AP Physics 1
Ms. Ahern
Syllabus 2015/2016
Course Overview
The AP Physics 1 Course has been designed by the College Board as a course equivalent to the algebratrigonometry based college-level physics course. At the end of the course, students will take the AP Physics 1
Exam, which will test their knowledge of both the concepts taught in the classroom and their application of
laboratory experiences. The AP Physics 1 course requires lab work which is integral to the understanding of the
concepts in this course. This course makes use of guided inquiry and student-centered learning to promote the
growth of critical thinking skills. AP Physics 1 prepares students for further study in science, medicine, and
engineering. Students will gain an understanding of fundamental physics principles and then apply them to
problem solving and laboratory investigations.
Materials and Supplies:
 Durable, 3 ring binder, 2 inch
 5 Tab dividers
 Lined paper
 Graph paper
 Graphing calculator
 Colored pencils
 Pencils
 Ruler
The main content areas are:
 Kinematics: Vectors and motion in 2 dimensions
 Dynamics: Newton's Laws
 Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation
 Simple Harmonic Motion: Pendulums and Mass-Spring Systems
 Impulse, Linear Momentum, Collisions, and Conservation of Linear Momentum
 Work, Energy, and Conservation of Energy
 Rotational Motion: Torque, Kinematics, Energy, Dynamics, and Angular Momentum
 Electrostatics: Electric Charge, Field and Force
 DC Circuits: Resistors, Voltage, and Current
 Mechanical Waves and Sound
The class meets 5 times per week for 50 minutes a day, with additional before/after school lab time as needed.
Class time will consist of lectures, homework review, class work, computer simulations, demonstrations, and
assessments. Laboratory experiments will be completed throughout the year to investigate or reinforce
relationships and concepts currently being studied.
Textbook: Giancoli, D. (2005). Physics: Principles with Applications, 6th rev. ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ:
Prentice-Hall. ISBN 0-13-0184661-2
Supplemental Resources: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics,
http://www.myphysicslab.com, http://physics.bu.edu/~duffy/semester1/semester1.html
Grading Policy: Tests
Content Quizzes, binder checks
Laboratory
Homework
* Final Exam
40%
20%
10%
10%
20%
Tests will consist of multiple choice questions, free response questions, and an occasional laboratory question.
These will be summative over each unit. Quizzes will occur more often and cover smaller individual concepts
from homework assignments, lectures, and reading material. Labs will be graded based upon appropriate writeups that include using the scientific method. This also includes any online labs or simulations done on the
computer. Homework will be graded as assigned from the textbook or from given worksheets.
*A final exam constructed in the AP Physics 1 format will be given at the end of the year whether or not
you take the AP exam or not. There are no more exemptions.
Course Outline: This outline provides a time line for the completion of each unit. Released exams and
review will be assigned during spring break. The school also provides the class with an AP Physics Camp Day
where one complete practice exam will be administered with all of the exam constraints.
Unit
Time Period
Content
Textbook
Chapters
I. Introduction:
Math and
Measurement Review
1 week
algebra and trig. review, data
collection, significant figures, unit
conversions
1
II. Vectors
2 weeks
vector /scalar addition/subtraction
(graphically and algebraically)
3
III. Newtonian Mechanics:
Kinematics
4 weeks
2, 3
IV. Newtonian Mechanics
Newton’s Laws of Motion
4 weeks
V. Newtonian Mechanics
Work, Energy, Power
4 weeks
motion in 1 dimension, d/t and v/t
graphs, constant acceleration
equations, motion in 2 dimensions,
projectile motion
static equilibrium
first law, dynamics of a single particle;
second law, systems of 2 or more
bodies; third law, action-reaction
work and work-energy theorem, forces
and potential energy, conservation of
energy, power
VI. Newtonian Mechanics
Systems of Particles, Linear
Momentum
3 weeks
impulse and momentum, collisions,
conservation of linear momentum
7
VII. Newtonian Mechanics
Circular Motion and Rotation,
Center of mass
3 weeks
uniform circular motion, torque and
rotational statics, angular momentum
5, 8
VIIII. Newtonian Mechanics
Gravitation
1 week
Newton’s Law of Gravity, Kepler’s
Laws
5
VIII. Newtonian Mechanics
Oscillations
3 weeks
simple harmonic motion, mass on a
spring, pendulum and other
oscillations
11
XI. Waves and
Wave Motion
2 weeks
sound and traveling waves, wave
propagation, standing waves,
superposition
11, 12
IX. Electricity
Electrostatics
3 weeks
charge, Coulomb’s Law, point charges,
electric force, Electric Field
16
X. Electricity Electric
Circuits
2 weeks
current, resistance, power,
Kirchoff’s Rules
18, 19
\Review, Review, Review!!!!!!
4
6
Laboratory Component: All of the laboratory experiments will be hands-on activities or computer-based
simulations at a college level and are mandatory for this course. Traditional methods and current technology
will be utilized, along with student driven investigation that requires critical thinking and inquiry. Students will
be presented with a problem. In groups they will analyze and establish the variables, discuss possible solutions,
and determine a method for finding an answer to the problem. Students will form a hypothesis, design an
experimental procedure, make observations, take data, make calculations, and form a conclusion. Graphing
calculators will be used often to analyze data and make predictions beyond the scope of the experiment.
Students will be required to keep a lab notebook containing a report on each lab where error analysis and
experimental reflection will be required. Most of these labs will be available before and after school due to
class time constraints.
1. Measurement Review-1hr
2. Motion in One Direction-1hr
Students will use a variety of measuring devices to determine
m, v, l, T, etc. to use with further calculations and unit
conversions.
Students will complete several running, walking, time trials on
a football field and to construct d/t and v/t graphs.
3. Vectors-1hr
Students will use a force table to understand vector addition.
4.* Projectile Motion-1.5hr
Students will video a projectile from a launcher using the
camera’s timer feature and then analyze.
5. * Friction on an Inclined Plane-1hr
Students will use an inclined plane and various blocks to
explore balanced/unbalanced forces and the coefficients of
friction-static and kinetic.
Students will use a Flynn ballistic pendulum to study initial
velocity and momentum.
6. * Projectile Motion-2-1hr
(momentum, potential energy)
7. * Conservation of Momentum-1hr
Students will use an air track and magnetic cars to determine
initial and final velocities.
8. Rollercoaster Energy-1hr
Students will use a model rollercoaster track and timer to learn
about the relationships between potential energy, kinetic
energy, position, and velocity.
Students will perform an egg bungee drop to understand
Hooke’s Law.
9. Hooke’s Law-1.5hr
10. Circular Motion-1hr
Students will use a gyroscope bicycle wheel and various
masses on a string to explore tension and centripetal force.
11. *Kepler’s Laws-1.5hr
Students will use a string, foam board, and push pins to
understand elliptical orbits and their periods. Involves a
website demo also.
Students will develop and understanding of electrostatic
principles by constructing a pith ball electroscope.
14. * Static Electricity-1hr
15. * Coulomb’s Law-1hr
Students will calculate the charge deposited on 2 suspended
pith balls.
16. The Van De Graff Generator-.5hr
Students will perform various trials individually and in lines
with different items in their hands.
18. * Ohm’s Law-1hr
Students will use light bulbs, wires, batteries and other circuit
components to assemble various series and parallel circuits to
make calculations of power, voltage, current, and resistance.