AP Physics 1 Summer Assignment
Dear Student,
Welcome, to the new and improved algebra based Physics class, AP Physics 1. This is
a college level algebra based class that covers topics such as motion, forces, energy,
momentum, waves, and electricity. This packet is to be completed during the summer break.
It is due the first day of class. You may be quizzed on the content covered within this packet
on the first day of class. The assignment will be subject to the standard late deductions (10%
off each day) if not completed by the first day of class. The packet has been broken down
into sections. I recommend that you complete this packet in sections as to not overwhelm
yourself with some new information though much of this should be review. Show up to the
first day ready to start learning and with a willingness to do homework, classwork, and
experiments. You will be asked to put in as much time as it takes for you to succeed. The
amount of time will vary from person to person so be ready to work.
Thank you for your interest in the class, I look forward to coming year and I hope
you do too.
Instructions: Follow the instructions for each section, if you have any questions
or concerns about what you should do or the information provided please feel free
to email me at jlauzon@aacps.org .
Section 1: Type of Learner
Description: You will be given tasks and assignments based off of your personal learning style. This
questionnaire will provide me with a starting point as we further explore your learning styles it may be altered.
Please take this questionnaire seriously it is important to me and to your success.
Task:
-
Go to: http://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire
Answer the Questions
o
-
Note: you can and should select more than one answer if more than
one is applicable
Copy the information: Either in picture or text and email it to me with the contact information in
section 2 (please note that a link to the webpage will not provide me with the results)
Section 2: Contact Me
Description: In order to keep in contact and to distribute any necessary information I would like to have your
contact information and you to have mine. So please:
Task:
-
Email me at: jlauzon@aacps.org
o Include:
- First Name
- Last Name
- Student ID Number
- Last Math class taken and grade in it
- What you hope to get out of this course (besides a good grade)
- The results of your VARK Questionnaire (from section 1)
Section 3: Sign up for the Online Quizzes
Description: In order to check you understanding and assess you summer learning and levels you will be
asked to complete quizzes for a grade at the end of most of the sections. In order to access the quizzes you
must first sign up for the class.
Task:
-
Sign up for the class
o Go to http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
o Click Sign Up
o Type in your information PLEASE use a username you will NOT forget
o Click Register
o Click on “Click here to search a new class”
o Search for class title: “AP Physics 1” or by Instructor: “Jade Lauzon”
 Click the checkbox
 Click Register
o Once your have successfully registered. Click the classes tab
o There your will see the link to the quizzes you need to take (the majority of the quizzes
allow you two attempts… if it is different it tell you with the quiz description)
-
Visit the classes webpage
o http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
 Or go to northeasthigh.org and search AP Physics 1
Section 4: Greek Letters
Description: You will see in Physics that many things are represented with different letters of the alphabet.
For example t = time and ac = centripetal acceleration. We also use Greek letters to represent different
variables. For example λ = wavelength, Δ = change and θ = angle in degrees. These letters may confuse you if
you are not familiar with them. So:
Task:
-
Spend some time looking over the table below which contains both the upper and lower cases and get
to know the symbols and their names. None of the symbols should surprise you during the year. For
example I shouldn’t hear the question “Why does that zero have a line through it” when I write they
symbol theta (θ).
Section 5: How to watch, learn, and take notes from a video
Description: AP Physics 1 is designed differently from most other classes. If you are interested, the term is
“Flipped Classroom” or “Blended Learning”. That means that the lecture and notes portion of the class is
completed at home leaving time for higher level questions, discussions, and laboratory experiments to be
completed in the classroom this way you can obtain extra help from the teacher and your peers, and have
active hands on learning. In order to be successful in a class designed this way you need to be able learn the
information, effectively take notes, and retain it. This lesson is a video on how to do effectively learn this way.
Task:
-
Watch the “How to…” video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Section 6: Scientific Notation
Description: Scientific Notation is something that you should become very familiar with. It is used in all levels
of science and math classes and is very easy to do and understand once you get the hang of it.
Task:
-
Watch the Scientific Notation video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Scientific Notation questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 7: Units
Description: Units are a vital part science. You may remember when NASA lost 125 million dollar because two
groups of people were using different systems of units
(http://www.cnn.com/TECH/space/9909/30/mars.metric.02/). Units are also EXTREMLY helpful in helping us
figure out what we are solving for or how we should solve for it. In this lesson you will learn how to convert
between units within the metric system and in/out (miles to meters etc.) of the metric system. You will also
explore what happens when units are added, subtracted, multiplied and divided.
Task:
-
Watch the Units video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Units questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 8: Geometry
Description: Area and angles are an important part of calculations in Physics. For example knowing the area
under a velocity vs. time graph can provide you with the distance the object moved. Knowing the angle that
light strikes a mirror can tell you where the light will reflect off to. These are important calculations in physics.
In this lesson you will learn about the area and angles aspect of geometry. We will also cover circles and the
relationship between area, diameter, and radius.
Task:
-
Watch the Geometry video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Geometry questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 9: Trigonometry
Description: Angles as stated above are an important part of calculations in Physics. For example knowing the
angle that a ball was thrown at will help determine the height and distance of its travel. This and MANY more
situations are important calculations in physics. In this lesson you will learn about the angles aspect of
trigonometry. This is a VERY important lesson make sure you are comfortable with what you learn in this
lesson.
Task:
-
Watch the Trigonometry video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Trigonometry questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 10: Algebra
Description: AP Physics 1 is defined as algebra based math class. That would suggest (and rightly so) that you
will be doing A LOT of algebra. You MUST be able to do algebra without difficulty. If you struggle in algebra
and are not prepared to take the time to truly master it AP Physics is not the place for you. In this lesson I will
return to the basics of algebra; solving for an unknown.
Task:
-
Watch the Algebra video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Algebra questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 11: Expressions
Description: Expression is the term used for when solving for something with letters instead of numbers.
When determining the expression you are responsible for rearranging the letters to obtain the end equation in
which you could plug numbers in and solve for it. For example 𝑣 =
𝑑
𝑡
if I was to ask for the expression of what
𝑑
t equals you would rearrange it to obtain𝑡 = 𝑣 . This lesson is almost algebra step 2, since it is missing the
simplification step that numbers alow.
Task:
-
Watch the Expressions video at: http://tinyurl.com/nhsapp1
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
Answer the Expressions questions at: http://quizstar.4teachers.org/indexs.jsp
Section 12: Scalars and Vectors
Description: Scalars and Vectors are the building blocks of physics. You will hear the term vector, scalar, and
magnitude throughout the year. AP Physics is especially concerned about things happening in two dimensions
so the second video is just as important as the first.
Task:
-
-
Watch the video at(not by me this time):
o http://www.khanacademy.org/science/mcat/physical-processes/vectors-andscalars/v/introduction-to-vectors-and-scalars
o http://www.khanacademy.org/science/mcat/physical-processes/vectors-andscalars/v/visualizing-vectors-in-2-dimensions
Take Notes (they will be checked on the first day so make sure you have them)
At the end summarize the content of Mr. Khan’s presentation in 3 sentences.
Write at least 1 question per video of something you didn’t understand or a possible extension of the
concepts presented.
This summer assignment is an introduction and/or a refresher of the math you should
already know when entering the course. Make sure to keep your notes in a binder and have
them on the first day of class. You may very well have an open notes quiz on the information
covered in these lessons. If you completed this earlier in the summer make sure you go
back and refresh yourself on anything that you may not have already mastered.
Thank you for completing this summer assignment and I look forward to getting to
know you in the coming school year.