term 1.

May 28, 2012 (week 36)

AP Physics 12 - Students will review and complete homework in preparation for the chapter 20 circuits test on May 31.

Physics 12 - Reminder of the chapte 21 Magnetism test on May 28.  This week we will complete chapter 22 electromagnetism.

Physics 11 - this week students will make their nuclear physics presentations.

May 22, 2012 (week 35)

AP Physics 12 - reminder of the chapter 18/19 test on May 25.

Physics 12 - This week we will finish chapter 21 Magnetism and get started with chapter 22 Electromagnetism.

Physics 11 - This week we will watch a few videos on nuclear energy and technology.  Reminder that groups must be ready to make their presentations on May 24.

May 14, 2012 (week 34)

AP Physics 12 - Reminder of the 3 hour AP Physics Exam at 11:45 AM on May 14.  Regular classes will resume May 23.

Physics 12 - this week we will learn about magnetic force on current-carrying wires and the magnetic field inside a solenoid.

Physics 11 - this week we will be in the library conducting research on our projects related to nuclear energy and technologies.  Presentations take place during the week of May 22 and groups must be ready to present by this date.

May 7, 2012 (week 33)

AP Physics 12 - this week we will prepare for the AP Physics Exam which takes place next week.

Physics 12 - We are starting chapter 21 Magnetism.

Physics 11 - This week we will learn about nuclear reactors and in particular the CANDU style reactor, and options for managing nuclear waste.

April 30, 2012 (week 32)

AP Physics 12 - We will complete chapter 22 Electromagnetism and get started with our review in preparation for the AP Physics Exam.

Physics 12 - We will be finishing up chapter 20 DC Circuits.  Expect the chapter 20 test on May 4.

Physics 11 - This week we begin our final unit on nuclear energy and technologies.

April 23, 2012 (week 31)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will try to finish up chapter 22 Electromagnetism

Physics 12 - We are currently studying chapter 20 DC circuits

Physics 11 - We have the chapter 18 Optics test and then we will get started with the final unit on Nuclear energy and technologies.

April 16, 2012 (week 30)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will study chapter 21 Magnetism.

Physics 12 - We are currently working in chapter 20 CD Circuits. Students should be reading the text and working on the textbook problems.

Physics 11 - This week we will study chapter 18.2 Lenses. We will also do a lab activity involving convex lens.

April 10, 2012 (week 29)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will learn about RC Circuits, circuits with resistors and capacitors. We will also try to get started with chapter 21 Magnetism. Only 8 classes left and we need to complete chapters 20, 21 and 22. Keep up the good work everyone!

Physics 12 - This week we begin chapter 20 DC Circuits. Reminder of the chapter 18/19 Test on April 12.

Physics 11 - We are starting chapter 18 Optics. Students will learn how images are formed by curved mirrors and lenses.

April 2, 2012 (week 28)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will finish chapter 19 Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy. Our next topic is chapter 20 DC Circuits.

Physics 12 - This week we will continue to work on chapter 19 Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy. Stick with it guys, this is an abstract topic that many students find challenging.

Physics 11 - Reminder of the chapter 14/17 Test on April 3. This week we begin chapter 18 Optics. We will learn how light behaves as it reflects from curved mirrors and passes through curved lenses.

March 26, 2012 (week 27)

Welcome back from spring break. We are in the home stretch now. Keep up with your good study and work habits and we will finish this year on a strong note!

AP Physics 12 - We have started chapter 19 Electric Potential. This week we will learn about the relationship between work and energy and electric fields.

Physics 12 - We will finish up with chapter 18 electrostatic forces and fields. Then we'll begin chapter 19 on electric potential.

Physics 11 - We have started chapter 17 on Reflection and Refraction of light. We will do a lab activity on Snell's law this week.

March 12, 2012 (week 26)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will finish up chapter 18 Electrostatic forces and fields. Then we begin chapter 19 Electric Potential (voltage). Students should visit the APCentral website and download old AP Physics exams to begin practicing and reviewing for the 3 hour exam in May.

Physics 12 - This week we will finish up chapter 18 electrostatic forces and fields.

Physics 11 - We will be finishing chapter 14 waves and getting started with chapter 17 Reflection and Refraction of Light Waves.

March 5, 2012 (week 25)

AP Physics 12 - We have started chapter 18 Electrostatic Forces and Fields. Students should be reading chapter 18, looking over the example problems and completing the end of chapter review problems.

Physics 12 - We have started chapter 18 Electrostatic Forces and Fields. Students should be reading chapter 18, looking over the example problems and completing the end of chapter review problems.

Physics 11 - We have started chapter 14 Waves. Students should be reading the text and completing the practice problems as well as the end of chapter review problems.

February 27, 2012 (week 24)

AP Physics 12 - Reminder of our term 2 test on February 28. We have started chapter 18 Electrostatic forces and fields.

Physics 12 - Reminder of the term 2 test on February 27. This week we will get started with chapter 18 Electrostatic forces and fields.

Physics 11 - Reminder of the term 2 test on February 27. We are starting chapter 14 Waves.

February 20, 2012 (week 23)

AP Physics 12 - Reminder of the chapter 9 torque test on February 21, then we'll get started with chapter 18 Electrostatic forces and fields. We'll also try to review a bit for the term 2 exam on Feb 28.

Physics 12 - Reminder of the chapter 9 Torque test this week, then we'll do some review for the term two exam on February 28.

Physics 11 - We will finish up with Einstein's Special Relativity and do some review in preparation for the term two exam on February 28.

February 13, 2012 (week 22)

AP Physics 12 - This week we will continue our studies in chapter 9 Torque and Equilibrium. Reminder of the chapter 9 test on Feb 20 and the term 2 exam on Feb 28.

Physics 12 - We are currently studying chapter 9 Torque and Equilibrium. Reminder of the chapter 9 test on Feb 20 and the term 2 exam on Feb 28.

Physics 11 - Reminder of the chapter 12 test on Feb 13. This week we will learn about Albert Einstein's Special Theory of Relativity.