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Is a Homeschool High School Physics thread still needed?


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Once upon a time and long, long ago, I said that I would put together a physics thread similar to the bio and chem threads pinned above.  Is that something that people feel is still needed?  Are there enough homeschoolers taking high school physics to make it useful?  Are there enough different options to make it worthwhile?  That was kind of the intent behind the bio and chem threads - I felt that there were so many options for both that an organized list would be helpful.

 

This coming semester I'm only teaching 2 classes at the local college instead of the 4 I had last semester.  :willy_nilly: :D  I might have time to put something together in the next few months.  I think Regentrude had mentioned that it made more sense to organize the physics thread along the lines of alg-based vs. calc-based physics instead of reg and honours.

 

Thoughts, anyone?

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I was in search of that thread. ;)

 

I made a decision based on our examrequirements, just picking the book which covered most of our examtopics and with a solutionmanual.

 

but a thread would have been helpful to me

 

So sorry I didn't stay on top of it, loesje22000!  Glad you found what you needed. :)

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So sorry I didn't stay on top of it, loesje22000! Glad you found what you needed. :)

It is not your fault!

But I used the other two threads extensively as I can't take a look in most books.

I buy most books based on these forums...

 

I'm not sure it will work, but now I have time to study ahead....

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Once upon a time and long, long ago, I said that I would put together a physics thread similar to the bio and chem threads pinned above.  Is that something that people feel is still needed?  Are there enough homeschoolers taking high school physics to make it useful?  Are there enough different options to make it worthwhile?  That was kind of the intent behind the bio and chem threads - I felt that there were so many options for both that an organized list would be helpful.

 

This coming semester I'm only teaching 2 classes at the local college instead of the 4 I had last semester.  :willy_nilly:  :D  I might have time to put something together in the next few months.  I think Regentrude had mentioned that it made more sense to organize the physics thread along the lines of alg-based vs. calc-based physics instead of reg and honours.

 

Thoughts, anyone?

Good idea ­ I believe for Physics there are multiple paths and please try to catch them all

High School level:

Conceptual Physics ­ 8th or 9th grade ­ Hewitt is a popular book

Regular HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

Honors HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

College level:

AP Physics 1 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics 2 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics C - Calculus based ­   book?

Dual Enrollment for above

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Good idea ­ I believe for Physics there are multiple paths and please try to catch them all

High School level:

Conceptual Physics ­ 8th or 9th grade ­ Hewitt is a popular book

Regular HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

Honors HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

College level:

AP Physics 1 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics 2 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics C - Calculus based ­   book?

Dual Enrollment for above

 

Here's what I have so far...please feel free to dispute/ comment/ suggest...

 

 

MODERN PHYSICS LIVING BOOKS/ MASS MARKET BOOKS:

http://smile.amazon.com/Alice-Quantumland-Allegory-Quantum-Physics/dp/0387914951/

http://smile.amazon.com/The-Wizard-Quarks-Fantasy-Particle/dp/0387950710/

http://smile.amazon.com/Scrooges-Cryptic-Carol-Visions-Quantum/dp/0387948007/

http://smile.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Universe-Not-so-Grimm-cosmology/dp/0387955666/

http://smile.amazon.com/Teach-Physics-Your-Chad-Orzel/dp/B00D821IQ2/

http://smile.amazon.com/How-Teach-Relativity-Your-Dog/dp/0465023312/

http://smile.amazon.com/Mr-Tompkins-Paperback-Canto-Classics/dp/1107604680/

 

CONCEPTUAL

Hewitt's textbook: http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Physics-Package-Edition-Hewitt/dp/0805391908/

but there are so many other editions that might be equally usable

Hewitt's resources here: http://www.conceptualphysics.com/1-10.html

 

REGULAR/ HONORS ALGEBRA COURSES and TEXTS, SAT SUBJECT TEST PREP, AP PHYSICS B PREP etc

Derek Owens (DS used this and Giancoli text for algebra-based honors physics)

Kinetic Books (could be wrong link...we didn't use it, highly praised by 8filltheHeart)

Giancoli: http://smile.amazon.com/Physics-Principles-Applications-Douglas-Giancoli/dp/0130606200/but many editions available

Physclips

PhET Simulations

The Physics Classroom

More great ideas here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/469092-recommended-free-online-study-materials-for-sat-physics-subject-test/

 

AP PHYSICS C LEVEL

Giancoli: http://smile.amazon.com/Physics-Scientists-Engineers-Modern-4th/dp/0131495089/but many editions available

 

 

A bit rushed for now. Will add if I think of anymore.

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Good idea ­ I believe for Physics there are multiple paths and please try to catch them all

High School level:

Conceptual Physics ­ 8th or 9th grade ­ Hewitt is a popular book

Regular HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

Honors HS Algebra based Physics ­   book?

College level:

AP Physics 1 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics 2 ­ Algebra based ­   book?

AP Physics C - Calculus based ­   book?

Dual Enrollment for above

 

Excellent!  Thanks, Mark!

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Here's what I have so far...please feel free to dispute/ comment/ suggest...

 

 

MODERN PHYSICS LIVING BOOKS/ MASS MARKET BOOKS:

http://smile.amazon.com/Alice-Quantumland-Allegory-Quantum-Physics/dp/0387914951/

http://smile.amazon.com/The-Wizard-Quarks-Fantasy-Particle/dp/0387950710/

http://smile.amazon.com/Scrooges-Cryptic-Carol-Visions-Quantum/dp/0387948007/

http://smile.amazon.com/Once-Upon-Universe-Not-so-Grimm-cosmology/dp/0387955666/

http://smile.amazon.com/Teach-Physics-Your-Chad-Orzel/dp/B00D821IQ2/

http://smile.amazon.com/How-Teach-Relativity-Your-Dog/dp/0465023312/

http://smile.amazon.com/Mr-Tompkins-Paperback-Canto-Classics/dp/1107604680/

 

CONCEPTUAL

Hewitt's textbook: http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Physics-Package-Edition-Hewitt/dp/0805391908/

but there are so many other editions that might be equally usable

Hewitt's resources here: http://www.conceptualphysics.com/1-10.html

 

REGULAR/ HONORS ALGEBRA COURSES and TEXTS, SAT SUBJECT TEST PREP, AP PHYSICS B PREP etc

Derek Owens (DS used this and Giancoli text for algebra-based honors physics)

Kinetic Books (could be wrong link...we didn't use it, highly praised by 8filltheHeart)

Giancoli: http://smile.amazon.com/Physics-Principles-Applications-Douglas-Giancoli/dp/0130606200/but many editions available

Physclips

PhET Simulations

The Physics Classroom

More great ideas here: http://forums.welltrainedmind.com/topic/469092-recommended-free-online-study-materials-for-sat-physics-subject-test/

 

AP PHYSICS C LEVEL

Giancoli: http://smile.amazon.com/Physics-Scientists-Engineers-Modern-4th/dp/0131495089/but many editions available

 

 

A bit rushed for now. Will add if I think of anymore.

 

Awesome!  Thanks to you, too, quark!

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I ended at BJU Physics. No idea what level it is.

We won't do everything as we have integrated science in the language tracks.

It will be combined with several chapters from Campbells Biology and the complete IGCSE Chemistry.

I ordered also a book about organic and biochemistry and then I should have everything covered for the 12th grade science exams.

 

another Highschool subject planned:

Pfew...

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Yes, please! I've used the other two heavily. Now I am hunting for physics for a boy who would rather write mythology or decipher ancient runes any day, but thinks the Physics for Poets plan in an old thread looks like way too much reading. :-P

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THis is wonderful.

 

I second Yakov Perelman's Physics for Entertainment. It comes in Vol I and II. Ds says II is better than 1, but they're both good. He just re-read Vol II and says he picked up more the second time around. There are 99 questions at the back of the book that tests your understanding, so it's a good gauge for the reader to see what delicious tidbit has been missed. 

 

 

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THis is wonderful.

 

I second Yakov Perelman's Physics for Entertainment. It comes in Vol I and II. Ds says II is better than 1, but they're both good. He just re-read Vol II and says he picked up more the second time around. There are 99 questions at the back of the book that tests your understanding, so it's a good gauge for the reader to see what delicious tidbit has been missed.

Thanks for the reminder! We read the first volume years ago. The second is on our shelves, forgotten... Not anymore!

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Thank you so much for bringing this up.  Older dd did Kinetic in a co-op setting, and it was a life changing experience for her -- she struggled with it, and conquered it. It really set her up for everything that's happened since then.  But that option isn't available for younger dd, and we're floundering here to figure out what to use.

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I sure shall need it in two years! But if want to set up a blog and charge admission, I'll get in line.

 

I still want Dicentra and Lori D. to publish an annotated book of resources together! Give Cathy Duffy (the best author in print currently for this) a competitor!

for resource references print books are so antiquated - create a blog or some other online reference - I have visited the Cathy Duffy website 

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Yes, please, and thank you!!

 

We are currently limping along through Giancoli's calculus based physics text. Great text, and ds is handling the material fine, but t's a struggle for me to figure out what to cover and what to skip. Also, we've only done 2 labs so far. Lots to do this spring!!

 

Thank you so much!!

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Jetta has a course site that overlaps the Conceptual/Regular HS Algebra based Physics

 

http://www.clovercreekscience.com/

 

Thanks, Mark!  Great find.  I've never heard of this resource and it sounds relatively new.  I've been primarily consider Derek Owens for Algebra based Physics next year.  But now I have another online option.  Very cool!

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I think this would be amazing and I know many would benefit from the time you put into it.  Thank you so much!

 

I would like to see discussion and info on how to approach the Physics classes and AP tests based on what the child's goals are.  So, for example, if you have a STEM-focused student, what would be the best path for them, which tests to aim for, etc.  And if you have one who is not STEM-focused, what are some options for that, too.

 

I am still trying to sort out how to tackle deciding which AP tests and when, which courses and when, etc.

 

Many thanks!!!

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I found an old bookmark I thought I'd add here. http://www.dcassidybooks.com/up.html is a free online conceptual physics book. I believe it was Dawn who mentioned it on this forum at one point; I think her daughter liked it quite well, as I recall. (One can also buy it in hard copy.)

 

ETA: Hey!! I can link again! I haven't been able to do that for ages!!

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I found an old bookmark I thought I'd add here. http://www.dcassidybooks.com/up.html is a free online conceptual physics book. I believe it was Dawn who mentioned it on this forum at one point; I think her daughter liked it quite well, as I recall. (One can also buy it in hard copy.)

 

ETA: Hey!! I can link again! I haven't been able to do that for ages!!

My DD/9th really, really likes that Cassidy book. Unfortunately they were quite firm about not selling teacher materials to homeschoolers. I bought a different text that has a solutions manual to take problems from for tests.
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if you need a pre-post reviewer please PM me.

 

Thanks, Mark!  I'll probably take you up on that.  The physics thread will always be open to suggestions, additions, and criticism :) - just like the pinned chem and bio threads.

 

I do have a few questions for the physics folk, though.  In terms of math level required for each of the levels of physics, this is what I have so far:

Conceptual Physics - Alg 1 required

Regular Algebra-based Physics - Alg 2 required

Honours Algebra-based Physics - Alg 2 required

College level Physics - Calculus 1 required   (Is that what it's called in the States?  Or is it called Intro Calculus?)

AP Physics 1 & 2 (used to be AP Physics B) - Alg 2 required

AP Physics C - Calculus 1 required 

 

Am I on the right track?  Physics isn't my area of specialization and, although I took a number of physics courses at uni, it's been a long time and I don't honestly remember what math skills were needed. :)  I'm also Canadian and since we've always had integrated math here in high school, I'm never sure of what exactly is typically covered in each of the maths in the States.

 

I also recognize that, even within a category, there will be programs that require slightly more or slightly less math.  Just like in the chem thread, I'm only trying to give people a general idea of what level of math their student would need to complete a physics course at any particular level.

 

Thanks!

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Thanks, Mark!  I'll probably take you up on that.  The physics thread will always be open to suggestions, additions, and criticism :) - just like the pinned chem and bio threads.

 

I do have a few questions for the physics folk, though.  In terms of math level required for each of the levels of physics, this is what I have so far:

Conceptual Physics - Alg 1 required

Regular Algebra-based Physics - Alg 2 required

Honours Algebra-based Physics - Alg 2 required

College level Physics - Calculus 1 required   (Is that what it's called in the States?  Or is it called Intro Calculus?)

AP Physics 1 & 2 (used to be AP Physics B) - Alg 2 required

AP Physics C - Calculus 1 required 

 

Not sure what you call "college level physics".

There are two main levels of physics offered at college. What is labeled "College Physics" requires algebra and some basic trig. What is labeled "General Physics" or "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" requires calculus 1.

 

Conceptual physics does not really require a full algebra course, prealgebra and familiarity with rearranging expressions would be sufficient.

 

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Not sure what you call "college level physics".

There are two main levels of physics offered at college. What is labeled "College Physics" requires algebra and some basic trig. What is labeled "General Physics" or "Physics for Scientists and Engineers" requires calculus 1.

 

Conceptual physics does not really require a full algebra course, prealgebra and familiarity with rearranging expressions would be sufficient.

 

 

Thanks, regentrude.  I was calling dual enrollment physics 'College Physics' but I had forgotten there were two different levels of first year physics offered at US colleges - I'll take that into account and fix my list.

 

I'll also fix the conceptual physics math requirement.

 

Thank you! :)

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