AP Physics 1 Syllabus- Miss Linkenauger
Course Introduction:
AP Physics 1 is a one year, algebra-based course in general physics that is comparable in scope and level to the first
semester of a college physics course. The class meets for on average 225 minutes per week for the entire school year.
The course follows the College Board AP Physics 1 curriculum and prepares students to take the AP Physics1 exam. The
content in the course is centered on six big ideas, as specified by the College Board:
Big Idea 1 – Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
Big Idea 2 – Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big Idea 3 – The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
Big Idea 4 – Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
Big Idea 5 – Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
Big Idea 6 – Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of
mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
The emphasis in this course is on student-centered learning through inquiry, in which students are expected to develop
the principles of physics for themselves. Many of the topics in the course are developed using a guided inquiry model, in
which students design, carry out and discuss with their peers the results of a paradigm lab. These discussions then form
the basis of further instruction in that topic. Other topics are addressed with structured inquiry, in which the students
are given a question to be investigated and specific instructions for performing the investigation, and open inquiry, in
which the students determine for themselves the question to be investigated, and then carry out the investigation.
Contact Information:
Email: linkenaugerj@pearlandisd.org
Website:http://www.pearlandisd.org/webpages/jlinkenauger
Edmodo: Check the AP Physics page to sign up!
Conference Times:
MW- 12:50 to 2:15 pm
TTh- 7:20 to 8:50 am
Reminder101: Text @misslinken to 81010 to receive text message reminders about major assignments and other
class announcements.
Helpful Links:
Skyward: www.pearlandisd.org
Information-Skyward Family Access
Textbooks:
This course uses for its primary text Cutnell, John and Kenneth Johnson, Physics, 9th Edition. New York: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., 2012. [CR1]
This text is supplemented with the online textbook OpenStax College, College Physics. OpenStax College. 21 June 2012.
http://cnx.org/content/col11406/latest/
Materials Needed:
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Pen/Pencils and Highlighter
Composition Notebook for Labs & Notes
Scientific OR Graphing Calculator
Textbooks:
This course uses for its primary text Cutnell, John and Kenneth Johnson, Physics, 9th Edition. New York: John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., 2012. [CR1]
This text is supplemented with the online textbook OpenStax College, College Physics. OpenStax College. 21 June 2012.
https://openstaxcollege.org/textbooks/college-physics-ap
Evaluation:
Student grades are based on the following percentages:
60% - Tests and projects. Tests include both multiple choice and free response items, taken from a variety of
sources and chosen to be comparable to AP Physics test items. Projects are long term, and generally completed in
groups.
30% - Lab investigations.
10%- Homework and other daily grades.
Tutoring and Makeups:
EVERY Wednesday at 6:45-7:15am & Thursday at 2:15-2:45pm (other appointments can be arranged)
EVERY THURSDAY 3-4:30pm NHS will hold tutoring in the library
*Two assignments can be re-submitted per 9 week term for a maximum grade of a 70.
*For an additional 5 points, corrections will be allowed after each Multiple Choice test, regardless of your grade.
There will be rubric provided on my website for proper formatting.
Late & Missing Work:
A late/missing work form (found inside of makeup folder) must be filled out stating a reason before assignment
can be re-submitted within ONE week of assigned date.
Discipline Procedures
Please refer to the Student Handbook located on the Turner Website: http://www.pearlandisd.org/TurnerHS.cfm