AP Physics B 2011 – 2012
Scott Shoaf, Myers Park High School
Course Objectives: (as given by the College Board)
· Read, understand, and interpret physical information.
· Describe and explain the sequence of steps in the analysis of a particular physical phenomenon or problem.
· Use basic mathematical reasoning in a physical situation or problem.
· Perform experiments, interpret the results of observations, and communicate results, including uncertainty assessment.
Text:
Walker, James S. 2004. Physics. 2nd ed. Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson Education, Inc
http://wps.prenhall.com/esm_walker_physics_2 Prentice Hall Companion Website. Pearson Education, Inc., Pearson Prentice Hall (2006)
Course Outline:
Unit Topic / % of Exam / # of Days / Chapter / Lab / Unit Test DateNEWTONIAN MECHANICS / 35
1. Kinematics / 7 / 9 / 2,3,4 / 1,2,3 / Sept. 16
2. Newton’s Laws of Motion / 9 / 11 / 5,6 / 4,5,6 / Sept. 30
3. Work, energy, power / 5 / 8 / 7,8 / 7,8 / Oct. 14
4. Systems of particles, linear momentum / 4 / 5 / 9 / 9,10 / Oct. 24
5. Circular motion and rotation / 4 / 6 / 6,10,11 / 11,12
6. Oscillations and Gravitation / 6 / 8 / 12,13 / 13,14,15 / Nov. 14
FLUID MECHANICS AND THERMAL PHYSICS / 15
7. Fluid Mechanics / 6 / 8 / 15 / 16,17 / Dec. 2
8. Temperature and Heat / 2 / 5 / 16 / 18
9. Kinetic theory and thermodynamics / 7 / 8 / 17,18 / 19 / Dec. 16
ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM / 25
10. Electrostatics / 5 / 7 / 19,20 / 20,21,22 / Jan. 13
11. Conductors and Capacitors / 4 / 5 / 19,20 / 21,23 / Jan. 24
12. Electric circuits / 7 / 9 / 21,24 / 23 / Feb. 7
13. Magnetic Fields / 4 / 6 / 22 / 24 / Feb. 14
14. Electromagnetic Induction / 5 / 7 / 23 / 25 / Feb. 28
WAVES AND OPTICS / 15
15. Wave motion (including sound) / 5 / 7 / 14,25 / 26,27
16. Physical and Geometric Optics / 10 / 11 / 26,27,28 / 28,29,30 / Mar. 27
ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS / 10
17. Atomic physics and quantum effects / 7 / 9 / 30,31 / 31,32
18. Nuclear Physics / 3 / 4 / 29,32 / 33 / Apr. 24
Please note test dates are tentative and subject to change.
Laboratory
Lab experiments will be conducted throughout the year. Most labs will take 45-90 minutes to complete. The following is a list of possible labs to be completed throughout the year. All of the labs marked with * below will be performed. The rest of the labs will be included as time allows. Thus at least 25% of instructional time is devoted to lab.
Labs begin with a presentation of a question or problem. A class discussion then takes place during which students develop hypotheses. Students then form groups and create procedures to test their hypotheses. At this point, groups proceed to the laboratory and are able to carry out their procedures and collect data. Next students analyze their data and form conclusions. Each student will generate their own original lab report for each lab experiment. Reports will be kept in a lab portfolio. Reports should include the following sections: Problem, Hypothesis, Procedure, Data, Calculations, Conclusions, Errors.
Topic I: Newtonian Mechanics
*1. Motion in One Dimension - Analyze the motion of objects moving at constant speed and at uniform accelerated motion. Data should be collected to produce a graph of x versus t and use the graph to plot a v- versus t-graph for each object.
2. What Goes Up Must Come Down - Determine the acceleration due to gravity.
3. Shoot For Your Grade - Determine muzzle velocity of a dart gun and calculate the range.
4. Newton's Second Law - Graphically analyze the variation of acceleration and force for different masses.
*5. Addition of Force Vectors - Add force vectors experimentally, graphically and analytically.
6. Coefficient of Friction - Determine static and kinetic coefficients of friction for various materials.
7. Work and the Inclined Plane - Design two methods to determine the work due to non-conservative forces using an inclined plane.
*8. Conservation of PE and KE - Verify the conservation of mechanical energy using a modified Atwood's machine.
*9. Conservation of Momentum in Explosions - Analyze the 'explosion' of a dynamics cart system to determine if momentum is conserved.
10. Conservation of Momentum and Energy—Collision in 2D - Verify the vector conservation of momentum in two-dimensional collisions.
11. Centripetal Force - Investigate the relationship between period, mass, speed and radius of an object in uniform circular motion.
*12. Torque - Determine an unknown mass using translational and rotational equilibrium.
13. Hooke’s Law - Analyze the spring constants of several springs.
*14. Simple Pendulum - Investigate the dependence of the period on the mass, length and angle of a simple pendulum and determinate the acceleration due to gravity.
15. Kepler’s Laws - Plot a planetary orbit to analyze Kepler's laws of planetary motion.
Topic II: Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
16. Archimedes’ Principle - Determine the density of unknown materials.
*17. Torricelli’s Theorem - Determine the exit velocity of a liquid and investigate the range attained with holes at varying heights.
*18. Coefficient of Linear Expansion - Determine the coefficient of linear expansion of metal rods.
*19. The Ideal Gas Law - Verify that the pressure of a gas (air) at a fixed temperature is inversely proportional to the gas volume, verify that the volume of a gas at a fixed pressure is proportional to the gas temperature and determine an experimental value for a constant that relates the temperature in Celsius to the absolute temperature.
Topic III: Electricity and Magnetism
20. Coulomb’s Law - Determine the charge on two spherical polystyrene balls
*21. Equipotential Lines and Electric Fields - Map both the potentials and the electric fields around a system of two-dimensional, charged conductors.
22. Static Electricity Investigation - Make qualitative observations of the behavior of an electroscope when it is charged by conduction and by induction.
*23. Ohm’s Law and Series Parallel Circuits - Measure the relationship between voltage, current and resistance, investigate dependence of resistance on length and cross sectional area, measure series and parallel combinations of resistances.
*24. Motors - Examine a St Louis Motor and build a simple motor comprised of basic materials.
*25. Electromagnetic Induction - Qualitatively examine the effects of changing magnetic field by observing currents induced in a solenoid and to determine whether your observations agree with the theory of electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s law.
Topic IV: Waves and Optics
26. Wave Properties - Investigate the relationship among wave variables using a ripple tank.
*27. Speed of Sound - Use the phenomenon of resonance to determine the speed of sound in an air column at room temperature.
*28. Interference and Diffraction - Determine the wavelength of a source of light by using a double slit and a diffraction grating of known spacing.
29. Law of Reflection & Snell’s Law - Determine of the index of refraction of a material and verify the Law of Reflection and Snell’s Law.
*30. Mirrors and Lenses - Using a concave mirror, determine three locations where a real image can be formed and one where a virtual image is formed. Determine the focal length of a converging lens directly and the focal length of a diverging lens by combining it with a converging lens.
Topic V: Atomic and Nuclear Physics
31. Photoelectric Effect - Use data to create a graph to find the value of Planck’s constant for three different metals.
*32. Simulation of Alpha Scattering - Look in detail at Rutherford’s experiment and relate it to a mechanical analogue.
*33. Radioactivity - Investigate radioactive decay using pennies to simulate decaying nuclei.
Tests & Quizzes
There will be a test at the end of each unit. Tests will be formatted to mimic the AP test; there will be multiple-choice and free response questions. Some questions will be based on lab experiments. Quizzes may be dispersed throughout the unit. The Midterm Exam will be someday between January 15-22.
Homework
Students are expected to do homework EVERY night. These assignments will be online, and students will need internet access to obtain the work and turn in your answers. You DO NOT, however, need to be on a computer to work on the assignment, nor do you need to answer the questions in order or all at once.
Homework is an extension of the class lesson and is vital to successfully mastering advanced physics material. You need to work on problem sets every evening, not just the day before it is due, therefore I will on occasion ask to see the work you have done on an assignment. These “homework checks” will be graded by effort, not correctness and students should be prepared to show work on any given day.
At least one class period per unit will be devoted to homework discussion. On those days you will work in small groups to write a comprehensive solution to an assigned problem. Since you will have different values for your variables you will have to demonstrate your ability to work with variables. These solutions will then be presented to the class as a whole to help others with their homework. On these days I will provide some feedback on your solutions, but you should be prepared to work with each other to develop solutions on your own.
Lab Reports
A lab report must be written for each lab. These reports must be typed and should follow the format of the Lab Report Template. Reports should be kept in a neat, organized, ringed binder as a Lab Portfolio.
Grading:
Tests: 50% Labs: 25 %
Homework: 10% Quizzes: 15%
Grading scale:
A 93-100
B 85-92
C 77-84
D 70-76
F below 70
Absences
In the event a student is absent, it is the STUDENT’S responsibility to find out about and turn in any assignments missed – I will not remind you. You have five days from the date you return to school to turn in make up work. If you are absent on the day an assignment is due, you must turn in the assignment on the day you return. If you miss a lab, test, or quiz due to an excused absence, you must make arrangements with me to make up the work after school. Students will not be allowed to make up work during class time.
AP Test
Students will be expected to take the AP Physics B test which is scheduled for the afternoon of Monday, May , 2012.
Class Materials
These items must be brought with you to class every day:
· Folder or binder with paper
· Pens and pencils
· Scientific calculator
In addition, students will be required to have a ½”or 1” three-ring binder to serve as a lab portfolio.
Grade Updates
Parents can view their child’s grades at any time on the Parent Assistant Module. If you are unable to access this program, please feel free to contact me at any time.
Extra Help
If a student is in need of extra help, please do not hesitate to ask for it! I am available most days after school and I will be happy to help as long as you let me know you are coming. Use resources in the start of the year newsletter.
Behavioral Objectives
I expect you to adhere to the following rules while in our classroom:
· Be on time: in your seat and ready when the bell rings
· Be prepared: have necessary supplies and completed assignments
· Be respectful: raise your hand to speak and listen when others speak
· Be attentive: listen and follow directions the first time
· Be honest: follow the school’s academic honesty code
· Be safe: always follow all lab safety rules and directions
Students who do not follow the safety rules in the lab will be removed from the lab and will receive a zero for the activity. If you cause an unsafe situation for yourself or others, further consequences may also result.
If you break a piece of lab equipment out of carelessness, or because you were not following directions, you will be held responsible for that equipment.
Getting in touch with Mr. Shoaf
At any time, parents may get in touch with Mr. Shoaf by email or phone:
· Email:
· School Phone: 980-343-5800
AP Physics B
Name: ______Block: ______
Course Guidelines / Grading Policy:
My signature below indicates that I have been provided with a copy of the course syllabus for AP physics. My teacher has reviewed these policies with me and I understand what is expected of me to be successful in this course. I also understand how my grade for this course will be determined. I agree to abide by these rules and guidelines.
Student Signature: ______Date: ______
To the Parent / Guardian:
It is important that you are also familiar with these guidelines given to your child for use in the science classroom. Please review these policies carefully with your student and sign the statement below.
I have read the guidelines on course expectations and grading that were provided to my child. I understand these guidelines and will support their use in ensuring my child’s success in AP physics class this year.
Parent Signature: ______Date: ______