Newtonian Mechanics

1. Ap physics b syllabus AP Physics B is a college level course that uses advanced algebra and trigonometry as the primary tools for problem solving. * For a detailed look at the Units we will be covering this year, please refer to the ONLINE SYLLABUS located on blackboard under Resources. Newtonian Mechanics Unit 1 Introduction (Ch 1) • Physics Skills Unit 2 Vectors and Equilibrium(Ch2-4, 7-8) • Vector addition, forces, Newton’s 1st Law: Static Equilibrium, Torque and Rotational Equilibrium Unit 3 Kinematics (Ch 2-3) • Kinematics in One and Two dimension Unit 4 Dynamics (Ch 4, 7) • Newton’s 2nd and 3rd Laws, friction, Uniform Circular Motion and Gravitation Unit 5 Conservation Laws (Ch 5-6) • Conservation of energy and momentum Unit 6 Simple Harmonic Motion (Ch 13) • Spring mass systems, simple pendulum Waves & Optics Unit 9 Waves and Sound (Ch 13-14) • Mechanical waves and sound • Boundary behavior and wave phenomena Unit 10 Geometric and Physical Optics (Ch 22-24) • Reflection, refraction, lens/mirror image formation • Interference & diffraction Electricity & Magnetism Unit 11 Electrostatics (Ch 15-16) • Electric force, field and potential Unit 12 Electricity (Ch 17-18) • Electric current, DC circuits, Kirchhoff’s Rules Unit 13 Magnetism (Ch 19-20) • Magnetic force and field, EM induction Fluids and Thermal Physics Atomic & Nuclear Physics Unit 7 Fluids (Ch 9) • Buoyancy, fluid flow continuity & Bernoulli’s Equation Unit 8 Thermodynamics (Ch 10-12) • Temperature & Kinetic Theory, heat transfer, Laws of thermodynamics Unit 14 Modern Physics (Ch 27-30) • Quantum theory, photoelectric effect, atomic energy levels, nuclear physics and nuclear energy

2. Lab Format You will keep all lab write-ups/data/working labs in a designated lab notebook. This notebook should have your notes as performing labs as well as your detailed write-ups. We will use the format below unless otherwise stated in class. Lab notebooks will be taken up and graded periodically. You may use a composition notebook or spiral notebook. Remember all labs are to stay in your notebook! And don’t forget to bring it to class. It will be hard to do a lab and write it up without your notebook! Your notes for the lab will be on the left side while more formal information will be on the right. Use a pencil on the left and pen on the right.Many of the labs we will perform will be Open Inquiry. That means you get to figure out how you want to conduct the experiment! We want to practice being a scientist, not only because it’s a blast, but also it will prepare you for the AP Physics Exam and your future in science! Parts of the lab when a formal write up is required • Introduction – Briefly discuss the topic you will be experimenting. You do not need to talk about specific things you will do in the lab, just a paragraph introducing the topic. Sometimes this will require group research or knowledge gained from a pre lab discussion or demonstration. • Research Question – this question should specifically ask what it is that your lab will test. • Hypothesis – an educated guess to your research question. Make sure it is testable! • Procedure – your group will discuss/debate and decide upon a good procedure for your to write up in your notebook. AT THIS POINT YOUR GROUP MUST GET TEACHER APPROVAL TO CONTINUE • Data/Observations – create your own data tables to use when collecting your data. Graphs may be constructed when appropriate. Graphs will be drawn both by hand and with your graphing calculator. • Data Analysis – this is your lab notebook, so feel free to make notes helping you understand your data as you are going • Conclusion and Error Analysis – This should include a written explanation of your data. Compare what you thought would happen with what actually did happen. Does your data make sense? Compare with other groups and discuss better ways of performing the experiment. Why was your data so different from “acceptable” data? What was your percent error? What could have and did go wrong in your experiment? What could you have done better? HOMEWORK – IS FOR YOU TO PRACTICE. IT’S CRUCIAL TO YOUR SUCCESS IN THE CLASS TO COMPLETE IT ON-TIME! YOU ARE ENCOURAGED TO STUDY AND DO HOMEWORK TOGETHER AS YOU WORK THROUGH THE PROBLEMS/CONCEPETS. USE THE DISCUSSION BOARD ON BLACKBOARD TO HELP ONE ANOTHER AND POST QUESTIONS AND POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS! Tests – Each test will be similar in format to the AP Physics B test with half free response and half multiple choice, albeit on a smaller scale (~20 MC and 2-3 FR). Starting with Unit 4 Dynamics, you may not use the formula sheet on the multiple choice portion of your tests. Reading Quizzes – Reading assignments will be given in class and quizzes will assess your understanding of the information on a basic level. You may use the flash cards you have made for the unit as well as any notes you have created covering the material to use on the Reading Quizzes! Flash Cards – Each unit you may make flash cards of key vocabulary words and formulas. Your flash cards will be worth bonus points on each test! Blackboard – What a great tool to have everything you need for the class (except of course doing the labs). Use it! If you ever miss class, you know everything we do is posted on Daily Work with any necessary links to handouts, etc. Some lectures and key explanations and labs will also be podcasted or archived for you to review before your assessments. Get used to using it on a regular basis! You’ll surely use blackboard or another online platform in college. Success in Class Physics cannot be memorized. Physics cannot be learned by cramming. We start today to prepare for the AP exam in May! Amacher’s rules for success: • Keep up with the work. • Take advantage of the bonus points with the flash cards! • If you are stuck on a problem and have made no progress in 10 minutes, put it aside and come back to it later! • Problem solving skills take time to hone! Practice, practice, practice! • Form a study group. Collaborative problem solving is fabulous! But make sure you are an active participant – don’t rely on someone else and just copy their answer. You must actively problem solve! • Ask questions! Collectively we will decide upon a time for weekly review for those in need. There is no doubt in my mind that by the end of the year, you will be more adept and feel more comfortable in problem solving, critical thinking, thinking outside the box, creatively exploring science concepts and designing experiments. You’ll see the world through different eyes! F=ma v=at