High School Physics—a Physical Approach

with an Emphasis on the Scientific Method

Mechanics

In this section, we cover all the traditional topics of classical mechanics but our ultimate goal is to follow Isaac Newton to the Moon. We want to measure the distance to the Moon, discover the concept of orbit, and measure the mass of the moon. Moon-measuring will drive many of the discoveries we make in this section including the motivation for developing the calculus.

Moving in a Straight Line—Kinematics and Vectors, Part I

Definition of velocity and acceleration. Problem solving techniques.

Spinning in a Circle—Kinematics and Vectors, Part II

Definition of angular velocity and angular acceleration. The relationship between angular and linear mechanics. Problem solving techniques.

Invariance of Physical Laws—Vectors and Vector Operations

Review of vectors, vector operations and the relationship of vectors and physics.

Significant Digits and Errors

Significant digits, scientific notation, error propagation.

Galileo Galilei

Experimental methods. Falling objects. A relationship between mass and gravity.

Go Karts and Newton's Laws, Part I, Force

Characterizing force. Relationship between force and acceleration. Hypothesis concerning force and acceleration. Scientific method.

Under the Shade of the Apple Tree—Newton's Laws, Part II, Gravity

Characterizing gravitational force. Relationship between force and mass. Hypothesis concerning force and mass. Scientific method.

Extending Force to the Rotational Domain—Torque

Characterizing Torque. Relationship between torque and moment of intertia. Analog with linear force. Scientific method.

Moment of Intertia

Details about moment of intertia. Scientific method.

Dimensional Analysis, Approximations, and Significant Digits—Sanity Checks

Principals of dimensional analysis. Reasonableness. Quick answers.

Disproving the "Flat Earth Theory"

Beginning with the assumption that the Earth is flat, the students will apply the scientific method, disprove the Earth is flat and create an alternative hypothesis.

Finding the Mass of the Earth

Based on the hypothesis that the Earth is round, the students will estimate the size of the Earth and then its mass.

Technique—Finding Distances Using Triangulation

Trigonometry will provide the basis for students to measure distances when one end of the measure is inaccessible. We will rotate the measurement and study the use of a theodolite.

Finding the Distance to the Moon

This multi-part session will continue the theme of the last session. We will attempt to use a theodolite to find a lower limit of the distance to the Moon.

"Proving" the Mass of the Moon can be Considered a "Point" Mass

In this lecture format session, we will introduce the students to some calculus concepts. Although no calculus will be used, the students will be able to understand and, hopefully, show that any extended spherical object with shell-like density symmetry is mathematically equivalent to a point object.

Calculating the Orbit of the Moon

The students will combine two of the force laws to calculate some of the orbital properties of the Moon

A Useful Definition—Work

We begin the discussion of energy in the form of "work".

The Relationship Between Work and Kinetic Energy

We probe the connection between kinetic energy and work with the idea that these quantities are somehow related.

Potential Energy

We relate potential energy to kinetic energy and work.

A Unifying Theme of Physics—Conservation of Energy

We present the first of the conservation laws of physics. This one is especially important because will appear in every section of physics we study.

Momentum

Angular Momentum

Conservation of Momentum and Angular Momentum