AP+Physics+Syllabus


 * 2013 – 2014 AP Physics B Syllabus**


 * __Textbook__**

//College Physics: A Strategic Approach//, 2nd edition, by Randy Knight, 2010, Addison-Wesley.


 * __Course Description__**

In this course we will cover the AP Physics B curriculum. This class is the equivalent of a first-year college physics course. Students are prepared for, and expected to take, the AP Physics B exam in May as well as the New York State Regents Examination in the Physical Setting Physics in June. Depending on your score on the AP exam and the college you choose to attend, you may receive college credit for this course.

We meet every day for 47 minutes with an additional 47 minute lab period every-other day. At the completion of this course students should have a strong conceptual understanding of physics and be able to design and complete physics laboratory experiments.


 * __The Typical Class Period__**

Every class is centered on student participation to lead to student understanding. Classes will almost always include students working out problems individually, while group problem solving is utilized for especially difficult problems. This class is as much about students teaching students as it is students listening to a teacher. Expect only 20 minutes or less of “lecture” many days, with the rest of the time filled by you actually doing physics!


 * __The Typical Lab Experiment__**

Labs will fill at least 20% of our course (see below for possible experiments). There are two types of labs in this course. In some labs I will provide you with the materials and procedure to answer a question. In other labs you will be working in small groups to design an experiment to answer a question and draw conclusions. Each lab must conclude with a written lab report which will be kept in a portfolio in the classroom.

Significant Figures Scalars Vectors and Vector Math || 1 || 1 || __Newton’s Laws of Motion__ __Work, Energy, Power__ __Momentum__ __Oscillations__ Temperature and Heat Kinetic Theory Laws of Thermodynamics || 12, 13 || 3 || Capacitance Electric circuits and components Magnetostatics Electromagnetic Induction || 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26 || 6 || Doppler Effect Interference and superposition Reflection Refraction Diffraction Lenses and mirrors || 17, 18 || 4 || Nuclear Physics || 28, 29, 30 || 2 ||
 * __Course Schedule__**
 * **Unit** || **Overview of Topics** || **Text Chapters** || *** of Weeks ||
 * Introduction || Algebra Review
 * Newtonian Mechanics** || __Kinematics__
 * Motion in 1-D
 * Motion in 2-D
 * Uniform Circular Motion
 * Relative Motion
 * 1st, 2nd, 3rd Laws
 * ΣF = ma
 * Friction and air resistance
 * Equilibrium of forces
 * Frictionless pulley systems
 * Intro to springs
 * Torque
 * Rotational Equilibrium
 * Work
 * Energy (kinetic and potential)
 * Conservative forces
 * Conservation of Mechanical Energy
 * Work-Energy Theorem
 * Impulse and Momentum
 * Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
 * Conservation of Momentum
 * Angular Momentum
 * Simple Harmonic Motion
 * Spring-mass System
 * Simple Pendulums
 * Newton’s Gravitation and Kepler’s Laws || 2, 3 4, 5, 7, 8 10, 11 9 14 || 12 ||
 * **Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics** || Fluid Statics and Dynamics
 * **Electricity and Magnetism** || Electrostatics
 * **Waves and Optics** || Wave motion
 * **Modern Physics** || Atomic Physics


 * __List of Labs__**

We will complete the following labs during the appropriate units throughout the year. Each lab will conclude with a lab report that is kept in a portfolio in the classroom. Colleges may ask to see this portfolio, so it is important that you work hard on your labs.


 * **Unit** || **Lab Title** || **Brief Description** ||
 * Introduction || Speed vs. Velocity || Use toys to distinguish between speed and velocity. ||
 * Kinematics || Acceleration || Use toys to calculate acceleration. ||
 * Kinematics || Motion Graphing || Use Vernier equipment to decipher and match motion graphs. ||
 * Kinematics || Free Fall || Use Vernier equipment to determine acceleration due to gravity. ||
 * Kinematics || Shoot for Your Grade #1 || Hit a target with a horizontal projectile. ||
 * Newton’s Laws || Bungee Jumping Dolls || Use Vernier equipment to analyze the motion of falling dolls attached to rubber bands. ||
 * Newton’s Laws || Field Trip to the Elevator || Analyze the readings on a scale in an elevator. ||
 * Newton’s Laws || Mu of the Shoe || Determine the coefficient of static friction between a shoe and the floor ||
 * Circular Motion || Centripetal Airplanes || Analyze the uniform circular motion of a toy airplane. ||
 * Work, Energy, Power || Spring Launcher || Use conservation of energy to determine the spring constant of a spring launcher. ||
 * Momentum || Air Track Collisions || Use the air track to study conservation of momentum. ||
 * Oscillations || Pendulum || The effect of string length and mass on pendulum motion. ||
 * Electricity || Statics || Develop an understanding of attraction and repulsion. ||
 * Electricity || Series Circuits || Build and analyze a series circuit. ||
 * Electricity || Parallel Circuits || Build and analyze a parallel circuit. ||
 * Magnetism || Magnetic Fields || Map a magnetic field surrounding a magnet. ||
 * Waves || Speed of Sound || Use Vernier equipment to determine the speed of sound in the classroom. ||
 * Waves || Reflection from a Plane Mirror || Verify the law of reflection and locate the image formed by a plane mirror. ||
 * Waves || Lenses and Curved Mirrors || Locating and analyzing the images formed by lenses and curved mirrors. ||
 * Waves || Refraction || Determine the index of refraction of an unknown substance. ||
 * Waves || Width of Human Hair || Use diffraction and interference patterns from a laser to determine the width of a human hair. ||
 * Waves || Shoot for Your Grade #2 || Fire a laser through 3 geometric shapes and hit a target. ||

In addition, several “mini-lab” activities will be performed throughout the course to supplement classroom lessons.


 * __Tests, Quizzes, Homework__**

Homework is assigned from your textbook, worksheets, and the University of Texas Quest website. Usually you will be asked to complete an average of 2 - 5 physics problems per night. Longer "problem set" assignments will also be given about two weeks in advance of each test to help you review. Homework may or may not be collected and graded.

Tests are given approximately once per month. Tests will consist of AP-style multiple choice and free response questions. You are expected to correct your graded tests within two weeks of getting them back. The test correction policy will be discussed when the first test approaches.


 * __Course Evaluation__**

Your grade will be determined in the following way:
 * Tests: 50%
 * Labs: 15%
 * Homework: 35%