AP Physics C
Mechanics Syllabus
Meeting Times: Lecture/Recitation 4 days per week for 47 minutes each period.
Laboratory for 1 day per week, 94 minutes. 36 week, year-long course; first semester is
Mechanics, second semester is Electromagnetism.
Text: Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick, and Walker; 5th Edition, New York:
John Wiley and Sons.
Lab Text: Physics with Computers, Appel, Gastineu, Bakken, and Vernier; 3rd Edition,
Beaverton Oregon: Vernier Software and Technology.
Grade Composition:
Tests and Quizzes: 60 %
Labs and Projects: 25 %
Homework: 15 %
Overview: Mechanics is a calculus-based introduction to the basic principles of the
physical description and behavior of macroscopic objects. Topics include but are not
limited to: kinematics and dynamics, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum,
rotational motion, oscillations, and gravitation.
Instructional methods include lecture, guided practice and demonstrations. There
is weekly lab work that varies in structure. Sometimes, students are given verbal
directions and a demonstration of the data collection methods whereupon they must write
a formal lab report. Other labs utilize handouts with procedures and equipment lists, still
others use the Physics with Computers lab manual. The lab work is often exploratory and
emphasizes methods of data collection, identifying and quantifying relationships between
variables and associated sources of systematic and random error. Students must keep a
copy of all lab reports in a portfolio.
Content and Approximate Duration:
12 Periods: Measurement and Motion in 1-D
-Identification of fundamental and derived units
-Unit conversion between and within measurement systems
-Scalars and Vectors
-Position, Velocity and Acceleration
-Kinematic Equations
-Graphical Interpretation of Motion
10 Periods: Vectors and Motion in 2-D
-Methods of representing vectors (magnitude and angle / component form)
-Methods of adding vectors (components, graphically & trigonometrically)
-Methods of multiplying vectors (by a scalar, dot and cross product)
-Projectile Motion
-Uniform Circular Motion
15 Periods: Dynamics
-Mass, Weight and Inertia
-Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
-Newton’s Three Laws of Motion
-Static and Kinetic Friction
-Centripetal Force
13 Periods: Work and Energy
-Work defined
-Work by a constant force and work by a variable force
-Graphical interpretation of work
-Kinetic Energy and the Work-Energy Theorem
-Gravitational and Elastic Potential Energy
-The Law of Conservation of Energy
-Conservative and Non-Conservative Forces
12 Periods: Momentum and Impulse
-Momentum defined
-Impulse and Newton’s Second Law
-Interpreting Impulse Graphically
-Center of mass of discrete and continuous mass distributions
-Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
-Conservation of Momentum and Newton’s Third Law
-Conservation of Momentum in 1 and 2 Dimensions
15 Periods: Rotational Motion and Rolling
-Angular Kinematics
-Torque
-Rotational Inertia of discrete and continuous mass distributions
-Rotational Kinetic Energy
-Newton’s 2nd Law in angular form and rotational dynamics
-Parallel-Axis Theorem
-Rolling without slipping and the kinetic energy of a rolling object
-Angular momentum of a particle
-Angular Momentum of an object rotating about an axis through its cm
-Conservation of Angular Momentum
13 Periods: Gravitation and Oscillations
-Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
-The Shell Theorem
-Gravitational Potential Energy of large objects
-Orbital Mechanics, satellites and escape velocity
-Period, frequency, and angular frequency
-Simple Harmonic Motion and related equations
-Energy of a mass-spring oscillator
-Simple pendulum, torsional pendulum, and physical pendulum
Laboratory Investigations:
1. Darts and Statistics-darts and targets
2. Graphical Interpretation of Motion-motion detectors and labpros
3. Vector Addition- force tables and equilibrium
4. Projectile Motion- ballistic pendulums
5. Force and Motion-Newton’s 2nd Law w/ carts and photogates
6. Air Resistance-coffee filters, motion detectors and labpros
7. Estes Rockets-just for fun
8. Static and Kinetic Friction-force probes and labpros
9. Hooke’s Law-springs
10. Sliding off a roof/conservation of energy-washers and ramps
11. Conservation of Momentum and Inelastic Collisions-ballistic pendulum
12. Conservation of Momentum in 2-D-collision apparatus
13. Rotational Dynamics-torque and rotational inertia
14. Racing Down a Hill-hoop, disc and sphere down a ramp
15. SHM-mass-spring oscillator, motion detectors and labpros
16. Period of a Simple Pendulum-motion detectors and labpros
AP Physics C
Electromagnetism Syllabus
Meeting Times: Lecture/Recitation 4 days per week for 47 minutes each period.
Laboratory for 1 day per week, 94 minutes. 36 week, year-long course; first semester is
Mechanics, second semester is Electromagnetism*.
*AP Exam is usually administered in Mid-May, halfway through the 4th marking period,
effectively leaving only 14 weeks of instructional time for electromagnetism.
Text: Fundamentals of Physics, Halliday, Resnick, and Walker; 5th Edition, New York:
John Wiley and Sons.
Lab Text: Physics with Computers, Appel, Gastineu, Bakken, and Vernier; 3rd Edition,
Beaverton Oregon: Vernier Software and Technology.
Grade Composition:
Tests and Quizzes: 60 %
Labs and Projects: 25 %
Homework: 15 %
Overview: Electromagnetism is a calculus-based introduction to the basic principles of
the physical description and behavior of charges and their motion. Topics include but are
not limited to: electric charge, force and field, voltage and capacitance, current, resistance
and d.c. circuits, magnetic forces and fields, electromagnetic induction, inductors and
electromagnetism.
Instructional methods include lecture, guided practice and demonstrations. There
is weekly lab work that varies in structure. Sometimes, students are given verbal
directions and a demonstration of the data collection methods whereupon they must write
a formal lab report. Other labs utilize handouts with procedures and equipment lists, still
others use the Physics with Computers lab manual. The lab work is often exploratory and
emphasizes methods of data collection, identifying and quantifying relationships between
variables and associated sources of systematic and random error. Students must keep a
copy of all lab reports in a portfolio.
Content and Approximate Duration:
17 Days: Electric Charge, Force, Field and Gauss’ Law
-Types of charges
-Quantization and conservation of charge
-Coulomb’s Law
-Electric field defined
-Field lines
-Electric dipole
-Continuous charge distributions
-Electric fields due to continuous charge distributions
-Electric Flux
-Gauss’ Law
13 Days: Electric Potential and Capacitance
-Electric Potential and potential difference defined
-Potential due to a point charge
-Potential due to continuous charge distributions
-Determining potential difference from the electric field
-Determining electric field from the potential
-Capacitance defined
-Capacitance of various geometry capacitors
-Equivalent capacitance, series and parallel
15 Days: Current, Resistance, and D.C. Circuits
-Current and current density
-Resistivity and Resistance
-Ohm’s Law and dissipated power
-EMF, terminal voltage, and internal resistance
-Kirchoff’s Loop and Junction Theorems
-R-C Circuits
13 Days: Magnetic Fields and Current-Carrying Wires
-Magnetism defined
-Deflecting force on a moving charge/circulating charges
-Deflecting force on a current-carrying wire
-Biot-Savart Law
-Ampere’s Law
-The Solenoid
14 Days: Faraday’s Law and Induction
-Induction observed and defined
-Magnetic Flux
-Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law
-Inductance defined
-EMF induced in an inductor
-L-R Circuits
-L-R-C Circuits and resonance
-Maxwell’s Equations
A synthesis of Gauss’ Law, Magnetic Flux, Ampere’s Law and
Faraday’s Law to form a set of four equations which describe free
and bound electromagnetic fields
Laboratory Investigations:
1. Electrostatics Observations- fur, silk, rods, and pithballs
2. Coulomb’s Law-pith balls and the inverse square relationship
3. Electric Field Mapping-Determining field from the potential
4. Ohm’s Law-linear behavior of a resistor
5. Series and Parallel Circuits-behavior of voltage, current and resistance
6. R-C Circuits-charging and discharging, time constant
7. Power in Electric Circuits-converting electrical to mechanical energy with a motor
8. Magnetic Field Inside a Slinky-Magnetic field sensors and labpros
9. Induction Braking-terminal velocity of a magnet falling through a metal tube
10. Construction of a simple-form model motor
11. Magnetic field inside a solenoid-determination of turns ratio via a current balance
12. Solar Car Project (multiple periods)-build a hybrid solar/battery powered car
13. Characteristic Curves-Solar Cells and Fuel Cells