AP Physics C – Syllabus 2008 – 2009
Goals There are two goals any introductory physics course must accomplish, regardless
of the approach, emphasis, or pedagogical techniques: (1) to impart a qualitative
understanding of the basic physics principles, and (2) to enable students to solve a variety
of reasonable problems in topics presented in the text material.
Course Description This physics course is a first year, college level, survey of the
principal topics of physics. The class is designed to provide the student with a general
knowledge of classical mechanics. Physics concepts will be stressed with a great
emphasis placed on quantitative analysis. The objectives are set by The College Board
who administers the AP Physics test in May. It is expected that all students successfully
completing the AP Physics C course will take the AP test in May.
Text: Digital Text Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Version 1.3. Kinetic Books
Company 2001-2007
Additional Instructional Resources: The Princeton Review: Cracking the AP Physics
Exam, 2005-2006.
Released Exams, The College Board.
Teaching Strategies
Lecture-Demonstration By working with the total group, I try to direct student thinking
and problem solving strategies while deliberately moving through the key performance
strategies. My role as a lecturer is more like that of a tour guide, showing the students
important sites and having them think like physicists. By modeling thinking strategies, I
try to show them how to approach new problems and situations.
Large Group Discussion This gives students the opportunity to express their ideas to the
entire class. I use this model for reviewing homework and test preparation.
Small Group Discussion This gives the students the opportunity to work with 2 or 3 other
students in the laboratory or during problem-solving sessions. In a small group, students
are able to ask questions and offer suggestions without feeling self-conscious or
intimidated. When a student explains a concept to another person, the student solidifies
his/her own understanding of that concept. Working in small groups affords more
students this opportunity.
Individual Effort This model is used for all tests, all quizzes, and some problem-solving
practice. Some of the best critical thinking is done alone. This allows me to monitor
student progress and determine areas in which a student needs additional instruction.
Grading Policy: I use a point system in which various assignments are worth a variety of
points. The class average comes from points earned divided by total points possible. The
point system allows me to appropriately weight individual assignments. A small
assignment will be worth fewer points than a lengthier assignment. I am a prompt grader
and return assignments quickly.
Assessment Strategies:
Students are assessed frequently in the following manner. Unit tests are administered at
the conclusion of large units (those denoted by a capital letter in the course outline).
Topic tests are also given at the conclusion of a topic. There may be several topic tests
before a unit test is given. Quizzes are administered at least weekly, as well as graded
homework problem sets.
About the AP Physics C Course:
This course is calculus-based and takes place 5 days per week for 55 minutes each day
for the entire school year. The topics presented during the course closely follow those
delineated by The College Board. This course mirrors an introductory level university
physics course. The goal of the course is for students to master the concepts and
principles of physics from two approaches: mastery of concepts and proficient use of
formulae to solve problems. Hands-on, inquiry base investigations will also be included
to discover principles and strengthen understanding.
Outline of Topics
I.
Chapter/Sections
Newtonian Mechanics
A. Kinematics (2 weeks)
1. Motion in One Dimension
B. Vectors (2 weeks)
2.0 – 2.35
3.0 – 3.19
C. Two and Three Dimensional Motion (3 weeks)
4.0 – 4.19
D. Newton’s Laws of Motion (4 weeks)
1. Static Equilibrium
2. Dynamics of a Single Particle
3. Systems of Two or More Objects
5.0 – 5.34
6.0 – 6.14
E. Work, Energy, Power (4 weeks)
1. Work and the Work-Energy Theorem
2. Forces and Potential Energy
3. Conservation of Energy
4. Power
7.0 – 7.35
F. Systems of Particles (3 weeks)
1. Center of Mass
2. Impulse and Momentum
3. Conservation of Momentum, Collisions
8.0 – 8.31
G. Uniform Circular Motion (3 weeks)
1. Frequency and Period
2. Centripetal Acceleration
9.0 – 9.16
H. Rotational Kinematics (2.5 weeks)
1. Angular Velocity/Displacement
10.0 – 10.21
2. Tangential Velocity/Displacement
I. Rotational Dynamics (3.5 weeks)
1. Torque
2. Moment of Inertia
3. Rotational Work
J. Gravity and Orbits (3 weeks)
1. Universal Gravitation
2. Kepler’s Laws
K. Oscillations and Harmonic Motion (3 weeks)
1. Mass on a Spring
2. Pendulum and its Oscillations
11.0 – 11.37
13.0 – 13.35
15.0 – 15.38
Laboratory Investigations
Except as indicated, the following labs are all hands-on labs taking place within the
classroom during a single class period (55 minutes). Pre-Lab introduction/discussion and
Post-Lab discussion takes places on the day preceding and following each lab. Students
keep a lab notebook.
AP Physics C Laboratory Activities
Average Versus Instantaneous Speed
The purpose of this lab is to investigate the relationship between instantaneous speed and
average speed, and see how a series of average speeds can be used to deduce an
instantaneous speed
Projectile Motion Lab
The objective of this laboratory is to predict the range of a projectile set in motion at an
arbitrary angle.
Static Equilibrium Lab
The purpose of the laboratory experiment is to use vector analysis to mathematically
predict and with a force table to experimentally verify static equilibrium conditions.
Coefficient of Kinetic Friction Lab
To compare the theoretical acceleration of the air track cart with the calculated
acceleration from experimental results.
To determine the coefficient of kinetic friction between the air track cart and the masking
tape on the air track.
Inclined Plane Lab
To determine the coefficient of kinetic friction, µk, between an object and a surface.
To determine the tension in the string between two objects.
Atwood’s Machine
To compare a theoretical value for the acceleration of the system with an experimentally
determined value for acceleration.
Terminal Velocity Lab
To investigate the effects of air resistance on a falling objects.
Center of Mass Lab
To demonstrate the concept of center of mass and its relationship to balancing.
Explosions and Collisions Lab
To gain experience applying the principle of conservation of linear momentum and the
concept of center of mass to actual physical situations.
Centripetal Force Lab
Students determine the effects of varying mass, radius, and the centripetal force acting on
an object.
Conical Pendulum Lab
To compare the theoretical and experimental value for the period of rotation of a toy
plane traveling in a uniform circular path.
To determine the tension in the string attached to the toy plane as it travels in its uniform
circular path.
To determine the linear speed and centripetal acceleration of the toy plane.
Torque Wrench Lab (Virtual)
http://www.usna.edu/MathDept/website/courses/calc_labs/wrench/TorqueWrench.html
This applet demonstrates torque by allowing the user to adjust wrench length and position
and force vector and see the resulting magnitude of the torque.
Rotational Dynamics Lab (Hot Wheels Loop-the-Loop)
To investigate the forces and accelerations associate with circular motion.
Rotational Inertia of a Point Mass Lab
Rotational inertia is determined and compared to the calculated theoretical value. Error
analysis is also included.
Conservation of Angular Momentum Lab
A ball is fired into a “catcher” mounted on a rotating platform. Conservation of
momentum principles are used to determine the launch velocity of the ball.
Mass on a Spring Lab
To study Simple Harmonic Motion and Hooke’s Law, to find an unknown spring
constant, and to verify the correct expression for the effective mass of the system.
Using a Pendulum to Determine g Lab
To measure g on the surface of the earth with a pendulum.
Kepler’s Laws Lab
Virtual: http://www.unm.edu/~astro1/101lab/lab3/lab3_C.html
To investigate planetary orbits.