AP Physics C: Mechanics
Mr. Dave Parent
2015-2016
Phone: (651) 621-6852
david.parent@moundsviewschools.org
http://ihsphysics.weebly.com/
Course Text (provided):
Physics for Scientists and Engineers, 2nd ed., Knight.
Replacement cost ~$100
The AP Physics C is a calculus-based course in physics, so the text used is calculus-based as well. Calculus class is a
prerequisite for this course; there is a strong link between calculus and physics, so these classes will likely work together
to strengthen student understanding of each.
AP Physics C review book (optional, but strongly recommended): Cracking the AP Physics C Exam, by The Princeton Review
This book is not required and is not provided for you, but many students have found it to be very beneficial in preparing
for the AP test. (~$14 new, on Amazon)
Other Required Materials
Scientific and/or graphing calculator, notebooks, binders and/or folders (used only for physics):
• 1 notebook, folder and/or 3-ring binder section in which notes, homework problems and handouts/worksheets go
• 1 laboratory notebook (3-ring binder) for lab activities and lab investigations. Students must save all the graded lab
reports in order to prove to a college/university fulfillment of lab requirements to obtain college credit for this course.
Course Purpose: The purpose of this course is for students to become…
1. familiar with major physics concepts
2. better problem solvers, especially within the context of physics
3. more aware of the historical development of physics and science in general
4. appreciative of the wide range of scale within physics
5. more familiar with scientific process (What is “scientific”?)
6. prepared for the Physics C (Mechanics) exam, which will be given on Monday, May 9h, 2016
Class Expectations: Thank you, in advance, for being:
1. Responsible
2. Respectful
3. Ready to Learn
Absences
It is the student’s responsibility to find out from the online calendar, another student, and/or the teacher what was missed (notes,
assignments given, assignments submitted, labs, etc.). Expect to take a missed exam immediately upon your return.
Tardiness
Please be on time to class. This means in your seat ready to begin when the bell rings. Tardiness will be recorded and will be
handled by school administration.
Grading
Semester 1:
Homework/Quizzes:
Labs:
Unit Tests:
Final Test:
Semester 2:
Homework/Quizzes:
Labs:
Physics Fair:
Unit Tests:
Final Test:
15%
30%
40%
15%
10%
15%
20%
40%
15%
Test dates are announced several days before the test. If you miss the day before a test, you will be expected to take the test on
the scheduled day. If you miss the day of a test, you will be expected to take the test right away upon return. Those who take the
test on a day other than the scheduled test day may be given an alternative version of the test.
2015-2016 AP Physics
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Syllabus_AP Physics_2015_16
Academic Honesty
Many activities in science require a cooperative effort. There is a difference between working together and copying. Information
that is provided in class (notes) or data from someone in your lab group may be copied. Otherwise, copying is considered a
violation of District 621 Policy regarding academic honesty, and is subject to the appropriate consequences (see student
handbook).
“…Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating on assignments or exams, plagiarizing (misrepresenting another’s
work as one’s own original creation), submitting the same paper in more than one course without prior consent of all instructors
concerned, depriving others of necessary academic courses, sabotaging another student’s work, and using without attribution a
computer concept or program.” (see Irondale’s Student Handbook)
Homework
You play like you practice. When it’s game time and the pressure’s on, you don’t always have
time to think, only react. When you react, you will react according to how you have practiced.
Practice doesn’t make perfect, it makes permanent. Homework is our practice. During test
time, thinking clearly can be a challenge. How you react at that point will be determined by
how, and if, you practiced. Do the homework so you’ll be ready at game time.
Letter Grade
% Range
A
100-93
A92-90
B+
89-87
B
86-83
B82-80
Lab investigations and activities are an integral part of your physics and science experience.
C+
79-77
Science utilizes observations of phenomena, and labs will help you develop and enhance your
C
76-73
observational skills. Labs will also help to deepen your intuition regarding physics concepts.
C72-70
They will usually involve working in cooperative groups of two to four people. Unless otherwise
D+
69-67
stated, each person will complete their own lab report. Occasionally, a lab quiz may be given in
D
66-63
lieu of a graded lab report.
D62-60
F
59-0
Physics Fair: Tuesday, March 15, 2016, 5:00 – 8:00 pm, at Irondale
All Irondale physics students are required to participate in this event. Put it on your calendar and your family’s calendar.
AP Physics C Topics, Fall & Spring
Kinematics
Motion in One Dimension (Ch. 1 & 2)
· 1D Constant Velocity & Acceleration
· Average Velocity
· Instantaneous Velocity
· Kinematic Equations
Motion in Two Dimensions (Ch. 3 & 4)
· Vector Addition, Mult., & Algebra
· Projectile Motion
· Relative Motion
Newton’s Laws
Newton’s Laws of Motion (Ch. 5 & 7)
· Newton’s 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Laws
· Free Body Diagrams
Dynamics in One Dimension (Ch. 6)
· Using Newton’s 2nd Law
· Mass, Weight, and Gravity
· Friction
· Terminal Speed
Work, Energy, & Power*
Work, Energy, & Power (Ch. 10 & 11)
· Hooke’s Law
· Elastic & Inelastic Interactions
· Work
· Power
2015-2016 AP Physics
Linear Momentum
Momentum in One Dimension (Ch. 9)
· Momentum
· Impulse
· Conservation of Momentum
Circular Motion
Rotational Kinematics (Ch. 4.5 – 4.7, & 8)
· Uniform Circular Motion
· Rotational Dynamics
Rotation of Rigid Bodies (Ch. 12)
· Moment of Inertia
Oscillations & Gravity
Oscillations & Gravity (Ch. 13 & 14)
· Newton’s Theory of Gravity
· Kepler’s Laws
· Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
· SHM Energy
· SHM Dynamics
· Dampened Oscillations
· Driven Oscillations & Resonance
Additional topics that will be examined, but not on the AP
Physics C: Mechanics Exam
· Waves: Sound
· Waves: Light/Optics
· Electricity and Magnetism
· Modern Topics and Relativity
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Syllabus_AP Physics_2015_16