AP Physics B Syllabus
School
Teacher Information
Course Description
School Calendar and
Schedule
Student Prerequisites
Textbooks
Course Objectives
Hopewell High School
Barbara A. Wallace 980-343-5988 ext 4008395
Barbara1.wallace@cms.k12.nc.us
BS Zoology, NC State University
BS Animal Science, NC State University
Teacher Certification, UNC-Charlotte
MA , Instructional Technology, Appalchian State University
National Board Certified Teacher, AYA/Physics
Tutoring hours: Tuesdays 2:20 PM - 3:00PM
Physics B is based on College Board curriculum standards. Students are required to
take the AP examination.
The academic year runs from late August until early June. Classes meet for 90
minutes each day from 7:15 AM -8:45 AM.
All students must have had Algebra II, preferably with trigonometry. It is HIGHLY
recommended to have completed Honors Physics.
The textbook distributed to the students is College Physics, 2nd Edition by Knight,
Jones and Field.
These course objectives are intended to elaborate on the content outline for Physics B.
The objectives listed below are generally representative of the cumulative content of recently
administered exams, although no single exam can cover them all.
It is reasonable to expect that future exams will continue to sample primarily from among
these objectives. However, there may be an occasional question that is within the scope of the
included topics but is not specifically covered by one of the listed objectives. Questions may
also be based on variations or combinations of these objectives, rephrasing them but still
assessing the essential concepts.
The objectives listed below are continually revised to keep them as current as possible with
the content outline in the AP Physics Course Description and the coverage of the exams.
However, the Course Description is always the most up-to-date, authoritative source for AP
Physics course content. The course objective and content are included in the following:
Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Electricity and
Magnetism, Waves and Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics. Also, students will
design, conduct and explain laboratory experiments. They will also measure and
explain real world phenomena.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to be in class each day, on time. The District Attendance policy
will be in effect and if absences exceed 10 days, students will be required to recover
each absence, minute for minute. An absence in AP Physics B will result in the
student being behind in material covered. If a student is absent, he/she has 5 days to
make arrangements for missing work. Being absent does not excuse a student from
being responsible and accountable for missing assignments. Accordingly, tardiness to
class does not excuse the student from being accountable for information,
assignments and activities missed as a result of said tardiness. Consequences will
follow Hopewell discipline guidelines.
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Classroom Conduct
Ancillary Material
Students are expected to be on time, prepared and fully engaged in the daily activities in
this class. Consequences will follow Hopewell discipline guidelines. When you are in
AP Physics B, that is the topic. We have 2nd and 3rd year college level content to master.
No horseplay of any type is tolerated.
Teacher-generated notes and review packets for the AP exam preparation are provided.
A web site is maintained to provide extensive support for homework.
http://apphysicsbh-dub.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ Students are also required to use
varying web sites for ancillary coursework as assigned in class. Student MUST regularly
check the class web site, aka the “Wiki”.
Laboratory
The lab component is an extensive part of the Physics B course. Each unit of study
includes at least one major student-conducted laboratory for which students turn in for a
major grade that is included in the assessment structure. Most labs are open-ended with
an emphasis on development of skills of scientific investigation; that is, they are
inquiry-based. Students are required to keep a lab notebook of formal lab reports. In
addition to major labs, each unit also includes additional hands-on activity for which the
student may create a partial report or a presentation. Students are required to record raw
data for all laboratories, formal and informal, in a laboratory notebook. If necessary to
meet the time requirement for laboratories, pre-lab activities are done the day before the
lab, or post-lab the day after.
Critical Thinking Skill The development of critical thinking skills is an integral part of Physics B and is
Development
interwoven throughout all components of the course. Most labs are open-ended and
inquiry-based. Also, open-ended problems are solved by (and often defined by)
students, who frequently are required to present their solutions to other students in peer
instruction activities.
Technology
An online lab simulation program is utilized in addition to hands on labs. The instructor
maintains a Wiki for student use from home and at school. Students are required to use
word processing software, for the production of various projects as assigned. Students
will also use varying WEB 2.0 tools to produce project products as assigned. One major
technology based project will be assigned each Quarter at the most and one project each
semester at the least.
Assessments
At the beginning of the year, the Force Concept Inventory is given to all students. This
exam is repeated in December to assess student learning of mechanics concepts. It is
repeated a third time in April. In addition to the assessments detailed in each unit, a
summative exam consisting of multiple choice and free response components is given at
the end of the unit. Frequent quizzes for formative assessment are given. Homework
consisting of five to eight textbook problems is assigned daily, and is graded for
completion and spot-checked for correctness. In April, a full-length practice AP exam is
given.
Grading Policy
Grades will be based upon Hopewell and CMS guidelines. Formal assessments such as
exams, projects, major lab reports will comprise 70% of the course grades. The
remaining 30% of the course grade will consist of daily activities, quizzes, homework,
and class work. Students will be notified well in advance of the due dates of unit exams,
projects and lab reports. Please check the wiki frequently to keep apprised of these
dates.
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Homework, Quizzes
Homework will be assigned in order to reinforce concepts and problems covered in
class. Some assignments will be web based as well. The purpose is to further your
understanding. You may be given homework quizzes on occasion to check your
understanding and thoroughness of your mastery of the concepts.
Materials
Requirements
A scientific calculator is a must!! A graphing calculator is fine while some students have
chosen to use both types of calculators. Web access is a must!! Extra help will be web
based as will many assignments. A loose leaf binder is required as well as a separate lab
notebook. Pencils are best!
Resources
http://apphysicsbh-dub.cmswiki.wikispaces.net/ Class wiki
http://earthphysicsteaching.homestead.com/My-AP-Physics-B-Very-ImportantEquation-Sheets.html Important Formula Help
http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/physicsfacts.html#anchor_100 Major topics and
explanations of the basics.
http://www.hippocampus.org/HippoCampus/Physics Online tutorials
Please check the wiki for updates!!
Please realize that you are enrolled in a 2nd and/or 3rd year college level class. This is an
intense class that will challenge and inspire you! You MUST show all of your work in
solving problems. You MUST show all of the units in measurements! These are
absolutes that will not be compromised! There is NO LATE WORK! When the
assignment is due, it is due. You may turn it in for feedback but understand, no credit
will be issued. I will be very reasonable in homework amounts, and I will be very
reasonable in due dates for major assignments. Your responsibility is to trust me in what
we do. This can be a wonderful experience while learning many fascinating phenomena
of the world. It is a very hands-on class. There will days of labs but we will follow up
with days if calculations. It is YOUR responsibility to accept the challenge that IS AP
Physics B! Please realize how awesome an experience you have before you. But with
that responsibility comes dedication and determination. As far as your grades are
concerned, if you do what I ask you to do, your grade will take care of itself. In order to
have online access to the new CMS grading program, your parent ill need to register
their email. You will then have live access to your grades. If it is a major assignment, it
will be graded within 7 days. I suspect the grades will be available much sooner.
Additional
Requirements
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