AP Physics 1Ms. Ahern

Syllabus 2015/2016

Course Overview

The AP Physics 1 Course has been designed by the College Board as a course equivalent to the algebra-trigonometry based college-level physics course. At the end of the course, students will take the AP Physics 1 Exam, which will test their knowledge of both the concepts taught in the classroom and their application of laboratory experiences. The AP Physics 1 course requires lab work which is integral to the understanding of the concepts in this course. This course makes use of guided inquiry and student-centered learning to promote the growth of critical thinking skills. AP Physics 1 prepares students for further study in science, medicine, and engineering. Students will gain an understanding of fundamental physics principles and then apply them to problem solving and laboratory investigations.

Materials and Supplies:

  • Durable, 3 ring binder, 2 inch
  • 5 Tab dividers
  • Lined paper
  • Graph paper
  • Graphing calculator
  • Colored pencils
  • Pencils
  • Ruler

The main content areas are:

  • Kinematics: Vectors and motion in 2 dimensions
  • Dynamics: Newton's Laws
  • Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation
  • Simple Harmonic Motion: Pendulums and Mass-Spring Systems
  • Impulse, Linear Momentum, Collisions, and Conservation of Linear Momentum
  • Work, Energy, and Conservation of Energy
  • Rotational Motion: Torque, Kinematics, Energy, Dynamics, and Angular Momentum
  • Electrostatics: Electric Charge, Field and Force
  • DC Circuits: Resistors, Voltage, and Current
  • Mechanical Waves and Sound

The class meets 5 times per week for 50 minutes a day, with additional before/after school lab time as needed. Class time will consist of lectures, homework review, class work, computer simulations, demonstrations, and assessments. Laboratory experiments will be completed throughout the year to investigate or reinforce relationships and concepts currently being studied.

Textbook: Giancoli, D. (2005). Physics: Principles with Applications, 6th rev. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-0184661-2

Supplemental Resources:

Grading Policy: Tests40%

Content Quizzes, binder checks20%

Laboratory10%

Homework10%

* Final Exam20%

Tests will consist of multiple choice questions, free response questions, and an occasional laboratory question. These will be summative over each unit. Quizzes will occur more often and cover smaller individual concepts from homework assignments, lectures, and reading material. Labs will be graded based upon appropriate write-ups that include using the scientific method. This also includes any online labs or simulations done on the computer. Homework will be graded as assigned from the textbook or from given worksheets.

*A final exam constructed in the AP Physics 1 format will be given at the end of the year whether or not you take the AP exam or not. There are no more exemptions.

Course Outline: This outline provides a time line for the completion of each unit. Released exams and review will be assigned during spring break. The school also provides the class with an AP Physics Camp Day where one complete practice exam will be administered with all of the exam constraints.

Unit / Time Period / Content / Textbook
Chapters
I. Introduction:
Math and
Measurement Review / 1 week / algebra and trig. review, data collection, significant figures, unit conversions / 1
II. Vectors / 2 weeks / vector /scalar addition/subtraction (graphically and algebraically) / 3
III. Newtonian Mechanics:
Kinematics / 4 weeks / motion in 1 dimension, d/t and v/t graphs, constant acceleration equations, motion in 2 dimensions, projectile motion / 2, 3
IV. Newtonian Mechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion / 4 weeks / static equilibrium
first law, dynamics of a single particle; second law, systems of 2 or more bodies; third law, action-reaction / 4
V. Newtonian Mechanics
Work, Energy, Power / 4 weeks / work and work-energy theorem, forces and potential energy, conservation of energy, power / 6
VI. Newtonian Mechanics
Systems of Particles, Linear Momentum / 3 weeks / impulse and momentum, collisions, conservation of linear momentum / 7
VII. Newtonian Mechanics
Circular Motion and Rotation,
Center of mass / 3 weeks / uniform circular motion, torque and rotational statics, angular momentum / 5, 8
VIIII. Newtonian Mechanics
Gravitation / 1 week / Newton’s Law of Gravity, Kepler’s Laws / 5
VIII. Newtonian Mechanics
Oscillations / 3 weeks / simple harmonic motion, mass on a spring, pendulum and other oscillations / 11
XI. Waves and
Wave Motion / 2 weeks / sound and traveling waves, wave propagation, standing waves, superposition / 11, 12
IX. Electricity
Electrostatics / 3 weeks / charge, Coulomb’s Law, point charges, electric force, Electric Field / 16
X. Electricity Electric Circuits / 2 weeks / current, resistance, power,
Kirchoff’s Rules / 18, 19

\Review, Review, Review!!!!!!

Laboratory Component: All of the laboratory experiments will be hands-on activities or computer-based simulations at a college level and are mandatory for this course. Traditional methods and current technology will be utilized, along with student driven investigation that requires critical thinking and inquiry. Students will be presented with a problem. In groups they will analyze and establish the variables, discuss possible solutions, and determine a method for finding an answer to the problem. Students will form a hypothesis, design an experimental procedure, make observations, take data, make calculations, and form a conclusion. Graphing calculators will be used often to analyze data and make predictions beyond the scope of the experiment. Students will be required to keep a lab notebook containing a report on each lab where error analysis and experimental reflection will be required. Most of these labs will be available before and after school due to class time constraints.

1. Measurement Review-1hr / Students will use a variety of measuring devices to determine m, v, l, T, etc. to use with further calculations and unit conversions.
2. Motion in One Direction-1hr / Students will complete several running, walking, time trials on a football field and to construct d/t and v/t graphs.
3. Vectors-1hr / Students will use a force table to understand vector addition.
4.* Projectile Motion-1.5hr / Students will video a projectile from a launcher using the camera’s timer feature and then analyze.
5. * Friction on an Inclined Plane-1hr / Students will use an inclined plane and various blocks to explore balanced/unbalanced forces and the coefficients of friction-static and kinetic.
6. * Projectile Motion-2-1hr
(momentum, potential energy) / Students will use a Flynn ballistic pendulum to study initial velocity and momentum.
7. * Conservation of Momentum-1hr / Students will use an air track and magnetic cars to determine initial and final velocities.
8. Rollercoaster Energy-1hr / Students will use a model rollercoaster track and timer to learn about the relationships between potential energy, kinetic energy, position, and velocity.
9. Hooke’s Law-1.5hr / Students will perform an egg bungee drop to understand Hooke’s Law.
10. Circular Motion-1hr / Students will use a gyroscope bicycle wheel and various masses on a string to explore tension and centripetal force.
11. *Kepler’s Laws-1.5hr / Students will use a string, foam board, and push pins to understand elliptical orbits and their periods. Involves a website demo also.
14. * Static Electricity-1hr / Students will develop and understanding of electrostatic principles by constructing a pith ball electroscope.
15. * Coulomb’s Law-1hr / Students will calculate the charge deposited on 2 suspended pith balls.
16. The Van De Graff Generator-.5hr / Students will perform various trials individually and in lines with different items in their hands.
18. * Ohm’s Law-1hr / Students will use light bulbs, wires, batteries and other circuit components to assemble various series and parallel circuits to make calculations of power, voltage, current, and resistance.