AP Physics B Syllabus
AP Physics B – Syllabus 2009 – 2010
Text: Principles of Physics [Digital Text] Version 1.3, Kinetic Books Company, 2007
Additional Instructional Resources: 5 Steps to a 5 in AP Physics:
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 Roman numeral 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 B Course:
This course is Algebra-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
AP Physics B Syllabus
formulae to solve problems. Hands-on, inquiry base investigations will also be included
to discover principles and strengthen understanding.
Outline of Topics
Chapter/Sections
I. Mechanics (Semester 1)
A. One Dimensional Kinematics (3 weeks)
B. Vectors & Projectile Motion (2 weeks)
C. Newton’s Laws of Motion (3 weeks)
D. Work, Energy, and Power (2 weeks)
E. Momentum and Collisions (2 weeks)
F. Circular Motion, Rotation, and Gravity (1 week)
G. Oscillations (1 week)
2.0 – 2.31
3.0 – 3.8; 4.0-4.28
5.0-5.32;6.0-6.14
7.0 – 7.29
8.0 – 8.19
9.0 – 9.8; 13.0 – 13.2
15.0 – 15.21
II. Fluid mechanics and Thermal Physics (Semester 1)
A. Fluid Mechanics (4 weeks)
14.0 – 14.22
III. Electricity and Magnetism (Semester 2)
A. Electrostatics
B. Electric Circuits (2 weeks)
C. Magnetic Fields (3 weeks)
23.0-23.19;24.0-24.19;25.0-25.19
27.0 – 27.15; 19.0 – 19.16
30.0 – 30.15; 31.0 – 31.4
IV. Waves and Optics (Semester 2)
A. Wave Motion
B. Reflection
C. Refraction
D. Lenses
E. Interference
F. Diffraction
16.0 – 16.17
35.0 – 35.20
36.0 – 36.16
37.0 – 37.12
38.0 – 38.16
39.0 – 39.6
V. Atomic and Nuclear Physics (Semester 2)
A. Atomic Physics and Quantum Effects
B. Nuclear Physics
41.0 – 41.0; 42.0 – 42.9
43.0 – 43. 16
Laboratory Investigations
The following is a list of inquiry-based laboratory activities. Students are required to keep
a lab journal. The hands-on activities are conducted within a class period (55 minutes).
Virtual labs are conducted by the students outside of class, and are usually accompanied
by a written set of instructions guiding the students through the investigation. The
majority of the listed mechanics labs utilize the PASCO dynamics carts and accessory
equipment.
Hands-On or
Virtual
Area
Title of Laboratory Investigation
IA
Determining Range for Horizontal and Angle Launches
Hands-On
IA
Graphical Analysis of Motion
Hands-On
AP Physics B Syllabus
IA
Torque and Rotational Equilibrium
Hands-On
IA
Determining Mass in a Rotating System
Hands-On
IB
Determining the Coefficients of Static and Kinetic Friction
Hands-On
IB
Determining the Resultant Force
Hands-On
IB
Determining the Acceleration due to Gravity with an Atwood's Machine
Hands-On
IB
Modified Atwood's Machine - Determining g
Hands-On
IC
Determining the Spring Constant
Hands-On
IC
Ballistic Pendulum - Conservation of Momentum & Energy
Hands-On
ID
Collisions with PASCO Dynamics Carts
Hands-On
ID
Elastic Versus Inelastic with Impulse Mallets
Hands-On
IE
Investigating the Pendulum - Determining g
Hands-On
IE
Simple Harmonic Oscillator wih PASCO Dynamics Carts
Hands-On
IE
Kepler's Laws
Virtual
http://galileoandeinstein.physics.virginia.edu/more_stuff/flashlets/kepler6.htm
II A
Boyle's and Charles' Law Micro-Chem Lab / How Absolute is Zero?
Hands-On
II A
Fluids Learning Stations Lab
Hands-On
II A
Buoyancy - You Sank My Battleship!
Virtual
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/physical/giambattista/fluids/fluids.html
II C
Ideal Gas Law - Life in a Pressure Chamber
Virtual
http://jersey.uoregon.edu/vlab/Piston/index.html
II C
Laws of Thermodynamics
Virtual
http://www.mhhe.com/physsci/physical/giambattista/thermo/thermodynamics.html
III A
Mapping Equipotential Fields
III A
Visualizing Electric Field Lines
Hands-On
Virtual
http://web.mit.edu/jbelcher/www/java/vecnodyncirc/vecnodyncirc.html
III
A,B
Electrostatics Learning Stations Lab
Hands-On
III B
Building a Leyden Jar - What a Shock!
Hands-On
III C
Determining the Index of Refraction - Snell's Law
Hands-On
III C
III
D,E
Series and Parallel Circuits / Ohm's Law Lab
Hands-On
Magnetism Learning Stations Lab
Hands-On
III E
Building a Paper Cup Speaker
Hands-On
IV B
Resonance in Open and Closed Tubes / Determining Speed of Sound
Hands-On
IV B
Standing Wave of Fire / Oscilloscope / Beats / Sound Phenomena
Hands-On
IV C
Determining Wavelength of a Laser (Interference)
Hands-On
IV C
Determining the Focal Length
Hands-On
IV C
Light and Color Learning Stations Lab
Hands-On
VA
Emission Spectra of Gases
Hands-On
VA
The Photoelectric Effect
Hands-On
VA
Atomic Energy Levels - What Jumps Up Must Fall Down
http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph11e/bohrh.htm
Virtual
AP Physics B Syllabus