Belton High School
AP Physics C Policies - Giustino
2011 - 2012
Materials List
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Ruled paper (spiral or loose) and Binder
Lab book (graphed)
Writing implement – pencil, blue or black ink pen
Graphing calculator – TI 82/83/84.
Textbook–Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
6th ed., by Paul A. Tipler, 2008, W.H. Freeman
and Company.
Grading
Your grades will be broken into categories with the
following weights:
• Tests – 75% • Major Labs/Projects – 75%
• Quizzes/Minor Labs– 25% • In-class/Homework – 25%
AP Physics C - Mechanics
This course is equivalent to a first-year college physics
mechanics class and is designed to prepare students for
the AP Physics C Mechanics Exam given in May. The
course follows the syllabus for that examination, and
students passing the exam will receive college credit at
participating colleges. Many assignments are student
centered to foster critical thinking skills, which allow
students to apply their knowledge to different types of
problems and questions.
Course Prerequisites
AP Physics C is designed for students who have already
completed pre-AP Physics. A calculus course is also
required and is normally taken concurrently. The course
requires students to use basic calculus throughout the
year.
Student Responsibilities
1. Follow all school and class policies (dress code,
conduct, cell phones, etc.).
2. Be RESPECTFUL of yourself and others.
3. Bring completed homework, paper, lab books,
calculator and writing implement to class every day.
4. Follow directions.
5. Refrain from talking while teacher is lecturing.
6. No food or drinks in the lab.
Consequences
The following represent a minimum response to
violations of our health and safety policy:
1. Visual or verbal warning
2. Student/teacher conference
3. Parent contact and/or detention
4. Referral to Assistant Principal
Late work policy
All work is due at the beginning of class. If it is turned in
late, it is worth 70% of the maximum points.
Retests
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You may retake any quiz/test/assignment for which
you scored below a 70%.
Your retake is worth 70% of the maximum points.
Retakes for quizzes and tests will be done during
tutorials and after completing all required homework
assignments and quiz/test review.
All retakes must be completed within one week of
receiving the returned assignment.
Your retake grade will be the one that counts.
Absences
It is the student’s responsibility to request their make-up
assignments. The number of days allowed to complete
an assignment is equal to the number of days missed for
an excused absence. If you are absent the day a lab is
done, you have one week to make it up.
Tardies
1st tardy – Warning
2nd and 3rd tardy – Warning with parent notification
Each additional tardy — see BHS Policy
Student IDs
IDs are worn around the neck at ALL times.
Bathroom
Please use the bathroom before or after class. If you
must go during class, please do not ask to go 10 minutes
after & before the bell (BISD Policy).
Only go AFTER teacher gives you permission. You will
need to take the restroom pass.
Lab Safety
Please read and sign the lab safety contract. Always
follow the lab procedures or instructions. Students are
responsible for completing pre-lab assignments before
beginning lab. Physics is a lab intensive course and
participation is expected.
Labs: Average Maximum Power of a Student – Students
calculate their power output while climbing stairs.
Energy Conservation of a Mass/Spring system – Use range
sensor to prove the conservation of energy
System of Particles, Linear Momentum
pietro.giustino@bisd.net
http://www.bisd.net/bhs/
->go to Teacher Sites tab
Momentum
Impulse
Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
Labs: Elastic and Inelastic Collisions – Collision carts are
studied as they collide with elastic and inelastic collisions.
Tutorial Schedule
Circular Motion and Rotation
Teacher Website and E-mail
7:45-8:15am, 3:45-4:15pm
Curriculum
Kinematics
SI Units, Dimensional Analysis, and Vectors
Displacement, Velocity, Acceleration in one and two
dimensions
Projectile Motion
Labs: Scientific Method – Prove that all objects fall at the
same rate.
Calculate g – Students use one of several methods to
calculate the acceleration due to gravity.
Position and velocity graphing – Use a range sensor to
match movement to premade graphs.
Projectile Motion Lab – Students measure the initial
velocity of a projectile and calculate its range when fired
at various angles.
Newton’s Laws of Motion
Newton’s Laws
Free Body Diagrams
Force Friction
Inclined Planes
Labs: Newton’s Second Law – Students derive the second
law using frictionless carts, pulley, string, and masses.
Atwood’s Machine – Acceleration is measured in an
Atwood’s Machine and compared to the theoretical
acceleration.
Coefficient of Friction – Calculate the coefficient of
friction of a mass on an inclined track.
Falling Coffee Filters – Coffee filters are dropped onto
a range detector in order to measure air resistance.
Hooke’s Law – Students verify Hooke’s Law.
Work, Energy, and Power
Work by constant and variable forces
Potential and Kinetic Energy
Conservation of Energy
Work/Energy
Theorem
Power
Angular Velocity and Acceleration
Torque
Moment of Inertia
Newton’s Second Law of Motion for Rotation
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Angular Momentum
Rolling Without Slipping
Labs: Moment of Inertia – Students estimate and then
calculate the moment of inertia of various objects.
Projectile Lab #2 – Students roll a ball down an incline,
launch it horizontally, and calculate its theoretical range
while taking into account its rotational energy.
Oscillations and Gravitation
Kepler’s Laws
Newton’s Law of Gravitation
Energy
Simple Harmonic Motion
Labs: Graphing Harmonic Motion – Students graph a
pendulum or mass/spring system.
Review for AP Exam
5/14/12 – Physics C Mechanics Exam
Resources:
Familiarize yourself with the College Board’s “AP Central”
website. It is invaluable for finding exam information,
scoring rubrics, and even sample test questions. And no,
it’s not cheating! The link is:
“http://apcentral.collegeboard.com/apc/Controller.jpf”.
Do not hesitate to come to me for help or with questions.
It is also more than acceptable to form your own study
groups with the other students in the class for test
reviews and exam preparation.
Unusual Requirements:
Let me know if you have any unusual requirements, e.g.
you need to sit in a certain area, if you need any special
consideration, etc. All will be kept in the strictest
confidence.