West Metro Physics Team 200910

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West Metro Physics Team 2009/10

• Andrzej (Andrew) Stankiewicz
• NVE Corporation
• Susan Lee
• Edina Center for Academic Excellence

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Program description

• ECAE competitive physics classes are designed to
  allow students to successfully compete in physics
  contests at state and national level.
• Team members will receive advanced instruction
  leading to in-depth understanding of physics
  laws, and intensive training in their application
  for problem solving. These components are usually
  omitted in high school courses.
• The program attracts both beginners and advanced
  students. We do not assume any prior knowledge of
  physics. However, we expect some dexterity in
  algebra and geometry.

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Regular meetings

• There will be 24 meetings, divided in two
  sessions (September-December, in January-April)
  scheduled for 2009/10 school year.
• Team members will get a reading assignment before
  each meeting, which will last for 1.5 hours.
• Students will be assigned 4-5 problems to be
  solved at home. The solutions should be submitted
  during the following meeting, in order to be
  reviewed by lecturer.
• Coaches will offer consultations by e-mail or
  phone during 7 days after the meeting.

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Session IMathematical primer

• 1. Vectors and derivatives (beginners only)

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Session IMechanics

• 2. Kinematics 1D
• 3. Kinematics 2D (1a for advanced students)
• 4. Newtons laws (2a)
• 5. Work, energy, and power (3a)
• 6. Linear momentum (4a)
• 7. Rotational motion (5a)
• 8. Law of gravitation (6a)
• 9. Oscillations (7a)
• 10. Waves (8a)
• 11-12. Summary solving complex problems (9-12a)

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Session IIElectricity and Magnetism

• 13. Electric forces and fields
• 14. Electric potential and capacitance
• 15. Magnetic forces and fields
• 16. Electromagnetic induction and Maxwell
  equations
• 17. DC and AC current circuits
• 18. Electromagnetic waves
• 19. Summary solving complex problems

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Session IIThermodynamics, Optics,

• 20. Theory of gases
• 21. Calorimetry and phase diagrams
• 22. Laws of thermodynamics
• 23. Simple optical components
• 24. Atomic and nuclear physics

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Resources

• Sparknotes SAT Subject Test Physics
• http//www.sparknotes.com/testprep/books/sat2/phy
  sics/
• 2. AP Physics B lessons (free online)
• http//www.archive.org/details/ap_physics_b
• 3. Handouts with supplementary materials, problem
  descriptions, etc.
• 4. Regular contact with instructors by email.

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Physics Competitions for 2009/10

• US Physics Team (screening exam in late January)
  
• Multi-stage, advanced competition, which ends in
  late May with USPT camp (24 people nationally).
  Five of these students represent USA in
  International Physics Olympiad. Successful
  students usually show more than one year of
  competitive physics training.
• PhysicsBowl (single exam in mid-April)
• Contest based on high school curriculum, similar
  to SAT Subject Test. First year and second year
  physics students compete in different Divisions.
  Minnesota is placed in Region 10, along with ND,
  SD, WI.
• We will try to administer exams outside of
  regular meeting hours.

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Summary

• The 1-year program should give students solid
  base for individual development. They are
  expected to reach 800 level on SAT Subject Test
  in the areas covered in class.
• Team members will exceed AP Physics B standards
  in problem solving area.
• More advanced students may receive individual
  coaching different problem sets, additional
  consultations, etc.
• All students will enter the US Physics Team and
  PhysicsBowl competition.