AP© Physics B
Lakeside High School
Course Syllabus
Teacher: Ms. Kathy Switzer
Tutorials/Extra Help:
Monday – Friday 7:20 am – 8: 00 am
After school by appointment
Contact Information:
Room 1608
School Email -Katherine_f_switzer
@fc.dekalb.k12.ga.us
Text: Giancoli, Douglas C. 2005. Physics: Principles with Applications, 6th ed. Upper
Saddle River, N.J.: Prentice Hall.
Course overview: The Advanced Placement Physics B is an algebra-based physics class.
The topics covered are determined by the College Board. This course is equivalent to an
introductory algebra–based university level physics course. The course emphasizes
understanding of the various concepts and formula and use of the formulae to solve
problems. Laboratory work is integrated throughout the course as topics are presented.
Course Outline: The five content areas that are included in AP Physics B are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Newtonian Mechanics
Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
Electricity and Magnetism
Waves and Optics
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
35 %
15 %
25 %
15 %
10 %
Detailed Course Outline correlated to Chapters in Textbook with Timeline:
AP© Content Area Unit
1. Newtonian
Kinematics in One and Two
Mechanics
Dimensions
Chapters
2 -3
Weeks
3
1. Newtonian
Mechanics
Dynamics : Forces, Centripetal
Forces and Gravitational Force
4-5
1. Newtonian
Mechanics
Work and Energy, Linear
Momentum
6-7
1. Newtonian
Mechanics
Rotational Motion, Torque and
Rotational Equilibrium
8-9
3
2
2
Total = 10
AP© Content Area Unit
2. Fluid Mechanics
Fluids
Chapters
10
Weeks
2
2. Thermodynamics
AP© Content Area
3. Electricity and
Magnetism
3. Electricity and
Magnetism
3. Electricity and
Magnetism
Temperature, Heat and
Thermodynamics
13-15
Unit
Electric Charges, Fields, and
Electric Energy, Potential and
Capacitance
Electric Current, DC Circuits
Chapters
16-17
2
Total = 4
Week
3
18-19
3
Magnetism, Electromagnetic
Induction
AP© Content Area Unit
4. Waves and Optics Vibrations, Waves and Sound
20-21
2
Total = 8
Chapters
11-12
Week
2
4. Waves and Optics
Light, Geometric Optics, EM
Waves, Wave Nature of Light
22,23,24
2
Total = 4
AP© Content Area Unit
5. Atomic and
Early Quantum Theory
Nuclear Physics
Chapters
27
5. Atomic and
Nuclear Physics
30-31
Nuclear Physics and Nuclear
Energy
Week
1
1
Total = 2
LABORATORY OUTLINE
Labs are the basis for understanding of many of the basic concepts in all the sciences.
The outline of labs that follows covers all the main concepts in the AP Physics
curriculum. Due to equipment and time restraints some labs are done using simulations
of lab conditions, these labs will be marked with a (S) to indicate a simulated lab. Some
labs are presented as open ended problems with no set procedure for the student to
follow; these labs are indicated with a (O). These labs are included to encourage
independent thinking and the development of creative problem solving skills that are
hallmarks of researchers in all areas of science.
ASSESMENT
Students will turn in a lab report on each lab and the lab reports will be collected in a
portfolio that will also be assessed at the end of each semester. Lab reports include a
section on the purpose, materials and method, data and data analysis and conclusions.
LAB TOPICS
Content Area 1: Newtonian Mechanics
o Kinematics – determine the relationships between displacement, velocity and
acceleration of an object rolling down an incline
o Projectile Motion (O) – predict the range of a projectile
o Friction – experimentally determine variables responsible for friction coefficients
o Vectors on a Force Table – verify vector addition of forces experimentally
o Centripetal Force – determine variables that affect centripetal force
o Pendulum ( O) Construct a pendulum with a given period and verify the known
value for acceleration due to gravity
o Linear Momentum ( S ) determine the variables that affect conservation of
momentum
o Rotational Equilibrium (Torque) Verify equations that describe the static
equilibrium for a lever
Content Area 2: Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics
o Fluids (O) - Determine the density of an unknown liquid and solid, determine the
buoyant force on an object ( Archimedes Principle )
Content Area 3: Electricity and Magnetism
o Electric Fields (S) Determine and evaluate changes in strength of electric fields,
observe changes in patterns of electric field lines due to charge interactions
o Capacitance – Verify the relationship of area to capacitance in a parallel plate
capacitor
o Ohm’s Law / Resistivity – Determine the resistivity of an unknown metal,
determine an unknown resistance with Ohm’s Law
o DC Circuits – Verify current and voltage relationships in series and parallel
circuits
o Magnetic fields – Observe magnetic field lines
o DC Motor ( O ) - Construct a working DC motor, change the speed and direction
of the motor
Content Area 4: Waves and Optics
o Hooke’s Law – Verify variables that affect simple harmonic motion
o Speed of Sound in Air – Experimentally determine the speed of sound in air using
properties of standing waves and resonance
o Lenses and Mirrors – Experimentally determine the variables in the lens formula
o Diffraction – Verify the wave nature of light
Content Area 5: Atomic and Nuclear Physics
o Photoelectric effect ( S ) – Determine variables that affect the photoelectric effect
and describe how these results verify the particle nature of light
o Nuclear Decay ( S ) – Determine end products of several examples of decay
series
Course Information:
AP© Physics B is a college level course that uses algebra and trigonometry as the
primary tool for problem solving. Students should expect to spend 2-4 hours per week on
physics related assignments. You will need a scientific calculator for this class. AP©
Physics B is designed to be a broad overview of all topics typically covered in an
introductory physics course at many post secondary institutions.
Grading Procedures:
Tests
Labs
40 %
30 %
Final Exam
Quizzes/Class work
10 %
20%
Online Student Resources:
Website for the text book: http://cwx.prenhall.com/bookbind/pubbooks/giancoli/
Self Guided Physics Tutorial: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/