AP Physics 1 2015
Phone: 805-688-6487x2345
e-mail: Gsmith@syvushd.org
AP website: apcentral.collegeboard.com
Text Book: PHYSICS, Third Edition, James S. Walker.
COURSE DESCRIPTION
AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based is the equivalent to a first-semester introductory college course in
algebra-based physics. The course curriculum is dramatically different from previous years as
less material is covered though the students are expected to know the material in more depth.
Students will spend less of their time on formula-based learning and more of their effort on
critical thinking and reasoning skills.
The course covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational dynamics and angular
momentum), work, energy, power, mechanical waves and sound. Introductory electric
properties is also covered. Twenty percent of the time is spent in demonstrations and inquiry
based labs to help students gain a better conceptual understanding of the topics. Supplemental
materials will be often used to supplement student text. Modified questions from previous AP
tests will be used in class and on tests to develop thinking and prepare students for the AP
exam. Students no longer need to memorize equations and will be able to use a calculator on
all portions of the test. Instead the focus is understanding relationships between critical
variables depending on the situation at hand.
The course is organized around six big ideas that bring together the fundamentals of science
principles and theories of general physics. This big ideas are intended to encourage students to
think about physics concepts as interconnected pieces of a puzzle. The solution to the puzzle is
how the real world around them actually works.
BIG IDEAS FOR PHYSICS 1
1. Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems have internal
structure.
2. Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
3. The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces
4. Interactions between systems can result in changes of those systems.
5. Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
6. Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the
permanent transfer of mass and serve as mathematical models for the description of other
phenomena.
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AP Physics 1 2015
ORGANIZATION:
Each student will have a 1 inch 3 ring binder with five tabs: Notebooks will be turned in on
test days and graded for detail, completeness and critical thinking. This notebook is brought
to each class session and may be used as a reference for weekly homework quizzes.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Table of contents, formula sheet and syllabus
Notes and handouts’
Worksheets and FRQ
Problems from text
Labs and Lab Write –Ups
LABS
One of the ways that students develop their critical thinking and reasoning is through labs.
Some labs are more cookbook and some are more inquiry based. Students are expected to
make predictions, document results, and complete analysis and draw conclusions for each
lab. If a student is absent on lab day, then the student is allowed to get data from a lab
partner and write up results based on their data. Analysis and conclusions must be original.
Tests and quizzes will cover lab learning as well.
Two real world activities will be assigned over the course of the school year. This is an
extended project that will require the collection of outside source data. Students will use this
data to find out answers to questions posed to the class as well as questions that they
formulate themselves.
HOMEWORK AND CLASS PARTICIPATION
Homework will be assigned every class period which consists of reading, problems
from the textbook and worksheets or practice FRQ problems. A homework quiz will be
given each Thursday or Friday of class. Questions are based on homework, labs and
in class problems. Three of the homework quizzes may be dropped each semester. If
a student is absent, then that will automatically be a dropped quiz.
Many of the problems chosen require the student’s use of algebra for the solution. Clear and
concise reasoning is essential as well as the inclusion of appropriate units. These problem sets
are graded “A.P. style” for content and correctness.
Each student is periodically expected to present on a whiteboard a solution to a homework
problem and to maintain a notebook with correct solutions to all problems with reminder notes
or hints to assist in review.
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AP Physics 1 2015
EVALUATION
Your grade will be a weighted grade, not total points:
50 % tests (unit tests, quarter tests and finals)
15 % homework quizzes
20 % lab write-ups
10% notebook
5% class participation (being prepared for class, completing work on time, being respectful,
asking questions in class, etc.)
GRADING POLICY (consistent with AP exam)
A - 85% and above
B - 70% to 84%
C - 55% to 69%
D - 40% to 54%
F - Below 40%
TEST MAKE UP POLICY
If you are absent on a test day, then the score of the next test will be doubled. Late
notebooks are never accepted unless it results from an excused absence. If the absence is
excused, then the student has as many days that s/he is absent to complete the assignment. It
is the student's responsibility to determine the assignments that s/he missed. Please look at the
website or ask when you return for assignments. Absolutely no assignments or tests are
accepted from absences due to cuts.
SAFETY
As with any science class, safety is top concern. No unauthorized experiments.
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AP Physics 1 2015
Required for participation in the class
Student Signature
________________________
Students Name (printed) ________________________
Parent Signature
Parent Name (printed)
________________________
________________________
You may obtain another copy of this if you wish or download it from my home page
on the school web-site.
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AP Physics 1 2015
Approximate A.P. Physics Course Schedule (Block
Schedule)
Topic
Introduction, Units one dimensional motion
Kinematics in one and two dimensions
 Simple Vectors
 Projectile Motion in one dimension
 Projectile Motion in two dimensions
Newton’s Laws of Motion
 Static equilibrium
 Dynamics of a single particle
 Systems of two or more bodies
Momentum, Work ,Energy & Power
 Work and work-energy theorem
 Conservative forces and potential energy
 Conservation of energy
 Power
 Impulse and momentum
 Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
Simple Harmonics, waves and sound
 Mass on a spring
 Pendulum and other oscillations
 Mechanical Waves
 Sound
Universal Law of Gravitation
 Newton's Law of Gravity and Motion
 Orbits of planets
 Uniform circular motion
Circular Motion & Rotation
 Rotational Kinematics and Rotational Energy
 Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Electrostatics and Simple DC circuits
 Conservation of Charge
 Electric Forces and Fields
 Electrostatics, Conductors, Capacitors
 Ohms and Kirchhoff's laws
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Chapter
Weeks in
Unit
Approx. Start Date
2
1
(Summer
Homework)
3-4
5
5-6
6
October 1
7-9
7
Nov 10
13-14
4
Jan 6
12
3
Feb 10
10-11
4
Feb 23
19-21
4
March 23
Aug 17
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