Physics for High School and College Students - Home Study
Introductory Course- 
Preface and Introduction to High School and College Physics (Home School Curriculum)
This is an Biblically and purely scientific based course in Physics. We remain true to our mission.
Some of the material covered will include lessons from a DVD series, "Physics 101" that takes students on a journey into the universe created by God. It includes material from Newton’s laws to quantum mechanics. Some of the subject matter includes relativity, explaining the correlation between energy, mass, and the speed of light, and the mind experiment of Schrödinger's cat.
Any and all communication with the instructor, postings and or new material will be done via this website, email or phone if necessary.
Text Book : Exploring Creation with Physics.
http://www.apologia.com/physics/117-exploring-creation-with-physics-2nd-ed-2-book-set.html
Prerequisites to the course:
Depending on the material covered, students may need to be familiar with the following math topics:Algebra- Trigonometry - Pythagorean theorem - Law of sines and cosines - Vector - Angles - Differential Equations - and some Calculus.
(Not all material covered in this Physics course requires the above. However, if the textbook calls for it, and students have not been exposed to the mathematical disciplines defined above, we may continue with subject matter that excludes any or all of the rigorous math mentioned above.)
Tentative Material for school year: Chapters I through V
LABS: If any.Parents: Will be assigned to help with the Lab and Experiments for each chapter.
All of some of the labs will be assigned as a homework assignments. Each parent will be assigned to help student with the completion of each lab.
Selected Experiements:
Some of the labs (those that involve electricity and or batteries) will be performed under the supervision of the instructor AND the presence of at least (2) two parents in the class.
Instructor will be involved in lab assignments as needed and it will be treated as a separate class during the semester. (This may or may not change the scheduled coverage of material.)
Supplementary Material Caveat
Some of the material and subjects covered throughout the classes, in conjunction with the selected text book, will be taken from https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics. We will make any necessary corrections to these presentations in order remain true to our Godly and Biblically based mission.
The material displayed here goes all the way from Introduction to Physics to Relativity Theory and Astronomy.
The instructor, will use whatever is deemed necessary and appropriate to get the appropriate breath and depth in order to teach the class.
Chapter I
Introduction to physics
Get a big picture overview of what physics is, and get recommendations for prerequisite knowledge.
Preparing to study physics Displacement, velocity, and time
This tutorial is the backbone of your understanding of kinematics (i.e., the motion of objects). You might already know that distance = rate x time. This tutorial essentially reviews that idea with a vector lens (we introduce you to vectors here as well). So strap your belts (actually this might not be necessary since we don't plan on decelerating in this tutorial) and prepare for a gentle ride of foundational physics knowledge.
PracticeAcceleration
In a world full of unbalanced forces (which you learn more about when you study Newton's laws), you will have acceleration (which is the rate in change of velocity).
PracticeKinematic formulas and projectile motion
This tutorial builds on what we know about displacement, velocity and acceleration to solve problems in kinematics (including projectile motion problems). Along the way, we derive (and re-derive) some of the classic formulas that you might see in your physics book.
PracticeOld videos on projectile motion
Chapter II
Two-dimensional projectile motion
Let's escape from the binds of one-dimension (where we were forced to launch things straight up) and start launching at angles. With a little bit of trig (might want to review sin and cos) we'll be figuring out just how long and far something can travel.
Projectile motion with ordered set notation Optimal angle for a projectile
This tutorial tackles a fundamental question when trying to launch things as far as possible (key if you're looking to capture a fort with anything from water balloons to arrows). With a bit of calculus, we'll get to a fairly intuitive answer.
Optimal angle for a projectile part 4: Finding the optimal angle and distance with a bit of calculus
Chapter III
Newton's laws of motion
This tutorial will expose you to the foundation of classical mechanics--Newton's laws. On one level they are intuitive, on another lever they are completely counter-intuitive. Challenge your take on reality and watch this tutorial. The world will look very different after you're done.
PracticeNormal force and contact force
Balanced and unbalanced forces
You will often hear physics professors be careful to say "net force" or "unbalanced force" rather than just "force". Why? This tutorial explains why and might give you more intuition about Newton's laws in the process.
Unbalanced forces and motion Slow sock on Lubricon VI
This short tutorial will have you dealing with orbiting frozen socks in order to understand whether you understand Newton's Laws.
Normal forces on Lubricon VI Inclined planes and friction
We'll look at masses on inclined planes and think about static and kinetic friction.
What are inclines? Tension
Now we'll deal with "pulling" force or tension (at a micro level this is the force of attraction between bonded atoms).
Tension in an accelerating system and pie in the face Treating systems
When two or more objects must move with the same magnitude of acceleration (like masses on strings, or boxes pushed into each other), we can treat the entire system as a single object when finding the acceleration.
Chapter IV
Circular motion and centripetal acceleration
Why do things move in circles? Seriously. Why does *anything* ever move in a circle (straight lines seem much more natural)? Is something moving in a circle at a constant speed accelerating? If so, in what direction? This tutorial will help you get your mind around this super-fun topic.
Loop de loop answer part 2 Centripetal forces
Learn how to deal with centripetal forces and how to relate it to speed, tension, normal force, and radius.
Mass swinging in a horizontal circle Newton's law of gravitation
Why does the earth orbit the sun (or does it)? How high could I throw my dog on the moon? Gravitation defines our everyday life and the structure of the universe. This tutorial will introduce it to you in the Newtonian sense.
Chapter V
Work and energy
This tutorial will have you seeing the world in terms of potentials and energy and work.
What is power? Springs and Hooke's law
Weighing machines of all sorts employ springs that take a certain amount of force to keep compressed or stretched to a certain point. Hooke's law will give us all the tools to weigh in on the subject ourselves and spring into action.
Vertical springs and energy conservation Mechanical advantage
If you have ever used a tool of any kind (including the bones in your body), you have employed mechanical advantage. Whether you used an incline plane to drag something off of a pick-up truck, or the back of a hammer to remove a nail, the world of mechanical advantage surrounds us.
Chapter VI
Momentum and Impulse
Depending on your view of things, this may be the most violent of our tutorials. Things will crash and collide. We'll learn about momentum and how it is transferred. Whether you're playing pool (or "billiards") or deciding whether you want to get tackled by the 300lb. guy, this tutorial is of key importance.
Force vs. time graphs Elastic and inelastic collisions
Categorizing the different types of collisions can be useful. Here, you'll learn what it means for a collision to be elastic or inelastic and what that implies mathematically.
How to use the shortcut for solving elastic collisions Center of mass
Learn what center of mass means, why it's useful, and how to calculate it.
Chapter VII
Rotational kinematics
Learn what angular displacement, angular velocity, and angular acceleration mean, as well as the relationship between them.
Rotational kinematic formulas Torque, moments, and angular momentum
Until this tutorial, we have been completely ignoring that things rotate. In this tutorial, we'll explore why they rotate and how they do it. It will leave your head spinning (no, it won't, but seemed like a fun thing to say given the subject matter).
Chapter VIII
Simple harmonic motion
Ever watch a slinky gyrate back and forth. This is harmonic motion (a special class of oscillatory motion). In this tutorial we'll see how we can model and deal with this type of phenomena.
Pendulums Simple harmonic motion (with calculus)
In these videos Sal explores how to deal with simple harmonic motion when using calculus.
Harmonic motion part 3 (no calculus) Introduction to mechanical waves
In these videos and articles you'll learn the definition of a wave and the difference between transverse and longitudinal waves. You'll also learn the definition of the basic terms used to characterize waves; amplitude, period, frequency, and wavelength.
The equation of a wave Sound
In these videos and articles you'll see visualizations of the propagation of sound waves, along with a visual definition of a sound wave's amplitude, period, frequency, and wavelength. You'll also learn how the speed of sound depends on the different characteristics of the medium. It will be shown how Mach numbers characterize faster than sound travel and their relationship to sonic booms. Also, you'll learn about the decibel scale, why sounds get softer, and how ultrasound medical imaging works.
Ultrasound medical imaging The Doppler effect
In these videos and articles you'll learn how the Doppler effect causes a change in the measured frequency of a moving source of sound or moving sound detector. You'll also learn how to calculate the observed frequency using the formula for the Doppler effect when dealing with either a moving source of sound or a moving sound detector.
Doppler effect: reflection off a moving object Wave interference
In these videos and articles you'll learn how standing waves are produced and how to determine the wavelength and frequency of the different harmonics of standing waves produced in an open open tube or an open closed tube.
Chapter IX
Density and Pressure
In these videos and articles you'll learn the definitions of density and specific gravity. You'll also learn the definition of pressure, how it relates to force and area, and how to determine the pressure within a fluid. The difference between absolute and gauge pressure will also be discussed.
What is pressure? Buoyant Force and Archimedes' Principle
In these videos and articles you'll learn how pressure variations cause a buoyant force on a submerged object and how to calculate the value of the buoyant force. You'll also learn the meaning of Archimedes' principle.
Buoyant force example problems Fluid Dynamics
Flowing fluids behave different from static fluids. In these videos and articles you'll learn about volume flow rate and the equation of continuity. You'll also learn how Bernoulli's principle and Bernoulli's equation relate the pressure and speed of a flowing fluid. The effects of turbulence and viscosity will also be discussed.
Chapter X
Temperature, kinetic theory, and the ideal gas law
In these videos and articles you'll learn about the Celsius and Kelvin temperature scales. The definition of a mole of a substance will be given. You'll also learn how the ideal gas law relates the pressure, volume, and temperature of a gas. Lastly, you'll learn how the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution gives the probability of finding a gas molecule moving at a specific speed.
What is the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution? Specific heat and heat transfer
In these videos and articles you'll learn the definition of specific heat and latent heat and how to use them in problem solving. You'll also learn the 3 modes of heat transfer; conduction, convection, and radiation. Lastly, we will look in more depth at how the rate of thermal conduction through a material depends on the material's thickness, conductivity constant, area, and difference in temperature.
What is thermal conductivity? Laws of thermodynamics
In these videos and articles you'll learn how the first law of thermodynamics relates the change in internal energy of a gas, heat that enters the gas, and work done on the gas.
(Sic: What does the second Law of Thermodynamics and Entropy teach us about God and the Creation?
Lecture and other material introduced by Home School Teacher on Creation vs Evolution).
The rest of the following material resumes Khan Academy tutoring course
Chapter XI
Charge and electric force (Coulomb's law)
In these videos and articles the definition of electric charge will be given as well as a discussion of the law of conservation of charge. You'll learn how Coulomb's law relates the electric force to charge and separation distance. The difference between an electrically conducting vs. electrically insulating material will also be discussed.
Conservation of Charge Electric field
In these videos and articles you'll learn what an electric field is and how to calculate the value of the electric field for a point charge and an infinite sheet.
Proof: Field from infinite plate (part 2) Electric potential energy, electric potential, and voltage
In these videos and articles you'll learn the difference between electric potential, electric potential energy, and voltage. You'll also learn how to calculate the electric potential at a point in space, electric potential energy between two charges, and voltage between two points in space.
Chapter XII
Ohm's law and circuits with resistors
In these videos and articles you'll learn how Ohm's law relates the voltage across a resistor, the current through a resistor, and the resistance of the resistor. You'll also learn how resistors in series and parallel combine to form an equivalent resistance. The resistivity of materials, power used by a resistor, and how to use voltmeters and ammeters will also be discussed.
Electrolytic conductivity Circuits with capacitors
In these videos and articles you'll learn how capacitors store charge and energy. You'll also learn the relationships between capacitance, charge stored, energy stored, and voltage across a capacitor. Techniques for finding the equivalent capacitance for capacitors in series and parallel will be discussed. Lastly, you'll learn how a dielectric can change the amount of charge, voltage, and capacitance of a capacitor.
Magnets and Magnetic Force
In these videos and articles you'll learn how the magnitude of the magnetic force depends on the charge, velocity, and magnetic field. You'll also learn how to use the right hand rule to determine the direction of the magnetic force. Lastly, it will be explained how to determine the magnetic force on a current carrying wire.
Magnetic force on a current carrying wire Magnetic field created by a current
In these videos and articles you'll learn how the magnetic field created by a long straight wire depends on the current and distance from the wire. You'll also learn how to use the right hand rule to determine the direction of the magnetic field. The magnetic force between two current carrying wires will be discussed as well as the induced current in a wire moving through a magnetic field.
Induced current in a wire Electric motors
In these videos and articles you'll learn how electric motors rely on a magnetic force that can cause a torque which rotates a loop of wire. You'll also learn how commutators allow the direction the the current to switch, which causes the motor to continue turning.
Calculating dot and cross products with unit vector notation Magnetic flux and Faraday's law
In these videos and articles you'll learn how magnetic flux depends on magnetic field strength, area, and angle. You'll also learn how Faraday's law states that a changing magnetic flux can cause an induced current. It will be shown how Lenz's law can allow you to find the direction of the induced current. Example problems will also be solved to show how to apply Faraday's law and Lenz's law.
Introduction to electromagnetic waves
In these videos and articles you'll learn about the different categories of the electromagnetic spectrum; radio waves, microwaves, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, x-ray, and gamma ray. You'll also learn what it means for light to be polarized, and how polarized light can allow for the creation of 3D movies.
Polarization of light, linear and circular Interference of electromagnetic waves
In these videos and articles you'll learn how overlapping light waves can cause constructive and destructive interference. Some examples of light interference that will be discussed include Young's double slit interference, single slit interference, and thin film interference.
Chapter XV
Reflection and refraction
In these videos and articles you'll learn how to determine the angle of reflected light and the definition of specular and diffuse reflection. You'll also learn how to use Snell's law to determine the angle of a refracted light ray. Example problems dealing with the refraction of light rays will be solved. The topics of total internal reflection, critical angle, and dispersion will also be discussed.
Dispersion Mirrors
In these videos and articles you'll learn how flat and curved/parabolic mirrors create images. The definitions of real and virtual images will be discussed. You'll also learn how to use the mirror equation to determine the image distance, magnification, image height, and object height when dealing with curved mirrors. The sign convention for positive and negative image distance, object distance, and focal length will be discussed.
Mirror equation example problems Lenses
Curves lenses help people see better. In this section you'll learn how to use ray tracings and the thin lens equation to find the location and size of images created by a curved lenses.
Michelson and Morley's luminiferous ether experiment
The Michelson and Morley experiment was a momentous event in the lead up to special relativity. In this section, we'll explain Michelson and Morley's search for experimental evidence of a luminiferous ether. (Spoiler...they didn't find it. And that blew people's minds.)
Michelson–Morley Experiment introduction Minkowski spacetime
In a Newtonian world we assume that the passage of time or lengths in space are absolute--that regardless of one's inertial frame of reference, everyone would agree that the same time passed in every frame of reference and that something of a certain length in one frame would be the same length in other frames. This leads to the speed of light needing to be relative depending on the frame of reference which contradicts observation. We reconcile observations by loosening our assumptions about absolute space and time. We explore this through Minkowski spacetime diagrams.
Angle of x' axis in Minkowski spacetime Lorentz transformation
We'll now put some algebraic meat on our special relativity bone by introducing ourselves to the Lorentz transformation. Interestingly, Lorentz came up with them before Einstein introduced Special Relativity as a nice way to reconcile some observations, but special relativity game them real conceptual meat. The Lorentz transformation is going to allow us to calculate the spacetime coordinates in different frames of reference!
Lorentz transformation derivation part 3 Einstein velocity addition
You're traveling toward me at half the speed of light. Things are going to get even more fun now. We're going to think about relative velocities in different frames of reference.
Chapter XVII
Photons
Light can have wave-like or particle-like properties depending on the experiment being done. These "particles" of light are called photons. In this tutorial you'll learn about photon energy and momentum.
Photoelectric effect Atoms and electrons
Sometimes people draw atoms like little solar systems, but they're way stranger than that. In this section you'll learn how electrons can have wavelengths, jump orbitals, and emit photons while in an atom.
Bohr's model of hydrogen Quantum numbers and orbitals
In this tutorial, we will see how the quantum numbers predict the orbitals available in different energy levels.
Quantum numbers for the first four shells Nuclear physics
In this tutorial, we will learn about radioactive decay, nuclear stability, and what is happening on a subatomic level during a nuclear reaction.
Chapter XVIIIDiscovery of magnetism
The discovery of magnetism. What can we do with this invisible force?
Magnetising materials Discovery of magnetic fields
Let's find out more about this invisible force which guides the compass. How strong is it? What shape is it?
Increase strength of magnet Measuring magnetic fields
How can we quantify the strength of magnetic fields? How strong is the Earth's field?
Inverse cube law (method of oscillation) Discovery of batteries
Basic observations leading to homemade batteries
The battery and electromagnetism Discovery of electromagnetism
Discoveries leading to the Right Hand rule
Battery meter (galvanometer) Discovery of resistors
Exploring materials which cause a decrease in deflection when added in series with our meter.
Listen to variable resistance Electric motor
How can we turn electric current into rotary motion?
What's next Electrostatics
Discovering static electricity & electrostatic force. What is it? How can it be created, detected, and measured?
Electrostatic telegraphs (case study) Projectile launcher
Update and modify your ping pong ball launcherThermo can
Thermo canSimple machines explorations
Chapter XIX
Cosmology and Astronomy
Cosmology and astronomy
(Disclaimer: Although the majority of evolutionists today claim that Universe to be "millions of years old", observational experiments and logic as well as accurate dating methods have shown that this is not accurate. sic)
We, as defenders of The Creation explain the facts under the following subject: "Age of the Universe"
We will use reputable and reliable material that "age dating methods" are unreliable at best and the the age of the Earth, and the Universe is not what mainstream textbooks want us to believe.
Age of the Universe: (This material is exclusive of Khan Academy and it is included as a preface in order to establish the correct precedent(s) for the material that follows this section, sic). This material will be prefaced by one or as many deemed necessary lessons by the instructor of the home school program.
Under no circumstances will any of this material cover mainstream, or evolutionists skewed material that withholds scientific information regarding the true age of the Universe.
All of the following remaining material belongs properly to Khan Academy.
Scale of the universe
Big bang and expansion of the universeStars, black holes and galaxies
Cepheid variablesEarth geological and climatic history
Earth's rotation and tiltLife on earth and in the universe
(In order to humor students we may cover some of this material so as to stimulate intellectual discussions necessary for adult life, sic)(Disclaimer: Although the majority of evolutionists today claim that Universe to be "millions of years old", observational experiments, true science, as well as accurate dating methods have shown that the Universe and its inhabitants are not any where near that age. The actual methods by which the age of the Universe can be estimated will be the subject of another topic later on, sic)
* References:
https://www.khanacademy.org/science/physics
