AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus
Fall, 2009
Mr. Allen Hankla
Physics is not just a collection of equations. It is the search for the basic principles behind the equations.
This calculus based, college level, physics class will introduce some of those basic principles in the
context of mechanics. Additionally, this course prepares students for the College Board AP Physics C:
Mechanics exam. The topic list, depth of understanding, and pace are intended to emulate a freshman
college physics course for engineering or science majors.
Emphasis is placed on developing student problem-solving skills and understanding, rather than rote
memorization of equations and problem-specific strategies. Each unit during the semester will have the
same general flow: First, you will explore each new topic in a way that encourages curiosity and
questions. This exploration will include discussions of thought experiments, problem-solving activities,
and conducting guided-inquiry based labs wherein you will be given a goal and minimal instruction as to
how to achieve it. The labs and their write-ups are designed to encourage your exploration and
understanding of the topic, enhance your understanding of the process by which new physical insights
are gained, practice working in groups, and teach effective communication skills. Normally, block days
(1.5 hrs) will be used for the labs planned this semester. During these explorations, I will ask you
questions to assess your prior knowledge of the unit topics in order to be sure I don’t repeat things you
already know and instead use our time together to address things you don’t yet understand.
Once you are familiar with the basic ideas of the unit, we will then address the underlying concepts,
often through a teaching structure called think-pair-share wherein you record your understanding of a
concept then explain it to a partner and work out any discrepancies and then your group shares your
thoughts with the class. I use this structure because I believe that the best way to be sure you understand
something is to explain it to other people; this also gives me a chance to address any misconceptions that
you or the class have about the topic. Homework will be assigned that will allow you to test your
understanding of the topic, apply your understanding in specific contexts, extend your understanding
beyond a basic level, and/or start thinking about the next day’s topic. The end of the unit will generally
consist of a written assessment of your understanding.
Each day of instruction will also have its own flow: I will present daily ‘Do Now’ problems on the
projector which I expect you to start working on before the bell rings. These problems are designed to
either reinforce the previous day’s lesson or to encourage you to think about a topic we will study in the
current day’s lesson. After we discuss the ‘Do Now’ problem solution, we will start the lesson for the
day. This lesson may involve a demonstration, mini-lecture, individual or group problem solving,
individual or group problem creation, class discussions, student presentations, self- or peer-grading of
problem solutions, and any other student-centered teaching strategies that we find will increase your
understanding. At the end of the lesson, with about 5 minutes of class time left, I will present you with a
Closure activity which is designed to give you time to process the day’s lesson. This Closure may
involve a simple application of the day’s lesson, a start on the homework, a self-reflection on your
strengths and weaknesses in understanding, or an extension of the lesson. I expect you to work on the
Closure until the bell rings.
We will use the following book:
David Halliday, Robert Resnick & Jearl Walker. Fundamentals of Physics. John Wiley & Sons, Inc.,
2005, ISBN: 0-471-21643-7
Also recommended: James Mooney, AP AdvantageTM Physics C, ISBN 1-4138-0492-6
Unit M1:
Kinematics
11 days
Aug 18
To
Sep 8
Unit M2:
Newton’s
Laws of
Motion
11 days
Sept 9
to
Sept 29
Unit M3:
Linear
Momentum
8 days
Sep 30
To
Oct 15
Unit M4:
Work,
Energy,
Power
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Motion in One Dimension (Ch. 1, 2)
2. Motion in Two Dimensions (including projectile & uniform circular motion)
(Ch. 3, 4)
Labs:
1. Maximum Range: You will determine angle of launch for maximum range of a
projectile.
2. Unknown Mass: Find an unknown mass using a very limited set of materials,
your understanding of kinematics, and your own creativity
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Static Equilibrium - First Law (Ch. 5)
2. Dynamics of a Single Body - Second Law (Ch. 5, 6)
3. Systems of Two or More Bodies - Third Law (Ch. 6)
Labs
3. Flying Pig Lab: Using a battery powered flying pig, find the tension on the string
4. Confirm Newton’s Laws: Create and execute an experiment of your own design
to confirm or deny one of Newton’s three laws
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Center of Mass (Ch. 9)
2. Impulse and Momentum (Ch. 9)
3. Conservation of Linear Momentum, Collisions (Ch. 9)
Labs
5. Momentum Conservation: Create and execute an experiment of your own design
to confirm that momentum is conserved
6 days
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Work and the Work-Energy Theorem (Ch. 7)
2. Power (Ch. 7)
3. Conservative Forces and Potential Energy (Ch. 8)
4. Conservation of Energy (Ch. 8)
Oct 19
To
Oct 27
Labs
6. Bungee Jump Thriller: Design a bungee jump amusement park attraction but be
sure nobody will get hurt!
Unit M5:
Rotational
Kinematics
10 days
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Torque and Rotational Statics (Ch. 10)
2. Rotational Inertia (Ch. 10)
3. Rotational Kinematics (Ch. 11)
4. Rotational Dynamics (Ch. 11)
5. Angular Momentum and Its Conservation (Ch. 11)
Oct 28
To
Nov 17
7 days
Topics (Fundamentals of Physics, 7th Edition Chapters)
1. Kinematics of Simple Harmonic Motion (Ch. 15)
2. Mass on a Spring (Ch. 15)
3. The Pendulum (Ch. 15)
4. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation (Ch. 13)
5. Gravity and Orbits (Ch. 13)
Nov 18
To
Dec 7
Labs
7. Earth’s Mass: With nothing more than a ball, a scale, a string, a meter stick, and
a stopwatch, you will find the mass of the earth
Unit M6:
Oscillations
&
Gravitation