Physics Pre-AP/AP Power Standards/Syllabus:
Teacher: Emelike. Phone: 512-841-1679.
Email:iemelike@austinisd.org.
Room: 124.
Underlined sections are AP additions.
1st Six Weeks: Kinematics
Must Know:
1. Graphical analysis of motion:
Skill Set: Students will:
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2. Kinematics equations (equations
of motion):
Define and apply definitions of displacement,
average velocity, instantaneous velocity, and
average acceleration.
Analyze position, constant velocity, and constant
acceleration in a position versus time graph.
Sketch graphs of velocity versus time and
acceleration versus time from position versus time
graphs.
Read graphs of back and forth motion using
motion detector and LabQuest.
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Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems using
the three kinematics equations including problems
involving free fall by using the value of the
acceleration due to gravity.
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Distinguish between vectors and scalars and add
vectors using graphical methods – parallelogram
and polygon methods.
Add vectors using the component method of
vector addition.
Apply the concepts of vectors to solve problems
involving relative velocity, forces, and electric
charges.
3. Vectors and vector applications:
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4. Motion in two dimensions:
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Describe the horizontal and vertical motion of a
projectile.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems of
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Nice to know:
5. Calculator Skills:
situations involving projectiles fired horizontally.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems of
situations involving projectiles fired at an angle.
Skill Set: Students will:
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Demonstrate proficiency in using all the functions
in a graphing calculator.
Demonstrate proficiency in performing graphical
analysis in a graphing calculator.
6. Simple Algebraic Equations:
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All the Rest:
7. Significant Digits and Scientific
Notation:
Demonstrate proficiency in manipulating simple
algebraic equations to solve for an unknown
variable.
Skill Set: Students will:
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Solve problems and record answers in correct
significant digits.
Solve problems and record answers in scientific
notation.
8. Metric Prefixes:
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Demonstrate proficiency in using correct metric
prefixes that may appear in problems.
2nd Six Weeks: Forces, Newton’s Laws, Work, Energy, and Power
Must Know:
1. Effect of forces on objects:
Skill Set: Students will:
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Distinguish between contact forces and field forces
by identifying the agent that causes the force.
Distinguish between mass and weight, and
calculate weight using the acceleration due to
gravity.
Differentiate between static and kinetic friction.
Distinguish between conservative and nonconservative forces.
2. Newton’s Laws of Motion:
3. Circular motion and gravity
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4. Develop and Interpret Free-Body
Diagrams:
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State and apply Newton’s first law of motion for
objects in static equilibrium.
State and apply Newton’s second and third laws of
motion giving specific examples.
Causes of circular motion.
Gravitational force between masses.
Demonstrate proficiency in accurately drawing and
labeling free-body diagrams.
Demonstrate proficiency in using free-body
diagrams to solve problems that involve objects in
motion with constant acceleration by analyzing the
resultant forces in horizontal surfaces, inclined
planes, and pulley systems.
5. Work and Power:
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Define and apply the concepts of work done by a
constant force, potential energy, kinetic energy,
and power.
Calculate the work from the area under the curve
of a force versus displacement graph.
6. Mechanical Energy:
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Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems on
kinetic energy and potential energy.
State and apply the principle of conservation of
energy in problem solutions.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems by
applying the work0energy theorem to situations
that involve conservative and nonconservative
forces.
3rd Six Weeks:
Must Know:
1. Momentum and Impulse:
Skill Set: Students will:
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Demonstrate proficiency in solving impulsemomentum theorem problems.
Calculate impulse from the area under the curve of
a force versus time graph.
Recognize examples of elastic and inelastic
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collisions and explain which conservation laws
apply to each type of collisions.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving conservation of momentum in collisions
in one dimension and two dimensions.
2. Circular motion and rotation:
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Derive the equation for centripetal acceleration of
an object moving in a circle at constant speed.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving the conical pendulum, banking angles,
and motion in a circle.
Calculate the torque of a given force about an axis
of rotation.
State the two conditions of equilibrium
(translational and rotational) and apply them to
solve for unknown forces and/or distances in a
variety of situations.
3. Oscillations and Gravitation:
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4. The Magnitude of Gravitational
Force/Electric Force Between
Two Objects Depends on Their
Masses/Charges and the Distance
Between Them:
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Identify the following terms on a displacement
versus time graph: equilibrium position, amplitude,
period, and frequency.
Apply Hooke’s law and Newton’s second law to
determine the acceleration as a function of
displacement.
Apply the principles of conservation of mechanical
energy for an object moving with simple harmonic
motion.
Derive and apply the equations to obtain the
periods of a simple pendulum and a mass-spring
system.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving apparent weightlessness in a satellite and
in an elevator.
Apply Newton’s law of universal gravitation to
calculate the gravitational force between two
masses separated by a given distance.
Apply Coulomb’s law to calculate the electric force
between two charges separated by a given
distance.
Nice to Know (but must know for AP):
5. Fluid Mechanics:
Skill Set: Students will:
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Define and apply the concept of fluid pressure.
State and apply Pascal’s principle in practical
situations such as hydraulic lifts.
Apply Archimedes’ principle to calculate the
buoyant force.
Apply the equation of continuity in solving
problems.
Understand that Bernoulli’s equation is a statement
of conservation of energy.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving changes in depth and/or changes in
pressure and/or changes in velocity.
4th Six Weeks: Electricity and Magnetism
Must Know:
1. Electrostatics:
Skill Set: Students will:
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State the law of electrostatics and the law of
conservation of charge, use Coulombs law to
calculate the electrostatic force between two
charges.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving electric charges by applying appropriate
vector addition methods.
Understand and apply the concepts of electric
potential energy, electric potential and electric
potential difference.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving the calculation of the work required to
move a known charge from one point to another.
Derive and apply the relationship between the
electric field and the potential difference in a
parallel plate configuration.
2. Conductors and Capacitors:
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Distinguish between conductors and insulators
citing everyday examples.
Explain the charging of an object by contact and by
induction.
Build a capacitor and define capacitance.
Relate capacitance to the geometry of the capacitor
(area and separation between the plates).
Determine the energy stored in a parallel plate
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capacitor.
Calculate the equivalent capacitance of capacitors
connected in series and in parallel.
3. Electric Circuits:
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Define electric current as the rate of flow of charge.
Define resistance and resistivity
Draw schematic diagrams of circuits, including
measuring devices such as ammeters and
voltmeters and also resistors and switches.
State and apply Ohm’s law in problem solutions.
Derive the equations for electrical power and apply
them to electric power problems.
Analyze family’s electrical power consumption.
Calculate equivalent resistance, current, and
voltage drop in series and parallel circuits.
Calculate terminal voltage, taking into account the
internal resistance of a battery.
State and apply Kirchhoff’s laws to solve complex
circuit networks.
Analyze circuits with resistors and capacitors
(steady state) and demonstrate proficiency in
calculations of equivalent resistance, current, and
voltage drop.
4. Magnetic Fields:
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Calculate the magnetic force exerted on a moving
charge and determine the direction of the magnetic
field, the velocity of charge, and the magnetic force
by using a right-hand-rule.
Calculate the magnetic force on a current carrying
wire (or loop of wire) and determine the direction
of the magnetic field, the current, and magnetic
force by using a right-hand-rule.
Calculate the magnetic force on a long, straight
wire and determine the direction of the magnetic
field, the current, and the magnetic force by using a
right-hand-rule.
Determine the magnitude and direction of the
magnetic force between two parallel wires.
5. Electromagnetism:
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State Faraday’s law of induction and Lenz’s law.
Describe Faraday’s experiment that led to the
conclusion that a changing magnetic field induces
an emf.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
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involving an induced emf in cases where the
magnetic flux density changes and in cases where
the area of a loop of wire is changed.
Apply Lenz’s law to determine the direction of the
induced current in a variety of situations including
motional emf.
5th Six Weeks:
Must Know:
1. Characteristics and Anatomy of
Waves:
Skill Set: Students will:
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Define and give characteristics and examples of
longitudinal, transverse, surface, and
electromagnetic waves.
Apply the equation for wave velocity in terms of its
frequency and wavelength to solve problems.
Distinguish between constructive and destructive
interference and apply the principle of
superposition.
Relate energy of a wave and its amplitude.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems
involving transverse waves in a string, harmonics in
open and closed pipes, and formation of beats in
sound waves.
Calculate the speed of sound in air as a function of
temperature.
2. Wave Behavior:
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Investigate behaviors of waves including reflection,
refraction, diffraction, interference, resonance, and
the Doppler Effect.
Describe the behavior of waves at a boundary-fixed
end, free end, and boundary between different
media.
3. Characteristics of Light Waves:
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Explain how electromagnetic waves are produced.
Describe the electromagnetic spectrum and relate
it to frequency, wavelength, and wave speed.
Determine the speed of light using chocolate bars
and microwave of known frequency.
Describe Young’s double-slit experiment and apply
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the result of the experiment to predict the location
of bright and dark fringes.
Solve problems involving the use of a single slit, a
double slit, and a diffraction grating.
4. Image formation in mirrors:
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Use ray diagrams to locate an image in a plane
mirror.
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of ray diagrams
to find the image of an object using a converging
and diverging mirror.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems that
use mirror equation to calculate focal length of a
mirror, image distance, image height, and the
magnification.
5. Refraction of Light:
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6. Image Formation in Converging
and Diverging Lenses:
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Define the index of refraction and describe the
behavior of refracted light.
Apply Snell’s law to the solution of problems.
Explain the concept of critical angle and total
internal reflection.
Demonstrate proficiency in the use of ray diagrams
to find the image of an object using converging or
diverging lenses.
Understand how lenses form real and virtual
images.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems that
use the lens equation to calculate the focal length
of a lens, image distance, image height, and the
magnification.
6th Six Weeks: Atomic Physics
Must Know:
1. Photoelectric Effect and the Dual
Nature of Light:
Skill Set: Students will:
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Describe Thomson and Millikan’s experiments
related to the electron.
Define a photon and relate its energy to its
frequency and/or wavelength.
Solve problems involving the energy of a photon
and the conservation of momentum in photon
interactions.
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Define “work function” and “threshold frequency”
with regards to photoelectric effect.
Calculate the maximum kinetic energy of
photoelectrons.
Apply de Broglie’s equation to calculate the
wavelength of a particle.
Interpret energy-level diagrams and calculate the
energy absorbed or emitted by an atom when an
electron moves to a higher or lower energy level.
2. Nuclear Physics:
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Describe the structure and properties of the
nucleus.
Apply Einstein’s equation of mass energy
equivalence.
Calculate the mass defect and the total binding
energy of the nucleus.
Understand the origin of the strong and weak
nuclear forces.
Describe the three types of radioactivity: alpha
decay and beta and gamma radiation.
Explain the process of nuclear fission and the basic
operation of a nuclear reactor.
Explain the process of nuclear fusion and how the
magnetic and inertial confinements can provide
thermonuclear power.
3. First Law of Thermodynamics:
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State and apply the first law of thermodynamics in
problem solutions.
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State and apply the second law of thermodynamics
in problem solutions.
Calculate the efficiency of a heat engine.
4. Second Law of Thermodynamics:
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5. The Four Thermodynamic
Processes:
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Differentiate between the four thermodynamic
processes.
Demonstrate proficiency in solving problems using
P-V diagrams in thermodynamic processes.
Nice to know:
6. Ideal Gas Laws:
Skill Set: Students will:
7. Specific Heat Capacity:
Grading Requirements:
This is a weighted Class
Level 1
Basic (TAKS and
tentative passing
standard)
The student has a basic knowledge and understanding of the content
and has achieved limited competence in the processes and skills.
Level 2
Proficient (STAAR)
The student has a sound knowledge and understanding of the main
areas of content and has achieved an adequate level of competence in
the processes and skills.
Level 3
Mastery
The student has a thorough knowledge and understanding of the
content and a high level of competence in the processes and skills. In
addition, the student is able to apply this knowledge and these skills
to most situations.
Level 4
Exemplary
The student has an extensive knowledge and understanding of the
content and can readily apply this knowledge. In addition, the student
has achieved a very high level of competence in the processes and
skills and can apply these skills to new situations.
There are special rubrics for graphing, problem solving, lab work, projects and presentations.
SUPPLIES: Graphing calculator, graph-paper pages, Cornell note pages-supplied.
TUTORING TIMES:
Monday—Thursday: 8:15-8:45 am, AND 4:15-5:00 pm. OR by appointment.