AP Physics

1. AP Physics Syllabus Overview

2. 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

3. “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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. Grading • Assessments (50%) • Quizzes • Tests • Labs (25%) • Assignments (25%)

8. 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%

9. 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

10. “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)

11. 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

12. 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.

13. 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

14. Assignments • Homework/Classwork • Notebook • Miscellaneous

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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.

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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)

23. 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)

24. 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

25. 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

26. Class expectations • Be on present and on time • Be respectful of others, property, and school rules • Be prepared • Be responsible for your own actions

27. 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