AP Physics 1

Instructor: Mr. Kuffer

Course Overview

Prerequisites

1. 80% or higher in Honors Algebra 2 (3202); or higher level math course; or 90% or higher in Academic Algebra 2 (3103).

2. 80% or higher in Honors Chemistry (4610) or 90% or higher in Academic Chemistry (4911).

3. Recommendation of prior year's Science Teacher.

Textbook

Cutnell & Johnson Physics 9e

Big Ideas for AP Physics 1

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 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.

The Big Ideas for AP Physics 1 are correlated to the content of the course and to the lab and inquiry-based investigations done throughout the school year in the attached syllabus. The attached syllabus can be found on the College Board website.

NA Course Description

AP Physics 1 / No. 4062
Full Year/Full Time AP Wt.
Grades 11, 12 Phase IV / Credit 1.0
This course is designed to meet the demands of the AP Physics 1 syllabus as published by the College Board. The topics covered include Classical Mechanics, Waves and Sound, and an introduction to Electric Circuits. This course is equivalent to a one–semester terminal physics course at the college–level. The course is valuable to the student in two ways. The experience of having taken a college–level science class in high school will be a tremendous help when the student is in college. Secondly, the student can earn college credit by taking the AP Physics 1 exam at the end of the year. This of course depends upon how well the student does on the exam and the college and major in which the student enrolls. Please contact the specific college or university for more information.
Mathematics, including trigonometry, geometry, and algebra will be used extensively in this course to solve problems and develop relationships between physical quantities. Although it is beneficial to have had Honors Physics or Academic Concepts of Physics prior to AP Physics 1, it is not required. This course meets five periods each week. Please note that the science department will be offering AP Physics 2 as a stand-alone course beginning with the 2016-2017 school year. Topics of study in AP Physics 1 will include:
-Kinematics
-Newton’s Laws of Motion
-Torque
-Rotational Motion & Angular Momentum
-Gravitational and Circular Motion
-Work, Power & Energy
-Linear Momentum
-Oscillations, Mechanical Waves & Sound
-DC Circuits
Throughout the year students can expect to employ critical thinking and reasoning skills as they investigate the topics of study (listed above). Observations obtained from these inquiry-based experimentations will be supported by physical models.
This course requires that 25% of the instructional time is spent on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the foundational physics principles. - College Boards
Students should also expect that traditional classwork (homework, quizzes, tests, etc…) will also be employed and used as a primary assessment tool.
Required Materials
Item / Description
Textbook / Cutnell & Johnson Physics 9e
3-Ring Binder / Items handed out will be 3-hole-punched. All items are expected to be included in your binder.
-Classroom Notes & Discussion
-Homework
-Lab Activities
-Unit Packet
-Equation Sheet
-Supplemental Handouts
Lab Notebook / 9 ¾ x 7 ¼ Lab Notebook
Lab notebooks are instrumental in developing and demonstrating an understanding of physical concepts investigated throughout the year.
Calculator / One of the following calculators:
-TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver
-TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver, TI-83 Plus C Silver
-TI-85
-TI-86
-TI-89, TI-89 Titanium
Other Materials / -Pencils
-Erasers
-#2 Pencils
-Colored Pencils
-Pens
-Ruler
General Course Outline Courtesy of the College Boards





Classroom Rules and Procedures (abstract)

  1. NO Cell Phones! Refer to Cell Phone Policy.
  2. Make-up work / Test: If a student is present until the day of the test, he/she should take the MAKE UP TEST on the day of return. In excess of three days excused absence, test and work must be completed within three days of the students return to school. MAKE-UP WORK IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE STUDENT! Tests can be made up during study hall, or by appointment.
  3. Materials needed for class everyday.

a)Textbook: Physics: Principles and Problems

b)Notebooks: Students are strongly advised to have a 3-ring binder with paper! Students are required to bring this binder to class every day!!

c)Pen or pencil

d)Scientific Calculator

  1. Late Work: 50% per day for each day late will be deducted for late assignments. No work after two days will be accepted for points.

Mr. Kuffer’s Schedule
Period / Times / Course / Room
1 / 7:25 – 8:07 / Concepts of Physics / 333
Homeroom / 8:07 – 8:23 / Concepts of Physics / 333
2 / 8:27 – 9:09 / Concepts of Physics / 333
3 / 9:13 – 9:55 / Concepts of Physics / 333
4 / 9:59 – 10:41 / Prep / ---
5/6 / 10:45 – 11:27 / Prep / ---
7 / 11:27 – 11:57 / Lunch / ---
8/9 / 12:01 – 12:43 / AP Physics 1 / 333
10 / 12:47 – 1:29 / AP Physics 1 / 333
11 / 1:33 – 2:15 / AP Physics 1 / 333

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