AP® Physics C Mechanics
Course Syllabus
Course Description
This course is designed for students needing a strong physics background for
anticipated college work. In this course, Newtonian Mechanics will be constructed using
experimental and mathematical modeling, including the use of differential and integral
calculus; therefore a strong background in mathematics is required. The emphasis of
this course will be to construct models of mechanical phenomenon using hands-on
experiments and then to apply this understanding to new but related situations and
problems. Students will be given the opportunity to earn college credit upon successful
completion of the AP® Physics C Mechanics advanced placement test taken at the
student’s expense.
Text
Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, 8th Edition, John Wiley and
Sons, Inc. (2008)
Classroom Rules
Our classroom rules are very few and quite simple.
1. Bring all materials to every class.
2. Be on time with homework, labs reports and for class.
3. Respect everyone, including me!
As you can tell I place a tremendous amount of value on this last rule. If we can
treat one another with the proper respect we all will learn and enjoy the experience. In
a very general sense these rules will function as our classroom law. However, there are
a few specifics I need to mention.
Disciplinary Actions
The following are the steps on the disciplinary ladder. They will be used for any
instance where the classroom rules are not followed or for any action which disrupts the
learning process.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Conference with student, verbal warning.
Time out of class, parent notification or conference.
1 hour detention, parent contact.
2 hour detention, parent contact.
Referral to principal.
AP® Physics C Mechanics Course Syllabus
page 2
Mechanics Outline
Most units begin with a demonstration of a particular mechanics phenomenon,
followed by a brainstorming session in which variables pertinent to the situation are
developed. Next, the equipment needed to measure the variables and the experimental
techniques for controlling the variables are discussed. Students then do the experiment
and construct the relationships between the variables both graphically and
mathematically. These models are then deployed through further activities and
examples so that the students can solve related problems. Overall, experiments and
hands-on activities comprise more than 20% of the course. All labs will culminate in a
detailed lab report.
One Dimensional Motion
Topic
Constant Velocity Motion
Uniformly Accelerated Motion
Labs and Activities
Car Crash Practicum – Students will determine
where two constant velocity cars will crash
Catch the Car Practicum – Students will
determine where a uniformly accelerated car
will catch a constant velocity car
Motion with non-constant
acceleration including the use of
basic derivatives and integrals.
Vectors and Newton’s Laws
Topic
Vectors - including the addition
and subtraction of vectors in up to
three dimensions.
Labs and Activities
Vector Practicum I – Students will gain
experience in adding vector quantities
experimentally and computationally using a
force table
Vector Practicum II – Students will gain
experience in adding three (3) vector quantities
experimentally and computationally using a
force table
Newton’s First Law
Dynamics Practicum I – Students will
determine the unknown mass of an object
hanging in equilibrium
Newton’s Second and Third Laws
Dynamics Practicum II – Students will
determine the unknown mass of an object
hanging from an Atwood’s Machine
AP® Physics C Mechanics Course Syllabus
page 3
Two and Three Dimensional Motion
Topic
Projectile Motion
Uniform Circular Motion
General Two and Three
Dimensional Motion including the
use of derivatives and integrals
Labs and Activities
Projectile Practicum - Students will determine
where to place a can using height vs. range
data
Energy
Topic
The Law of Conservation of Energy
Energy Storage Mechanisms
Work by both constant and variable
forces including the use of the dot
product and integrals
General Potential Energy Functions
including their graphs using both
differential and integral calculus
Power
Labs and Activities
Energy Practicum – Students will determine
where to release a mass on a spring so that it
will just touch an egg without breaking it
Momentum
Topic
The Law of Conservation of
Momentum
Impulse and the Change in
Momentum
Labs and Activities
Momentum Practicum – Students will
determine where to place a can to catch a ball
by measuring a collision between the projectile
and a cart
AP® Physics C Mechanics Course Syllabus
page 4
Rotation
Topic
Rotational Kinematics
Rotational Dynamics including
rotational inertia and torques
Rotational Energy and Rolling
The Conservation of Angular
Momentum
Labs and Activities
Angular Position Lab – Students will determine
the relationship between the arc length and the
radius and thereby define the angular position.
Turning Effect – Students will investigate the
relationship between the turning effect, the
force and the lever arm
Rotational Newton’s Second Law Lab –
Students will discover the rotational version of
Newton’s Second Law
Rotational Inertia of Point Masses – Students
will investigate the relationship between the
rotational inertia of two point masses, their
mass and their positions
Parallel-Axis Theorem Lab – Students will
investigate the relationship between the
rotational inertia of a body of mass M around a
parallel axis of rotation not through the center
of mass and the distance h from the center of
mass to that parallel axis
Rolling Practicum – Students will attempt to
land a rolling ball into a can using only basic
measurements
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Demonstration – The teacher will lead the
students through an investigation of the Law of
Conservation of Angular Momentum
AP® Physics C Mechanics Course Syllabus
page 5
Oscillations
Topic
Simple Harmonic Motion
Mass on a Spring
Energy in SHM
Torsion Pendulum
Simple Pendulum
Physical Pendulum
Labs and Activities
Simple Harmonic Motion Activity – Students
will investigate the motion of a mass oscillating
on the end of a spring
Period of a Mass on a Spring Lab – Students
will investigate the relationship between the
period, the mass and the spring constant of a
mass on a spring
Energy in SHM Activity – Students will
investigate the energy of a simple harmonic
oscillator using a mass on a spring
Torsion Pendulum Demonstration – The
teacher will lead the students through an
investigation of a torsion pendulum
Simple Pendulum Lab – Students will
investigate the relationship between the period,
mass, length, amplitude, and gravitational field
strength of a simple pendulum
Physical Pendulum Demonstration – The
teacher will lead the students through an
investigation of a physical pendulum
Gravitation
Topic
Kepler’s Three Laws
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Energy
Satellites and Orbits
Tests
There will be around one test every two - three weeks. Tests will consist of multiple
choice questions and free response problems. We will have a review or at least a
practicum the day before a test. In case of absence, the following rules apply:
1. If the absence occurs on the review day only, you will be required to
take the test on the regular testing day.
2. If the absence occurs on the day of an announced test only, you will be
required to take the test on your first day back.
3. Any other instance will be handled at my discretion.
AP® Physics C Mechanics Course Syllabus
page 6
Homework
A few daily problems and worksheets will be assigned. They will be due at the
beginning of the next day. All worksheets are worth four (4) points based upon the
following scale:
4 points 2 points 0 points -
Worksheet done at the beginning of the next class.
Worksheet is not done at the beginning of the next class, but
is finished at the time of the test over that unit.
Worksheet is not done at the time of the test over that unit.
Classroom Materials
Physics Book
Pen or pencil, pencil preferred
Three–ring binder for your notes, worksheets, labs, and other materials
A scientific calculator is highly recommended unless you can do
decimals and trigonometric functions in your head
All of these materials should be brought every day. If any of these materials is
difficult for you to obtain, please see me and I will get you what you need.
Grades
At Hartland High School we are trying to bring more consistency and accuracy to the
academic marks that we provide for students. This year, teachers are using in the
4-point scale, which is consistent with GPA scales.
How it Works:
In class, students will be graded on the following scale:
4.0 – A
3.7 – A3.3 – B+
3.0 – B
2.7 – B2.3 – C+
2.0 – C
1.7 – C1.3 – D+
1.0 – D
0.7 – D0.3 – E
0.0 – No Attempt
In MiSTAR, you will notice that all grades are represented by a number as shown
above. These numbers represent the grade that the student received on the
assignment.