AP P
2014 15
C
S
J o n e s C o l l e g e P r e p
Mrs. Conrad aekovacs@cps.edu
Welcome to AP Physics! This is a second year physics course designed to offer students interested in physics the opportunity to take the Physics C : Mechanics AP exam and to purse more advanced topics. Following the Advanced Placement guidelines, the course is designed after an introductory college physics course, using a college-level text. Many colleges use the grade assigned on the AP Exam as a basis for placement and course credit decisions. It is a requirement of this course to take the exam in May.
Principles & Practice of Physics, by Eric Mazur.
Each semester grade will be calculated using the following percentages. Progress reports and quarter grades will include the grade earned from the beginning of the semester to the present.
Tests /Quizzes (65%): Tests will be given at the end of each unit and will consist of a multiple choice and free response with AP style questions. These exams are cumulative and will be graded according to the AP scale. Quizzes will be given announced or unannounced throughout the units.
Lab Reports (15%): Our goal is to spend at least 20% of class time on lab work. Some labs are graded formally, some are graded for feedback, and some are simply a way to learn material. We will be attempting to go "paperless" with some labs, taking advantage of the Google accounts that all students have been issued.
There are three components to labs and each contributes 5 % to a student's grade: Lab Data, Data Analysis, and Theories & Conclusions. Although data is often collected within a lab group, the grade is earned as an individual
Final Exam (20%): A cumulative final exam will be given at the end of the semester which will consist of multiple choice and free response questions. The final exam for second semester will consist of a practice AP exam taken prior to the AP exam. The date of this exam is TBA.
Please note that homework is not apart of your grade. Practice is needed to understand a learning goal. If practice is not completed on time it will be difficult to become proficient in the learning goals for the unit.
Practice work will not be included in a student's grade. Completion of practice work and class work
assignments is tracked daily. Students are encouraged to evaluate their own habits and to work to improve those habits. Choosing not to complete this work almost always leads to poor grades.
Some people may say "I won't do work unless I get credit for it." There are countless situations where we practice to learn, so we are ready when we need it. No one gets points towards a game score for hitting free throws in practice, but they still practice. Practicing your part of the song for the band concert is necessary so that you are ready on the night of the concert.

Grading Scale
100 -90% = A 89 - 80% = B 79 – 70% = C69 - 60 = D 59 - 0 = F
Excused Absence & Missing Lab/Quiz/Test: The day you return to school you must arrange with me to make up the missing lab activity/quiz/test. It is expected that if you miss a quiz/test that you will come in early, after school or during academic lab, the day you return to make it up.
Unexcused Absences/Late Unexcused Work:
Lab Reports – You have one week to turn in a late lab report for 50% credit.
Quizzes/Tests – You will receive a zero for your assessment.
Academic Dishonesty: Any type of academic dishonesty (plagiarism, cheating, copying) will not be tolerated. This behavior will result in a conference with the assistant principal and appropriate consequences assigned.
Tardiness: If you are tardy you will receive one detention. Being tardy means you are not in your seat when the bell rings. If you are very tardy you will have additional consequences assigned.
Bathroom: You have 10 minute passing periods which should leave plenty of time for you to use the facilities. This is when you should use the bathroom. However, if it is an emergency ask the teacher for a pass.
If you are unsure about anything, please
ASK during class, after class or email me.
Let me know if you have questions/problems well in advance of an assignment being due or an exam coming up.
I am often available before or after school. If you would like to speak with me during these times, please check in with me so I know to expect you. If you plan on “just showing up,” I cannot guarantee I will be around.
I check my email every day. If you are having a problem, send me an email and you will likely get a response before class the next day. The farther past 7 pm you send the email the less likely it is you will get a response before morning.
It is a requirement of this course to take the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam on May 11, 2015.

Mathematics of Motion
One Dimensional Linear Motion
Changing Acceleration
Vectors and Projectile Motion
Rotational Kinematics
The Effect of Forces
Forces in One-Dimension
Forces in Two-Dimensions
Forces & Circular Motion
Unbalanced Torque & Real Pulleys
Conservation Laws
Conservation of Momentum & Energy
Conservation of Momentum in Two- Dimensions
Conservation of Rotational Energy
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Mathematics of Motion
Simple Harmonic Motion
Pendulum
Mass on Spring
The Effect of Forces
Torque II
Rolling
Drag Forces
Conservation Laws
Work
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of Momentum II