Download AP Physics C Electricity and Magnetism

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism
Course Description
This class is designed to be equivalent to a college physics course with the intention of preparing
students for the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism examination in May. Eligible students are
required to have completed or be simultaneously enrolled in Calculus AB since basic differentiation and
integration methods will be utilized throughout the semester. *A graphing calculator (TI-83/84/89) is
strongly recommended for AP Physics C.
Texts
Our primary text will be David Halliday, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker. Fundamentals of Physics. 9th
ed., New York: John Wiley & Sons. We will also use Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics for Scientists and Engineers.
Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall as an additional resource for workable problems.
Class Format
This is a semester long course that meets 5 days a week for 90 minute blocks. Students will spend
approximately 20% of class time (typically one class period each week) on laboratory work and
investigations. A typical day will consist of lecture to introduce or reinforce concepts, applicable
demonstrations, class discussions, and problems solving. Students will frequently work in groups to
solve a problem or problem set. Students will then present proposed solution(s) to the class and/or
evaluate peers’ solutions. It is essential to go beyond simply applying formulas and be able to justify or
explain the significance of the solution. There will be frequent homework assignments consisting of
reading sections of the textbook, solving textbook problems, or online homework assignments utilizing
the UT Quest system. Smaller quizzes will be given to evaluate student understanding of specific topics.
Tests will be given every 2 or 3 weeks depending on completion of a unit or units.
Laboratory Investigations
Students will manipulate lab equipment or computer simulations necessary to investigate or verify a
topic in electricity and magnetism. Often, students will be asked to design their laboratory
setup/procedures to collect the necessary data for analysis of the particular concept(s). Students will be
required to keep a laboratory notebook where they will keep all of their lab write ups from the
semester. Each lab will include a brief overview of the task, needed materials and experimental set up,
significant data recorded and organized in tables, student produced or computer produced graphs,
calculations typically involving calculus, conclusions drawn from the data, and error analysis. Students
will occasionally use computer simulations if physical materials are not available for investigations.
Specific investigations are listed in the topic outline below.
Unit
Textbook Chapter
Approx. # of Class Days
21, 22
12
23
6
24
6
4
Capacitance, Dielectrics
Lab: Parallel Plate Capacitor with
various insulators
25
6
5
Current, Resistance, Circuits
Lab: Investigate RC Single or MultiLoop Circuits, Use of Multimeter
26, 27
12
28, 29
12
30, 32
12
1
2
3
6
7
Topic
Electric Charge, Coulomb’s Law,
and Electric Fields
Lab: Investigations with an
Electroscope
Flux, Gauss’ Law, Conducting
Surfaces
Lab: Computer Models of E-field
with Gaussian Surfaces
Electric Potential, Equipotential
Surfaces
Lab: PHeT simulation with
Equipotential Lines
Magnetic Fields, Forces and Fields
due to Current, Ampere’s Law
Lab: Modeling and Detecting
Magnetic Fields with a Ferrofluid,
Ampere’s Law with Straight Wire
Induction, Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s
Law, Induced Electric Fields, RL
Circuits, Maxwell’s Equations
Lab: Design a System to Induce
Current in a Coil of Wire
*Approximately 66 days.
We will make every effort to finish the E&M
curriculum by the beginning of all AP exams
since class attendance may fluctuate. AP
Physics C Exams are on May 9.
Grading
Six week grades will be based on the following weighting.
Exams
50%
Homework
20%
Quizzes
20%
Lab Activities/Classwork
10%
Final class grades will be the average of the 3 six week grades and a final exam grade, so each is 25% of
the overall grade. You will be required to take a final exam for this course.
Honor Code/Ethics
Excellence in education requires the highest standards of integrity and honesty with respect to academic
and athletic performance. Honor Code violations include, but are not limited to: libel, slander,
dishonesty, plagiarism, cheating, and violation of Internet/computer policies. Honor Code violations are
further defined in MCS Student Code of Conduct, Rule 3. Collaboration and teamwork is allowed on
homework and class assignments, however individual work must always be distinctly original from the
partners’ work or zero credit will be earned. Honor Code violations are to be taken seriously by students
and faculty and will be dealt with in a fair and equitable manner. Teachers who discover cheating on
their tests or other assignments will give the student a score of zero (0) for that assignment, notify the
parents/guardians, guidance, and administration. THE SCIENCE DEPARTMENT’S POLICY IS TO NOT
ALLOW MAKE-UPS FOR HONOR CODE VIOLATIONS.
Make-Up Work/Absence
It is the student’s responsibility to keep track of any missed class work or assignments due to an excused
or unexcused absence. Daily attendance is extremely important for your success in this class. Missed
assignments need to be completed within 3 school days upon returning to school.
Late Work
Do no procrastinate on larger assignments. You will be made aware of due dates well in advance. All
late assignments will be reduced by 10% for each school calendar day they are late.
Electronic Devices
No cell phones, games, or music devices of any type are to be used during class time unless specifically
instructed to do so. These need to be put away and out of sight during class time. I will collect devices
during a test. If you go to the restroom, you must leave your cell phone in the classroom. Failure to
comply with any of these procedures will result in a referral to the administration.
I will also hold weekly tutoring sessions from 3:45-4:30pm in my room (3208) on Wednesdays.
David Few
[email protected]