Monday, January 2, 2012

Welcome

Here is the blog for this class.  By now you know how it works.  Let's make an effort to make this one more collaborative, and less driven by me.  Here is the syllabus:


Physics 1:  Thermodynamics                                                                               Mr. Hatfield
Portland Waldorf School                                                                            503.654.2200   ext 409
January 2012                                                                                                    rghatfield@gmail.com

In this block we will cover the basics of thermodynamics and heat.  We will also investigate the history of thermodynamics and how its applications have helped to shape the world that we inhabit.  Students will learn through experiments, thought projects and conversation.  Ultimately, through this block, students should gain a greater understanding of many of the objects that they use in their everyday lives. 

Material:
I expect we will cover, at a minimum, the following topics:



Week 1:
History of Thermodynamics
Heat/Temperature
Equilibrium


Week 2:
Pressure and Volume
Work
Energy/Entropy




Week 3:
Steam Engines
Week 4:
Gasoline Engines



Grading:  I will evaluate grades using the following rubric:

Main Lesson Book:                         50%
Project:                                               10%
Class Participation:                        25%
Quiz(zes):                                          15%

Participation:  Students will receive a daily participation grade.  This grade will reflect each student’s attention to the material presented and participation in labs and discussions.  Students that are absent will receive a participation grade of zero for the day, no matter whether the absence was excused or not.  When students return to school, they must come see me in order to find out what material/assignments were missed.  At that point, for excused absences, I will change the participation grade accordingly. 



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