Advanced Placement Physics C – Mechanics
Syllabus
"To one, science is an exalted goddess; to another it is a cow which provides him butter.”
Friedrich Von Sciller
"The most beautiful thing we can experience is the mysterious. It is the source of all-true art and
science. Never stop questioning."
Albert Einstein
Welcome again to the exciting world of physics! It is my desire that you will continue to find physics an exiting and enjoyable experience, and that you will profit from this experience regardless of your future profession. Among those enrolled in a second year physics course, only a few will end up as professional physicists. But in going on to become engineers, chemists, or biologists, a far greater will need knowledge of, and understanding of physics. This course will follow an advanced placement physics format for scientists and engineers. The method of writing lab reports is common in both science and engineering disciplines. Most students will be taking a calculus course concurrently. The mathematical principles will be derived in class showing the rigorous and shortcuts. Throughout mathematical concepts are introduced as needed for the physics being discussed. if you are not taking calculus, you may need to pay special attention to these areas, but you should not worry too much.
If you need additional help, feel free to drop by before or after school. The important thing
is not to stop questioning.
Textbooks
Fundamentals of Physics Extended, Ninth Edition David Halliday, Robert Resnick, Jearl Walker
November 2010, ©2011
This book arms engineers with the tools to apply key physics concepts in the field. A number of the key figures in the new edition are revised to provide a more inviting and informative treatment. The figures are broken into component parts with supporting commentary so that they can more readily see the key ideas. Material from The Flying Circus is incorporated into the chapter opener puzzlers, sample problems, examples and end-of-chapter problems to make the subject more engaging. Checkpoints enable them to check their understanding of a question with some reasoning based on the narrative or sample problem they just read. Sample Problems also demonstrate how engineers can solve problems with reasoned solutions.
Loyd, David. Physics Laboratory Manual (Paperback) 2nd Edition
This logically organized manual is intended for use in a two-semester introductory physics course, either calculus- or algebra/trigonometry-based, and may be used in conjunction with any physics text. Each experiment develops the students' intuitive abilities in physics. Most labs (35 out of 45) give students hands-on experience with statistical analysis.
Manual for Laboratory Physics- Physics Department University of Cincinnati (due to my affiliation with UC Physics, I have been given permission for the use of this manual). Labs are not taken directly from the manual but the basic ideas, procedures, and equipment are.
Resource that student should obtain- Leduc, Steven.Cracking the AP Physics B & C Exams –The Princeton Review.
You will given information to obtain access to the Book Student Companion website
http://bcs.wiley.com/he-bcs/Books?action=index&bcsId=5586&itemId=0470469080
Course Outline
A. P. Physics C
I) Introduction to Calculus and Laboratory statistics.
A) Limits, derivatives, and integrals
B) Standard deviation and error propagation
II) Mechanics
A) Kinematics (linear and rotational motion in one and two dimensions)
B) Unit Vector notation
C) Newton’s Laws of Motion
Statics and Dynamics (forces in equilibrium and in motion)
D) Work Energy Theorem, Conservation of Energy, and Power
E) System of Particles, Linear Momentum, and Conservation of Momentum and Energy
F) Circular Motion and Rotations
G) Oscillations and Universal Gravitation (math and astronomy)
If you plan on taking the AP physics exam for college credit you need to determine which test
will be accepted and which will give you the most credit. Contact your college for exact information and
guidelines. Past experience has found that the AP Physics C exam is always accepted while the AP Physics
B is not. Do not assume that this is always true! Independent study programs may need to be developed. This course will follow the AP Physics C – Mechanics guidelines.
Concepts and Principles
It is essential that you understand the basic concepts and principles before attempting to solve problems. This is best accomplished through a careful reading of the textbook before attending your lecture on the material. During the process it is useful to jot down notes /outline certain points which are not clear to you. Take careful notes in class, and then ask questions pertaining to those ideas that require clarification. Keep in mind that few people are able to absorb the full meaning of scientific material after one reading. Several reading of the notes and text may be necessary. Your lectures and laboratory work should supplement the text and clarify some of the more difficult material. You should reduce memorization of material to a minimum. Memorizing passages from the text, equations, and derivations does not necessarily mean you understand the materials. Your understanding will be enhanced through a combination of efficient study habits, discussions with other students, and your ability to solve problems.
Ask questions whenever you feel it is necessary.
Study Schedule
As a general rule, you should devote one hour of study time for every hour of class. If you are having trouble with the course, come in for additional assistance and seek the advice of former and experienced students. It is important that you avoid the practice of delaying study until a day or two before the exam. More often than not this will lead to disastrous results. Rather than an all nighter, stay on top of all of your assignments reviewing notes, homework, and quizzes periodically.
Course Assignments and Requirements
Class Participation: Class discussions are an integral part of the course. To contribute to them you must come to class prepared and on time. You are expected to demonstrate high quality performance in all aspects of this course, including completing all assigned reading in a timely manner and participating in class discussions and activities.
The following grades will be cumulative and will be your total grade
1) Homework problems and Quizzes: Homework problems will be assigned throughout the year and solutions will be subsequently provided and discussed. They are exclusively to help you learn physics; they will not be graded, and you will not be penalized for working problems differently than I would. Weekly quizzes usually will be given on the last day of each week. The results will be posted the next school day. It is the students’ responsibility to ask questions after evaluating their understanding of the material. They are for your personal guidance in keeping you informed on what I think you ought to know and your ability to succeed on the chapter tests or exams.
2) Evaluations (tests): At the conclusion of a major content area, there will be some form of evaluation activity. Notes, homework, and quizzes may sometimes be used. There will be no sharing of calculators.
Lab Portion
The AP Physics lab experience should:
1. To provide an experimental foundation for the theoretical concepts introduced in the lectures. It is important that students have an opportunity to verify some of the ideas for themselves.
2. To familiarize students with experimental apparatus, the scientific method, and methods of data analysis so that they will have some idea of the inductive process by which the ideas were originated. To teach how to make careful experimental observations and how to think about and draw conclusions from such data.
3. To introduce the methods used for estimating and dealing with experimental uncertainties, including simple ideas in probability theory and the distinctions between random (statistical) and systematic "errors." This is essential in understanding what valid conclusions can be deduced from experimental data and that, properly obtained, these conclusions are valid, notwithstanding the uncertainty of the data.
4. To learn how to write a technical report which communicates scientific information in a clear and concise manner.
5. To introduce new concepts and techniques which have a wide application in experimental science, but have not been introduced in the standard courses. These may require that the student consult additional textbooks.
The laboratory is not a contest whose object is to get the "right answer." The purpose is to learn how to gain knowledge by looking at reality, not an attempt to make reality conform to preconceptions. The important thing is to learn how to be observant, to really see what happens, and to deal with this information with the strictest integrity. And to understand, or learn to understand, the meaning of what happens.
Most of your experimental lab work will be taken from a college lab manual. The Lab report turned in represents you. The product should be neat and organized. Responses to questions should be in complete sentences. All graphs and data tables should contain titles and labeled axis. The method of writing the lab report will be discussed fully. There will be small projects such as bridges, catapults, computer problems, and online assignments. These assignments will be inquiry-based and will allow you freedom to apply your physics knowledge to complete specific tasks. Each student is required to submit a portfolio of their lab reports and related documents at the end of each quarter. Organization of this folder is worth 10% of your lab grade. It should include a Table of Contents and every Lab related assignment.
Lab reports based on experiments from Loyd manual or student-designed using the Vernier equipment will be 50 points each. Project grades vary from 50-125 points.
Detailed Course Outline
A. P. Physics C
Week 1-2
I) Introduction to Calculus and Laboratory statistics.
A) Limits, derivatives, and integrals
B) Standard deviation and error propagation
Serway Chapter 1
General Laboratory Information and lab writing, Types of errors, Mean, standard deviation, and standard error.
Introduction to limits and derivatives
Linear least squares analysis (regression), Percent error and difference, graph preparation. Report Format.
Lab- Measurement of Length ( Lloyd)
Week 3-5
II) Mechanics
A) Kinematics - 1 dimensional motion
Chapter 2
Motion of Particles
Average and Instantaneous Velocity
Uniformly accelerated motion
Acceleration due to gravity
Application to derivatives and integrals
Lab- Uniformly Accelerated Motion Using Vernier Motion Probe
Lab- Determining g on an incline Using Vernier Motion Probe
Week 6
B) Unit Vector notation and 2 dimensional motion
Chapter 3
Mathematical Application of Vectors. Unit vector notation
Week 7-8
Chapter 4
2D and 3D projectile motion.
Balistic pendulum.
Uniform Circular motion
Relative Velocity and Acceleration
Lab – Projectile Cannon
Week 9-11 C) Newton’s Laws of Motion
Chapter 5
Inertial reference frame
Galileo experiments
Mass and weight.
Newton’s 2nd law
Newton’s 3rd law 3rd law demos (balloons, tug- o- war)
Unit vectors and Newton's Laws
Lab -Force Table and Vector Addition -Loyd
Newton’s Laws and problem solving
Friction and Newton's laws
Lab - Coefficient of Friction -Loyd
Lab- Newton’s Law on the Atwood machine-loyd
Week 12-14
Chapter 6
Uniform Circular motion
Solving Problem Methods
Uniform circular motion and friction
Motion in accelerated frames
Air resistance and resistivity of fluids
Lab-Parachute Project application
Lab- Uniform Circular Motion –UC Physics
D) Work Energy Theorem, Conservation of Energy, and Power
Week 15-16 End 1st semester
Chapter 7
Work Energy Definition
Scalar product
Work as a sum of forces and displacements(integral)
Work done by a variable force
work energy theorem
Work done by gravity
Work done by a spring
Work Kinetic energy theorem
Power
Week 17-19
Chapter 8
Work done by variable force in 3-D.
Newtons gravitational force.
Conservative Forces & Potential energy.
Conservation of “Total Mechanical Energy”
Nonconservative force & friction
General work-energy theorem
Lab Conservation of spring and gravitational energy-Loyd
Statics and Dynamics (forces in equilibrium and in motion)
Week 20-22
Chapter 12
The conditions for equilibrium
Center of gravity
Examples of rigid objects in static equilibrium
Elastic properties of solids
Extra problems
US Army West Point Bridge building software
UC Bridge Building Project and Competition
E) System of Particles, Linear Momentum, and Conservation of Momentum and Energy
Week 23-24
Chapter 9
Impulse and momentum Theorem
Momentum Conservation and collisions
Momentum, energy, collisions
Lab Collision Momentum in 2 d
1 dimensional Momentum and collisions
2 dimensional collisions and energy considerations
Center of Mass
Momentum of a series of particles
Lab-The ballistic pendulum and Projectile Motion-Loyd
F) Circular Motion and Rotations
Week 25-26
Chapter 10
Rotation of a Rigid Object about a fixed axis
Angular Kinematic quantities
Rotational Energy
Moment of Inertia
Torque and angular acceleration
Work, Power, & Energy
Week 27-28
Chapter 11
Rolling Motion and angular momentum
Vector product and torque
Angular momentum of a particle and rotating rigid object
Conservation of Angular momentum
Lab-Moment of Inertia and Rotational Motion-Loyd
G) Oscillations and Universal Gravitation (math and astronomy)
Week 29-30
Chapter 15
Oscillatory Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Energy of a simple harmonic oscillator
SHM and UCM
Damped and forced oscillation
Lab- Pendulum approximation SHM-Loyd
Lab-Simple Harmonic Motion- Mass on a spring-Loyd
Week 31-32
Chapter 13
The law of gravity
Universal Gravitation
Newton’s synthesis/ Kepler’s laws
Gravitational field
Gravitational Potential Energy
Planetary and satellite motion
Normally we begin AP review a week before the test. The test time vary from year to year and usually the first or second week in May.
Week 33-?
AP Review
Resource that student should obtain
Leduc, Steven.Cracking the AP Physics B & C Exams –The Princeton Review.
We will complete Practice Tests from the above source along with completing old tests on the AP college board website.
After AP Test
Final Project Application- TBA
If you plan on taking the AP physics exam for college credit you need to determine which test
will be accepted and which will give you the most credit. Contact your college for exact information and
guidelines. Past experience has found that the AP Physics C exam is always accepted while the AP Physics
1 or 2 is not. Do not assume that this is always true! Independent study programs may need to be developed.
Concepts and Principles
It is essential that you understand the basic concepts and principles before attempting to solve problems. This is best accomplished through a careful reading of the textbook before attending your lecture on the material. During the process it is useful to jot down notes /outline certain points which are not clear to you. Take careful notes in class, and then ask questions pertaining to those ideas that require clarification. Keep in mind that few people are able to absorb the full meaning of scientific material after one reading. Several reading of the notes and text may be necessary. Your lectures and laboratory work should supplement the text and clarify some of the more difficult material. You should reduce memorization of material to a minimum. Memorizing passages from the text, equations, and derivations does not necessarily mean you understand the materials.Your understanding will be enhanced through a combination of efficient study habits, discussions with other students, and your ability to solve problems.