Download Cortez High School: AP Physics Syllabus Course Description: This

Cortez High School: AP Physics Syllabus
Course Description:
This course includes topics in both classical and modern physics.
A thorough study of Newtonian mechanics, fluid mechanics,
thermal physics, electricity, magnetism, waves, optics, and atomic
and nuclear physics is included. The course is equivalent to a two
semester introductory physics course for majors. It is expected that
students who take an AP course in physics will seek college credit,
college placement, or both. All students are required to take the
College Board AP Physics exam.
Class Lecture:
Classes usually consist of problem review, a 15-20 minute lecture incorporating a variety
of Multiple Intelligences and Best Practices techniques, with the remaining time given to
working the assignment. During lecture, visual aids, such as demonstrations and
computer simulations, are used to enhance learning. Cooperative Learning techniques and
Kagan strategies, such as “think- pair- share and “round robin a problem”, are employed
in an effort to increase critical thinking skills and comprehension.
Text:
Serway, R A., & Faughn. J.S. (1999). College Physics. (5th ed.). Fort Worth, TX:
Saunders.
Lab Manual:
Appel, K., Gastineau, J., Bakken, C., & Vernier, D. (1998). Physics with computers.
Portland, OR: Vernier Software.
Wilson, J.D. (1994). Physics laboratory experiments. (4th ed.). Lexington, MD: D.C.
Heath and Company.
Grading Policy:
Tests-55%
Tests are administered after each unit or at teacher’s discretion. Each test consists
of two sections:
1. Multiple- choice questions
2. Free-response problems
Labs-20% (10-11 labs per semester)
Students are required to complete many labs during the year and document these
in their lab notebook. Most labs require the use of a computer with data
collection software. Many labs are open-ended: the students are given an
objective and a list of equipment. Students design their own procedure, data
gathering, and data analysis. The following guidelines will be used during
laboratory investigations.
Given a physics related problem, the student will conduct an investigation,
analyze the findings, and apply those findings to a new situation.
• receive information and data about a physics problem
• design an experiment in a small group
• construct a data table to record observations/calculations
• collaboratively conduct an experiment to investigate the problem
• individually derive a conclusion which includes an evaluation of the data and
• a solution to the problem
• evaluate the experimental design and determine if the results fall within
acceptable experimental error
• apply findings to solve related problems
• write a summary report of the findings
Math Modeling Skills
• Determine graphical relationships from data
• Nature of relationships
• Direct Relationships (when both variables increase)
• Direct Proportions (when straight line passes through the origin)
• Inverse Relationships
• Direct Power Relationships
• Determine mathematical relationships from a graph
Lab Procedures and Skills
• Develop a Statement of Purpose
• Devise a Fair Test
• Formulate a defensible conclusion with supporting evidence
Class work and Homework 10%
Class work includes in class problem solving exercises and practice AP exams.
Quizzes may contain question and/or problems from the homework, reading
assignments, or recently covered material. Homework assignments are given from
the textbook and from AP released exams.
Final Exam 15%
Topic Outline:
I. Mechanics (1/2 year)
A. Kinematics
1. Motion in one dimension — Chapter
2
2. Motion in two dimensions
a. Projectile motion —
Chapter 3
b. Uniform circular motion —
Chapter 7
c. Torque and rotational
statics—Chapter 8
B. Newton’s Laws of Motion — Chapter 4
1. Static equilibrium — 1st law
2. Dynamics of a single particle —
2nd law
3. Systems of two or more bodies —
3rd law
C. Work, energy and power — Chapter 5
1. Work and the work-energy theorem
2. Conservative forces and potential
energy
3. Conservation of energy
4. Power
D. Systems of particles, linear momentum —
Chapter 6
1. Impulse and momentum
2. Conservation of linear momentum,
collisions
E. Oscillations and gravitation — Chapter 13
1. Simple harmonic motion
2. Mass on a spring
3. Pendulum and other oscillations
4. Newton’s law of gravity
II. Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
(2 weeks)
A. Fluid Mechanics – Chapter 9
1. Hydrostatic pressure
2. Buoyancy
3. Fluid Flow continuity
4. Bernoulli’s equation
B. Temperature and heat
1. Mechanical equivalent of heat—
Chapter 11
2. Heat transfer and thermal
expansion — Chapter 10
C. Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics
1. Ideal gases — Chapter 10
a. Kinetic model
b. Ideal gas law
2. Laws of thermodynamics —
Chapter 12
a. First law (pV diagrams)
b. Second Law (heat engines)
III. Electricity and Magnetism (4 ½ weeks)
A. Electrostatics — Chapter 15
1. Charge, field, and potential
2. Coulomb’s law and point charge field
and potential
B. Conductors and capacitors — Chapter 16
1. Electrostatics with conductors
2. Capacitors — Parallel plates
C. Electric Circuits
1. Current, resistance, power —
Chapter 17
2. Direct current circuits — Chapter 18
D. Magnetism — Chapter 19
1. Forces on moving charges in
magnetic fields
2. Forces on current carrying wires in
magnetic fields
3. Fields of long current carrying wires
E. Electromagnetic induction — Chapters 20
IV. Waves and Optics (3 ½ weeks)
A. Wave motion (sound and physical optics)
1. Properties of traveling and standing
waves — Chapter 13
2. Doppler effect — Chapter 14
3. Superposition— Chapter 13
4. Interference and diffraction —
Chapter 24
5. Dispersion of light and the
electromagnetic spectrum —
Chapter 22
B. Geometric optics
1. Reflection and refraction—
Chapter 22
2. Mirrors— Chapter 23
3. Lenses — Chapter 23
V. Modern Physics (2 ½ weeks)
A. Atomic physics and quantum effects
1. Alpha particle scattering and
Rutherford model— Chapter 28
2. Photons and the photoelectric
effect— Chapter 27
3. Bohr model— Chapter 28
4. Wave particle duality — Chapter 28
B. Nuclear physics — Chapter 29
1. Nuclear reactions
2. Mass and energy effects
Laboratory Experiments:
The following are experiments conducted throughout the year.
Fall Semester
1. Constant Motion: Analyze the motion of objects moving at constant speed
2. Accelerated Motion: Analyze the motion of objects moving at uniform accelerated
motion
3. Projectile Motion: Analyze an object moving in two dimensions
4. Projectile Practicum (quarter): Determine the initial velocity of a projectile and
calculate where it will land
5. Newton’s 2nd Law (Modified Atwoods): Determine the acceleration of a system
and the tension in the string.
6. Newton’s 3rd Law: Verify Newton’s Third Law using force sensors
7. Conservation of Momentum: Determine the velocity of each glider before and
after a collision.
8. Circular Motion: Determine the velocity of a flying toy and the tension in the
string.
9. Hooke’s Law: Determine the spring constant.
10. Conservation of Energy: Using a pendulum, verify the conservation of energy.
Spring Semester
11. Ohm’s Law: Find relationship between voltage, current and resistance
12. Series and Parallel Circuits: Investigate the behavior of resistors in series, parallel,
and series-parallel circuits.
13. Coulomb’s Law: Determine the charge on two spherical polystyrene balls.
14. Velocity of a wave: Determine the experimental value of the velocity of wave.
15. Lens Lab: Determine the focal length of a converging lens directly and the focal
length of a diverging lens by combining it with a converging lens.
16. Density using Archimedes Principle: Determine the density of two unknown
materials.
17. Ideal Gas Law: Verify that the pressure of a gas at a fixed temperature is inversely
proportional to the gas volume.
18. Static Electricity Investigation: Make qualitative observations of the behavior of
an electroscope when it is charged by conduction and by induction.
19. Interference: Determine the wavelength of a source of light by using a double slit
and a diffraction grating of known spacing.
20. Index of refraction: Determine the index of refraction.
21. Photoelectric Effect: Using a simulation, collect data to create a graph that will
allow students to find the value of Planck’s constant for three different metals.