AP Physics 1
Course Description and Philosophy
Physics is the study of matter and energy. After a year of Physics one should have a basic idea of how objects interact with one another. Physicists used to be referred to as natural philosophers; therefore, after studying Physics one will have a better understanding of the laws that govern our universe and everything around us.
Honors Physics will be divided into three units. To understand our universe one needs to study mechanics, oscillatory motion, and electricity. AP Physics 1 is a fast paced course that goes over the basic concepts in much detail, backing up the concepts with high-level algebra and trigonometry. It is designed for the student that has plans to attend a four-year college, and wishes to have a challenge in their high school career.
The course, AP Physics 1, will follow six of the seven Big Ideas of Physics as outlined by the College Board. Big Idea 1: Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure. Big Idea 2: Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions. Big Idea 3: The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces. Big Idea 4: Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems. Big Idea 5: Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws. Big Idea 6: Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
Evaluation will vary. It will consist of homework, quizzes, and tests. Another important evaluation tool will be laboratory exercises. Since we are studying how things interact with each other, what better way than to actually see it. The labs are all hands on and let the student manipulate many variables to see just how the laws of Physics work. Finally, there will be projects that allow the student to go beyond the classroom and apply their knowledge to everyday problems.
Text Reference:
Douglas C. Giancoli Physics Principles with Applications, 6th ed. Pearson Prentice Hall 2005, Upper Saddle River, NJ 07458
WRITTEN 2014
Unit I: Mechanics
Essential Question: What is motion and how do bodies interact with one another?
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Objectives: Students will be able to:
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· Make measurements with proper significance and units.
· Make and utilize graphs.
· Use computers for data collecting and analysis.
· Describe motion in one dimension with appropriate graphs and equations.
1. Position
2. Speed
3. Velocity
4. Acceleration
· Describe motion in two dimensions utilizing vectors.
1. Projectile motion
2. Relative velocity
· Understand and use Newton’s three laws of motion.
1. Newton’s first law.
2. Newton’s second law.
3. Newton’s third law.
4. Equilibrium problems
5. Multiple mass systems
· Use appropriate formulas for gravitation and circular motion.
1. Newton’s universal law of gravitation
2. Circular motion
3. Satellite motion
4. Forces of nature
· Understand the nature of conservative laws.
1. Conservation of energy
2. Work
3. Power
4. Conservation of momentum
5. Impulse
6. Collisions
· Describe rotational motion including all rotational analogies
1. Angular quantities
2. Torque
3. Rotational dynamics
4. Rotational conservative laws; energy and momentum
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Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 1: Kinematics in One Dimension
· Position Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-1
· Speed Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones
· Velocity Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Acceleration Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Graphs Lab Supplies
· Measurements
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 2: Kinematics in Two Dimensions
· Vectors Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-1
· Scalars Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones
· Projectile Motion Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Relative Velocity Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard Lab Supplies
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 3: Dynamics
· Force Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-1
· Mass Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones
· Newton’s First Law of Motion Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Newton’s Second Law of Motion Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Newton’s Third Law of Motion Lab Supplies
· Equilibrium
· Multiple Mass Systems
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 4: Circular Motion and Gravitation
· Kinematics of Circular Motion Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-1
· Dynamics of Circular Motion Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-4
· Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Satellite Motion Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Forces of Nature Lab Supplies
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 5: Work and Energy
· Work done by constant Force Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS3-1
· Work done by varying Force Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS3-2
· Kinetic Energy Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes HS-PS3-3
· Work Energy Principle Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Conservative/nonconservative Forces Lab Supplies
· Conservation of Energy
· Other Forms of Energy
· Power
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 6: Linear Momentum
· Impulse Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-2
· Momentum Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-3
· Conservation of Momentum Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Collisions in one dimension Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Collisions in two dimensions Lab Supplies
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 7: Rotational Motion
· Angular Quantities Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS3-1
· Rotational Dynamics Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS3-2
· Torque Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes HS-PS3-3
· Rotational Energy Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Conservation of Rotational Motion Lab Supplies
Differentiated Learning Activities
1. Students can create flash cards for all vocabulary in unit
2. Students can create a crossword puzzle using vocabulary in unit
3. Create a flip book showing the different types of motion
4. Create a poster showing the differences in Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
5. Create a sketch of your own roller coaster, and explain all concepts used
6. Create a Power Point presentation on the angular analogies
7. Write a report on Newton’s life
8. Explain how a car engine uses torque
9. Calculate your own horsepower going up your stairs at home
21st Century Skills
Students will work in groups to collaborate in making a Rube Goldberg machine. They will research who Rube Goldberg was, find examples of his works in both picture form and actual working devices. They will then create their own machine to show a conservation of Energy. Finally, all groups will place their machines together so all the machines work in unison.
Students will gather information on alternative energies such as biofuels, wind generators, or nuclear poer plants from a variety of sources. They document the location and format of the information, what organizations published it, and how it was funded. They analyze and catergorize the information to determine potential biases and to distinguish opinion from fact.
Unit II: Vibrations and Waves
Essential Question: What are waves and how do they travel and transfer energy?
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Objectives: Students will be able to:
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· Explain vibrations
1. Simple Harmonic
2. Damped Harmonic
· Explain Wave Motion
1. Use Universal Wave Equation
· Determine difference between waves
1. Transverse
2. Longitudinal
· Understand Several Wave Phenomenon
1. Standing Waves
2. Reflection
3. Refraction
4. Diffraction
5. Resonance
6. Principle of Superposition
· Explain Sound
1. Characteristics of Sound
2. Pitch
3. Amplitude
4. Beats
5. Doppler Effect
6. Musical Instruments
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 1: Vibrations and Waves
· Simple Harmonic Motion Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS4-1
· Simple Pendulum Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS4-2
· Damped Harmonic Motion Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes HS-PS4-3
· Wave Motion Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Wave Phenomenon Lab Supplies
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Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 2: Sound
· Characteristics of Sound Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS4-1
· Pitch, Volume Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS4-4
· Frequency, Amplitude Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes HS-PS4-5
· Interference and Beats Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Doppler Effect Lab Supplies
· Medical Applications
Differentiated Learning Activities
1. Student can create a movie describing and showing resonance
2. Create a camera
3. Do a ray diagram for a multiple lens system
4. Create a song about sound
5. Calculate the focal point of the lenses used in our biology microscopes
6. Make a website that demonstrates all the physical properties of sound
7. Create a poster of the Physics behind a certain instrument (either musical or optical)
8. Make a concept map for this unit
21st Century Skills
Students will work in groups to create a musical instrument of their own design. They will then play a song for the entire class that the class will need to identify. Finally, all instruments will be played together to create a concert of the students design.
After studying the background content of the discovery of the Higgs, student teams use online news sources and internet radio broadcasts from other countries to compare and contrast international coverage of the topic with that of U.S. media. Students identify different uses of wording, including persuasive, derogatory, etc. Students examine how the informational and editorial aspects of reporting on science might be different in other cultures and in diverse American sub-cultures, then use social networking tools or wikis to discuss these differences with students in other regions of the country or other countries.
Unit III: Electricity
Essential Question: How is electricity created and controlled?
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Objectives: Students will be able to:
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· Identify Electric Charges
1. Positive
2. Negative
3. Neutral
· Explain and Show how to Charge objects
1. Friction
2. Conduction
3. Induction
· Explain and Use Coulomb’s Law
· Explain Electric Fields
1. Field Lines
· Identify Difference in Electric Potential and Electric Potential Energy
· Calculate Electric Potential Energy
· Relate E-Field lines and Equipotential lines
· Explain Electric Currents
· Use Ohm’s Law
· Calculate Resistance
· Utilize and Create Electric Circuits
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 1: Electric Charge and Field
· Electric Charges Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-5
· Static Electricity Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-6
· Insulators and Conductors Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Coulomb’s Law Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· Electric Fields Lab Supplies
· Field Lines
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 2: Electric Potential
· Electric Potential Energy Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-5
· Electric Potential Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-6
· E-Field and Equipotential Lines Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
Lab Supplies
Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 3: Electric Currents
· Currents Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-5
· Ohm’s Law Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-6
· Resistance Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
· Electric Power Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
· AC/DC Lab Supplies
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Topic/Content Skills Assessment Resources Instructional Method Tech Infusion NGSS
Topic 4: DC Circuits
· Resistors in Series and Parallel Test/Quizzes Text Lecture Graphing Computers HS-PS2-5
· Kirchhoff’s Rules Lab Activity Lab Manual Small Group Work SmartPhones HS-PS2-6
Homework Internet Discussion Mac Books/Probes
Projects Mac Book Air Lab Work Smartboard
Lab Supplies
Differentiated Learning Activities
1. Design and demonstrate your own electromagnet
2. Write a report about alternative electrical sources
3. Make an electroscope
4. Calculate how strong an electromagnet needs to be to lift an average car at the junk yard
5. Students can construct a circuit to accomplish an every day task
6. Create a song using the vocabulary in this unit
7. Calculate the power you use in your house and how you can reduce that demand
Ethical Decision Making/Character Education
With all the advancements in the medical field regarding, sound, and electricity, should we use humans as test subjects?
21st Century Skills
Students will reasearch the lives and works of both Ampere and Faraday. They will then write a report on who they think contributed the most to the advancements of Electricity and Magnetism.
Students will use any programming language they know to make a program that will solve Kirchhoff’s rules. The program must accept all resistor values and voltages. They output must be all unknow currents with indicated direction
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