Todd Crabtree
Conroe High School
AP Physics 1
Conference: 5th period
tocrabtree@conroeisd.net
936-709-5700
Description: AP Physics 1 is introductory college physics. The course is designed by The
College Board to be taught as a first year Physics Course. The course is Algebra based and the
prerequisites are completion of Chemistry and Algebra II. Throughout the school year students
will learn Physics topics that are typically covered in first semester college physics. The AP
Exam in May covers this material and AP Physics 1 will prepare students for AP Physics C or AP
Physics 2 that will cover the topics typically taught in second semester college physics. The
work will be rigorous and students should expect to spend between 5 and 10 hours per week
outside of class doing homework, projects, and independent reading. All students enrolled in AP
Physics 1 are expected to take the AP Exam in May, regardless of future plans. Students who
pass the A.P Exam with a score of 3, 4, or 5 qualify to receive college credit. Different schools
have different guidelines regarding credit, so please check with your instructor, your future
school, and the College Board website to determine credit options.
Materials Needed:
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Notebook
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Paper
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Pencils and pens
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Additional materials as requested by instructor
Grading Policy: Student work is categorized as follows:
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70% of a student’s grade is determined by major grades, which may include but is not
limited to tests, projects, and lab reports.
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30% of a student’s grade is determined by daily work, which may include but is not
limited to classwork, homework, class participation, quizzes, and labs.
Make-Up Work: Students will be allowed to make up work following absences as outlined in
the CISD Student Handbook:
“For any work assigned during a student’s absence, the student will be permitted one day
for each day of absence to complete that work.”
Late Work Policy:
Minor Grades (Daily work)
In advanced classes, it is imperative to keep up with the pace of the class. Physics knowledge
builds on previous topics and therefore, one cannot afford to get behind. All class work is
expected to be turned in on time. For each day late (up to two days), 30 points will be deducted
from the score. After the second day late, the score will be considered a Z. That is averaged as a
numerical zero but will be accepted late for a grade replacement of 30%. The deadline for
turning in Z’s will be the end of the three weeks grading period.
Major Grades (Tests, Contests, Formal Lab Write-Ups, and Projects)
All major grades are given weeks of notice regarding the due date. They are expected on time.
Any time late will be considered a Z (numerical zero). Students earning a Z on a major grade
should see the instructor immediately on a plan to submit their work late. The assignment will
be accepted late, but with a steep penalty of 50 – 70 points off depending on circumstances.
Major grade Z’s must be reconciled by the three week grade progress report
Retake Policy: Students are allowed to retake one (1) major test grade per grading period (9
weeks). Retakes must be completed by the end of the three week progress report grading period.
In order to retest, a student must complete all missing work, then attend a tutorial session and
complete a review assignment. No retakes will be allowed during the last week of the grading
period. The highest grade a student can receive on a retake is an 85.
Academic Dishonesty: It is my goal to provide an atmosphere where students develop
intellectually. To accomplish this, students are expected to act with personal integrity, to have
respect for other students’ dignity, rights, and property, and to help create and maintain an
environment in which all can succeed. Academic dishonesty is:
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copying someone else’s homework
giving homework to someone else to be copied,
plagiarizing – using another person’s work, ideas, or a quotation as if it were one’s own,
using unauthorized notes (i.e. using a “cheat sheet” of any kind – written or electronic),
giving or receiving help on a test by talking to another person or showing work to another
person during, the test, or talking about the test after it has been taken to someone who
has not yet taken it.
Academic dishonesty will be handled according to the Conroe ISD Code of Conduct.
Tutorials: Students that need further clarification of concepts should attend tutorials as needed.
Mr. Crabtree is available most days after school for tutorials. If I’m in my room, you are
welcome to come in for help. It is a good idea to check with me the day of because I attend
many after school meetings and won’t be back in my room until much later in the afternoon. Do
NOT wait until right before the exam or the end of a grading period. If you sense yourself
falling behind you are. Get help sooner rather than later.
Scope & Sequence:
Time
Unit
Concept Recommendations
Position
Displacement
Speed
Velocity
Grading Period 1
Week 1
One Dimensional Kinematics
Vector
Scalar
Graphing Motion
Acceleration
Grading Period 1
Week 2
One Dimensional Kinematics
Free Fall
Linear Motion (Kinematics equation)
Components of Vectors
Resultant of Vectors
Grading Period 1
Week 3
Two Dimensional Kinematics
Frame of Reference
Relative Motion
Horizontally Launched Projectiles
Grading Period 1
Week 4
Two Dimensional Kinematics
Horizontally Launched Projectiles
Angled Launched Projectiles
Definitions of force and types of forces
Grading Period 1
Week 5
Free Body Diagrams
Dynamics
Newton’s 1st and 3rd Laws of Motion
Static Equilibrium
Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion
Grading Period 1
Week 6
Dynamics
Grading Period 1
Week 7
Dynamics
Grading Period 1
Week 8
Dynamics
Friction
Dynamic Problems including: Atwood Machines and Systems
of Objects
Air Resistance
Terminal Velocity
Characteristics of circular motion
Grading Period 2
Week 1
Circular Motion and Gravitation
Centripetal force and acceleration
Application of Circular Motion including Banked and Curves
and
Satellites
Grading Period 2
Week 2
Circular Motion and Gravitation
Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
Work
Power
Grading Period 2
Week 3
Work Power and Energy
Grading Period 2
Week 4
Work Power and Energy
Grading Period 2
Week 5
Work Power and Energy
Grading Period 2
Work Power and Energy
Types of Mechanical Energy
 Kinetic Energy
 Gravitational
 Potential Energy
 Elastic Potential Energy
Work Energy Theorem
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Week 6
Grading Period 2
Week 7
Semester Exam Review
Grading Period 2
Week 8
Semester Exam
Grading Period 3
Week 1
Momentum
Grading Period 3
Week 2
Momentum
Momentum
Impulse
Impulse Momentum Theorem
Elastic Collisions
Grading Period 3
Week 3
Inelastic Collisions
Momentum
Recoil (explosion)
Conservation of Linear momentum in one and two dimensions
Grading Period 3
Week 4
Momentum
Conservation of Linear momentum in one and two dimensions
Torque
Grading Period 3
Week 5
Center of gravity
Rotational Motion
Static Equilibrium of Rigid Objects
Rotational Kinematics
Grading Period 3
Week 6
Rotational Motion
Angular Velocity
Angular Acceleration
Rotational Energy
Grading Period 3
Week 7
Rotational Motion
Grading Period 3
Week 8
Rotational Motion
Grading Period 3
Week 9
Simple Harmonic Motion
Moment of Inertia
Rotational Dynamics
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Characteristics of Simple Harmonic Motion
Hooke’s Law
Grading Period 3
Week 10
Springs-Mass Systems
Simple Harmonic Motion
Simple Pendulums
Mechanical Waves
Transverse Waves
Compressional / Longitudinal Waves
Wave Characteristics
Grading Period 4
Week 1
Wave Properties
Mechanical Waves and Sound
Diffraction
Reflection
Refraction
Interference of Waves
Speed of Sound
Resonance-Strings and Pipes
Intensity of Sound
Grading Period 4
Week 2
Mechanical Waves and Sound
Doppler
Basics of Electric Charge
Grading Period 4
Week 3
Conservation of Charge
Electrostatics
Coulomb’s Law- electrostatic force
Charges in a system- two charged particles
Current
Resistance
Grading Period 4
Week 4
DC Circuits
Potential Difference (Voltage)
Electomotive Force
Schematic Diagrams
Components of Circuits
Ohm’s Law
Series Circuits
Grading Period 4
Week 5
DC Circuits
Grading Period 4
Week 6
DC Circuits
Grading Period 4
Week 7
AP Exam
Parallel Circuits
Complex Circuits
Kirchhoff’s Laws
Temperature
Specific heat and pressure
Kinetic or potential energy of atoms
Conduction
Grading Period 4
Week 8
Heat/Magnetism
Convection
Radiation
Law of Conservation of Energy
Law of Entropy
Motors
Generators
Transformers
Reflection from a Plane Mirror
Refraction of Convex Lens
Curved Mirrors and Lenses
Photoelectric effect
Double-slit experiment
Grading Period 4
Week 9
Nuclear Forces
Imaging/ Modern Physics
Fission
Fusion
Radiation Therapy
Diagnostic Imaging
Nuclear Power
Application of Quantum Phenomena like Digital Cameras
Grading Period 4
Week 10
Review for Semester Exam
Grading Period 4
Week 11
Semester Exam