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