Physics Lab

This is a one-semester course in physics laboratory investigation with the option to take it as a full-year course. The course is divided into two semesters, with the fall semester covering topics such as force and motion, energy and momentum, and thermodynamics. The spring semester will focus on electricity and magnetism and optics. Throughout the course, students will learn and apply the experimental method, compose lab reports, engage in peer review, present lab results, and discuss special topics like scientific ethics and historic experiments in physics. The course aims to help students become proficient in applying their knowledge of physics and the scientific method by designing and carrying out experiments, interpreting data, presenting results, and engaging in scientific discourse. It is recommended that students interested in science take both semesters, although students can choose to register for either the fall or spring semester depending on their transcript needs. The course requires that students be comfortable with concepts covered in Algebra II, such as solving systems of equations for unknowns. Pre-Calculus is helpful but not required; students will need to become familiar with the basic principles of adding vectors.