Introductory Physics: Applied Math of Motion

Academic Year Science

Students learn physics at an introductory level. With a hands-on, experimental approach, they study the fundamentals of Newtonian mechanics: motion, forces, and energy. Students discover fundamental physical relationships by designing experiments, plotting the data, analyzing the results, and leveraging insights to build the mathematical models collectively known as mechanics. Once built, these mathematical models are deployed to solve challenging problems and extend students' understanding of physical and mathematical principles. Students will develop strong skills in critical thinking and scientific reasoning, and will learn to recognize and apply physics in their everyday, real-world experiences.

This course is designed for students interested in physics who have completed at least an Algebra 1 class.

Homework and exams

Students should expect to spend 1-3 hours on homework every week. Homework will be assigned and completed through the class website, where students receive immediate feedback on their work. Students will take three in-class exams throughout the course.

Textbook

The textbook for the course is a packet of assigned readings from OpenStax Physics, OpenStax College Physics, and AoPS Handouts.

The assigned reading packet is included in the tuition and fees of this course.

Syllabus

My children have been students of AoPS Academy for several years now. The staff is very good at identifying and encouraging high achieving students to attain their fullest potential. The instructors engage kids to solve tough math problems, and push them to think logically and come up with unique solutions, instead of following a memorized formula. I have witnessed many classes where students are given the opportunity to suggest multiple ways of approaching the same problem. This has really helped my children develop independent learning skills and a stronger foundation in mathematics. The staff truly care for each and every student’s growth. Every child gets an abundance of individual attention. Programs such as the math competition classes, MATHCOUNTS Trainer Contest, and Short Story Contest really challenge the kids to reach up to the next level. The language arts classes like Debate & Public Speaking and College Essay Writing provide a much higher quality of education for their students. Thank you so much for being such a valuable resource for my children.

Usha D.