This is a new course to teach AP Physics Mechanics, with a focus to prepare for F=MA exam by practice on F=MA exam problems. The Course is designed to finish in one school year from Sep to May.
Prerequisite:
1. Calculus (Easy version, could parallel taking it at Sunshine, text 503-915-2956 for detail)
2. Have finished the Copceptual Physics Mechanics units
3. Be motivated to work on F=MA problems.
Textbooks:
1. Customized teaching material in class
2. 5th edition of Halliday, Resnick, and Krane’s Physics Volume 1
3. Morin’s Problems and Solutions in Introductory Mechanics
4. Past years of F=MA exams
Note: The PDF file of the textbook will be loaded to the class page before the term starts.
Reference Information:
Our Teaching Philosophy: "Teaching Physics in the right way is hard, and finding the right teachers is even harder. Teaching formulas is very easy, but that does not help in understanding the concepts, and good physics is all about concepts. F=ma focuses a lot on conceptual depth."
The pathway to International Physics Olympiad:
F=MA -> USA Physics Olympiad -> Physics Team -> IPhO
Our Course Sequence to qualify for USA Physics Olympiad:
1. PreAlgebra -> Introduction to Physics;
2. Algebra1 -> Conceptual Physics, at least the mechanics units
3. Algebra 1 plus Basic Trigonometry or Algebra2 -> AP Physics 1+2 plus F=MA practice;
4. Calculus (Easy version is ok)-> AP Physics C Mechanics plus more F=MA Practice