Brookwood High School
HIGH SCHOOL COURSE SYLLABUS
COURSE TITLE .....AP Physics B
TEACHERS............Joe Cox, Dan Miller, David Nelson
Email Address
Teacher Support
(Help sessions etc.)
TERM .........................Fall, 2013
ROOMS .......................A205, A216, A212
joe_cox@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
david_nelson@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
dan_miller@gwinnett.k12.ga.us
Before School Every Day 7:00-7:25, After School and Guided Study by Appointment
COURSE DESCRIPTION This first-year college course is a rigorous approach to an in-depth study of matter
in motion. Emphasis is placed on mechanics, sounds, light, electricity, magnetism, and modern physics. The
objectives for this course follow the College Board syllabus, preparing students for the optional Advanced
Placement exam.
ADDITION DETAILS REGARDING THE COURSE:
Like all AP classes this class will be taught at an accelerated rate that will require a tremendous amount of
self-discipline. Successful students will find it necessary to dedicate an average of one hour of homework time
each night to this class alone. AP Physics B is a laboratory based physics class. The corresponding college class
typically meets for one hour, three times a week for lecture and once for three hours each week for lab, in addition
to optional tutorial sessions with a graduate assistant. It would be impossible for students in high school to learn
at this level using only the time allotted within the school day. For this reason students will be required to spend
some time before and after school to complete some assignments. In addition, in the spring of the year there will
be AP Exam Review Sessions, which all students are expected to attend.
Many students will find this class to be among the most difficult in their high school career, but it also
offers rewards that few other classes can match. Many universities will award students, depending on their major,
up to eight credit hours for this class. This represents 27% of the course load of a typical college freshman. The
only other AP classes in which a student can be awarded this many hours of credit are AP Chemistry and AP
Biology. In addition to possibility of earning college credit, all students will benefit from the academic rigors of
this class. The best indicator of future college success is the completion of a challenging high school curriculum.
But perhaps the largest benefit to be gained from this class is an appreciation and knowledge of how physics lends
order to the world around us. It is this order that has led the way in fields such as transportation, computing,
architecture, communications, and countless other fields that make our lives easier.
COURSE CURRICULUM CONTENT
See Attached Outline for topics and estimated testing dates
INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIALS AND SUPPLIES
Published Materials
Walker, J.S. (2007). Physics 3rd ed.
Publisher: Benjamin Cummings
ISBN-13: 978-0136138969
Instructional Supplies
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A two inch three ring binder with divisions for notes,
practice problems, and labs.
Pencil (I strongly discourage working problems in pen.)
Blue or black pen
A Scientific Calculator
Some assignments will require internet access. If you do
not have home internet access, access is available both
before and after school. In addition, most public libraries
have internet access.
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 1 of 8
EVALUATION AND GRADING
Assignments
Classwork
Homework
Quizzes
Unit Tests
Performance Exam
MC Final Exam
Grade Weights
Tests
Quizzes
Labs
Homework
Final
45%
15%
15%
5%
20%
A:
B:
C:
D:
F:
Grading Scale
90 and above
80 – 89
74 – 79
70 – 73
69 or below
OTHER INFORMATION
Lab Portfolio:
The last lab grade of each semester will be for a
portfolio showing all your labwork. While group
lab reports may be turned in during the semester,
each group member must have their own
completed lab for the portfolio. Your portfolio is
important to you because it provides evidence that
you completed a lab based physics course. Such
evidence is sometimes required before a college
will grant credit for the course.
Instructional Strategies:
The instructor will utilize a variety of instructional
strategies designed to maximize learning. “Sit and
get lectures” will not occur in the class. All
students are required to actively participate. This
requires you to come to class prepared. In this
class we will discuss physics. Discussions will
occur between students and between the students
and the instructor. Discussions go nowhere when
you are not prepared.
Homework:
There will be 5 to10 unannounced homework
checks during the course of the semester. I believe
in helping students that try to help themselves.
Students that have over a 70 homework average
will have their lowest test grade dropped.
I believe you learn best by doing and explaining.
For that reason, much of our time will be spent
performing laboratory investigations which are
designed to let you discover concepts or apply the
knowledge of physics that you already have. All
investigations will be collaborative in nature, but
there will be individual accountability through
utilization of lab quizzes. You are also encouraged
to work together on your problem sets and practice
tests. Two or three minds really are better than
one.
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 2 of 8
Attendance/Makeup Policy:
While students may makeup work for excused
absences, it is impossible to makeup the
instruction that was missed. It is for this reason
that good attendance is necessary for success in
school. Upon returning to school students have a
maximum of five days to arrange to makeup
assignments. I reserve the right to give alternative
assignments for makeup work so long as they are
weighted the same as the original assignment.
Classroom Rules and Expectations:
1. "Learning is our priority." This simple
statement should guide your actions.
2. Give your best effort.
3. When you experience difficulties ask for
help. The only bad question is the one that
is never asked.
4. Students suspected of playing games on
graphing calculators in class will be
restricted from using a graphing calculator
in class for the remainder of the year. They
will be allowed to use a non-graphing
scientific calculator.
Academic Honesty:
Cheating is defined as giving or receiving any
form of information related to a graded
assignment. Cheating by students is considered
inexcusable conduct and will be dealt with strictly.
Do your own work. Do not copy from another
student or give another student your work. A zero
will be given to each student for the assignment(s)
involved, I will contact the parents, and the
students involved will be referred to the
administration.
Important Dates:
Saturday, January 4, 2014, 9:00AM - 2:00 PM
Thermodynamics Instructional Day
Monday, April 28, 2014, 5:00 - 8:00 PM –
Thermodynamics Review for AP Exam
AP Practice Exam – Counts as Final (20% of
Second Semester Grade)
Must attend either
Friday, May 2, 2014, 2:30 - 6:00 OR
Saturday, May 3, 2014 2:00-5:30
The syllabus may be updated as needed throughout the semester.
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 3 of 8
I. Newtonian Mechanics
A. Kinematics
1. Motion in one dimension
2. Vectors
3. Motion in two dimensions including projectile
motion
B. Forces
1. Newton’s Three Laws
2. Friction
3. Inclines
C. Circular Motion
1. Centripetal Acceleration and Force
2. Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
3. Static Equilibrium
a. Translation Equilibrium – Newton’s
First Law
b. Rotational Equilibrium – Torque
D. Work, Energy, and Power
1. Work and the Work-Energy Theorem
2. Conservative Forces and Potential Energy
3. Conservation of Energy
4. Power
5. Harmonic Motion
E. Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
1. Impulse Momentum Theorem
2. Conservation of Linear Momentum
Percent
of Exam
35%
7%
Chapters/Sections/Labs
Projected Test Date
Chapter 1, 2, 3
Uniform Motion Lab
Acceleration of Gravity Lab
Projectile Lab
September 6, 2013
9%
Chapter 4
2nd Law Lab
Force Table Lab
Incline Lab
Chapter 5; Chapter 9.1-9.3
Torque Lab
October 4, 2013
5%
Chapter 6
Ch. 10.1-10.4
Conservation of Energy Lab
Determine Spring Constant of a Simple
Harmonic Oscillator Lab
November 21, 2013
4%
Chapter 7
Conservation of Momentum Lab
Ballistic Pendulum Lab
7%
October 25, 2013
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 4 of 8
II. Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
A. Fluid Mechanics
1. Hydrostatic Pressure
2. Buoyancy
3. Fluid Flow Continuity
4. Bernoulli’s Equation
B. Thermal Physics
1. Linear Expansion
2. Volume Expansion
3. Heat and Internal Energy
4. Convection, Conduction, Radiation
5. Gas Laws
6. Kinetic Theory of Gases
7. The First Law of Thermodynamics
8. Thermal Processes
9. The Second Law of Thermodynamics
10. Heat Engines and Carnot’s Principle
II. Waves and Optics
A. Waves and Sound
1. Wave Nomenclature
2. Sound
3. The Doppler Effect
4. Interference
5. Diffraction
6. Beats
7. Standing Waves and Resonance
15%
6%
Chapter 11 except for 11.1
December 13, 2013
Bouyancy Lab
9%
Chapter 12.1-12.6
January 13, 2014
Chapter 13.1-13.3
Chapter 14.1-14.3
Chapter 15 all
15%
5%
Chapter 16.1-16.3
January 27, 2014
Chapter 16.5-16.6
Chapter 16.9
Chapter 17.1-17.6
Pendulum Lab
Speed of Sound Lab
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 5 of 8
B. Reflection, Refraction, and Optics
1. Reflection of Light
2. Refraction of Light
3. Snell’s Law
4. Total Internal Reflection
5. Dispersion
6. Image Formation (ray diagrams and
mirror/lens math)
a. plane mirrors
b. curved mirrors and lenses
7. Aberrations
8. Multiple Lens/Mirror Systems
C. Electromagnetic Waves and the Wave Nature of
Light
1. Electromagnetic Spectrum
2. Speed of Light
3. Polarization
4. Thin film interference
5. Diffraction and Interference of Light
a. single-slit
b. double-slit and diffraction
gratings
III. Electricity and Magnetism
A. Electrostatics
1. Atomic Structure
2. Methods of Transferring Charge
3. Coulomb’s Law
4. Electric Field
5. Potential Energy
6. Potential Difference
7. Electron Volt
8. Capacitors and Dielectrics
5%
Chapter 25.2-25.7
February 10, 2014
Chapter 26.1-26.9
Speed of Light in Glass Lab
Thin Lens Lab
5%
Chapter 24.1-24.3
February 24, 2014
Chapter 24.6
Chapter 27.1-27.3
Chapter 27.5-27.7
Diffraction Lab
25%
9%
Chapter 18.1-18.8
March 14, 2014
Chapter 19.1-19.5
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 6 of 8
B. Electric Current
1. Electromotive Force and Current
2. Resistance and Ohm’s Law
3. Power and Energy
4. Series, Parallel, Combined Circuits
5. Kirchhoff’s Laws
6. Capacitors in Series and Parallel
7. RC Circuits
C. Magnetic Forces and Electromagnetic Induction
1. Magnetic Fields
2. Force on a Charged Particle
3. Force on a Current in a Field
4. Induced EMF and Current
5. Magnetic Flux
6. Faraday’s Law
7. Lenz’s Law
IV. Nuclear, Modern and Atomic Physics
A. Nuclear Physics
1. Isotopes
2. Fission Reactions
3. Fusion Reactions
4. Binding Energy
5. Radiation
7%
Chapter 20.1-20.4
March 28, 2014
Chapter 20.6-20.13
Series Lab
Parallel Lab
9%
Chapter 21.1-21.3
April 18, 2014
Chapter 21.5
Chapter 22.1-22.5
10%
3%
Fundamentals of Nuclear Physics Website
Independent Study
April 1-22
Test April 28, 2014
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 7 of 8
B. Particles, Waves and Atomic Physics
1. Wave Particle Duality
2. Blackbody Radiation
3. Photoelectric Effect
4. Momentum and Wavelength of a Photon
5. De Broglie Wavelength
6. Atomic Models
7. Energy Transitions within the Atom
7%
Chapter 29.1-29.5
April 28, 2014
Chapter 30.1-30.5
Photoelectric Effect Labs
http://www.lewport.wnyric.org/mgagnon
/photoelectric Effect/photoelectriceffect1.htm
http://physics.ham.muohio.edu/peffect98/
Review for AP Exam
AP EXAM
April 29 - May 9,
2014
May 12, 2014
AP Physics B Course Syllabus – Page 8 of 8