Non-calc Physics to motivate Algebra?

[AEC]

DD12 is almost 2/3rds of the way through AoPS Alg (Chp 13 - quadratic Eqn's  II).  She still says she 'loves math', but I suspect she's starting to hear a little voice in the back of her head saying something like 'well, I CAN factor nasty quadratic equations - but why is that a thing that anyone ever wanted to do?'

 

I've never really been a fan of non-calculus physics, but I'm wondering if a little bit of it might help quiet that voice and motivate/cement the new algebra?

 

-can anyone suggest a curriculum/book?  I don't care if it's complete course...just a treatment of something concrete, mechanics or something, would do.

-ideally, it uses quadratic equations, but not much more.  If we need to wait till she hits Ch 16 (functions) we can - but sooner is probably better.

 

thoughts?

 

 

 

 

[SarahW]

:bigear:

 

I'm also interested in an answer. I was just thinking last night to post a question like yours. Though my kid is working through BA3D and has read BA4.

 

He likes math okay....but what really has his interest right now is particle physics and quantum mechanics. Why? It's my DH's fault. They watched some NOVA documentaries and stuff about it. I'm like "But why couldn't you interest him in studying butterflies???" 

 

Now everything else is boring, he wants to do something he can't do. I try telling him that doing math now means he'll get to do that stuff later, but he's just a kid, and that explanation doesn't make a lot of sense to him. Maybe if he actually needs math, he'll see the need for it?

 

I've looked into Calculus for Children and Calculus for Young People. Shipping for the former is prohibitive, and I'm not sure I can teach the latter. This is way out of my field. Again, why can't it be butterflies? I'm looking at Khan Academy Physics right now. It says it presupposes alg and trig, but the 1-dimensional chapter starts soft, so maybe it will work for a little bit?

 

Listening in to all suggestions.

[Mike in SA]

Ds9 started Conceptual Physics at 8. It worked great. Tom Hsu also has a book worth looking into.

 

Beyond that, I haven't seen any structured material that is accessible without trigonometry.

[SparklyUnicorn]

Years ago someone gave me these books (e-books) that are mysteries which use algebra (and up).  I am trying to find them so I can tell you the titles.  Something like that might be a fun add on.

 

I know Life of Fred has a physics course.  We used the chemistry one.  It wasn't a stand alone course, but good for a fun extra.

 

 

[SeaConquest]

Ds9 started Conceptual Physics at 8. It worked great. Tom Hsu also has a book worth looking into.

 

Beyond that, I haven't seen any structured material that is accessible without trigonometry.

 

Dovetailing on this, I believe that Athena's physics class uses the Hsu book. If it is in the budget, you might look into the class. My oldest plans to take the class next fall as well (he has been chomping at the bit for physics too).

 

http://www.athenasacademy.com/mod/page/view.php?id=2160

[Dmmetler]

LoF Physics doesn't even use algebra explicitly, so it might not work for your purposes, although DD enjoyed it-she did it along with AoPS Algebra simply because that was when the book came out :).