Course Overview

Physics A is the first of two courses designed to provide students with a foundational understanding of the physical world through a small set of basic principles, concepts, and equations. Emphasizing real-world connections, this course introduces the study of motion, forces, and energy while fostering problem-solving, mathematical reasoning, and scientific inquiry. Students learn to apply physics concepts to everyday phenomena and technological systems. Approximately 40 percent of the course involves virtual laboratory investigations, with additional hands-on activities using simple household materials.

Key Learning Focus

Students will:

• Explore motion in one and two dimensions.
• Analyze the role of forces in motion, including Newton's laws.
• Investigate work, power, and the conservation of energy.
• Study momentum, collisions, and impulse.
• Examine circular motion, gravitation, and their applications.
• Recognize and apply the laws of thermodynamics.

Instructional Approach

Instruction emphasizes inquiry-based learning, virtual labs, and accessible hands-on investigations using common household items. Students apply mathematical reasoning, graphing, and modeling to deepen their understanding of motion and energy.

Outcome

By the end of Physics A, students will:

• Demonstrate understanding of kinematics, forces, and energy.
• Apply conservation laws to analyze motion and collisions.
• Connect circular motion and gravitation to real-world systems.
• Conduct virtual and hands-on experiments to test physics concepts.
• Be prepared to continue with Physics B for further exploration of waves, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics.