AP PHYSICS B
Instructor: Ms. Deb Houts Planning Period: 4
Email: () Phone: (754-323-1050)
Website: http://dhouts.com
Course Description
The goal of AP Physics B is to provide students with an experience equivalent to an introductory college level physics course. AP Physics B requires a serious commitment from students. This class will be conducted primarily through inquiry based laboratory experiments and problem solving activities, reinforced with class discussion. We will also complete a major project each semester. Students should be prepared to devote a significant amount of time to working on problem sets, writing lab reports, and working on projects outside of class. Students may take AP Physics B as a first or second year course. It is expected that students taking this course will have strong algebra skills.
Content Overview
I. Newtonian Mechanics 35%
Kinematics (7%)
Dynamics (9%)
Work,Energy & Power (5%)
Linear Momentum (4%)
Circular Motion & Rotation ( 4%)
Oscillations & Gravitation (6%)
II. Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics 15%
Fluid Mechanics (6%)
Temperature & Heat (2%)
Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics (7%)
III. Electricity and Magnetism 25%
Electrostatics (5%)
Conductors, , capacitors, dielectrics (4%)
Electric Circuits (7%)
Magnetic Fields (4%)
Electromagnetism (5%)
IV. Waves and Optics 15%
Wave Motion (5%)
Physical Optics (5%)
Geometric Optics (5%)
V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics 10%
Atomic Physics and Quantum Effects (7%)
Nuclear Physics (3%)
Textbook:
Physics College, Serway & Faughn
Course Policies:
The following policies are a summary of rules for the course. Additional rules and expectations will be outlined during the first week of school.
1. All students will be expected to follow Broward County Safety Rules in all laboratory activities.
2. Be in the classroom when the bell rings.
3. Have all necessary equipment with you at the start of class.
Treat everyone with respect
AP Exam: It is expected that all students taking this course will take the AP Physics B Exam Monday, May 12, 2014 in the afternoon session.
Disciplinary Action:
This should never be needed. If a student chooses to break a specific rule, the following consequences will apply:
FIRST TIME: Verbal warning. A weekly behavior grade may be used to track student’s choice of rule compliance.
SECOND TIME: Parents will be contacted.
THIRD TIME: Student sent to other teacher’s class for the period.
FOURTH TIME: A referral will be sent to school administration.
Additional actions may include: a) Advice from teacher to student to re-enforce acceptable behavior
b) Student-teacher conference
c) Parent-teacher conference
Pass to leave the room:
You must always have a pass to leave the room. A student agenda, or a “golden pass”, is required for this process. School policy does not allow passes to be issued during the first/last 10 minutes of class. You are responsible for all work missed while you are out of the room for any reason.
Tardiness:
Late arrivals will not be allowed into the classroom without an appropriate pass. Detention or other administrative action will be taken for tardiness.
Late or Makeup Work
· Homework is due at the beginning of the class. Late work will be penalized at a rate of 10 points per day.
· You are responsible for collecting your missed assignments from the designated area as soon as you return to class.
· Make-up tests may be administered after school.
· For more information, please refer to the Student Code of Conduct.
Textbooks
You will receive you own textbook during the first week of school. Books not returned must be paid for at the end of the year. Damaged books will be assessed a damage fee.
Cellular Phones and Electronic Devices
As outlined in the Student Code of Conduct, students may have an electronic device on their person provided the device is turned off and kept out of sight. Devices that are seen or heard can be confiscated.
Useful Internet Sites
· Student Portal: http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/casdl/textbooks/index.asp
· Pinnacle Internet Viewer: https://gradebook.browardschools.com/piv. This site allows students and parents to access up-to-date grade information.
· Hollywood Hills High School: http://www.hollywoodhillshigh.net/
If internet access is not readily available to you outside school, all Broward County libraries have free access to the internet with several computers available. You may need a library card, which is also available free of charge. The closest library to the school is the Stirling Road Branch, 3151 Stirling Road, Hollywood, FL 33312. Their phone number is 954-985-2689.
Materials Needed:
Students are required to have:
1. Blue/Black pen and #2 pencil
2. College-Ruled Filler paper (for handing in assignments)
3. Highlighter
4. Scientific Calculator (no cellular phones will be used)
Classrooms are equipped with staplers, clear tape, and hole punchers. Any additional materials are the responsibility of the student.
In this course, we will examine the far-reaching and powerful world of physics. Through the use of scientific thinking and the vocabulary and symbols of science, we will work towards an understanding of what physics can tell us about the physical world. In particular, we will begin to see how mathematics can be applied to describe nature. Using techniques of algebra, geometry and trigonometry, we will see that mathematics was developed for a purpose beyond giving students something to study in school. It was developed to give us insight into the physical world.
In this course, we will be following the AP Physics B syllabus. This means we will cover topics in Newtonian mechanics for one and two dimensions, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics and modern physics.
As I'm sure you are aware, AP physics is a very challenging course. Our time is limited if we are to cover all of the topics that are necessary for you to be successful on the AP exam. Therefore you must be prepared to work hard and, at times, independently. I am here to give you all the help I possibly can but, ultimately, you must be the ones who do the necessary work to be successful.
To make things easier for all of us, I want to spell out in as much detail as I can exactly what it is I expect of you in this class. First of all, like all human beings, I have a pet peeve. Mine is tardiness. Be to class and be to class on time. As I said before, we have much to cover and our time is limited. Absence and tardiness cannot help but have a detrimental effect on your grade. There are often very good reasons for absence and tardiness--sickness, services projects, etc.--but you must make choices about what is most important to you. Be aware: even a single absence will put you behind in this course.
Secondly, I expect all work to be completed and turned in on time as per instructions. Assignments will be completed in notebooks. Except for quizzes, I will not accept loose papers. Late work will not be accepted.
Student’s overall grades will be determined based upon the following calculations:
AP PHYSICS
Tests 75%%
Quizzes 25%
PHYSICS II
Labs 60%
Classwork/
Homework 15%
Quizzes: Quizzes will take place the first 5-10 minutes of class, three to five days a week. They may or may not be announced. Though they will focus on current material, any material we have covered may appear in some form as physics builds on previous ideas. You may drop two quiz grades per marking period. If you are absent on a quiz day, that grade will be dropped automatically. Quizzes may not be made up for any reason. Missing more than two quizzes will result in zeroes on those quizzes.
Quarter Exams: Once a marking period, we will have an exam that covers an entire topic. The exam will be announced a week in advance and will take place during a double period.
Laboratory Work/ Homework: Laboratory work will typically be done during the double periods. All laboratory work should be done in a notebook for that purpose. Homework will be assigned every night and needs to be completed by the following class period in a notebook for that purpose. Expect assignments over all breaks and vacations. Periodically I will collect these notebooks and grade them. Please understand that it is crucial that you keep up with the assignments as they are the basis for what you will be tested over.
In terms of your behavior in the classroom, I expect mainly this: have respect for me as well as your classmates. This means you do not talk while others are talking, you do not create distractions or messes in the classroom and you do not get into other people's property. Having qualified to take this course, you should be intelligent enough to realize what is necessary for success and disrespect will do nothing but hold you and everyone else back. I will not tolerate it.
You are about to embark on one of the most difficult academic courses you will ever take. It will require work and dedication but the rewards if you complete the course will be great: college credit, a step-up on your future college classmates and, most importantly, the satisfaction of having achieved something significant.
I am here to help you in any way I can. To that end, I am available to help students outside of class every day from 7:00 am – 7:30 am & 2:45 pm - 3:30 pm in my classroom (room 169). You can also feel free to contact me at either of my e-mail addresses at any time and I will do what I can to help you that way. Do not wait to get help if you need it. You will fall behind very quickly.
All of this information, as well as links to useful websites and a listing of your homework assignments can be found on my website.
Good luck and have a great year! Ms. Houts
AP PHYSICS B
Instructor: Ms. Deb Houts Planning Period: 4
Email: () Phone: (754-323-1050)
Website: http://dhouts.com
I, ______and______
(Student’s name printed) (Parent(s)/ guardian(s) name(s) printed}
have read the Course description for Chemistry I, including the policies regarding grading, rules, attendance, and make-up policy. I agree that these policies are reasonable and will help maintain an appropriate learning environment, and I agree to abide by these rules or suffer the consequences for not following them.
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Parent(s)/ guardian(s) signature(s) Contact Number Date
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Student signature Contact Number Date