AP PHYSICS B 2012-2013
Mr. Hotell
Email: hotellm@sac-city.k12.ca.us (best way to reach me)
Voicemail: 277-6400 ext 1147
Course Description and Expectations:
Advanced Placement Physics B is a fast-paced, college-level course taught in
high school. This class is designed for highly-motivated students who desire a
rigorous academic challenge. Students should expect to devote a minimum of
10 hours per week outside of class to AP Physics. The primary goal of the
course is to learn physics well enough to pass the AP Physics B exam on
Monday May 13, 2013. Accomplishment of this goal will require a highly
concentrated effort both in and out of class. A passing score (3, 4, or 5 out
of 5) may qualify a student for college credit. The awarding of college credit
is an individual university decision. All students are expected to take the
AP Physics Exam on May 13, 2013. You have made the choice to take this
class and the cost for the test (especially if you qualify for a fee waiver) is
not overwhelming. More about fees later in syllabus.
The course will encompass five major topic areas: Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid
Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and
Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics. You will soon receive a comprehensive
list of specific concepts to be learned.
Success in this course will require students to work together, both in and out
of class. A phone/email list will be disseminated so students can form study
groups, an incredibly valuable tool for success in this course. You will be
assigned a partner (which changes each month) with whom you will work daily
to: share and exchange ideas, solve problems, peer review, hypothesize with
and investigate physics phenomena. Class time will include lecture and teacher
demonstration but will consist primarily of student’s investigating, processing,
and discussing physics phenomena.
Goals:
 Learn physics well enough to pass the AP Physics B Exam on
Monday May 13, 2013!
 Do difficult work so that you learn that you can do difficult work.
 Experience a college course while still in high school so that your
transition to college will be smoother when you get there!
AP Physics B Exam:
There are two physics AP exams, AP Physics B and AP Physics C, administered
by College Board. The AP Physics C exam is a calculus-based physics test
designed to be taken after completing a foundational college physics course
for physical science and engineering students. This is NOT the course you
will be taking!
The AP Physics B exam is an algebra/trigonometry-based test designed to be
taken after completing a college-level physics course for students in the life
sciences, premedicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not
directly related to science. This is the one you are taking!!!
The three hour AP Physics B exam consists of two parts: a 1 ½ hour multiple
choice portion, and a 1 ½ hour free response portion. The test is very
difficult! The national pass rate is approximately 60%. Mr. Hotell’s AP
students have a 70% average pass rate over the last 7 years. What this
shows is that with hard work, resolve, and dedication you can accomplish great
results!
The cost of the AP Physics B exam is $89. Fee reductions are available for
qualified families/students which could significantly lower the cost. While
the cost seems high, a passing score on the exam may earn you college units
which cost MUCH, MUCH MORE! AP exam fees will be collected soon.
To properly prepare for exam success, it will be necessary to have several
after school or weekend study sessions. Dates and times will be worked out
as we approach the exam.
Textbook: Physics, John D. Cutnell and Kenneth W. Johnson. Approximate
replacement cost is $112. Keep your book covered at all times and return it in
comparable condition. Students are encouraged to use the internet resources
which are found in the text. Students will also be given a study guide which
accompanies the text. Use and completion of the study guide is another key
to success.
Materials:
The following are to be provided by the student every day:
 Three ring binder with loose-leaf lined paper
 Textbook
 Scientific calculator (or a graphing calculator). It is recommended that
you have a calculator that you can store equations in. Mr. Hotell can
provide recommendations for choice of calculator
 Writing Instrument (All quizzes, tests, and homework problems need to
be completed in pencil)
 Ruler
 A 3”x5” or 4”x6” index card binder/box for equations
 A “can-do” attitude
Laboratory Donation: The science department is requesting a laboratory
donation of $40 per AP student. This money will be used to provide and
support the laboratory activities our students need and deserve. Laboratory
activities are critical for the proper depth of understanding necessary in AP
Physics. Please give your lab fee to Mr. Hotell in the form of cash or check
(made out to “West Campus”). A timely response is greatly appreciated.
Tardy Policy: Students will be given 2 tardies per quarter without
consequence. The 3rd tardy and every one thereafter will result in assignment
of lunch detention under the direction of the principal or assistant principal.
Grading:
Each assignment will have a point value. Points will be totaled at the end of
the grading period and a grade assigned based on the following scale:
A = 85 - 100%
B = 70 - 84%
C = 55 - 69%
D = 40 - 54%
F = 0 - 39%
A D or an F is not acceptable for college admission!!!
Grades will be determined by the approximate weighting of each of the
categories below:
Tests and Quizzes
40%
Final Exam
20%
Homework
20%
Labs/In-class activities
20%
Tests and Quizzes:
Short, announced quizzes will occur periodically, while tests will occur every
3-4 weeks. All tests will consist of a multiple-choice section and a freeresponse section, each weighted equally. These tests will mimic the AP
Physics B Exam format, but in a shorter time frame (one class period).
Labs:
Physics is learned best by doing, therefore the lab component of this course
is essential to understanding. Many of the lab experiences will be open-ended
and begin with a question or problem. Laboratory groups (2-4 people) will be
provided with potential laboratory equipment and instructed to generate a
hypothesis and develop a procedure for testing the hypothesis. Students will
execute the procedure and gather and record experimental data. It will be
the group’s responsibility to analyze the data and formulate a conclusion.
Communication of scientific findings is vital. Therefore, each student will
produce a formal lab report (completed primarily outside of class) following
many labs. Lab report procedure will follow at a later date.
Homework Policy:
Students can expect nightly homework. Reading assignments are given most
nights in anticipation of the next day’s lesson. Homework assignments may
consist of relevant problems from the text, teacher-generated worksheets,
or a continuation of an in-class activity. The purpose of these assignments is
to reinforce and extend content understanding. These assignments will be
discussed in class the following day and turned in. Homework solutions will be
posted on Edmodo. Timely homework completion is essential to success in AP
Physics. Late work will not be accepted except following an excused
absence. Great things can only be accomplished via hard work and
determination!
Class
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Rules:
I will do my best today.
I will respect myself and others.
I will be responsible for my academic success.
I will be teachable.
I will have fun!
Attention Students and Parents:
Please read the attached AP Physics B Course Syllabus. Sign and return this
half sheet to Mr. Hotell TOMORROW to indicate that class information has
been communicated to and understood by both students and parents. This is
your first assignment! Course Syllabus is to be placed in AP Physics B Binder.
I look forward to a fulfilling and successful school year for all.
Mike Hotell
Print Student Name __________________________
Student Signature____________________________
Date:________________
Print Parent Name ____________________________
Parent Signature _____________________________
Date:________________
Attention Students and Parents:
Please read the attached AP Physics B Course Syllabus. Sign and return this
half sheet to Mr. Hotell TOMORROW to indicate that class information has
been communicated to and understood by both students and parents. This is
your first assignment! Course Syllabus is to be placed in AP Physics B Binder.
I look forward to a fulfilling and successful school year for all.
Mike Hotell
Print Student Name __________________________
Student Signature____________________________
Date:________________
Print Parent Name ____________________________
Parent Signature _____________________________
Date:________________