AP Physics

Syllabus Overview

Snapshot

• Physics is the foundation science for all others• Physics studies matter, energy, and how the two

interact• AP Physics is a challenging, mathematics-based

class• You will earn 2 credits – the first half awards a

credit of Physical Science Honors and the second half awards a credit for AP Physics

“You look so skinny”

• The course is “skinnied” with…itself– Physics Honors on one day– AP Physics on the next day

• We’ll use the Physics Honors day to introduce concepts and mathematics

• We’ll use the AP Physics day to further develop concepts and mathematics

• Each course has its own book

Decisions, decisions

• As it currently stands, you can decide which AP Physics class that you wish to take

• AP Physics B– Is an Algebra-based class with some light Trigonometry– Is equal to general college physics– Level required for pre-med, game design, etc

• AP Physics C– Is calculus-based (more supplemental to algebra and trig)– Is equal to college physics for scientists and engineers

Requirements

• AP Physics B– Need to have successfully completed Algebra II– You are highly encouraged to take Trigonometry

sometime this year if you have not already had it

• AP Physics C– Must either have taken Calculus or are taking it this

school year

Mix and match

• So, the class could be made up of two groups of students• Students taking AP Physics B• Students taking AP Physics C

• For a majority of the course, AP Physics B and Physics C would be in sync such as they are covering about the same thing

• For the rest of the course, the two groups will have different paths

Grading

• Assessments (50%)– Quizzes– Tests

• Labs (25%)

• Assignments (25%)

Quizzes• There will be approximately one quiz per chapter

• Quizzes will be based off of questions similar to those in the text

• Other quizzes may include lab quizzes, syllabus quiz, lab safety quiz, etc

• Physics Honors quizzes can be retaken for up to 90%

Tests• Approximately one every grading period over

several chapters

• AP tests will be in the AP style

• Physics Honors will mostly be multiple choice• May be retaken for up to 90%

• May include questions from previous units

“You’re testing my patience”

• Physics Honors tests will be graded normally• AP tests will be graded on an adjusted AP scale ≥62% A (90 + 1pt for every 4% over) 47% B (80 + 1pt for every 1.5% over) 32% C (70 + 1 pt per 1.5% over) 22% D (60 + 1 pt per 1% over) <22% F (59 – 2.5 pt per 1% under)

Labs• The focus on labs is for you to design an experiment

to test the objective of the lab• Further, you will develop a mathematical model to

make predictions• Lab journals are for all of your notes from the lab– Procedures– Data– Graphs– Etc

• Lab write-ups are your finished copy and will be graded

Lab writeups• One write-up per person– Must include the names of all lab participants

• Should follow the steps of the scientific method• Data should be in data tables and should yield

appropriate graphs• Need to have an area on the bottom of each lab

write-up for peer review comments• Final lab write-up should be computer generated

(preferred) or in INK.

Peer Review Comments• In the science community, experimental results and

conclusions are evaluated by others• Prior to turning in your lab write-up, you must

provide it to another group. A representative of that group should review it and provide constructive criticisms in the comment section (as well as a signature)

• You will not be penalized by what they write (though they might) only if you don’t have any comments

• The goal is to help you do better labs and lab write-ups

Assignments

• Homework/Classwork• Notebook• Miscellaneous

Homework

• Very frequent• Homework will not be turned in. Instead,

homework “quizzes will be given”– Can use your homework to answer (NO sharing)

• To receive credit, any questions requiring calculations will have all work shown with correct units

Homework

• Approximate question values are:– 1 pt per multiple choice– 2 points for each portion of calculation questions– 4 points for written questions– a varying amount of points for graphing and concept

questions

Homework

• Out of the approximately 12 homework “quizzes” per grading period, the lowest two will be dropped

• This type cannot be retaken as you are only writing the answers you already did.

Notebook

• School policy is that notes will be taken in Cornell style• To adhere to this policy, you will receive a grade on

your notes• It is expected that you will pre-read pages in the

textbook and take Cornell notes on those pages• I expect a minimum of ½ page per section (of the AP

book). So, a chapter with 6 sections should yield about 3 pages of notes

• A page is defined as one side of a piece of paper

Notes

• I want to use class time to – Help you understand what you have read– Help you in solving physics problems– Labs

• You should read about 2 sections per night (about 5 pages) starting the night before a chapter starts.

• You will learn more if you write down questions you have and then write the answer to the question during/after class

Notebook

• Make sure to put the date on your notes• Put a page number on your notes• Keep an Index/table of contents in the front of

your folder• List the page numbers by either chapter, section,

or by concept• Have (at a minimum) 3 summaries per week

Notebook

• Will be checked every 1-2 weeks for a small grade• Will be fully graded every reporting period

• Lab notebook will be graded each reporting period as a Lab grade

• Grades will count for both Physics Honors and AP Physics

Required Materials

Pens and pencils• Any pen color is acceptable for assignments EXCEPT

for red or pink ink• Lab write-ups must be turned written in blue or

black ink OR computer generated

• Tests must be taken in pencil (that’s what the AP test is taken with)

Required Materials

Notebooks• Binder/composition notebook– You will need something to take notes in (that will be

graded) and something to keep papers in– Can all be in one binder but must have a separate

section for notes

• Binder/composition notebook– Used for the Lab journal– Recommend that you use 5x5 quad ruled graph

notebook (no wires)

Required Materials

Miscellaneous• Ruler – to assist with measurement and with the

creation of graphs; recommend clear rulers• Protractor – for use with vectors and with the

optics section• Dry erase markers – for in-class practice

Recommended Materials

Miscellaneous• Calculator– Both scientific and graphing calculators are allowed on

the AP test– Cellphones/iPods/etc are NOT acceptable

• Colored pencils/pens/crayons– for use with graphs and with note-taking

• Art erasers– to erase without smudging your paper• Highlighter – for note taking and to highlight

homework answers

Class expectations

• Be on present and on time

• Be respectful of others, property, and school rules

• Be prepared

• Be responsible for your own actions

Course pacing – AP Physics B

• We will cover approximately one chapter per week• Fall Term– Science and mathematics skills review– Newtonian mechanics– Fluid mechanics– Thermodynamics

• Spring Term– Electricity– Magnetism– Atomic & Nuclear Physics– Relativity