Category Archives: APlusPhysics
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Metric System / Conversions
Intro to Regents Physics
Expectations
My expectations for the year are simple yet far-reaching:
- Come prepared to class each and every day.
- Give me your best effort each and every day.
- Be respectful – to yourself, to your classmates, and to the instructor.
- Conduct yourself in a professional manner.
The following classroom rules should also be observed:
- Giving less than your best at any time will not be tolerated. If you put the effort in, I will MORE than meet you halfway this year. We will embrace a goal of EVERY STUDENT succeeding in physics at the beginning of the year, and we will achieve that goal by the end of the year through effort, dedication, discipline, and teamwork.
- No electronic entertainment devices, non-educational websites, or cell phones are to be used during class time unless authorized as part of the classroom activity and used appropriately. Inappropriate use of technology will result in confiscation of the device and/or loss of computer privileges. If an emergency arises, please seek the instructor’s permission in advance.
- No pants are to be worn below the waist line. A belt will be provided to you should you choose not to comply.
Materials needed for this class:
- Notebook
- Calculator (scientific)
- Binder
- Pen/Pencil
- Enthusiasm and a positive attitude
Homework:
Regents Physics Exam Prep Resources #physicsed #regents #physics
As we close in on the end of our year in high school physics, I thought it’d be helpful to myself (and perhaps to others) to put together a compendium of some of the best Regents/Honors Physics resources to assist students in preparing for their final exams. Without further ado, and in no particular order:
APlusPhysics: Dan Fullerton’s (my) site to assist students and educators specifically around the NY Regents Physics curriculum, which has been expanding and generalizing to curricula outside the state as well. The Regents Physics section of the site, however, is by far the strongest and most complete. This site includes online tutorials covering the entire Regents Physics course, interactive quizzes pulling from a database of hundreds of old Regents Physics Exam questions, video tutorials of every major topic covered by the exam, and is also tied in quite closely with the Regents Physics Essentials review book. In addition, every Regents Physics questions from the past 16 exams has been pulled into worksheets by topic to allow for highly directed practice.
ScienceWithMrNoon: Brendan Noon‘s physics site has a wide variety of great content, including topic-based interactive quizzes and tons of great physics videos. His course calendar, as well, is loaded with tons of great resources by topic!
St. Mary’s Physics: Tony Mangiacapre‘s site, full of great lessons and interactive simulations across the entire Regents Physics curriculum. I’m especially fond of the Photoelectric Effect simulation — makes for a great computer-based lab activity! This site is also closely linked with Tony’s 123physics.com, featuring more than 1300 Regents Physics Exam questions broken down by topic for students to practice, as well as more great videos.
RegentsPrep.org: The Oswego City School District (with Dr. Tom Altman) has pulled together a strong collection of resources broken into Explanations, Demos, Labs, and Quizzes to assist students and educators in preparing for the Regents Physics exam.
Altman Science: The charismatic Dr. Tom Altman provides real-life demonstrations and explanations of physics concepts in action as part of the High School Physics Project. Further, he’s broken down a number of old Regents Exams and walked through solutions to each and every question in video format, page by page. In addition, his laser videos are “wicked cool” as well!
Past Regents Exams: The name says it all — an amazing archive of old Regents Physics exams!
Regents Physics Essentials: I’d feel negligent if I didn’t point out the Regents Physics Essentials review book I put together at student urging a few years back. There are a number of great review books to help students get ready for the exam, but this book takes a slightly different twist by providing students a straightforward, clear explanation of the fundamental concepts and more than 500 sample questions with fully-worked out solutions directly integrated in the text. As stated by my physics teaching cohort in crime at our high school, “the best review book is the one students will actually use,” and this was written to be friendly, fun, and concise. Plus, if students/teachers want extra problems without solutions given, the worksheets are available free online! You can check out the book’s free preview on APlusPhysics or use Amazon’s “Look Inside” feature!
Castle Learning Review Assignments
As we prepare for our comprehensive Regents examination in June, it is important to make sure we are up to speed on material covered throughout the entire year. Toward that end, we will undertake a series of seven Castle Learning review assignments consisting of 50-60 multiple choice questions on each of the major topics we have covered this year. These topics correspond to the short review podcasts available on iTunes and on our course videos page. I would recommend viewing the appropriate review lessons before tackling the Castle Learning assignments. Then, take the Castle Learning assignments with your reference table, the calculator you will use on the Regents exam, and your notebook handy.
Each assignment is worth 50 to 60 points, with second chance correct scores counted for full credit! These are weighty assignments, with distinct opening and closing dates. Because these are being provided well in advance of due dates, you should have opportunity to plan your time accordingly. No credit will be given for late assignments or submissions, regardless of attendance or illness issues. Assignments and Review Schedule is as follows:
Please take these assignments seriously, and be diligent in your planning and submissions. This is a large portion of our fourth quarter grading, and is an excellent opportunity to put yourself in position for achieving an optimal score on the Regents Physics Exam!
Regents Mid-Term Review
Regents Physics Mid-Term Preparation
The Regents Physics Mid-Term will be given on Friday, 1/27, at 7:45 am in the gymnasium. Students are to report outside the gymnasium and come prepared with a scientific calculator and writing utensils (blue/black pens AND pencils). The exam will begin promptly at 8 am and will last three hours.
Topics covered include:
- Metric System
- Vectors and Scalars
- Kinematics
- Dynamics (Forces)
- Circular Motion & Gravity
- Impulse and Momentum
- Work, Energy, and Power
In preparation for the exam, three mandatory Castle Learning review assignments have been created. The first is open immediately, and is due on 1/19. The second will open on 1/19, and is due 1/23. The third opens on 1/23, and is due 1/26. Each of these assignments is 40 questions in length.
- Castle Learning Review Assignment 1 Due 1/19
- Castle Learning Review Assignment 2 Due 1/23
- Castle Learning Review Assignment 3 Due 1/26
In addition, students looking for extra practice and help are encouraged to visit the APlusPhysics.com site, where you can find practice quizzes using questions from previous Regents examinations, online tutorials, and video review lessons. In addition, the APlusPhysics: Regents Physics Essentials review book can be an excellent resource. Copies are available for use in the classroom, the school library has a few copies, several local libraries have copies available for circulation, and Amazon.com also offers the text for sale if you prefer your own personal copy.