Lumberton High School
Advanced Placement Physics 1 (Fall) / Advanced Placement Physics 2 (Spring)
Syllabus
Teacher: Mr. E. Lowe
Room: D202
Email: edward.lowe@robeson.k12.nc.us
http://www.robeson.k12.nc.us/10232072811342937/site/default.asp
COURSE DESCRIPTION AND OBJECTIVE
This course is designed as an introductory algebra-based physics course. Students will use this
knowledge to move into advanced scientific studies and build the requisite skills for entry into
physics related fields. The course is completed over two semesters. To accommodate local
requirements, the fall semester of the course is designated as Physics Honors while utilizing the
AP Physics B curriculum. The remaining topics are concluded in the spring semester with a
review for the AP exam.
Algebra and trigonometry will be used extensively throughout. Honors Physics is an
appropriate course for students with a strong mathematics and science background. A
laboratory component accompanies the classroom element in the course. Students will be
expected to undertake and report on laboratory projects related to the topics in the class.
PRIMARY TEXTBOOK:
Serway, R. A., Faugh, J. and Vuielle, C. (2009) College Physics. 8th ed. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole
Cenage.
SECONDARY TEXTBOOK:
Bueche, F. J. and Hecht, E. (1997) Schaum’s Outline of College Physics. 9th ed. New York, NY:
McGraw-Hill.
MATERIALS
Students will be expected to bring the following to every class:
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
G.
3 ring binder (1.5 inches or greater);
Loose leaf paper
Blue/black pens and/or pencils;
A scientific calculator with trigonometric functions;
A bound composition book (quad-ruled)
Fully Charged LHS Digital Device
Any due assignments.
1
GRADING SCALE
Every classroom teacher shall use the following grading scale to measure student progress:
96 %or >=4.000
95%= 3.875
94%= 3.750
93%= 3.625
92%= 3.500
91%= 3.375
90%= 3.250
89%= 3.125
88%= 3.000
87%= 2.875
86%= 2.750
85%= 2.625
84%= 2.500
83%= 2.375
82%= 2.250
81%= 2.125
80%= 2.000
79%= 1.875
78%= 1.750
77%= 1.625
76%= 1.500
75%= 1.375
74%= 1.250
73%= 1.125
70-72%= 1.000
< 69%= 0.000
GRADING PROCEDURE:
MAJOR TESTS
QUIZZES
Percent of 9
Weeks
Grade
35%
10%
CW/COLLABORATION
15%
LABS/HOMEWORK
PROJECTS
20%
20%
Grade Criteria
FINAL EXAM
Sample Activities
1 per Unit of Study & cumulative
Pop Quiz & Reflections
WebAssign (Donated by Academic
Boosters)
Lab notebook & Free Response Questions
Big Idea Activities, Google Sites
25% of Each Semester Grade
TESTS:
One test will be given per chapter or unit of material. Test dates will be announced at
least 3 days prior to the test. Test corrections are due two class meetings after receiving
original test grade. Proper correction of missed items provides an opportunity for
mastery of the subject and will result in an increased grade.
QUIZZES:
Quizzes will be announced and unannounced. Reflections posted on student Google site
(e-portfolio) will be counted as quiz grades.
LABS:
Laboratory experiments are an integral part of scientific discovery and will be an
essential component of this course. Evaluation will be in the form of notebook checks
each grading period and a laboratory report posted on the student Google site (eportfolio) after each lab. Laboratory Reports are due three class meetings after the lab is
completed and must be visible to the instructor on the student’s Google site to receive
full credit. General Laboratory Safety Rules will be provided for each experiment. Labs
cannot be made up. Unsafe procedures and incorrect techniques will result in lowered
grades and possible disciplinary action.
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HOMEWORK:
Problems will be assigned on a per section/chapter basis. The homework due dates per
section will be announced by the instructor at least one day prior to its due date. There is
a high correlation between arriving at the problem session prepared and success in the
course. Problems submitted on paper for a grade should be neatly solved and include
diagrams, vector diagrams (if applicable), a list of the given information, all necessary
steps to solve the problem and the boxed answer. A ruler should be used for all
diagrams and graphs. Graphs must be on graph paper or they must be computer
generated.
PROJECTS:
Projects will be assigned throughout the course. Most projects will only require a couple
of weeks of preparation prior to submission and students will be provided ample time
to complete the project.
CLASS PARTICIPATION:
Class participation will be evaluated on an individual basis and will depend on class
discussions, question-answer sessions, and lab participation.
ABSENCE POLICY/MISSED WORK POLICY
A. You will have five days to make up missed homework and it is YOUR responsibility to
have it done. All work will be listed on the course website listed above.
B. If you are absent during a test or quiz you have 5 school days to make it up with me.
Anything made up after that without a valid excuse (e.g. doctor’s note) will not be
accepted.
C. There are no make-ups for make-ups.
LEARNING CENTER
Students may receive tutoring, make up tests and other missing assignments, and do retests
during Learning Center after school in my classroom. Other opportunities for assistance may be
scheduled in advance if I do not have another commitment. Students may retest on any major
test. This will be done within two weeks of the original test date and only after test corrections
have been done. The two grades will be averaged and the improved grade will be recorded for
that test.
ACADEMIC HONESTY
Academic evaluations in this course require that the student’s work be free from academic
dishonesty of any type. Evidence of cheating, plagiarism, abuse of academic materials, or
fabrication of information will cause adverse affects to grades and possible disciplinary action.
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SCIENCE OLYMPIAD
LHS fields a Science Olympiad team that prepares throughout the year for
tournaments. Science Olympiad competitions are like academic track meets, consisting of a
series of 23 team events in each division. By combining events from many disciplines, like
anatomy, physics, geology, astronomy, mechanical engineering and technology, Science
Olympiad encourages a wide cross-section of students to get involved in active, hands-on,
group participation.
Active Participation in the LHS Science Olympiad team will result in the following
compensation for AP PHYSICS:
 Lowest test score for each 9 weeks will be dropped. Enrichment topic after the AP Exam
will be forgiven.
CLASS RULES
A. All materials in class (fully charged);
B. Raise your hand before speaking;
C. The cheater and the facilitator will both receive zeros for that assignment;
D. Food or drinks will not be allowed in the classroom at any time.
E. Golden Rule – Work hard and respect me and I will work twice as hard to meet you
4
TWO SEMESTER COURSE OUTLINE
Unit 1:
(2 weeks)
Mathematical Reasoning
I.
A.
Algebra Review
B.
Dimensional Analysis
C.
Data Analysis
D.
Vector Addition
Newtonian Mechanics
Unit 2:
(2.5 weeks)
A.
Unit 3:
Kinematics
1.
Motion in one dimension
2.
Motion in two dimensions
(2.5 weeks)
B.
Unit 4:
Newton’s Laws of Motion
1.
Static Equilibrium (first law)
2.
Dynamics of a single particle (second law)
3.
Systems of two or more objects (third law)
(2.5 weeks)
C.
D.
Unit 5:
Work, energy, power
1.
Work and the work-energy theorem
2.
Forces and potential energy
3.
Conservation of energy
4.
Power
Systems of particles, linear momentum
1.
Impulse and momentum
2.
Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
(2 weeks)
E.
F.
Circular motion and rotation
1.
Uniform circular motion
2.
Torque and rotational statics
Gravitation
1.
Newton’s law of gravity
2.
Orbits of planets and satellites
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II.
Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
Unit 6:
(2 weeks)
A.
Unit 7:
1.
Hydrostatic pressure
2.
Buoyancy
3.
Fluid flow continuity
4.
Bernoulli’s equation
(2 weeks)
B.
C.
III.
Fluid Mechanics
Temperature and heat
1.
Mechanical equivalent of heat
2.
Heat transfer and thermal expansion
Kinetic theory and thermodynamics
1.
Ideal gases
2.
Laws of thermodynamics
Electricity and Magnetism
Unit 8:
(2.5 weeks)
A.
B.
Unit 9:
Electrostatics
1.
Charge and Coulomb’s Law
2.
Electric field and electric potential (including point charges)
Conductors and capacitors
1.
Electrostatics with conductors
2.
Capacitors
(2.5 weeks)
C.
Unit 10:
D.
E.
Electric circuits
1.
Current, resistance, power
2.
Steady-state direct current circuits with batteries and resistors only
3.
Capacitors in circuits
(2.5 weeks)
Magnetic Fields
1.
Forces on moving charges in magnetic fields
2.
Forces on current-carrying wires in magnetic fields
3.
Fields of long current-carrying wires
Electromagnetism
1.
Electromagnetic induction (including Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law)
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IV.
Waves and Optics
Unit 11:
A.
Unit 12:
B.
C.
Unit 13:
V.
(2.5 weeks)
Wave motion (including sound)
1.
Simple harmonic motion (dynamics and energy relationships)
2.
Mass on a spring
3.
Pendulum and other oscillations
4.
Traveling waves
5.
Wave propagation
6.
Standing waves
7.
Superposition
(2.5 weeks)
Physical optics
1.
Interference and diffraction
2.
Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
Geometric optics
1.
Reflection and refraction
2.
Mirrors
3.
Lenses
(2 weeks)
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
A.
B.
Atomic physics and quantum effects
1.
Photons, the photoelectric effect, Compton scattering, x-rays
2.
Atomic energy levels
3.
Wave-particle duality
Nuclear Physics
1.
Nuclear reactions (including conservation of mass number and charge)
2.
Mass-energy equivalence
7
PLEASE COMPLETE THE INFORMATION BELOW AND RETURN
I have read the course syllabus for Physics Honors / AP Physics B and understand the
requirements and evaluation of academic proficiency.
Student signature:______________________________________________
Parent Signature:______________________________________________
Best Time/ Method / Info to Contact Parent:
__________
a.m.
p.m.
Phone
/
e-mail
/
________________________________
Phone Number or email address
Are there any special conditions that I need to consider when it comes to teaching your
child?
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
Allergies?
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
If needed, can your child stay after school one or two days per week for tutoring?
____________
Do you have a computer at home and/or will you be receiving an LHS digital device?
______________
Do you have Internet Access at home? ______________
Thank you
Mr. Edward Lowe
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