Download AP Physics Course Syllabus - Greensburg Salem School District

GREENSBURG SALEM SCHOOL DISTRICT
COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE: AP Physics B
GRADE(S): 10, 11 and 12
PREREQUISITE(S): “B” or better in FST or Honors FST, “B” or better in previous science classes, and Physics
Teacher Recommendation
REQUIRED TEXT(S) AND MATERIAL(S): College Physics; calculator
COURSE DESCRIPTION: This rigorous academic course is taught on the level of a first-year algebra-based
college course. Topics covered include mechanics, thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, waves and optics,
and modern physics. Emphasis is placed on both concept development and complex problem solving. Students will
work individually and in groups to complete laboratory investigations and problem solving exercises.
LEARNER OBJECTIVES/COMPETENCIES:
I. Newtonian Mechanics
A. Kinematics - Motion in One and Two Dimensions
1. analyze and construct distance, velocity, and acceleration graphs of motion
2. use Galileo’s equations to solve one and two-dimensional motion problems
3. determine component vectors of two-dimensional motion
B. Newton’s Laws of Motion
1. define, explain, and apply Newton’s three laws
2. draw a free-body diagram of all forces acting on an object
3. analyze and solve problems involving a combination of complex forces
4. determine the frictional force acting on a body
5. solve Atwood’s pulley problems using Newton’s Third Law
C. Work, Energy, and Power
1. calculate the work done on a body
2. define and calculate potential energy and kinetic energy
3. use the work-energy theorem to determine the velocity or height of a body
4. use the definition of power to analyze an object’s motion
D. Momentum and Impulse
1. define center of mass and gravity
2. determine an object’s momentum and that of a system of bodies
3. apply the relationship between impulse and momentum
4. use the conservation of momentum to analyze a collision of objects
E. Rotation
1. describe and calculate quantities for objects moving in uniform circular motion
2. apply translational/rotational analogies to determine angular quantities
3. determine torque, rotational inertia and angular momentum
F. Oscillations
1. graph and describe the simple harmonic motion of objects
2. determine the period of oscillation of an object in simple harmonic motion
G. Gravitation
1. use Newton’s Universal Law of gravitation to determine force and acceleration
2. identify and explain Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion
II. Heat, Kinetic Theory, and Thermodynamics
A. Temperature and Heat
1. define specific heat, heat of vaporization, and heat of fusion
2. relate conservation of energy to heat transfer
B. Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics
1. describe gas pressure
2. apply the ideal gas law
C. Laws of Thermodynamics
1. analyze a PV diagram
2. compute efficiency
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III. Electricity and Magnetism
A. Electrostatics
1. define electric field in terms of the force on a test charge
2. draw electric field lines and equipotential lines
3. calculate potential difference and work
4. apply Coulomb’s Law
5. describe the electric field of parallel plates
B. Conductors, Capacitors, and Dielectrics
1. explain and draw the electric field inside, outside, and on the surface of a conductor
2. describe the ways to charge an object
3. calculate capacitor values
C. Electric Circuits
1. relate current, voltage, and resistance using Ohm’s Law
2. describe how resistance of a material depends upon its physical characteristics
3. identify circuits as either series or parallel
4. calculate equivalent resistance in series, parallel and combination circuits
5. determine capacitance, voltage, and current values for circuits
D. Magnetostatics
1. calculate magnetic force in terms of q, v, and B
2. describe the motion of a charged particle moving through a magnetic field
3. calculate the magnetic field around a current carrying wire
E. Electromagnetic Induction
1. relate current to magnetism
2. determine induced EMF
IV. Waves and Optics
A. Wave Motion
1. sketch wave modes and determine wave characteristics
2. explain the Doppler effect
B. Geometrical Optics
1. determine and diagram speed, wavelength, and direction changes as light travels from
one medium into another
2. use ray tracing to locate an image location
3. relate object and image distances and sizes using the thin lens equation
C. Physical Optics
1. define and describe interference and diffraction of waves
2. determine positions of maxima and minima for interference and diffraction patterns
V. Modern Physics
A. Atomic and Quantum Effects
1. describe a typical photoelectric experiment in terms of photon properties
2. determine photon energy and wavelength
3. sketch and explain a graph of stopping potential versus frequency in terms of threshold
frequency and work function
4. explain qualitatively the emission or absorption spectra of gases
5. calculate energies for photon level transitions
B. Nuclear Physics
1. sketch and explain a half-life graph
2. interpret nucleic symbols
3. write and  decay equations
C. Special Relativity
1. compare the “lifetime” of a moving clock with that of a stationary clock
2. describe the effects of Lorentz contraction on a fast moving object
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