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Pascack Valley Regional HS District
AP Physics B Syllabus
Updated, September 2010
(Lecture-Discussion: four 47 min sessions per week; Labs 1 94 min investigation per week)
Advance Placement Physics B course is algebra-based course in general Physics. It is
equivalent to an introductory algebra-based university level physics course. Its syllabus is
designed by the College Board and is often taken by students whose major field of study
in college does not require an extensive knowledge of calculus. The course utilizes
guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical
thinking skills. The emphasis in the course is on understanding of the concepts and skills
and using the concepts and formulae to solve problems. Laboratory work will be covered
as an integral part of this course. The prerequisite for this course requires students to have
earned a minimum grade of B+ in Honors physics and a recommendation from the
Honors Physics teacher.
Textbook
Physics, Cutnell & Johnson; 7th Ed. New York: John Wiley, ISBN 0-471-66315-8
Student Supplemental Resource
Online version of textbook including Wileyplus: www.wiley.com/college/wileyplus
Teacher Supplemental Resources
Summer Assignment [ Not applicable for 2010-11 school year]
As an introduction to this colleague-level course and in order to get a head start on the
material students will need to master for the AP Physics examination they must complete
a two-part assignment:
Assignment 1 - Self Study: reviews what students were required to master in
Honors Physics I. Complete the assignment in pencil in a hardcover marble
notebook. Show detailed work for each problem. During the course of the year
student will be provided with assignments that will require them to learn at their
own direction. This first “self-study” assignment will serve as practice for
students. In September the class will review this assignment in detail and discuss
individual learning styles and effective approaches for students to learn at their
own direction.
Assignment 2 – Project-Based Learning: provides students with an opportunity to
apply the concepts of physics they learned in Honors Physics I. Students can
expect to complete one design project each month in AP Physics. Typically, a
design project requires students to research a particular concept or principle and
then apply it by designing a device that utilizes the principle. Most design
projects include a competitive component (10%) to a student’s score.
Sample Summer Assignment Project
a] Develop a good understanding of Hooke’s Law, gravitational potential energy, and
kinetic energy. Begin with the text and then gather more info in a library or other
sources.
b] Complete the Bungee Egg Drop Design Project (attached)
Bungee Egg Drop
Objective
Design and build a bungee drop cord and use it to drop an uncooked Grade-A Large
chicken egg such that it approaches a target area as close as possible without breaking.
The competition
1] The cord & report must be submitted during the first class session in September. Late or
missing reports are assigned a grade of zero.
2] No physical alterations may be made to the device’s cord one it has been submitted.
3] You are required to drop your egg from two different heights as announced during the
competition. This height will range from 2.0 - 4.0 meters.
4] The cord you design may be made of any material and more than one strand but, it must recoil
at least 25% of the announced drop height. Eggs must be Grade A Large (Shopright brand eggs
will be supplied by Mr. Bilash)
5] At least 2.0 cm of the pointed-end of the egg must extend beyond the attachment harness and
may not be protected in anyway.
6] Once you are told what the drop height will be you will be given five minutes to prepare your
device. (The time will be strictly limited).
7] The closer your egg arrives to the target area the higher your grade (closest = 10 points;
furthest away = 1 point; breakage = 0 points). The score for this assignment is strictly
competitive. (ie: only one student receives 10 points)
8] One device per person.
Report
Your device must be accompanied by a design report detailing how and why your device works,
including scaled diagrams, an outline of the relevant equations/physics involved, data reflecting at
least 24 trials, detailed calculations and an explanation. It is expected that your device will
provide reproducible results. Reports must show experimental data based on your research and
development of your device.
For further information
 this problem is not original, check the Internet (Science Olympiad; science competitions;
egg drop) or library for ideas and assistance
 one question per student may be emailed to me via email before August 15.
Collaboration is encouraged, but remember the device will be tested competitively.
Good luck and enjoy your summer! 
Grading
Grades will be weighted as follows:
Marking Period Exam
40%
Quizzes
20%
Homework
20%
Laboratory work/reports
10%
Projects
10%

1 per marking period
1 per week
20 problems per week + chapter outline
1 per week (due every Monday)
3 per marking period
Quizzes may contain questions and/or problems from the homework, the reading
assignments, and/or recently covered or previously learned material.
Homework Problems
Students should expect to complete between 20 problems per week (see attached
assignment sheet) -- requiring between 8-12 hours of home study (per College Board
guidelines). As a personal goal, students should complete each problem with 15 minutes.
Homework must be submitted in two phases: half the questions are to be completed for
Friday while the other half is due Monday. Each problem must be completed according
to AP criteria: including diagram, relevant equations, set-up of equations, in step-by-step
form and impeccably neat. Every problem must be completed in full. Students will earn
one point per question. Homework constitutes 20% of your final grade.
Answers to odd-numbered questions may be found at the end of the text. A complete
solution manual is available for your perusal in the Physics Office -- however, it may not
be removed or reproduced.
Assigned Reading & Chapter Outlines
The assigned chapter should be read prior to the first meeting of each week to prepare for
meaningful classroom discussion. A detailed chapter outline must be submitted at the
start of each unit (usually on Mondays).
Laboratory Work/Reports
Students will complete on average one laboratory experiment per week. Most of the lab
experiments are open-ended: The students are given an objective and a list of equipment.
Students design their own procedure, data gathering, and data analysis. Generally,
reports will be submitted for grading on Mondays. Reports are to be typed and must
include the following elements: Objective, Theory & Hypothesis, Methods and Materials,
Data and Analysis, Discussion and Conclusion. Students will be expected to maintain a
Digital Portfolio of all of their lab reports on their laptops and backed-up to the district
network drive.
Learning Objectives
Motion in 1-D
• Describe a frame of reference
• Compare and contrast Aristotle and Galileo’s views of motion
• Define and apply definitions of displacement, average velocity, instantaneous
velocity, and average acceleration
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems using kinematics equations,
including problems involving free fall by using the value of the acceleration due
to gravity
Vectors & 2-D
• Analyze motion graphs qualitatively and quantitatively, including calculations
of the slope of the tangent of an x-versus-t graph, the slope of the v-versus-t
graph, the area under the v-versus-t graph and the area under the a-versus-t graph
• Distinguish between vectors and scalars
• Add vectors using graphical methods: parallelogram and polygon methods
• Add vectors using the component method of vector addition
• Describe the horizontal and vertical motion of a projectile
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems of situations involving projectiles
fired horizontally and at an angle
• Apply the concepts of vectors to solve problems involving relative velocity.
Laws of Motion
• Distinguish between contact forces and field forces by identifying the agent that
causes the force
• Distinguish between mass and weight, and calculate weight using the
acceleration due to gravity
• Differentiate between static and kinetic friction
• State and apply Newton’s first law of motion for objects in static equilibrium
• Demonstrate proficiency in accurately drawing and labeling free-body diagrams
• State and apply Newton’s second law of motion
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems that involve objects in motion with
constant acceleration by analyzing the resultant force(s) in horizontal surfaces,
inclined planes, and pulley systems (Atwood’s machines)
• State and apply Newton’s third law of motion
• State and apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation
• Describe Cavendish’s experiment to determine the value of the universal
gravitation constant
• Derive the acceleration due to gravity at the surface of the earth or other planets
• Explain and apply the relationship between the speed and the orbital radius of a
satellite
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving apparent weightlessness
in a satellite and in an elevator
• State Kepler’s three laws of planetary motion
• Derive and apply Kepler’s third law of planetary motion
Work & Energy
• Define and apply the concepts of work done by a constant force, potential
energy, kinetic energy, and power
• Calculate the work from the area under the curve of a force-versus-displacement
graph
• Distinguish between conservative and non-conservative forces
• State and apply the principle of conservation of mechanical energy
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems by applying the work–energy
theorem to situations that involve conservative and non-conservative forces
Linear Momentum
• Define and give examples of impulse and momentum
• Restate Newton’s second law of motion in terms of momentum
• Calculate the change in momentum from the area under the curve of a force
versus time graph
• Derive a statement of the conservation of momentum between two objects by
applying Newton’s third law
Collisions
• Define and recognize examples of elastic and inelastic collisions
• Explain which conservation laws apply to each type of collisions
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving conservation of
momentum in collisions in one and two dimensions
Circular Motion
• Explain the characteristics of uniform circular motion
• Derive the equation for centripetal acceleration of an object moving in a circle at
constant speed
• Understand that centripetal force is not a new type of force
• Understand that centrifugal force does not exist
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving banking angles, the
conical pendulum and motion in a vertical circle
Rotation
• Define and calculate the torque of a given force about an axis of rotation
• State the two conditions of equilibrium (translational and rotational) and apply
them to solve for unknown forces and/or distances in a variety of situations
Simple Harmonic Motion
• Define and identify the following terms on a displacement-versus-time graph:
equilibrium position, amplitude, period, and frequency
• Define simple harmonic motion
• Use the reference circle to describe the displacement, velocity and acceleration
• Describe and apply Hooke’s law and Newton’s second law to determine the
acceleration as a function of displacement
• Apply the principles of conservation of mechanical energy for an object moving
with simple harmonic motion
• Derive and apply the equation to obtain the period of a mass–spring system
• Derive and apply the equation to obtain the period of a simple pendulum
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving horizontal and vertical
mass–spring systems
• Define resonant frequency and give examples of resonance
Fluids
• Define atmospheric pressure, gauge pressure, and absolute pressure, and the
relationship among these terms
• Define and apply the concept of fluid pressure
• State and apply Pascal’s principle in practical situations such as hydraulic lifts
• State and apply Archimedes’ principle to calculate the buoyant force
• Demonstrate proficiency in accurately drawing and labeling free-body diagrams
involving buoyant force and other forces
• State the characteristics of an ideal fluid
• Apply the equation of continuity in solving problems
• Understand that Bernoulli’s equation is a statement of conservation of energy
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving changes in depth and/or
changes in pressure and/or changes in velocity
Thermal Physics
• Understand and apply the mechanical equivalent of heat
• Describe the condition for thermal equilibrium and define temperature
• Define the coefficient of linear expansion and apply the equation to calculate
linear thermal expansion
Heat
• Explain the mechanisms of heat transfer: conduction, radiation, and convection
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving thermal conductivity
Kinetic Theory & Thermodynamics
• State and apply the gas laws: Boyle’s, Charles’s and Gay Lussac’s
• Apply the Ideal Gas law and the General Gas law to the solution of problems
involving changes in volume, pressure, and temperature
• State the postulates of the kinetic theory
• Understand that the average translational energy of molecules in a gas is directly
proportional to the absolute temperature
• State and apply the first law of thermodynamics
• Define and illustrate the four thermodynamic processes: isothermal, adiabatic,
isovolumetric, isobaric process
• Calculate of the work done by graphical methods
• State and understand the implications of the second law of thermodynamics
• Describe a typical heat engine and define the efficiency of a heat engine
• Understand a Carnot engine and how its efficiency is expressed in terms of the
Kelvin temperatures between which it operates
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems related to thermodynamic
processes
• Calculate of the work done by graphical methods
• State and understand the implications of the second law of thermodynamics
• Describe a typical heat engine and define the efficiency of a heat engine
• Understand a Carnot engine and how its efficiency is expressed in terms of the
Kelvin temperatures between which it operates
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems related to thermodynamic
processes
Electric Forces & Fields
• Define electrostatics and the nature of an electric charge
• State the law of electrostatics and the law of conservation of charge
• State Coulomb’s law and its equation to calculate the electrostatic force between
two charges
• Explain the charging of an object by contact and by induction
• Distinguish between conductors and insulators
• Understand the distribution of charge in a conductor
• Define the permittivity of free space
• Define the electric field and derive for a single point charge
• Describe electric field lines as means to depict the electric field
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving electric charges by
applying appropriate vector addition methods
• Understand that equipotential lines are perpendicular to electric field lines
Electric Potential Energy & The Electric Potential
• Define and apply the concepts of electric potential energy, electric potential, and
electric potential difference
• Describe and apply the relationship of the potential difference between two
points to the uniform electric field existing between the points
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the calculation of the
total potential at any point in the vicinity of a number of known charges
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the calculation of the
work required to move a known charge from one point to another
• Apply a relationship between the electric field and the potential difference in a
parallel plate configuration
• Define capacitance and apply the equation to calculate the total charge
• Understand and apply the fact that the capacitance depends on the geometry of
the capacitor: area and separation between the plates
• Calculate the equivalent capacitance of capacitors connected in series and in
parallel
• Determine the energy stored in a parallel plate capacitor
Electric Circuits
• Define electric current as the rate of flow of charge
• Understand some reasons for the conventional direction of electric current
• Explain the term emf (electromotive force) and what is a source of emf
• Define resistance and the factors affecting the resistance of a conductor
• State and apply Ohm’s law
• Understand and apply the equation of electric power as the rate of energy
transferred in the form of heat
• Draw schematic diagrams of circuits, including measuring devices such as
ammeters and voltmeters
• Analyze series and parallel circuits and demonstrate proficiency in calculations
of equivalent resistance, current, and voltage drop
• Calculate the terminal voltage, taking into account the internal resistance of a
battery
• State and apply Kirchhoff’s laws to solve complex networks
• Analyze circuits with resistors and capacitors (steady state) and demonstrate
proficiency in calculations of equivalent resistance, current, and voltage drop
Current & Resistance
DC Circuits
Magnetic Forces & Fields
• Describe the magnetic fields created by magnets
• Calculate the magnetic force exerted on a moving charge and determine the
direction of the magnetic field, the velocity of the charge, and the magnetic force
by using a right-hand-rule
• Calculate the magnetic force on a current carrying wire (or loop of wire) and
determine the direction of the magnetic field, the current, and the magnetic force
by using a right-hand-rule
• Calculate the magnetic force on a long, straight wire and determine the direction
of the magnetic field, the current, and the magnetic force by using a right-hand
rule
• Determine the magnitude and direction of the magnetic force between two
parallel wires
Electromagnetic Induction
• Describe Faraday’s experiments that led to the conclusion that a changing
magnetic field induces an emf
• State Faraday’s law of induction and Lenz’s law
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving an induced emf in cases
where the magnetic flux density changes and in cases where the area of a loop of
wire is changed
• Apply Lenz’s law to determine the direction of the induced current in a variety
of situations including motional emf
Waves & Sound
• Define and give characteristics and examples of longitudinal, transverse, and
surface waves
• Apply the equation for wave velocity in terms of its frequency and wavelength
• Describe the relationship between energy of a wave and its amplitude
• Describe the behavior of waves at a boundary: fixed-end, free-end, boundary
between different media
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving transverse waves in a
string
• Distinguish between constructive and destructive interference
• State and apply the principle of superposition
• Describe the formation and characteristics of standing waves
• Describe the characteristics of sound and distinguish between ultrasonic and
infrasonic sound waves
• Calculate the speed of sound in air as a function of temperature
• Describe the origin of sound in musical instruments
• Use boundary behavior characteristics to derive and apply relationships for
calculating the characteristic frequencies for an open pipe and for a closed pipe
• Explain the interference of sound waves and the formation of beats
• Apply the Doppler effect to predict the apparent change in sound frequency
Electromagnetic Waves
• Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced
• Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and the relationship between frequency,
wavelength, and speed of electromagnetic waves
• Describe Roemer and Michelson’s experiment to determine the speed of light
• Explain the dispersion of light and the visible spectrum
Interference & Wave Nature of Light
• State the conditions for constructive interference and destructive interference
Describe Young’s double-slit experiment and apply the results of the experiment
to predict the location of bright and dark fringes
• Describe the pattern observed by the use of a diffraction grating
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the use of a single slit, a
double slit and a diffraction grating
• Explain and apply the characteristics of thin-film interference using the concepts
of boundary behavior
• Calculate the thickness of a film
Reflection of Light – Mirrors
• Discuss the evidence supporting the ray model of light
• State and apply the law of reflection
• Define the following terms for spherical mirrors: principal axis, focal point, and
focal length
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of ray diagrams to find the image of an
object using a converging and a diverging mirror
• Understand how mirrors form real and virtual images
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems that use the mirror equation to
calculate the focal length of a mirror, image distance, image height, and the
magnification
• Explain what is meant by spherical aberration
Refraction of Light – Lenses & Optical Instruments
• Define the index of refraction and describe the behavior of refracted light
• Apply Snell’s law to the solution of problems
• Explain the concepts of critical angle and total internal reflection
• Demonstrate proficiency in the use of ray diagrams to find the image of an
object using a converging and a diverging lens and a combination of lenses
• Understand how lenses form real and virtual images
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems that use the lens equation to
calculate the focal length of a lens, image distance, image height, and the
magnification
Atomic Physics & Quantum Effects
• Describe Thomson and Millikan’s experiments related to the electron
• Discuss the basics of Planck’s hypothesis
• Define a photon and relate its energy to its frequency and/or wavelength
• Convert energy units: joules to electronvolts and vice versa
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the energy of a photon
and the conservation of momentum in photon interactions
• Explain the characteristics of the photoelectric effect and define the terms “work
function” and “threshold frequency”
• Given a graph of energy versus frequency, understand the meaning of the slope,
the x-intercept, and the y-intercept
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the calculation of the
maximum kinetic energy of photoelectrons
• Understand the nature and production of X-rays
• Describe the results of the collision of an X-ray photon with an electron
(Compton effect) and the results of the scattering of X-rays from a crystal
(Davisson–Germer experiment)
• Understand the dual nature of light and matter, and apply de Broglie’s equation
to calculate the wavelength of a particle
• Describe how atomic spectra are produced
• Demonstrate proficiency in drawing and interpreting energy-level diagrams
• Calculate the energy absorbed or emitted by an atom when an electron moves to
a higher or lower energy level
Nuclear Physics & Elementary Particles
• Describe the structure and properties of the nucleus
• Apply Einstein’s equation of mass energy equivalence
• Calculate the mass defect and the total binding energy of the nucleus
• Understand the origin of the strong and weak nuclear forces
• Describe three types of radiation emitted in radioactivity: alpha decay, beta
radiation and gamma radiation
• Understand how nuclear reactions are produced
• Define the following terms: threshold energy, chain reaction, and critical mass
• Explain the process of nuclear fission and the basic operation of a nuclear
reactor
• Describe a chain reaction
• Explain the process of nuclear fusion and how magnetic and inertial
confinements
• can provide thermonuclear power
Laboratory Experiments
1. Motion in One Dimension
Objective: To analyze the motion of objects moving at constant speed and at uniform
accelerated motion. Data should be collected to produce a graph of x versus t and use the
graph to plot a v- versus t-graph for each object.
Equipment: A video camera to record the motion of various objects: a bowling ball
rolling on a carpet and a dynamics car on a track, LoggerPro3 to perform video analysis
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 90 minutes
2. Vector Addition
Objective: To compare the experimental value of a resultant of several vectors to the
values obtained through graphical and analytical methods.
Equipment: A force table set
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
3. Projectile Motion
Objective: To determine the initial velocity of a projectile and the angle at which the
maximum range can be attained.
Equipment: A projectile launcher and a meter stick
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted time: 50 minutes
B. Newton's Laws Of Motion
Laboratory Experiments:
4. Atwood’s Machine: Newton’s Second Law
Objective: To determine the acceleration of a system and the tension in the string.
Equipment: Modified Atwood’s machine: dynamics cart and track, meter stick, stopwatch
or photogate, and a set of masses
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
5. Frictional Forces
Objective: Determination of static and kinetic coefficients of friction using two different
methods.
Equipment: Rectangular blocks of different materials (felt and wood), spring scale,
wooden board that can be used as an inclined plane, protractor
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
C. Work, Energy, Power
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 6
Physlet problems: 6.9, 6.11, 7.4, and 7.6
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
6. Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Objective: To determine the velocity of a system in order to verify the conservation of
mechanical energy.
Equipment: Modified Atwood’s machine: dynamics cart and track, a set of masses, meter
stick and stopwatch or photogate.
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
D. Systems Of Particles, Linear Momentum
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 7
Physlet® problems: 8.6 and 8.9
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
7. Conservation of Linear Momentum
Objective: To determine the velocity of each glider before and after a collision.
Equipment: Air track set.
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
E. Circular Motion And Rotation
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 5 and 8
Physlet problem: 3:15
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
8. Centripetal Force
Objective: To determine the velocity of a flying toy and the tension in the string.
Equipment: Holy Cow or Flying Pig, a meter stick, and a triple-beam balance
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
F. Oscillations And Gravitation
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 5, 6, and 11
Physlet problems: 4.11, 5.5, 5.7, 16.5, and 16.7
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
9. Potential Energy Investigation: Spring and Gravitational.
Objective: To determine the spring constant of the spring, the evaluation of the extent to
which the change in gravitational potential energy of the mass is equal to the change in
the spring potential energy.
Equipment: Hooke’s law apparatus, a set of masses, and a meter stick.
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
10. Kepler's Laws
Objective: To plot a planetary orbit and apply Kepler’s Laws
Equipment: Worksheet with planetary data and polar graph paper
Type of Lab: Teacher directed
Allotted Time: None in class; this lab exercise is given as a homework assignment.
7
II. Fluid Mechanics And Thermal Physics [C2]
Instructional Time: 4 weeks
A. Fluid Mechanics
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 10
Physlet problems: 14.1, 14.3, and 15.7
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
11. Archimedes’ Principle
Objective: To determine the density of two unknown materials.
Equipment: Triple-beam balance, overflow can, beaker, various metal objects and string
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
12. Torricelli’s Theorem
Objective: To determine the exit velocity of a liquid and to investigate the range attained
with holes at varying heights.
Equipment: Clear plastic bottle with three holes at various heights, plastic container,
water, and meter stick.
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
8
B. Temperature and Heat
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 13 and 14
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiment:
13. Coefficient of Linear Expansion
Objective: To determine the coefficient of linear expansion of two metal rods.
Equipment: Linear expansion apparatus
Type of Lab: Teacher directed
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
C. Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters13 and 15
Physlet problems: 21.11 and 21.5
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
9
• Calculate of the work done by graphical methods
• State and understand the implications of the second law of thermodynamics
• Describe a typical heat engine and define the efficiency of a heat engine
• Understand a Carnot engine and how its efficiency is expressed in terms of the Kelvin
temperatures between which it operates
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems related to thermodynamic processes
Laboratory Experiments:
14. The Ideal Gas Law
Objective: To verify that the pressure of a gas (air) at a fixed temperature is inversely
proportional to the gas volume, to verify that the volume of a gas at a fixed pressure is
proportional to the gas temperature and to determine an experimental value for a constant
that relates the temperature in Celsius to the absolute temperature.
Equipment: Boyle’s law apparatus, a set of masses, thermometer, heating plate, and ice
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
III. Electricity and Magnetism [C3]
Instructional Time: 8 weeks
A. Electrostatics
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 16 and 17
Physlet problems: 23.8
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
15. Coulomb’s Law
Objectives: To determine the charge on two spherical polystyrene balls
Equipment: Polystyrene balls, string, stand, and a meter stick
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 20 minutes
16. Equipotential Lines and Electric Fields
Objectives: To map both the potentials and the electric fields around a system of twodimensional, charged conductors.
Equipment: Field mapper kit
Type of Lab: Teacher-directed
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
B. Conductors and Capacitors
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 16, 17, and 19
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
17. Static Electricity Investigation
Objective: To make qualitative observations of the behavior of an electroscope when it is
charged by conduction and by induction .
Equipment: Electroscope and electrostatic materials set
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
C. Electric Circuits
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 18 and 19
Physlet problems: 30.1 a–e and 30.3
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
18. Series and parallel circuits
Objective: To investigate the behavior of resistors in series, parallel, and series-parallel
circuits. The lab should include measurements of voltage and current.
Equipment: Circuit board set, voltmeter, ammeter, and batteries
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 90 minutes
D. Magnetic Fields
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 20
Physlet problems: 27.8
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
19. Magnetic Field Investigation
Objectives: To map the magnetic field around a bar magnet and to determine the strength
of the magnetic field .
Equipment: Bar magnet, compasses, meter stick and protractor
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
13
E. Electromagnetism
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 21
Physlet problems: 29.3
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
20. Electromagnetic Induction
Objectives: To qualitatively examine the effects of changing magnetic field by observing
currents induced in a solenoid and to determine whether your observations agree with the
theory of electromagnetic induction and Lenz’s law.
Equipment: Power supply, galvanometer, bar magnet, and solenoid
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
IV. Waves and Optics [C4]
Instructional Time: 4 weeks
A. Wave Motion and Sound
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 11 and 12
Physlet problems: 17.4, 18.12, and 18.14
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
21. Standing Waves in a String
Objective: To determine the experimental value of the frequency by means of a graph of
collected data.
Equipment: Electric string vibrator, string, pulley with rod support, meter stick and set of
masses
Type of Lab: Teacher-directed
Allotted Time: 90 minutes
B. Physical Optics
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 22 and 24
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
• Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced
• Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and the relationship between frequency,
wavelength, and speed of electromagnetic waves
• Describe Roemer and Michelson’s experiment to determine the speed of light
• Explain the dispersion of light and the visible spectrum
• State the conditions for constructive interference and destructive interference
• Describe Young’s double-slit experiment and apply the results of the experiment to
predict the location of bright and dark fringes
• Describe the pattern observed by the use of a diffraction grating
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the use of a single slit, a double
slit and a diffraction grating
• Explain and apply the characteristics of thin-film interference using the concepts of
boundary behavior
• Calculate the thickness of a film
Laboratory Experiments:
22. Interference
Objective: To determine the wavelength of a source of light by using a double slit and a
diffraction grating of known spacing.
Equipment: He-Ne Laser, slits, and meter stick
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
C. GEOMETRIC OPTICS
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 23
Physlet problems: 33.4, 34.4, and 35.4
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
Laboratory Experiments:
23. Index of Refraction
Objectives: To determine the index of refraction of an acrylic block
Equipment: Optics bench, ray table, light source and acrylic block
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 30 minutes
24. Mirrors and Lenses
Objectives: This lab is divided into two sections:
1. Using a concave mirror, determine three locations where a real image can be formed
and one where a virtual image is formed.
2. Determine the focal length of a converging lens directly and the focal length of a
diverging lens by combining it with a converging lens.
Equipment: Optics bench, set of lenses and mirrors, light source
Type of Lab: Open-ended
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics [C5]
Instructional Time: 2 weeks
A. Atomic Physics And Quantum Effects
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapter 27
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
• Describe Thomson and Millikan’s experiments related to the electron
• Discuss the basics of Planck’s hypothesis
• Define a photon and relate its energy to its frequency and/or wavelength
• Convert energy units: joules to electronvolts and vice versa
C5—Evidence of Curricular Requirement: Atomic and nuclear physics
17
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the energy of a photon and the
conservation of momentum in photon interactions
• Explain the characteristics of the photoelectric effect and define the terms “work
function” and “threshold frequency”
• Given a graph of energy versus frequency, understand the meaning of the slope, the xintercept, and the y-intercept
• Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems involving the calculation of the maximum
kinetic energy of photoelectrons
• Understand the nature and production of X-rays
• Describe the results of the collision of an X-ray photon with an electron (Compton
effect) and the results of the scattering of X-rays from a crystal (Davisson–Germer
experiment)
• Understand the dual nature of light and matter, and apply de Broglie’s equation to
calculate the wavelength of a particle
• Describe how atomic spectra are produced
• Demonstrate proficiency in drawing and interpreting energy-level diagrams
• Calculate the energy absorbed or emitted by an atom when an electron moves to a
higher or lower energy level
Laboratory Experiments:
25. Photoelectric Effect
Objective: Using a simulation, collect data to create a graph that will allow you to find
the value of Planck’s constant for three different metals.
Equipment: Photoelectric effect simulation:
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/photoeffect.htm
Type of Lab: Virtual lab
Allotted Time: 50 minutes
B. Nuclear Physics
Reading/Homework Assignments:
Selected items from Chapters 30 and 31
Learning Objectives:
At the end of this unit the student should be able to:
• Describe the structure and properties of the nucleus
• Apply Einstein’s equation of mass energy equivalence
• Calculate the mass defect and the total binding energy of the nucleus
• Understand the origin of the strong and weak nuclear forces
18
• Describe three types of radiation emitted in radioactivity: alpha decay, beta radiation
and gamma radiation
• Understand how nuclear reactions are produced
• Define the following terms: threshold energy, chain reaction, and critical mass
• Explain the process of nuclear fission and the basic operation of a nuclear reactor
• Describe a chain reaction
• Explain the process of nuclear fusion and how magnetic and inertial confinements
• can provide thermonuclear power
Homework Calendar
First Marking Period
Date
Sept 8-11
Topic
Motion in 1-D
Ch. 1 & 2
(all sections)
Wed., Sept 9
Sept 14-18
Project: Bungie Egg Drop
Ch. 3: 6, 10, 12, 16, 17, 18, 20,
Vectors & 2-D
Motion
22, 40, 42, 50
Ch. 3.1-3.5
Ch. 4: 1, 4, 6, 8, 14, 16, 18, 20,
Laws of Motion
Ch. 4.1-4.6
22, 25, 26, 28, 30, 36
Sept 21-25
(no school Sept.
21)
Sept 28- Oct 2
(no school Sept. 30)
Laws of Motion
Ch. 4.7
In-Class Examples
Ch 2: 4, 6, 14, 16, 18, 20, 24, 26,
32, 36, 49
Ch 4: 40, 43, 48, 54, 56
Friday, Oct. 2
Oct 5-9
Project: Catapult Design
Ch. 5: 3, 4, 6, 8, 12, 12, 14, 20,
Work & Energy
Ch. 5.1-5.8
22, 24, 29, 35, 46
Oct 12-16
Momentum
Ch. 6.1 - 6.2
Ch. 6: 2, 4, 6, 7, 10
Oct 19-23
Collisions
Ch. 6.2 - 6.4
Ch. 6: 15, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26, 64,
67
Oct 26-30
Circular Motion
Ch. 7.1-7.7
Ch. 7: 1, 6, 10, 12, 18, 22, 29,
37, 40, 56
Nov 2-6
Ch. 8: 2, 4, 10, 12, 14
Rotation
Ch. 8.1-8.4
Project: Mobile Design
Exam (ch 1-8)
(NJ Science Teachers’
Convention Oct 12-14)
Friday, Nov. 6
Nov. 9 & 10
Homework
Ch. 1: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,
19, 21, 23, 25, 29, 31, 35, 37, 39,
43, 45, 47
Ch. 2: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15,
17, 21, 25, 27, 29, 31, 37, 39, 41,
43, 45, 47, 53
Ch. 3: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21,
23, 39, 41, 44, 48, 51, 55
Ch 4: 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17,
19, 21, 23, 27, 31, 33, 35, 37
Ch. 4: 39, 41, 42, 45, 47, 51, 53,
55, 57, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 66, 69,
71, 72, 73, 78, 81, 83
Ch. 5: 2, 5, 7, 9, 10, 11, 13, 17,
19, 23, 25, 26, 28, 30, 31, 32, 36,
37, 39, 40, 41, 43, 45, 47, 48, 49,
51, 53
Ch. 6: 1, 3, 5, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13,
14
Ch. 6: 16, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25,
27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 40, 44,
47, 49, 53, 55, 58, 60, 62
Ch. 7: 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19,
21, 23, 25, 27, 31, 33, 35, 36, 39,
53, 55, 61, 67, 69
Ch. 8: 1, 3, 5, 9, 11, 13, 19, 67,
68, 69
Unless otherwise directed:
 Chapter should be read prior to coming to Monday’s class
 Rough draft of weekly homework assignments due every Friday
 Homework notebook due every Monday
 Quiz on previous week’s material every Monday
 Lab reports are due Mondays
Second Marking Period
Date
Nov 16-20
Nov 23-25
(short week)
Nov 30 - Dec 4
Dec 7-11
Sat., Dec 12
Dec 14-18
Dec21-23
(short week)
Jan 4-8
Friday, Jan. 8
Jan 11-15
Jan 19-22
(short week)
Jan 21 & 22
Jan 26 & 27
Topic
In-Class Examples
Thermal Physics
2, 12, 16, 26, 40,
9.1
10.1- 10.5
Heat
2, 4, 14, 28, 36, 37
11.1-11.5
Thermodynamics
From Handout
12.1-12.7
Electric Forces &
1, 4, 10, 14, 16, 20, 26, 32, 40, 46,
Fields
56, 62
15.1-15.7, 15.9
Design Project Due: Physics Olympic Projects
Energy &
6, 8, 16, 22, 26, 28, 30, 40, 44, 50,
Capacitance
52, 58, 68
16.1-16.4, 16.5-16.9
Current & Resistance 2, 6, 14, 20, 30, 40, 46, 56
17.1-17.8
DC Circuits
2, 10, 12, 14, 22, 24, plus those from
18.1-18.5
handout
Design Project Due
Magnetism
19.1-19.4, 19.719.11
Inductance
20.1-20.3
2 MP Exam
Exam (1st & 2nd MP)
Homework
1, 5. 8, 11, 13, 15, 17, 18, 21, 23, 25,
27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,
49, 51, 57, 61, 63, 65
1, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,
25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 35, 39, 41, 57
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 23, 27,
29, 31, 33, 35, 37, 51, 53, 61
3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,
25, 27, 29, 33, 35, 37, 39, 41, 45, 47,
49, 51, 53, 59, 61
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21,
23, 25, 29, 31, 33, 37, 39, 41, 43, 45,
47, 49, 50, 51, 53, 55, 57, 59
1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21,
23, 25, 31, 33, 39, 41, 47, 49, 51, 55
1, 3, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 17, 19, 21, 23,
25, 27, 29, 31, 33, 37, 41, 43, 45, 47,
51, 57, 61
2, 4, 14, 20, 24, 28, 38, 42, 48, 54,
56
1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 13, 19, 21, 25, 29, 33,
35, 37, 41, 45, 49, 51, 53, 55, 57, 69
2, 10, 26, 30,
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 19, 27, 31, 33, 35,
Third Marking Period
Date
Feb 1-5
Feb 8-12
Feb 28-Mar3
March 6-10
March 13-17
March 20-24
March 27-31
Apr 7 & 8
Topic
Vibration & Waves
Ch. 13
Sound
Ch. 14
Design Project
Reflection &
Refraction
Ch. 22
Mirrors & Lenses
Ch. 23
Wave Optics
Ch. 24
Quantum Physics
Ch. 27: 1-3, 9
Atomic Physics
Ch. 28: 1-5
Design Project
Nuclear Physics &
Elementary Particles
Ch. 29 & 30
3 MP Exam
In-Class Examples
2, 6, 8, 12, 16, 20, 22, 26, 32, 34, 40,
44, 50
2, 10, 18, 21, 24, 28, 32, 38, 44, 48,
50
Homework
3, 5, 7, 9, 11, 13, 15, 19, 21, 25, 27,
33, 37, 39, 43, 45, 51, 53, 57, 65, 71
1, 5, 7, 9, 14, 17, 23, 25, 29, 31, 39,
41, 43, 45, 47, 57
6,8,17,24,32,37
7,9,11,13,15,19,21,23,25,27,29,35,3
9,42,51
2,6,13,18,29,37,41,
2,4,40,
3,5,7,10,15,19,21,23,25,27,30,39,40,
42,47,49,53,57
3,6,7,9,38,41,43,
27: 14, 15
28: 1,2,8,28
27: 2,5,11,12,16,20,44,46,49
28: 3,5,7,10,12,13,29,30,32,33
29: 2,14,23,36,42
30:1
29: 1,12,13,15,16,24,25,27, 37,39,
49, 50
30: 2,4,12,13
Fourth Marking Period
Date
Topic
In-Class Examples
Homework