2015-2016
3
AP Physics 1 Syllabus
Courtland High School
Mr. Hurrell
Courtland High School - Physics Teacher
Room: 313
Phone: 540-898-4445 ext. 2313
Email: jhurrell@spotsylvania.k12.va.us
Table of Contents
Course Overview ........................................................................................................................................ 2-3
Prerequisites ............................................................................................................................................. 2
Description ................................................................................................................................................ 2
Required Materials ................................................................................................................................... 3
Grading Policy ............................................................................................................................................... 4
Grading Scale ............................................................................................................................................ 4
Grade Breakdown ..................................................................................................................................... 4
Homework..................................................................................................................................................... 5
Expectations .............................................................................................................................................. 5
Obtaining Help .......................................................................................................................................... 5
Lab Work ....................................................................................................................................................... 6
Lab Notebook ............................................................................................................................................ 6
Expectations ........................................................................................................................................... 6-7
Unit Descriptions...................................................................................................................................... 8-14
1
Course Overview
Prerequisites
An appetite to better understand the scientific world around you will lay the foundation for a great year
in the AP Physics 1 classroom. Algebra, Geometry, and Trigonometry will be the mathematical tool’s
used to support analytical examination of the many observations made by the student throughout the
year. It’s extremely important that the student seek assistance from Mr. Hurrell if they feel
uncomfortable with the required mathematical skills. By appointment, Mr. Hurrell will be available
before and after school for those students seeking to improve their mathematical competences.
Description
AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2, a two-year algebra based AP Physics sequence launched during the 20142015 school year by the College Board, was developed to provide student’s sufficient time to acquire an
unparalleled level of conceptual understanding, by way of a student centric inquiry based learning
experience. AP Physics 1 is the first element of this two year curriculum and will cover all topics found in
the typical first semester college introductory physics course. AP Physics 1 will develop the skills needed
to succeed not only in physics, but in the college classroom where a relentless pursuit of excellence and
a confident understanding of subject matter are a must. Experimentation, at home and in the lab, will
inspire observations that will be supported via physical models that the student will become familiar
with during the year. Topics of study in AP Physics 1 will be:
- Kinematics
- Newton's laws of motion
- Torque
- Rotational motion & angular momentum
- Gravitation & circular motion
- Work, energy, and power
- Linear momentum
- Oscillations, mechanical waves and sound
- DC circuits
Laboratory investigation focused on developing critical thinking and reasoning skills, along with
traditional classroom work (i.e. quizzes & exams), and a regular dose of fun (aka homework), will be the
primary assessment tool used during the year.
2
Required Materials
Item
Textbook
3” 3-ring binder + 7 dividers
1” 3-ring binder + 7 dividers
Lab Notebook
Calculator
Other items
Description
Cutnell & Johnson's Physics: 9th Edition
Large 3-ring binder with 7 sections labeled:
- Class syllabus
- Classroom Discussion & Activities (Not including labs)
- Homework
- Lab Reports
- Quizzes
- Exams
- Completed quizzes from “Quiz Bank”
This binder will contain material for the whole year and will be kept at
home. Mr. Hurrell will ask students to bring this binder in once per
month to check for completeness.
Small 3-ring binder with 7 sections labeled:
- Classroom Discussion & Activities (Not including labs)
- Homework
- Lab Reports
- Quizzes
- Exams
- Completed quizzes from “Quiz Bank”
This binder will contain material for the current unit and will be brought
to class every day. Binder checks will be performed periodically.
9-3/4" x 7-1/2" 100 sheet Composition notebook
Used by student in data collection activities for all “in class” and “at
home” laboratory investigations
One of the following scientific/graphing calculators:
- TI-83, TI-83 Plus, TI-83 Plus Silver
- TI-84 Plus, TI-84 Plus Silver, TI-84 Plus C Silver
- TI-85
- TI-86
- TI-89, TI-89 Titanium
- Several mechanical pencils
- Several erasers
- Several #2 pencils
- Several black pens
- Colored pencil set
- Ruler
Table 1: Required Materials for AP Physics 1
3
Grading Policy
Grading Scale
Grade
Numerical Equivalent
98-100
95-97
90-94
88-89
86-87
84-85
80-83
78-79
76-77
74-75
70-73
68-69
66-67
64-65
60-63
59 and below
A
A
A
B
B
B
B
C
C
C
C
D
D
D
D
F
Weighted GPA
5.50
5.25
5.00
4.75
4.50
4.25
4.00
3.75
3.50
3.25
3.00
2.75
2.50
2.25
2.00
0.0
Table 2: Grading Scale for AP Physics 1
Grade Breakdown
Activity
Homework
% of grade
15
Classwork
10
Labs
30
Quizzes
10
Exams
35
Description
Each homework assignment will be graded by Mr. Hurrell for,
correctness, completeness, and timeliness. Late assignments will be
accepted but the overall grade will be docked 25% for each calendar day
late.
Bell ringers, other classroom activities (excluding labs), and
organizational skills (binder checks) will be assessed by Mr. Hurrell.
Effort and correctness will be the primary concerns for these items.
Laboratories will comprise a significant portion of the students learning
experience. Pre-lab activities, the data collection phase, and the analysis
phase including the associated write-up, will be assessed by Mr. Hurrell.
Quizzes will be comprised of free response questions that closely
resemble questions available to students in the online quiz bank.
Students will be provided with a formula sheet (including appropriate
constants) during the quizzes.
Exams will be comprised of free response and multiple choice questions,
which closely resemble quiz bank questions and the new College Board
AP Physics 1 & 2 test design. Students will be provided with a formula
sheet (including appropriate constants) during the exams.
Table 3: Grading Breakdown for AP Physics 1
4
Homework
Expectations
Homework is the student’s opportunity to exercise concepts covered in the classroom and/or
laboratory. So Mr. Hurrell can effectively assess your understanding of the concepts please show all
work. Homework feedback provided by Mr. Hurrell and student follow-up are critical components of
homework.
On the homework due date (Day after it’s assigned):
- Place completed HW in your classes IN-folder at the beginning of the class period
- Make sure your name is on each piece of paper
- If you have more than one piece of paper staple the pieces together
- Pickup corrected HW from your classes OUT-folder which will be available the day after you turn it in
- Place corrected HW in your binder
Obtaining Help
By appointment, Mr. Hurrell will be available before and after school for any student requiring
assistance with their homework. If prior arrangements are made, Mr. Hurrell will also be available
during his lunch time or planning period.
5
Lab Work
Lab Notebook
Students will record all laboratory investigations in their “Lab Notebook”, a 9-3/4" x 7-1/2" 100 sheet
Composition notebook using a pen. Incorrect entries can be noted as such with an accompanying
reason, but regardless of the reason they will become part of the permanent record. Typical entries in
the Lab Notebook will be:
- Lab Title
- Lab Overview
- Date of laboratory observations
- Laboratory observations (aka data collection)
- Observation notes
Expectations
Laboratory investigations will be used to stimulate student engagement with the physical world in a
team based environment. Experimentation, making initial expectations and arguments, analyzing
observations, problems solving, and presentation of these elements in an organized report, will be some
of the skills exercised and sharpened in the Physics lab. Students will be expected to actively participate
with other team members during all phases of each investigation and team members will be determined
by Mr. Hurrell.
6
A typical lab investigation and report will be comprised of the following elements and the following
rubric will be used to assess student performance:
Element
Contents
Pre-lab Report
Pre-lab
Typically one page long and should contain your thoughts regarding:
investigation
- Physical phenomena that will be investigated
- Everyday instances where the physical phenomena can be observed
(Provide at least three examples)
- Short summary of procedure that will be used in the investigation
- List of Physics models that apply to the investigation
- Expected observations (How close will they be to the physics
models)
Lab Report
Top-level
- Informative title
Information
- Date
- Your Name
- Lab partners names
Lab Overview
- Physical phenomena investigated
- Everyday instances where the physical phenomena can be observed
- Goal of the lab
- Summary of the results of the investigation
Description of
- Step-by-step description of procedure
Procedure
Note: Include sufficient detail so investigation can be repeated by
someone not in the class
o Apparatus used (Include picture if needed)
o Measuring devices used
Data Collection
- List all data collected
and observations
- List any qualitative observations that are used to support
conclusions
Physical models
- List all physical models (aka formulas) used to examine the data
used (Calculations)
- Make sure to include appropriate units
Tabulate and
- Summarize all data collected in the appropriate format(s) (i.e. table,
Graph to present
graph)
data and/or
- Table headers should be properly labeled, including correct units,
findings
and a proper caption included below table
- Graph’s should be properly labeled, including correct units, and a
caption should be included below the graph.
Examine sources
- Discuss sources of error during the data collection phase
of error
(Measuring device errors, apparatus induced errors, etc. …)
- State how the sources of error impacted your results
Conclusion
- Discuss your results and compare your real-world observations to
theoretical physical model’s
- Discuss what you learned and what you might do differently if you
repeated the investigation
Total
7
PTS
10
5
10
15
10
15
10
10
15
100
Unit Descriptions
Unit 1: Introduction to Physics 1 and your math toolbox
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Topics Covered
Physics
o Everyday observations
o Applications, college opportunities, and career paths
o AP Physics 1
Fundamental units
o International System of Units
o English system
o Fundamental conversion factors
o Using units to help construct physical models
Mathematical foundation
o Algebra
o Trigonometry
o Scalars & Vectors
o Significant Figures
o Solving word problems
Questions to ponder
What physical phenomena can be explained using existing physics based models?
What college and careers opportunities make use of physics?
What can I except to learn in AP Physics 1?
What do I want to learn in AP Physics 1?
How can unit analysis (aka dimensional analysis) be used to construct physical models?
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Unit 2: 1-Dimensional and 2-Dimensional Kinematics
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Topics Covered
Motion in 1D
o Kinematic equations
 Position
 Velocity
 Acceleration
o Graphical analysis
Motion in 2D
o Multiple dimensions
o Projectile motion
Frame of reference and relative motion
Questions to ponder
What is the motion model for an object whose acceleration is constant?
How can you graphically depict the motion of an object whose velocity is content?
How can you graphically depict the motion of an object whose acceleration is content?
What is the difference between position and displacement?
What is the difference between velocity and speed, and why is this difference important when
solving kinematic problems?
What information can be gathered from “Velocity vs. Time” and “Position vs. Time” graphs?
What is “free-fall”?
What is the speed of “light”?
Can you travel at the speed of light?
What are the characteristics of the motion of a projectile launched at an angle?
When a ball is tossed vertically upward, what is the difference between the velocity of the ball
at the following points?
o Just before it reaches the top of its trajectory.
o At the instant it reaches the top of its trajectory.
o Just after it reaches the top of its trajectory.
When a ball is tossed vertically upward, what is the difference between the acceleration of the
ball at the following points?
o Just before it reaches the top of its trajectory.
o At the instant it reaches the top of its trajectory.
o Just after it reaches the top of its trajectory.
When swimming across a fast flowing river, how can you ensure that you will land on the bank
directly across from your starting location.
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Unit 3: Forces and Newton’s Laws of Motion
Topics Covered
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Newton’s Laws of Motion
Forces
o Types
o Free-body diagrams
o Static conditions
o Dynamic conditions
Questions to ponder
How can Newton’s laws of motion be used to predict the kinematic behavior of objects?
How do Newton’s laws apply to systems of two or more objects?
Is “cause-and-effect” more closely associated with Newton’s 1st, 2nd or 3rd Law of Motion?
How can Newton’s Laws of Motion and free-body diagrams be used to analyze the physical
interactions between objects?
How can a free-body diagram be used to create a mathematical representation of the forces
acting on an object?
When you stand on a scale you measure your weight. Is the force excreted on the scale your
weight?
Can an object exert a force on itself?
In a tug-of-war contest, how does the force applied to the rope by the losing team compare with
the force applied to the rope by the winning team?
What force causes a bag of groceries to fly forward when you come to an abrupt stop in a car?
What is terminal velocity?
Unit 4: Uniform Circular Motion
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Topics Covered
Description
Centripetal acceleration
Centripetal Forces
Applications (i.e., Banked curves, satellites)
Questions to ponder
What force, or combination of forces, keeps an object in circular motion?
What conditions are necessary for a satellite to obtain a circular orbit around earth?
Why do you stay in your seat on a roller coaster when it goes upside down in a loop?
How does the effect of Earth’s gravitational field on an object change as the object’s distance
from Earth changes?
How can Newton’s second law of motion be related to the universal law of gravitation?
How is the motion of a falling apple similar to that of the moon in orbit around the Earth?
How can the motion of the center of mass of a system be altered?
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Unit 5: Work, Energy, and Power
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Topics Covered
Work done by a force
Energy
o Work-Energy Theorem
o Kinetic energy
o Potential Energy
Conservation of Mechanical Energy
Power
Questions to ponder
If you hold an object while you walk at a constant velocity, are you doing work on the object?
Can work be done in the absence of motion?
What does it mean for energy to be conserved?
How are the different modes of energy storage transformed within a system and transferred
between a system and the environment?
How can energy be represented with graphs and equations?
When lifting a box up to the same height, what method requires more power, lifting it up
quickly or slowly?
Explain how a waterwheel works.
Unit 6: Impulse and Momentum
Topics Covered
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Impulse-Momentum theorem
Conservation of momentum
1D & 2D collisions
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Questions to ponder
How does a force exerted on an object change the object’s momentum?
How can changes in momentum be utilized to determine the forces applied to an object?
What does it mean for momentum to be conserved?
How are Newton’s 2nd and 3rd laws related to momentum?
How can the outcome of a collision be used to characterize a collision as elastic or inelastic?
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Unit 7: Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics
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Topics Covered
Angular displacement & position, angular velocity, and angular acceleration
Equations of Rotational Kinematics
Angular and Tangential quantities
Rolling motion
Torque
Rigid objects in equilibrium
Center of Gravity
Rotational Inertia
Rotational Work and Energy
Angular Momentum
Questions to ponder
How are the rotational quantities (angular position, velocity, and acceleration) related to linear
quantities?
A child is standing at the center of a rotating plate (aka carousel or roundabout) on the
playground. As the child moves to the edge, will the child’s angular speed increase, decrease, or
stay the same?
What are the conditions necessary for two people with significant differences in mass to balance
on a seesaw?
What are the conditions necessary for static equilibrium?
What are the relationships among angular momentum, angular velocity, angular acceleration,
rotational inertia, and torque?
If you are spinning on a barstool that has little friction with your arms stretched out, what
happens when you pull your arms into your chest? Why?
How can the particle model be extended to a rigid-body model of an object?
A ball travels down a hill. Will the ball reach the bottom of the hill faster if it rolls or if it slides
without friction down the hill?
What does it mean for angular momentum to be conserved?
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Unit 8: Simple Harmonic Motion
Topics Covered
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The ideal spring
Simple Harmonic Motion
Pendulums
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Questions to ponder
What properties determine the motion of an object in simple harmonic motion?
How is simple harmonic motion connected to uniform circular motion?
How can oscillatory motion be represented graphically and mathematically?
How is conservation of energy applied in simple harmonic oscillators?
A grandfather clock keeps correct time at sea level. If the clock is taken to the top of a nearby
mountain, would you expect it to keep the correct time?
Unit 9: Waves and Sound
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Topics Covered
The Nature of Waves
Periodic Waves
Speed of waves
The Nature of Sound
Sound characteristics (Speed & Intensity)
The Doppler Effect
Questions to ponder
What exactly is a wave, and what are the various methods for creating one?
What are the relationships between velocity, wavelength, and frequency of a wave?
A guitar string is plucked and a wave travels down the string at a given speed. How can you
double the speed of the string.
How do the relative motions of source and observer determine our perceptions of waves?
Your younger brother asks you to explain why the sound from an Indy race car changes from a
high pitch to a low pitch when the car passes. How do you explain the change?
What happens when two or more waves meet?
How can wave boundary behavior be used to derive and apply relationships for calculating the
characteristic frequencies for standing waves in strings, open pipes, and closed pipes?
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Unit 10: Electric Forces and Electric Fields
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Topics Covered
The Origin of Electricity
Charged Objects and the Electric Force
Questions to ponder
What is lightning, and why is it so dangerous?
What are the fundamental carriers of electrical charge, and how may they be used to charge
objects?
How gravitational force similar to electrical force, and in what ways are these forces different?
How can the charge model be used to explain electric phenomena?
How can the forces between two charges be characterized using Newton’s third law?
Unit 11: DC Circuits
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Topics Covered
Electromotive Force and Current
Ohm’s Law
Resistance
Series and Parallel resistor based circuits
Kirchhoff’s Laws
Measuring current and voltage
Questions to ponder
How are voltage, current, and resistance related in a series circuit?
How are voltage, current, and resistance related in a simple parallel circuit?
How do charges move through a conductor?
How was the conventional direction of electric current determined?
How can phenomena occurring in electric circuits be described by physical quantities such as
potential difference (voltage), electric current, electric resistance, and electric power?
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