AP PHYSICS B
MR. REEVE  2013-2014
Summer Assignments
are on Page 5.
The first assignment is
due June 17!
WHAT IS AP PHYSICS B?
AP Physics B is an algebra-based (not calculusbased) overview of the major topics in physics.
AP Physics will be fast-paced, rigorous, and will
rely on much independent student learning. It is
expected that some of the material will be
learned at home, through the textbook – the work
in class will be devoted to lab work, discussion,
and problem-solving techniques.
AP Physics B is a specific program of study,
carefully monitored by the College Board to
ensure consistent learning. The number of topics
discussed in this course is extensive; in order to
cover all of the material, some of the topics will
need to be studied over the summer in order to
be prepared for the AP Exam next spring.
While a primary focus of this course is
preparation for the AP Physics B exam, lab work
will be an important part of our physics
experience. AP Physics students will be expected
to work collaboratively and efficiently in the
laboratory to solve problems and gain experience
with certain topics and lab equipment. Some
experiments will necessitate the writing of formal
lab reports, while others will prompt assessment
in other ways.
This is not an easy senior-year class.
AP Physics requires real math ability
and serious academic effort. If you are
interested in a less intense physics
experience, perhaps consider Mr.
Reeve’s CP Physics class.
WHO SHOULD TAKE AP PHYSICS?
AP Physics is open to any 11th or 12th grader at
Lincoln High School who has completed
Chemistry, and has completed or is enrolled in
Biology. However, those students who will be
most successful are those who are: talented at
algebra, geometry, and basic trigonometry; can
solve math problems with or without a
calculator; show perseverance in the face of
difficult work; and are motivated to succeed
regardless of grade level or time of year.
THE AP EXAM
All LHS students in AP courses are required to
register for and take the AP Exam in the spring.
The exam incurs a fee to the College Board
program, and is offered during school hours.
Students are expected to make their best effort
on the exam.
TWITTER FEED
Follow Mr. Reeve on Twitter @ReeveAPPhysics
to receive homework tips, announcements,
reminders, and other class-related tweets. I do
not follow students back; this is just a great way
for you to stay in the loop about physics class.
CURRICULUM OUTLINE
The College Board rigorously checks that all important concepts in physics are covered in this course.
Below is a condensed outline of the topics to be covered in before the AP Exam. Student completion of the
Summer Assignments will be vital in order to cover this many topics in the time alloted before the AP Exam
in May.
UNIT 1: NEWTONIAN MECHANICS
1. Kinematics
a. Constant Speed & Velocity
b. Constant Acceleration
c. Vectors
d. Projectile Motion
2. Forces
a. Newton’s Laws
b. Friction
c. Inclined Planes
d. Equilibrium & Vectors
3. Mechanical Energy
a. Work & Power
b. Kinetic Energy and Potential
Energy
c. Conservation of Energy
4. Linear Momentum
a. Impulse & Conservation of
Momentum
b. 1-D Collisions
c. 2-D Collisions
5. Circular Motion, Universal
Gravitation, Rotation, and Torque
a. Centripetal Acceleration & Force
b. Universal Gravitation, Satellite
Motion, & Kepler’s Laws
c. Linear Momentum and Torque
6. Simple Harmonic Oscillators
a. Pendula
b. Oscillating Springs
UNIT 2: FLUIDS AND THERMAL PHYSICS
1. Fluid Mechanics
a. Pressure and rate of Flow
b. Bernoulli’s principle
2. Heat and Temperature, and
Thermodynamics
a. Gas Laws
b. Molecular kinetic energy
c. Laws of Thermodynamics
d. Pressure-volume-work cycles
AP Physics B Syllabus
UNIT 3: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
1. Electrostatics
a. Charge & Coulomb’s Law
b. Conductors & Insulators
c. Capacitance
2. Electric Circuits
a. Voltage, Resistance, Power
b. Ohm’s Law
c. Series & Parallel Circuits
3. Magnetic Fields
a. Sources of Magnetism
b. Magnetic Field Lines
4. Electromagnetism
a. Electromagnetic inductance
b. Forces on moving charges
UNIT 4: WAVES AND OPTICS
1. Principles of Waves and Sound
a. Characteristics of Waves
b. Sound Waves & Speed of Sound
2. Light and Electromagnetic Waves
a. Nature and Speed of Light
b. Electromagnetic Spectrum
3. Optics, Reflection and Refraction
a. Reflection and Refraction
b. Interference and Diffraction
c. Single- and Double-Slit
Interference
UNIT 5: ATOMIC AND NUCLEAR PHYSICS
1. Atomic Structure and Quantum
Effects
a. Sub-atomic Particles
b. Energy Levels in the Atom
c. The Photoelectric effect
d. DeBroglie wavelengths
2. Nuclear Structure and Energy
a. Radioactivity
b. Nuclear Forces
c. Nuclear Fission and Nuclear
Energy
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NECESSARY SUPPLIES FOR CLASS
Students in this course will need these supplies:
Study Textbook: Serway & Faughn, College Physics, 5th Ed., Harcourt Brace, 1999, available on loan
from Mr. Reeve – you will need this textbook over the summer
In-Class Textbook: Cutnell & Johnson, Physics, 8th Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2009. We will keep this
textbook in the classroom.
Calculator: TI Graphing calculators (except those with a QWERTY keyboard) are strongly
recommended – the graphing and programmble functions will make physics calculations much
easier. However, a scientific non-graphing calculator will also suffice. Either way, the calculator
must be a stand-alone device (i.e., using the calculator in your smart phone will not be sufficient.)
Calculators are not allowed on some parts of the AP Exam, so there will be times in class when the
calculator is required, and other times when it is not allowed.
WebAssign account: an online account for physics homework (see Page 4)
Optional study guide: an exam review book is suggested for this course, in order to best review for
tests and prepare for the AP exam. I highly recommend AP Advantage: Physics B by James Mooney,
2004, Peoples Publishing Group Inc (ISBN 978-1413804918) which is available through a number
of online book vendors. However, other review books are available and are acceptable. This book
will not be used in class, but is highly recommended for your own study and review.
AP Physics B Syllabus
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HOMEWORK ON WEBASSIGN
Solving complex word problems is a critical part of AP
Physics. Much of this problem solving is done as
homework assignments.
In order to complete homework assignments (during the
summer and throughout the school year), students will
need a WebAssign account. WebAssign is an online math
and science homework system that allows teachers to
assign textbook problems that are numerically unique for
each student. Students complete the assignments at
home and enter the answers online. Grading and
feedback is immediate, and students can (on some
assignments) keep re-submitting the homework to
improve their performance.
Other homework assignments (such as projects or lab
reports) will also be assigned as appropriate.
CREATING A WEBASSIGN ACCOUNT
HOW MUCH HOMEWORK IS THERE?
The WebAssign account costs about $10.00 per
student, June to June. Families that feel they
cannot afford the cost of a WebAssign account
should contact Mr. Reeve as soon as possible.
Physics homework is rarely “plug-and-chug”
work.
Homework problems require careful
thought and analysis.
Therefore, most
WebAssign problem sets are assigned at the
beginning of a chapter, and are due just before a
quiz or test, in order to give students flexibility in
to complete assignments when they can.
Mr. Reeve’s WebAssign class becomes active at
noon on June 1. Use the Class Key below to create
an account and make online payment directly to
WebAssign. Be sure to sign up before June 17,
since this is when the first assignment is due!
WEBASSIGN CLASS KEY:
lincolnhs.ri
0200
4798
This “bigger but less frequent” mode of
homework is more collegiate in style. However,
this style also requires that students work on
homework long before it is due; assignments take
hours to complete, and are never intended to be
done in one night.
HOMEWORK EXTENSIONS
Throughout the school year, we will be using Webassign for homework assignments. The deadlines
for these assignments are critical. a two-day deadline extension can be granted in case of
emergencies. However, each student will be granted an extension only once per school year
(including during the summer).
AP Physics B Syllabus
Page 4
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
We will use the summer months to cover topics that
can then be quickly reviewed in class. The ability to
cover the first few chapters during the summer frees
up time for lab work in class as soon as we return to
school in the fall.
An ability to work independently is a prerequisite for
the course. However, this does not mean you must
work in isolation, nor does it mean that you should be
able to complete assignments without effort. Students
are strongly encouraged to form study/homework
groups. (Google Hangouts is an excellent (free) way for students to form online study groups if they cannot
meet in person.)
Students who have questions about the summer assignment can ask Mr. Reeve by email at
ReeveT@LincolnPS.org, by Google Hangout at MrReeveLHS@gmail.com, or by text message at 862-4103.
However, don't wait until the last minute to ask questions, or you might not get the answers in time!
SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS
COMPUTER GRADING
VACATIONS AND EXTENSIONS
FOR SUMMER WORK
In WebAssign, you can submit your answers
multiple times. This allows you to get instant
feedback on how well you are doing, and to get an
immediate chance to try again and improve your
grade.
Students who will be on vacation for certain
weeks of the summer should finish upcoming
assignments well in advance of the due dates.
Extensions will not be given for family vacations,
except under extraordinary unforeseeable
circumstances. Students who will have no access
to the internet for the summer should see Mr.
Reeve for a paper-and-pencil version of the
assignment.
For Summer Assignments #1-3, you get two
“free” full-credit submissions on most word
problems. Each submission after your second
one gets a 15% deduction. This is to encourage
you to get the answers right the first (or second)
time without wild guessing. However, after the
first two tries, you can continue to make
submissions and attempts, but with an increasing
point penalty. (For multiple choice questions, the
same rules apply, except that you only get 1 “free”
try before deductions start.)
For example, getting a problem correct on the
first or second try receives full credit. Getting it
correct on the 3rd try receives 85% credit, and
getting it right on the 4th try receives 70% credit.
AP Physics B Syllabus
Students who do not wish to complete the
Summer Assignments are encouraged to visit
their Guidance Counselor to enroll in a less
demanding course, such as Introduction to Deli
Meats (1 credit) or Basic Pencil Sharpening (1
credit).
Extensions are for emergencies, not
for planned vacations.
Be responsible and plan ahead!
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SUMMER ASSIGNMENTS SCHEDULE
Assignment 0a: Webassign Tutorial (20 Points)
D ue: June 17, 7:25 AM
Create a WebAssign account and complete payment (see Page 3 of this packet).
Complete “Intro to WebAssign” assignment online
This is for practice; you get full credit if you answer all questions.
Assignment 0b: Force Concept Pre-Test (20 points)
Due: July 2, 7:25 AM
Complete “Force Concept Inventory” assignment online
This is a pre-test only. The score you get does not count for
your grade; you get full credit just for trying.
Summer Assignments #1-3 take hours to complete.
Do not wait until the night before an assignment is due!
Assignment 1: Science & Math Skills (40 points)
Due: July 16, 7:25 AM
Read Chapter 1 in the text.
Complete WebAssign “Summer Assignment #1”
Assignment 2: 1D Motion (40 points)
Due: August 6, 7:25 AM
Read Chapter 2 in the text
Complete WebAssign “Summer Assignment #2”
Assignment 3: 2D Motion (40 points)
Due: August 27, 7:25 AM
Read Chapter 3 in the text
Complete WebAssign “Summer Assignment #3”
Need help or hints? E-mail Mr. Reeve at ReeveT@LincolnPS.org,
but don’t wait until the last minute, or you won’t get help in time!
Summer Assignment Quiz (40 points)
September 3 in class
Covers all material from Summer Assignments #1-3
AP Physics B Syllabus
Page 6