AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Course 4390
Mr. Ross W. Webb
SusquehannaTownshipHigh School
Harrisburg, PA
email:
I’d like to congratulate and welcome those students who have taken on the challenge of AP Physics. Success in this course requires an extraordinary commitment of time and effort.
Our path will include independent reading and investigation, small group and class-wide discussions, open-ended investigations, and teacher demonstrations. Practicing and applying what you learn is paramount; therefore daily homework will include practice problems challenging in number, scope and complexity. I encourage AP Physics students to work collaboratively, both in and out of class.
Resources:
Walker, James S. Physics. Second Edition, 2004. Upper Saddle River, NJ. Prentice Hall.
AP Free Response exams (three most recent years) and 2004 Multiple Choice exam
Supplemental reading from texts, periodicals and internet sources to be announced
Course Objectives (Critical Competencies):
1.The students will demonstrate a knowledge and comprehension of procedures necessary for successful learning and problem solving.
2.The students will develop laboratory skills of laboratory design, observation, measurement, interpretation and data analysis.
3.The students will use analytical thinking skills as the prime technique applied to mathematical problem solutions.
4.The students will develop a better awareness of physics in nature and use scientific inquiry in explaining natural processes at the expected level of an AP student.
Requirements:
1.Prerequisites for this course: Physics teacher’s recommendation and 85% in Honors Physics or 93% in Academic Physics
3.The student will maintain a notebook containing all class notes and assigned problem solutions, homework assignments, laboratory experiments, quizzes, and exams.
4.The student will read the textbook sections dealing with the material currently being discussed.
5.The student will need to study and prepare for all tests.
6.The student will perform all assigned experimental procedures and submit the required lab reports in the allotted time. Student labs must remain in a lab notebook containing all labs from the course.
Course Pacing(6 Day Cycle with 3 lab periods per cycle)
A typical week in this course will look similar to the schedule I am about to discuss, although there may be a few exceptions. The current 6 day cycle allots two additional lab periods per cycle along with our daily 48 minute period class. All students have had at least one year of physics previously so the tempo of this course is intentionally fast paced so that all topics can be covered completely and fully.
Saturday and Sunday: The weekend prior to covering a topic students will read the entire chapter(s) assigned for the coming week and complete a list of conceptual questions from the chapter(s). Students should also be studying for any quiz that may be given on Monday.
Monday: The teacher will review assigned conceptual questions and present several inquiry based demonstrations to the class. The teacher will likewise present introductory notes for the chapter(s). On Monday night the students will again read the chapter and review their class notes. Every 3rd, 5th and 7th week of a marking period a class quiz will be given. The quiz will contain one free response question and ten multiple choice questions on the topics covered in the last two or three weeks. Quiz questions will be taken from past exams not previously given to students as practice or review.
Tuesday: On Tuesday, the teacher will continue with class notes or demonstrations. Students are then assigned a set of chapter problems to be completed thoroughly (showing concepts, work, and diagrams) and accurately by the end of the week. Pending the cycle day students will begin the lab activity portion of an inquiry based lab activity on this day based on the chapter assigned.
Wednesday: The teacher will complete lecture notes and demonstrations and students will be given answers to the chapter problem sets. The teacher will lead a question and answer period devoted to understanding the concepts and methods necessary to complete the problem sets. Pending the cycle day students will begin or complete the lab activity portion of an inquiry based lab activity.
Thursday: The teacher will again lead a question and answer period devoted to understanding the concepts and methods necessary to complete the problem sets. Following this discussion, students will be working independently or with lab groups on chapter problem sets or completion of lab reports, lab summaries, or conceptual questions related to their lab activities.
Friday: The teacher will collect all chapter problem sets. Students will work independently or with lab groups on completion of lab reports, lab summaries, or conceptual questions related to their lab activities. If a quiz is to follow that Monday, the teacher will review problems from previous AP exams given to the students at the beginning of the school year in a sample exam packet.
Grades
Student's grades will consist entirely of a two part marking period exam (70%) and three quizzes (30%). Homework, WebAssigns, labs, and special assignments are held in the highest regard. Any of these assignments done poorly, inadequately, incompletely, or after the deadline will automatically result in a 3% drop in your total marking period grade. Detailed rubrics for chapter problem sets and lab activities will be discussed at later times in this course.
Quizzes will typically occur on the first day of the third, fifth, and seventh weeks of the marking period. The exam will be a two-part assessment administered on Monday and Wednesday of the last full week of the marking period. The Tuesday between exam days will allow the students and the teacher to review the topics covered and the student’s grades on the Monday exam. Exam and quiz questions will be taken from past exams not given in class to students previously. Exams and quizzes will be graded using a curve similar to the curve used for the AP exam.
An exception to this grading system is the fourth marking period grade. Due to the immense amount of time needed to prepare for the AP exam and the lack of a marking period exam the fourth marking period grading system must be different. Various homework and review assignments will comprise 70% of the grade and the remaining 30% is based upon a final project given after the AP exam.
As per district policy,“A mid-term examination will not be administered. The mid-term grade will be calculated by averaging the first and second marking period grades. Students that take an AP examination and have a cumulative average of C or better, at the time of AP examination registration, may opt out of taking the final examination. All other students enrolled in AP courses will take a cumulative final examination at the end of the year. This examination will constitute ten percent of the overall grade.” Any further questions can be directed to Mr. Wilson.
It is my hope that labs may provide an enjoyable and tangible verification of significant findings or simply an opportunity for open-ended experimentation. Please know that you are more than welcome to linger and tinker with your favorite lab equipment before or after school, as long as you have asked and received Mr. Webb’s permission and he is present to supervise. All lab safety rules and procedures will remain in effect.
Because you are all mature, motivated young men and women, I anticipate that your behavior will exceed the expectations enumerated in the school’s disciplinary code at all times.
Makeup of Grades for the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Marking Period Grades
Exam A35
Exam B35
Quiz A10
Quiz B10
Quiz C10
Number of Inadequate Assignments (_____ x -3) = ___
______
Total 100
Makeup of Grades for the 4th Marking Period Grade
Homework, WebAssigns, Labs, Quizzes, Review Work70
Marking Period Project30
______
Total 100
Tutoring:
Mr. Webb is available for tutoring most days before and after-school. For morning help, you must ask for a pass. Wednesday mornings are usually filled with faculty meetings so they fill up the quickest.
Class Rules:
1.No interrupting the teacher or fellow students.
2.No cursing or inappropriate language.
3.Safety in the lab is necessary at all times.
4.No food or drink in the class.
Consequences:
1.Verbal warning
2.Change of seat
3.10 minute timeout in the lab area
4.Detention
5.Referral to the office
Procedures:
1.Begin working on the AYE (As You Enter) in your notebook before the bell rings. Look to the blackboard or screen for your AYE. Sit quietly until others are finished.
2.Place homework on desk to be graded, collected, or reviewed.
3.Be prepared to take notes, discuss, or be assessed on the previous night’s readings or homework.
4.When working in groups assign tasks and work together. No spectators allowed.
5.Bathroom breaks should be taken in the first or last five minutes of class.
6.Often you will have 5-10 minutes of free time to work on homework at the end of class. High achieving students use this time to work ahead and ask questions. Do not use this time to talk about “stuff”.
7.Class ends when Mr. Webb dismisses you.
Exam and Quiz Schedule
Quiz 1ATuesday, September 18th
Quiz 1BMonday, October1st
Quiz 1CMonday, October 15th
Exam 1AMonday, October 29th
Exam 1BWednesday, October 31st
Quiz 2AMonday, November12th
Quiz 2BMonday, Dec3rd
Quiz 2CMonday, Dec17th
Exam 2ATuesday, January 22nd
Exam 2BThursday, January 24th
Quiz 3AMonday, February 11th
Quiz 3BMonday, February 25th
Quiz 3CMonday, March11th
Exam 3AMonday, March 18th
Exam 3BWednesday, March 20th
Quiz 4AMonday, April 8th
Course Content Outline and Timeline
First Marking Period (1st 9 weeks)
STHS AP Physics Syllabus; Page 1 of 13
AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Chapter 1 Physics and the Laws of Nature
Units of Length, Mass, and Time
Dimensional Analysis
Significant Figures
Converting Units
Order-of-Magnitude Calculations
Chapter 2 One-Dimensional Kinematics
Position, Distance, and Displacement
Average Speed and Velocity
Instantaneous Velocity
Acceleration
Motion with Constant Acceleration
Applications of the Equations of Motion
Freely Falling Objects
Chapter 3 Vectors in Physics
Scalars Versus Vectors
The Components of a Vector
Adding and Subtracting Vectors
Unit Vectors
Position, Displacement. Velocity, and Acceleration Vectors
Relative Motion
Chapter 4 Two-Dimensional Kinematics
Motion in Two Dimensions
Projectile Motion: Basic Equations
Zero Launch Angle
General Launch Angle
Projectile Motion: Key Characteristics
Chapter 5 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Force and Mass
Newton’s First Law of Motion
Newton’s Second Law of Motion
Newton’s Third Law of Motion
The Vector Nature of Forces: Forces in Two Dimensions
Weight
Normal Forces
Chapter 6 Applications of Newton’s Laws
Frictional Forces
Strings and Springs
Translational Equilibrium
Connected Objects
Circular Motion
Chapter 7 Work and Kinetic Energy
Work Done by a Constant Force
Kinetic Energy and The Work-Energy Theorem
Work Done by a Variable Force
Power
Chapter 8 Potential Energy and Conservative
Forces
Conservative and Nonconservative Forces
Potential Energy and the Work Done by Conservative
Forces
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Work Done by Nonconservative Forces
Potential Energy Curves and Equipotentials
Chapter 9 Linear Momentum and Collisions
Linear Momentum
Momentum and Newton’s Second Law
Impulse
Conservation of Linear Momentum
Inelastic Collisions
Elastic Collisions
Center of Mass
Chapter 12 Gravity
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Gravitational Attraction of Spherical Bodies
Kepler’s Laws of Orbital Motion
Gravitational Potential Energy
Energy Conservation
STHS AP Physics Syllabus; Page 1 of 13
AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Second Marking Period (2nd 9 weeks)
STHS AP Physics Syllabus; Page 1 of 13
AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Chapter 10 Rotational Kinematics and Energy
Angular Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
Rotational Kinematics
Connections Between Linear and Rotational Quantities
Rolling Motion
Rotational Kinetic Energy and the Moment of Inertia
Conservation of Energy
Chapter 11 Rotational Dynamics and Static Equilibrium
Torque
Torque and Angular Acceleration
Zero Torque and Static Equilibrium
Center of Mass and Balance
Dynamic Applications of Torque
Angular Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Rotational Work
Chapter 13 Oscillations About Equilibrium
Periodic Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Connections Between Uniform Circular Motion and
Simple Harmonic Motion
The Period of a Mass on a Spring
Energy Conservation in Oscillatory Motion
The Pendulum
Chapter 15 Fluids
Density
Pressure
Static Equilibrium in Fluids: Pressure and Depth
Archimedes’ Principle and Buoyancy
Applications of Archimedes’ Principle
Fluid Flow and Continuity
Bernoulli’s Equation
Applications of Bernoulli’s Equation
Chapter 16 Temperature and Heat
Temperature and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
Temperature Scales
Thermal Expansion
Heat and Mechanical Work
Conduction, Convection, and Radiation
Chapter 17 Phases and Phase Change
Ideal Gases
Kinetic Theory
Chapter 18 The Laws of Thermodynamics
The Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics
The First Law of Thermodynamics
Thermal Processes
Specific Heats for an Ideal Gas: Constant Pressure, Constant Volume
The Second Law of Thermodynamics
Heat Engines and the Carnot Cycle
Entropy
Order, Disorder, and Entropy
The Third Law of Thermodynamics
Chapter 14 Waves and Sound
Types of Waves
Waves on a String
Sound Waves
The Doppler Effect
Superposition and Interference
Standing Waves
Beats
Chapter 25 Electromagnetic Waves
The Production of Electromagnetic Waves
The Propagation of Electromagnetic Waves
The Electromagnetic Spectrum
Energy and Momentum in Electromagnetic Waves
Polarization
Chapter 26 Geometrical Optics
The Reflection of Light
Forming Images with a Plane Mirror
Spherical Mirrors
Ray Tracing and the Mirror Equation
The Refraction of Light
Ray Tracing for Lenses
Chapter 27 Optical Instruments
Lenses in Combination
STHS AP Physics Syllabus; Page 1 of 13
AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Third Marking Period (3rd 9 weeks)
Chapter 28 Physical Optics: Interference and Diffraction
Superposition and Interference
Young’s Two-Slit Experiment
Interference in Reflected Waves
Diffraction
Diffraction Gratings
Chapter 19 Electric Charges, Forces, and Fields
Electric Charge
Insulators and Conductors
Coulomb’s Law
The Electric Field
Electric Field Lines
Shielding and Charging by Induction
Electric Flux and Gauss’s Law
Chapter 20 Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy
Electric Potential Energy
Energy Conservation
The Electric Potential of Point Charges
Equipotential Surfaces and the Electric Field
Capacitors and Dielectrics
Chapter 21 Electric Current and Direct-Current Circuits
Electric Current
Resistance and Ohm’s Law
Energy and Power in Electric Circuits
Resistors in Series and Parallel
Kirchhoff’s Rules
Circuit Containing Capacitors
RC Circuits
Chapter 22 Magnetism
The Magnetic Field
The Magnetic Force on Moving Charges
The Motion of Charged Particles in a Magnetic Field
The Magnetic Force on Current-Carrying Wire
Loops of Current and Magnetic Torque
Electric Currents, Magnetic Fields, and Ampere’s Law
Current Loops and Solenoids
Magnetism in Matter
Chapter 23 Magnetic Flux and Faraday’s Law of Induction
Induced Electromotive Force
Magnetic Flux
Faraday’s Law of Induction
Lenz’s Law
Mechanical Work and Electrical Energy
Generators and Motors
Fourth Marking Period (4th 9 weeks)
Chapter 29 Relativity
Relativistic Energy and E = mc2
Chapter 30 Quantum Physics
Blackbody Radiation and Planck’s Hypothesis of Quantized Energy
Photons and the Photoelectric Effect
The Mass and Momentum of a Photon
Photon Scattering and the Compton Effect
The deBroglie Hypothesis and Wave-Particle Duality
The Heisenberg Uncertainty Principle
Chapter 31 Atomic Physics
Early Models of the Atom
The Spectrum of Atomic Hydrogen
Bohr’s Model of the Hydrogen Atom
deBroglie Waves and the Bohr Model
The Quantum Mechanical Hydrogen Atom
Atomic Radiation
Chapter 32 Nuclear Physics and Nuclear Radiation
The Constituents and Structure of Nuclei
Radioactivity
Half-life and Radioactive Dating
Nuclear Binding Energy
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear Fusion
Elementary Particles
Lab Activities
First Marking Period (1st 9 weeks)
STHS AP Physics Syllabus; Page 1 of 13
AP PHYSICS SYLLABUS
Lab 1: Estimating: Stadium Seating Size
Unit: Ch.1 Physics and the Laws of Nature
Objectives: Assess the seating capacity of the football stadium from three separate locations and analyze for uncertainties
Open Ended Lab
Analysis: Conceptual questions, diagrams, data analysis, error analysis
Time: Two 48 minute periods
Lab 2: Motion Graphs: Minds on Physics Activity
Unit: Ch.2 One-Dimensional Kinematics
Objectives: Match motion graphs with the motion of objects found throughout the classroom
Open Ended Lab
Analysis: Diagrams, data analysis, conceptual questions
Time: One 48 minute period
Lab 3: Terminal Velocity
Unit: Ch.2 One-Dimensional Kinematics
Objectives: Measure the terminal velocity of a falling coffee filter and compare to motion to a freely falling body
Student Inquiry Lab
Analysis: Formal lab report, graphical analysis, conceptual questions, diagrams, data analysis, error analysis
Time: Two 48 minute periods
Lab 4: Vertical Launcher
Unit: Ch.4 Two-Dimensional Kinematics
Objectives: Shoot a projectile from a launcher and analyze its motion, change the trajectory angle, predict a target location and verify
Inquiry Based Lab
Analysis: Graphical analysis, conceptual questions, diagrams, data analysis, error analysis
Time: One 48 minute period
Lab 5: Newton’s 2nd Law on an Inclined Plane
Unit: Ch.5 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Objectives: Analyze the motion of a dynamics cart on an inclined plane as the car is acted upon by various hanging masses
Inquiry Based Lab
Analysis: Graphical analysis, conceptual questions, diagrams, data analysis, error analysis
Time: Two 48 minute periods
Lab 6: Loop the Loop
Unit: Ch.5 Newton’s Laws of Motion
Objectives: Find the relationships that allow a toy car to successfully complete a loop
Open Ended Lab
Analysis: Conceptual questions, diagrams, data analysis, error analysis