Advanced Placement
Physics C - Mechanics
Schedule:
Six Day Cycle, meet 9 – 43 minute periods
Required Text:
Giancola, Douglas. Physics for Scientists and Engineers,
Fourth Edition. Prentice-Hall. Inc. 2009.
Course Information and Attendance:
We will cover material from the first 12 chapters and part of chapter 14. You are
responsible for all topics covered in lectures, labs, homework and reading
assignments. Due to the difficulty level and volume of this material, it will be very
important that you keep up with each assignment. We will follow the Course
Outline (below) closely. You should bring a calculator to each class session,
along with a loose-leaf notebook for handouts, notes, papers and homework.
Participation in class lectures, guided inquiry, and open-ended lab experiments (see
Lab Description below) will play a very important role in helping you understand
physics and developing your critical thinking skills. You are expected to take the
AP Physics Exam in May.
Course Policies and Procedures:
Attendance: Regular and prompt attendance at all classes is expected of all students.
Students will be responsible for the material covered in class whether or not they were
present. If you enter the classroom after attendance has been taken, you will be
marked “late”. Two late marks will count as one absence.
Plagiarism and cheating: You are expected to perform your own work. You may consult
with other students while you are trying to solve your homework assignments, but you
should not be copying other people's work. Any student(s)caught cheating will receive a
zero for any assignments, tests, or quizzes that are involved. See the Student
Handbook for the statement on plagiarism.
Make-ups and Late Work: Assignments may be turned in and/or quizzes or tests may
be taken only with an excused absence slip from the office. All homework is due on the
day of your return to school. One day beyond that date will result in a 50% for the
assignment and two or more days late will result in a zero. No assignments may be
turned in for unexcused absences – you will receive a zero for that assignment.
Consulting/ conferring with the instructor: I will be available during the periods listed
above. In addition, I can be reached via e-mail as listed at the beginning of the
syllabus.
Students with special needs: Students with physical, health, or learning disabilities
should make an appointment with me during the first two weeks of classes to discuss
any accommodations that you might need.
Course Grading and Procedures:
The expectations and requirements for this class include (but are not limited to): Three
Comprehensive Exams per quarter, Weekly Homework Sets, Class Work, Quizzes
(announced or unannounced), Laboratory Reports, and a Lab Portfolio.
Hands-on Lab Investigations This course includes twenty three laboratory exercises
(See the Course Outline and Lab Description below). For most of these laboratory
exercises, you will be responsible for recording and developing design procedures,
selecting and assembling materials, organizing data into tables and graphs and writing
a detailed conclusion and analysis of the experiment. Lab handouts for upcoming labs
will be distributed prior to the date of the lab. You are expected to read the lab
description before coming to class. Each lab report will contain the following sections:
An Objective, Equipment Used, Equipment Setup, Procedures, Data and Graphs,
Analysis, and Conclusion. You are responsible for making corrections to all the graded
labs and keeping them in an organized three-ring binder. I will be collecting this binder
or Portfolio at the end of the quarter for a Lab Portfolio grade.
Approximate Grading Percentages:
3 Exams(18% each)
54%
Homework/Classwork/Quizzes
26%
Labs
15%
Lab Portfolio
5%
Course Outline: AP Physics C: Mechanics
The Mechanics topics will be covered in their entirety on or before the end of the
first week of school in May. Total Time: 240 class periods of 44 minutes each
(total of approximately 176 hours)
Chapter One - Measurements
Approximate Time: 5 class periods
Activities: Measurement Lab, Unit Worksheets, Introduction to Derivatives
Assignments: Read Chapter 1 including 1-7
Problems:
Page 14&15: 2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 28, 36, 49, 52, 53
Chapter Two - One Dimensional Motion
Approximate Time: 24 class periods
Activities: Graph Matching Lab, Exam I - Reading Graphs, Free Fall Lab, Inclined Plane
Lab, Exam II at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 2 sections 2-1 to 2-6
Problems:
A. Page 39-44: 3, 4, 6, 9, 10, 14, 18, 22, 27, 28
B. Page 39-44: 29-41 odd, 44-46 all
C. Page 39-44: 47, 48, 49, 51, 55, 58, 60, 70
Chapter Two - Graphical Relationships, slopes and derivatives, areas and integrals
Approximate Time: 10 class periods
Activities: Problems and Labs from Chapter 2
Chapter Three - Two Dimensional Motion
Approximate Time: 30 class periods
Activities: Projectile Motion Lab, Vector Addition Lab, Force Table Lab, Dot Product
Activity, Potato Gun Lab, Exam III at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 3 sections 3-1 to 3-8; and 3-10
Problems:
A. Page 70: 1-10 all
B. Page 71-76: 26, 27, 30, 32, 37, 47, 75, 76, 83, 84
C. Page 71-76: 29, 31, 33, 36, 38, 39, 40, 50
D. Page 71-76: 87, 91, 59, 60, 61, 67, 79
Chapter Three – Lab Data Collection and Error Analysis on various Data Types
Approximate Time: 4 Class periods
Activities: Labs from Chapter 3
Chapter Four - Newton's Laws of Motion
Approximate Time: 26 class periods
Activities: Force diagram activity, Newton's Second Law Lab, Hooke's Law Lab, Exam I
at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 4 sections 4-1 to 4-8
Problems:
A. Page 97-98: questions 1-19 all
B. Page 98-105: 2, 4-9, 12-14
C. Page 98-105: 15, 20, 22, 25-27, 29-31, 39
D. Page 98-105: 32, 34-37, 40-42, 46, 61
E. Page 98-105: 47, 48, 50, 52, 53, 66-68
Chapter Four – Newtons Laws Static equilibrium (First Law), Dynamics of a Single
Particle (Second Law), Systems of two or more objects (Third Law)
Aproximate Time: 14 class periods
Activities: Problems and Labs on these topics.
Chapter Five - Newton's Laws Cont.
Approximate Time: 16 class periods
Activities: Force of Friction Lab, Atwood's Machine lab, Introduction to Integration,
Exam II at end of chapter.
Assignments: Read Chapter 5 sections 5-1 to 5-5
Problems:
A. Page 125-132: 1-33 odd
B. Page 125-132: 34-50 even
C. Page 125-132: 18-32 even, 52, 54, 55
D. Page 125-132: 69, 70, 72, 74, 76, 79, 82, 83, 86, 90
Chapter Six - Gravitation, Kepler, and Satellites
Approximate Time: 12 class periods
Activities: Problem session, Exam III at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 6 sections 6-1 to 6-7
Problems:
A. Page 151: 1-9 all
B. Page 151-152: 18-20, 21-27 odd, 64 ec
Chapter Seven - Work and Energy
Approximate Time: 20 class periods
Activities: Work and Energy Lab, Exam I at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 7 sections 7-1 to 7-4
Problems:
A. Page 171: 1-15 odd
B. Page 172-173: 31, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38
C. Page 173-174: 40-45 all, 51, 52, 55, 56
D. Page 174-175: 62, 69, 74
Chapter Eight - Conservation of Energy
Approximate Time: 24 class periods
Activities: Conservation of Energy Lab, Exam II at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 8 sections 8-1 to 8-9
Problems:
A. page 200: 10-17 all, 18-24 pick two
B. page 201: 25, 26, 27, 32, 33, 77, 78, 79
C. page 202: 39, 42, 48, 52
D. page 203-205: 54-58, 62, 64, 77, 79, 82, 85, 87, 97
Chapter Eight- Section 8-8 Power
Aproximate Time: 5 class Periods
Activities: Student Power Lab
Assignments: Read Chapter 8-8
Problems: A. page 210: 62, 63, 65, 67, 69, 71, 73
B. 64, 66, 68, 70, 72, 74
Chapter Nine - Momentum and Collisions
Approximate Time: 28 class periods
Activities: Impulse and Momentum Lab, Conservation of Momentum Lab, Exam III up to
section 9-5
Assignments: Read Chapter 9 sections 9-1 to 9-10
Problems:
A. page 231-232: 1-15 odd, 16, 19, 22, 24
B. page 232-233: 23, 25, 27, 28, 29
C. page 233-234: 32-42 all
D. page 234-235: 51, 52, 54, 56, 59, 60, 62, 63, 64 ec
E. page 236-238: 81, 85, 86, 92, 96, 98, 105
Chapter Ten - Rotational Dynamics
Approximate Time: 12 class periods
Activities: Moment of Inertia Lab, Atwood's Lab Revisited, Centripetal Force Lab
Assignments: Read Chapter 10 sections 10-1 to 10-11
Problems:
A. page 270-271: 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17
B. page 271-273: 20, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 30, 31, 32, 33
C. page 272-273: 37, 38, 42, 44
D. page 273-275: 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 61-66 all, 69-77 odd
E. page 276-278: 84, 87, 91, 101, 102, 104, 105, 108
Chapter Ten – Rotational Kinematics
Approximate Time: 10 class periods
Activities: Problems and Labs from Chapter 10
Chapter Eleven – Angular Momentum; and General Rotation
Approximate Time: 15 class periods
Activities: Ballistic Pendulum Lab, Exam I at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 11 sections 11-1 to 11-5, 11-7
Problems:
A. page 295-296: 1-6 all, 10-12, 14-16
B. page 296-297: 21, 22, 24, 35, 36, 37, 39
C. page 298-299: 57, 62
Chapter Eleven Section 11-6 Conservation of Angular Momentum
Approximate Time: 5 class periods
Activities: Problems and Labs from Chapter 11
Chapter Twelve - Static Equilibrium
Approximate Time: 14 class periods
Activities: Torque and Rotational Equilibrium Lab, Simple Machines Lab, Exam II at end
of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 12 sections 12-1 to 12-4
Problems:
A. page 322-326: 1-15 odd, 22, 23, 24, 25
B. page 322-326: 8-14 even, 26-31 all, 34, 36, 38, 39
Chapter Fourteen - Oscillations and Simple Harmonic Motion
Approximate Time: 14 class periods
Activities: Springs and Pendulum SHM Lab, Exam III at end of chapter
Assignments: Read Chapter 14 sections 14-1 to 14-8
Problems:
A. page 381-383: 1-9 all, 11-25 odd
B. page 383-387: 26-32 even, 38-43 all, 47-52 all, 47, 59
C. page 386-387: 68, 69, 70,75, 78, 79, 80, 88
* This is a tentative schedule and may be changed based on class progress and
interests.
Lab Description and Approximate Time Spent (about 50 class periods total)
(about 37 hours total)
Mechanics
Lab 1 - Measurement Lab (1 class period) - Students will utilize a variety of measuring
tools to measure different items. They will use the metric system for the
measurements then convert to English units, paying attention to significant
figures. They will also apply basic trigonometry to determine heights of trees and
buildings.
Lab 2 - Graph Matching Lab (3 class periods) - Students will use a Vernier motion
detector (sonar) to graph 1 dimensional motion in position-time; velocity-time;
and acceleration-time graphs. They will then utilize Loggerpro software to
analyze the area under the curves, slopes of tangent lines, curve fits, and
differentiation/integration of the graphs.
Lab 3 - Free Fall Lab and Ball Toss (2 class periods) - Students will use picket fences,
photogate timers, motion sensors, digital video, and analysis software to
determine the acceleration of gravity and analyze individual reaction rates.
Lab 4 - Inclined Plane Lab (2 class periods) - Students will measure velocity and
acceleration of carts on an incline plane using a motion sensor and/or photogate
timer. This data will then be used to predict motions at different angles of
inclination.
Lab 5 - Projectile Motion Lab (3 class periods) - Students will launch a projectile
horizontally (using a ramp). They will collect data to determine the initial
velocity of the ball as it leaves the table. They will use these calculations to
predict the impact point of the ball. They will then use their information to have
the ball pass through a hoop placed at the highest point of the trajectory and hit a
target on the floor.
Lab 6 - Vector Addition Lab (2 class periods) - Students will use a compass, map, and
vectors to find a specific location at the end of a vector addition sequence. They
will solve numerically as well as experimentally, then develop their own
orienteering course.
Lab 7 - Force Table Lab (1 class period) - Students will utilize a force table and a variety
of weights to analyze vector addition of forces and equilibrium.
Lab 8 - Potato Gun Lab (1 class period) - Students will measure the time of flight and
range for various angles of a projectile. They will use this to find the average
initial velocity of the potato, look at air resistance effects, and predict landing
points for different angles of projection.
Lab 9 - Newton's Second Law Lab (2 class periods) - Using force sensors, force plates,
accelerometers, and Loggerpro, students will analyze various situations. Using
graphical analysis, they will then verify or analyze discrepancies from Newton's
Second Law.
Lab 10 - Hooke's Law Lab (2 class periods) - Students will use weights and a variety of
elastic materials to discover when and how Hooke's law applies to those
materials.
Lab 11 - Force of Friction Lab (3 class periods) - Students will use masses, blocks and
a wood plank to determine the coefficient of friction between the board and the
block. They will then alter the surfaces and retest to find the new coefficients of
friction.
Lab 12 - Atwood's Machine Lab (3 class periods) - Students will setup and measure the
accelerations of Atwood's machines. They will use this data to predict
acceleration of other mass configurations. They will also analyze Atwood's
machines using Vernier Software and smart pulleys.
Lab 13 - Work and Energy Lab (2 class periods) - Students will measure force to stretch
a spring, the distance it is stretched, and its change in velocity when it is
connected to a dynamics cart. Using a motion sensor, force sensor and
Loggerpro they will analyze the graphs of force versus distance to determine the
work done on the cart and compare to the change in kinetic energy.
Lab 14 - Conservation of Energy Lab (2 class periods) - Students will use a motion
sensor to analyze the motion of a ball tossed into the air and a simple pendulum.
Graphs of potential and kinetic energy will be compared and analyzed using
Loggerpro.
Lab 15 - Impulse and Momentum Lab (2 class periods) - Students will use an air track,
photogate timers, force sensors, and /or motion detectors to measure forces
applied and the velocity of objects to verify the relationship between impulse and
momentum.
Lab 16 - Conservation of Momentum Lab (2 class periods) - Students will utilize an air
track and photogate timers to determine initial and final velocities for different
collisions. They will then calculate the total momentum and compare initial to
final.
Lab 17 -Moment of Inertia Lab (2 class periods) - Students will determine the moment of
inertia of a number of different shapes and weight distributions. They will also
rotate some of them to begin investigating conservation of angular momentum.
Lab 18 - Atwood's Lab Revisited (2 class periods) - Students will use weights and
pulleys to determine losses of translational kinetic energy due to friction and
rotational kinetic energy of the pulley itself.
Lab 19 - Centripetal Force Lab (2 class periods) - Students will use a centripetal force
apparatus (a weight attached to a rotating shaft with a spring) to measure the
centripetal force. They will utilize Hooke's Law and measurement of rotational
rates. They will also determine the friction required to hold a weight on a rotating
platform (record player).
Lab 20 - Ballistic Pendulum Lab (3 class periods) - Students will use a ballistic
pendulum to relate the initial velocity of a steel ball to a change in its potential
energy. They will also setup a larger version of the ballistic pendulum to
determine the initial velocity of a potato leaving a potato gun and compare this
value to that determined in the Potato Gun Lab done earlier in the year.
Lab 21 - Torque and Rotational Equilibrium Lab (3 class periods) - Students will setup
and analyze the torques associated with a variety of setups: including crane and
booms and bridges. Using meter sticks, weights and spring scales they will
determine the conditions necessary for rotational equilibrium and calculate the
forces involved.
Lab 22 - Simple Machines Lab (3 class periods) - Students will set up wheel and axles,
levers, pulley systems, inclined planes, screws, and wedges. They will measure
the mechanical advantage of each with numerous variations.
Lab 23 - Springs and Pendulum SHM Lab (3 class periods) - Students will use motion
sensors and force sensors to analyze SHM for weight hanging on a spring and a
simple pendulum. They will use Loggerpro to analyze the position, velocity and
acceleration graphs and determine equations of motion.
Content Outline for Physics C as listed on AP Central Website
I. Physics C - Newtonian Mechanics
A. Kinematics
18%
1. Motion in one dimension
2. Motion in two dimensions,
including projectile motion
B. Newton's Laws of Motion
20%
1. Static Equilibrium
2. Dynamics of a single particle
3. Systems of two or more bodies
C. Work, Energy, Power
14%
1. Work and work-energy theorem
2. Conservative forces and potential
energy
3. Conservation of energy
4. Power
D. Systems of particles, linear momentum 12%
1. Center of mass
2. Impulse and momentum
3. Conservation of linear momentum,
collisions
E. Circular motion and rotation
18%
1. Uniform circular motion
2. Angular momentum and its
conservation
3. Torque and rotational equilibrium
4. Rotational kinematics and
dynamics
F. Oscillations and gravitation
18%
1. Simple Harmonic Motion
2. Mass on a spring
3. Pendulum and other oscillations
4. Newton's law of gravity
5. Orbits of planets and satellites