AP Physics 1 and 2 Summer Homework
Mrs. Smith- Gsmith@syvuhsd.org
Santa Ynez High School Website- http://www.syvuhsd.org
Dear AP Students and Parents:
Congratulations. You have signed up for AP physics I . This is an honors level course offered to students who
are considering a career in math or science and desire to accept the challenging option of college level curriculum. The
concepts covered in this course are chosen to coincide with a college level physics and prepare the student for the AP
Physics Exam in May. There is a lot of confusion about the changes that AP is making.
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AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based is the equivalent to a first-semester college course in algebra-based physics. The
course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular momentum); work, energy, and
power; mechanical waves and sound. It will also introduce electric circuits.
Pre-requisites -co-enrolled in Pre-calculus (recent change from Honors Pre Calculus)
SKILLS STUDENTS MUST HAVE TO BE SUCCESSFUL IN AP PHYSICS:
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Manipulate algebraic equations.
Apply directly and indirectly proportional reasoning.
Apply dimensional analysis to a multistep conversion.
Apply sin, cos and tangent while standing on their head. (Summer homework review)
Be tenacious and not give up easily.
Plan and not leave things to the last minute. (decent study habits)
Have a sense of wonder about the Universe.
As an AP student, you are expected to read and understand concepts on your own, show initiative, work
independently, and submit quality work at all times. Students can expect to have an average of 3- 5 hours of homework
per week. Carefully consider this and your other commitments as you sign up for classes.
Bring the summer homework to school on the first day. You will be given credit for it. You will be tested
on these concepts two weeks after school starts, so make sure that you have completed this work.
What you need to do:
1) Check out Physics by James Walker textbook from the library.
2) Read and outline Chapters 1, 2, 3 in a spiral notebook.
Chapter 1 Conversions and metric units
Chapter 2 Motion in one direction
Chapter 3 Vectors (you will need to remember your Geometry)
The text is college level and can be challenging. Take the summer to get used to the text, where the resources
are and how the author explains things. The problems in the text challenge your understanding of the
concept.
3) Problem sets: every end of chapter review has conceptual questions, conceptual exercises and problems. You
will be expected to do all three types of problems for AP. Odd answers are in the back. Show your set-up for
answers in your spiral wound notebook. Don’t leave this until the last moment. It can expect it to take you 16
hours to complete to manage your time.
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Chapter 1 CQ 1-5 odd, CE 1-5 odd, Problems 1-25 odd
Chapter 2 CQ 1-11 odd, CE 1-7 odd, Problems 1-21 odd, 29-35 odd,
Chapter 3 CQ 1-13 odd, CE 1-7 odd, Problems 1-25 odd
4) All assigned problems and concepts below are due at the beginning of the school year, and you are expected to
answer all verbal questions in complete sentences and show work on all mathematical problems.
5) You will be tested on all concepts from the chapters the second week of the school year. If you have difficulties
with some of the concepts or problems, don’t despair. One of the resources that students find helpful is Khan
academy on you tube (explore physics) and PHET a simulation website that has some fun animations related to
the subject matter (there is an especially good simulation with vectors).
6) Please also bring a calculator and spiral notebook to the first day of school.
Concepts to know for each chapter:
Chapter 1- Laws of Nature, Units of Length, Mass and Time, Dimensional Analysis, Significant Figures, Converting
Units, Order of Magnitude solutions, Problem Solving in Physics.
Chapter 2- One dimensional kinematics covering Displacement, Speed, Velocity, Acceleration, Motion with Constant
Acceleration, Applications and Free Falling Objects.
Chapter 3- Vectors are used throughout the entire year in Physics. Have a strong grasp of Vectors including
Components of a vector, Adding and subtracting vectors, Unit vectors, Vector applications: Position, Displacement,
Velocity, Acceleration and Relative Motion.