AP Physics 1 Summer Instructions 2014-2015
Welcome to AP Physics 1, these instructions will guide you so that you are prepared on the first day of
class. Please read the entire instructions before beginning your summer assignment.
Supplies you need for the class:
-Graph Paper composition notebook (1/sem)
-A four-color pen, or four different color pens
-Scientific calculator
-An Apple, yes the fruit (for the first day of
school)
*Be warned, get your notebook early, last year staples ran out and
did not get more notebooks till mid-September!!
Here are a few things you need to know about AP Physics 1 in general:
1. Physics is not just “plugging in numbers.” AP Physics focuses more on concepts than just plugging
number into the right formula. You may have heard that this exam is replacing the AP Physics B
exam. Based on the information that has been released this exam is VERY different from the old
AP Physics B exams. Specifically the AP B exam focused on using the correct equations to solve for
an answer. There is almost NO solving of physics equations for a specific answer, rather you have
to solve the equation AND THEN use you solution to explain the situation rather than just getting a
numbered answer.
2. There are a lot of good websites out there (physics classroom, AP Central, etc.) but there are also a
lot of BAD websites (Khan Academy). I highly recommend that you focus on the material in class
and don’t try to copy answers or ‘learn’ from the Internet.
3. You will have online homework (Quest from UT Austin), which you should already have an
account for from Chemistry. You will use the same account for my class. I will provide you
instructions for registering on the first day of school.
4. I recommend you wait to buy a review book until I have had a chance to look at the books and
identify one worth buying. There are very few AP Physics 1 books published at this time. I DO
NOT recommend buying an AP Physics B review book and trying to use that. The practice
problems are VERY different in AP B than what you will see on the AP 1 test.
Summer Math Assignment:
Due the first day of class, worth 100 points. Physics and AP Physics in particular requires a proficiency in
algebra, trigonometry, and geometry. In addition to the science concepts, physics often seems like a
course in applied mathematics. The following assignment includes mathematical problems that are
considered routine in AP Physics. This includes knowing several key metric system conversion factors
and how to utilize them and understanding vectors.
At first glance these problems may appear overwhelming. Be sure to start early on the packet and pace
yourself. It will take 2-5 hours total. Do NOT wait until the night before school starts to begin the
assignment. If you do a few problems each week, next year will be SO much easier for you, since you will
not have had time to forget everything you learned.
1. You must show all your work. You must show every step, even if it’s all in the calculator, simply
write down what numbers you put into the calculator. This is required for the AP Exam and on
class tests.
2. These problems include practice is dimensional analysis, metric conversions, volume, density,
area, and trig. These skills are required throughout the year. Dimensional analysis is simply
that… analysis of dimensions, or setting up units to cancel and seeing what you end up with.
Metric prefixes can easily be found on the Internet; however, you are expected to know them
anyway. If you don’t remember your formulas for volume, rules for trig or how to graph I
recommend you look at your old math notes or do a Google search on the Internet; otherwise, be
sure to attend the summer review session. These are skills you should already have mastered
before beginning the class, if you need help you must get it at the summer review session or from
a tutor of your choice over the summer. Once again, working through these problems a few at a
time will keep you from feeling overloaded.
Summer Reading Assignment:
Also due on the first day of class and worth 100 points. There are links at the top of the assignment to
articles/activities that you need to read then answer the follow up questions on the worksheet. Some of
the questions ask you for your opinion while others ask you to reflect on the author’s meaning. Please be
specific with your answers and cite sections of the articles that explain and justify your opinion/answer.
The lessons you work through in class will mimic the scientific process more closely than any other
science class you have ever taken. I highly recommend you take to heart what you read and recognize
that in real science laboratories scientists do not always know what to expect from an experiment and
they often don’t get what they expect. You should open you mind and realize this class with be focused on
not simply knowing the scientific method but actually using as the primary method of learning physics.
Summer Review Session:
I will have a review session in my classroom on Tuesday July 22nd from 10:00 am to 2:00pm. It will NOT
be an official session with me giving lecture notes. It will be more like a tutoring time where I will answer
any questions you have on the summer assignment. If 10 or more people show up I will order pizza for
lunch.
I hope you have a wonderful summer! Send me an email if you have any questions.
(mmeijer@cnusd.k12.ca.us)
Ms. Meijer