Course title
SCPre-requisite
Placement test required.Course description
2014/2015 AP Physics 1 Syllabus
Instructor: Christine Sapio
Phone: 773-8200 x 6493 (work) 928-308-3934 (cell)
Email: csapio@fusd1.org
Room: 705
Class Time: Four days a week; 6th Period
AP Exam: May 5; 2015; noon
Course Text and Readings:
Physics: Giancoli; 6th Edition - Prentice Hall Publishing Co.
Kahn Academy courses on selected physics topics
Physicsclassroom.com (physics online tutorial)
Course Prerequisites:
A strong foundation in algebra and trigonometry
A willingness to work hard and a positive attitude
Course Description:
AP®Physics 1 is an algebra-based course in mechanics and circuits. Physics topics presented during the course closely follow those outlined by the College Board and also mirrors an introductory level university physics course. AP®Physics 1 is organized around six big ideas that bring together the fundamental science principles and theories of general physics. These big ideas are intended to encourage students to think about physics concepts as interconnected pieces of a puzzle. The solution to the puzzle is how the real world around them actually works. The students will participate in inquiry-based explorations of these topics to gain a more conceptual understanding of these physics concepts. Students will spend less of their time in traditional formula-based learning and more of their effort will be directed to developing critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Assignments are made of various problems in each unit. Students are encouraged to discuss the problems with a peer study group outside of class and in class when time permits. I try to have students present solutions to problems when class discussion is necessary. Labs will consist of exploratory; concept development; and application phases to build student understanding. Lab work will be written up in a formal laboratory notebook that will be kept for the entire year. Various projects will also be utilized to further enhance student’s comprehension. There will be an exam following each unit. The format for the exam will be similar to the format used in the AP Exam – both concept comprehension (multiple choice) and concept application (problems).
Objectives:
We will learn to recognize/develop fundamental physical laws; and use them to understand the world around us. This will involve solving mechanics problems using algebra and trig.
Approach:
AP Physics 1 is the equivalent of taking Physics 111 (algebra-based mechanics) at the university level. It is the companion course to AP Physics 2 (algebra-based electricity; magnetism; fluids; and thermodynamics); which will be offered next year. As such; it is imperative that this course be taught at a rigorous level consistent with students can expect to see at the university. University students are expected to take the time to learn material outside of class; and I expect AP students to do the same.
Each night for homework; you will be expected to read the text; view a Kahn Academy lesson; or other selection from another resource. I will hand out a sheet with the week’s assignments every Monday; and problem assignments will be linked through StudentVue. If you do not have access to the internet at home; my lab is available for your use after school from 2:30-4:00 most days. The school and public libraries are also places for you to get free internet access. Reading the text is important and is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY.
Class time will be devoted to Laboratory work; class discussions; conceptual exercises; and problem solving. Each activity is designed to aid in understanding the material. Class activities will be prepared under the assumption that you have already read the appropriate material to be discussed that day. Therefore; in class I will try to present a brief summary of most of the chapter topics; and spend additional time on conceptually challenging activities and will model appropriate problem solving. Many times you will be asked to apply the concepts learned via problem solving or laboratory activities in class. You will occasionally have homework problems to do on your own but often class time will be dedicated to problem solving practice. This philosophy comes from the “I understood it in class; but struggled when I got home” issue that many students face in a challenging course such as this. Keep in mind; I WILL NOT COVER ALL TOPICS IN LECTURE and you are accountable for all assigned material; including assigned material not discussed in lecture. YOU must read the text; complete all assignments and do the homework to cover all of the material --- I will not spend the entire class reviewing the reading; condensing or regurgitating the text chapters.
Evaluation Methods:
Semester Work: 85% of your final grade
Measurement: 60% (includes laboratory work; quizzes; exams; lab exams)
Performance: 20% (includes in class discussions; presentations; projects; notebook)
Practice: 20% (includes homework; in class problem solving)
Final Exam: 15% of your final grade
Required Materials:
Each AP Physics student is required to provide:
(1) 3 ring or spiral notebook
(1) Quad-ruled composition notebook
(1) Scientific or graphing calculator
Pencils and blue or black ink pens
Each day you are expected to come to class ready to learn and work. Each student will be required to have their own scientific or graphing calculator. Cell phones; ipods or other electronic devices are not permitted to be used as calculators! This is consistent with the calculator policy for the College Board (administrator of the AP Exam).
You will also need a spiral notebook or three ring binder dedicated solely to this class. You will be taking notes in class and on the readings and will have daily opening questions and closing reflections for each day. Though notes may be used on quizzes; they will not be used on exams. Instead; you will be provided with the AP Physics Equation and Reference page for use on all exams. This is consistent with how the AP Exam is administered. Notebooks will be checked on exam days; and points awarded for each of the required sections in your notebook will be put in the performance category; worth 20% of your final grade.
Laboratory:
Labs are all “hands-on” and placed throughout the instructional year. Students will spend at least 25% of class time in laboratory investigations. Labs can be either teacher directed or student directed/open-ended. During a teacher-directed lab; the students are given instruction on the operation of lab equipment and guidance in the process of the experiment. Student-directed labs are when the students are given an objective; e.g. “Determine the acceleration due to gravity on Earth;” and standard materials needed to conduct a lab. Students are allowed to create their own experimental design and collect data; which can be analyzed through graphical methods. These inquiry-based investigations or student-directed labs have an extra element added to the lab report. After these labs; each student group must present their results to the class and defend their results. They will also evaluate one other group's approach to the problem and offer a critique of their procedures and results. Typically lab reports will include the following components:
1. Statement of the problem or question
2. Necessary equipment and how it will be used
3. Labeled diagram of equipment set up
4. Discussion of the procedure; including steps taken to reduce error and assumptions
5. Measurements that will be taken; including symbols
6. Equations used for your calculations using symbols
7. Raw data collected from the experiment
8. Data analysis; including graphical analysis
9. Error analysis discussion; including % uncertainty or % difference
10. Discussion of further investigations that could be conducted
11. Peer review (if included)
The laboratory will play a major portion of your understanding of the course material. It is expected that you will develop concepts and mathematical models in the lab that will be built upon through problem solving and class discussion. All laboratory work will be recorded in a quad-ruled composition notebook using blue or black ink that you will keep for the entire year. Lab notebooks will be collected periodically and graded. Though you will often be working in groups to collect data; your analysis is your own. If you miss a lab you still are responsible for coming in to collect your own data. Labs will typically be worth 20-50 points and contribute to your measurement score; which is 60% of your final grade.
Exams:
Due to the nature of physics; the examinations will all be cumulative; but will stress the material most recently covered. Exams will include both multiple choice and essay questions. Some exams will test your understanding of the concepts and ask you to demonstrate your knowledge in a practical manner by completing a lab. Exams will be scored based on the AP scale; with equal weighting of multiple choice and free response sections. Students will get a score based on the percentages awarded on the AP exam. Typically this works in the student’s favor. Each exam is typically worth 100 points and is a major part of your measurement score; which is 60% of your final grade.
Quizzes:
There will be a short multiple-choice and problem solving quiz given at the start of many class periods. These quizzes will cover the material assigned for homework the previous night. Longer quizzes are unannounced; but roughly weekly; and will act as checkpoints for student understanding as the unit progresses. Quizzes will typically be worth 10-20 points and are a part of your measurement score; which is 60% of your final grade.
Homework:
Problem solving practice is very important; and homework will be given out on a daily basis. Questions from the homework; quizzes; seatwork and labs will appear on the exams. Typically problem solving will happen in class; but occasionally additional practice will be sent home with the student. Late homework will have an automatic penalty of 20% loss of points. Late homework for a unit will not be accepted after the day of the unit exam. Both the students and the instructor will participate in detailed discussion of the homework questions (and solutions) in class. Practice will account for 20% percent of your total grade.
Projects:
Throughout the course we will complete numerous projects that will reinforce the concepts presented in class. These projects are to be completed cooperatively in groups of two to four participants. Projects will be assessed based on performance and student evaluation of the physics involved; often by using video or sensor analysis. Projects will typically be worth 100 points and will be added to your performance score; which is 20% of your final grade.
Guaranteed Maximum Grade Cutoffs:
A 90% and above
B 80% to 89%
C 70% to 79%
D 60% to 69%
F Below 60%
I reserve the right to lower grade cutoffs at the end of the course if this seems appropriate; but I will NOT raise them. This is not curving; you cannot have your letter grade lowered if you meet any grade cutoff unless you do not satisfactorily complete the labs; or if you are caught cheating.
In general I am a strict grader; but I encourage you to challenge (privately or in writing) any grade you are dissatisfied with; and I usually raise challenged grades. When challenging a grade; please attach a brief note to the assignment in question and turn the note and the assignment back in to me. I will never lower your previous grade on any challenged assignment. On any unclear assignment where I am in doubt; I will assign a lower grade and expect you to challenge that grade.
Make-up Work:
If you miss activities with institutional absences or if you encounter other difficulties with the assignments then please sign up for a time to come in and make up the missed work on the calendar posted in the front of the room. Missed class work must be made up within 3 days of the missed class. CHS students have a weekly study hall period on Thursday and are encouraged to make up work during this time.
Class Conduct:
There will be no grade specifically allocated to attendance. However; I will be collecting identified materials in class on a near-daily basis. I will weigh attendance in the cases of students whose grades are close to but below grade cutoffs at semester's end. It is expected that you will attend class every day and will promptly make-up any missed material. You are expected to arrive at class prior to the bell and excessive tardiness will not be accepted. Cell phones and electronic devices are not permitted to be used during class; except on occasions dictated by the instructor (such as using it to time; take video; or do research). When you are in class; I expect to have your undivided attention as we have so much to do and so little time! Electronics will be taken and locked up if they are used appropriately during class. It’s your responsibility to remember to collect your device after class. Excessive offenses will require further disciplinary action as stated by the CHS policies.
Academic Dishonesty:
I take dishonesty as a personal insult and will vigorously apply the heaviest penalties I am permitted to any student caught cheating. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of your activities; ASK.
Course Topics and Schedule
The big ideas for AP® Physics 1 are correlated to the content of the course and to the lab and inquiry-based investigations done throughout the school year. Some anticipated labs and projects are included in the course outline below.
Big Idea 1: Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
Big Idea 2: Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big Idea 3: The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
Big Idea 4: Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
Big Idea 5: Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
Big Idea 6: Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
Because of the extensive amount of material we must master prior to the AP Exam; this course will move at a rapid pace.
“The bus is moving! Fasten your seat belt and get ready for a crazy ride!”
1st Semester
Unit 1 8/11-8/29 Nature of Physics & Kinematics (Chapters 1; 2; 3)
1 dimensional & projectile motion; vector analysis; free fall
Labs: Volume of a Tree; Tumble Buggy Tango; Stunt Drop; Target Shoot; Chase Scenario; Galileo’s Projectile
Unit 2 9/2-9/24 Newton’s Laws (Chapter 4)
Newton’s laws of motion; static equilibrium; dynamic forces
Labs: 1st Law; 2nd Law; 3rd Law; Up and Away; Eval Knieval; Friction
Project: Rocket Car
Unit 3 9/26-10/15 Circular Motion and Universal Gravitation (Chapter 5)
Uniform circular motion and the gravitational forces on objects
Labs: Centripetal Acceleration; Roller Coaster Loop; Flying Pig; Jumping on the Moon; Demon Drop
Unit 4 10/20-11/12 Work and Energy (Chapter 6)
Conservation of energy; mechanical; gravitational; elastic energies
Labs: Roller Coaster; Work on a spring; Energy Storage & Transfer; Spring Constant
Project: Roller Coaster Design
Unit 5 11/14-12/10 Linear Momentum (Chapter 7)
Impulse and momentum theorem; conservation of momentum
Labs: Impulse and Momentum; Collisions; Impulsive Juggling
Project: Crash Test Car
2nd Semester
Unit 6 1/5-1/27 Simple Harmonic Motion (Chapter 11)
Harmonic motion in pendulums; vibrating springs and others
Labs: Pendulum Periods; Model for SHM; Kinematics and Dynamics of SHM; The Pit and the Pendulum
Unit 7 1/28-2/20 Rotational Mechanics (Chapter 8)
Introduce and develop ideas of torque; equilibrium; rotational mechanics and relationships to translation concepts.
Labs: Rotational Dynamics; Angular Momentum; Torque and the Human Arm; Center of Mass
Project: Spinning Top
Unit 8 2/23-3/13 Mechanical Waves and Sound (Chapter 11; 12)
Identify properties of waves and propagation of waves. Explore sound properties as they relate to waves.
Labs: Mechanical Waves; Speed of Sound; Wave Boundaries; Standing Waves; Mathematics of Music
Project: Musical Instrument
Unit 9 3/23-4/3 Electrostatics (Chapters 16; 17)
Concepts of charge; Coulomb’s Law
Labs: Cash or Charge; Coulomb’s Law; Discharge Rate
Unit 10 4/7-4/29 DC Circuits (Chapter 18; 19)
Ohm’s law; resistivity; series and parallel circuits
Labs: Brightness; Ohm’s Law; Resistivity; Series and Parallel; Watt’s Up?
Project: Electric Lemon
Flagstaff Unified School District
Coconino High School
2801 N. Izabel St. • Flagstaff; Arizona 86004 • (928) 773-8200 • fax: (928) 773-8247
________________________________________
To the Parents & Guardians of Advanced Placement Physics Students:
Parental support is one of the most important aspects of student success in any course. I realize that most of my students are taking other advance placement courses and are actively involved in a variety of functions. They are busy; successful young adults completing college level course work thanks to your support and encouragement.
Your student will be taking the Advanced Placement Physics exam given by the College Board on May 6th; 2015. A score of 3; 4; or 5 will possibly earn them college credit. The actual number of credits and their application depend upon the university attended and the score they achieve. Many of today’s universities are using A.P. coursework as a component when evaluating applicants.
During this term I will provide material for your student so they can prepare for the AP Test. I have also included a complete set of ancillary materials for the class and the AP Test. I ask that each student review this material on a regular basis in order to be prepared for the spring exam. Some of the topics covered will be abbreviated due to time constraints and this will allow students the opportunity to reinforce the foundations built in class.
I highly recommend that students avail themselves of this opportunity. Please call me if you have any questions or concerns regarding this class opportunity. Please read the attached syllabus thoroughly so you know what my expectations are for your student this year. Please sign; detach; and have your student return the form below by Wednesday; August 13.
I look forward to the year ahead and the opportunity to work with your student again.
Sincerely;
Christine Sapio
Physics Instructor
Coconino High School
csapio@fusd1.org
773-8200 x 6493 (W) 928-308-3934 (C)
August 2014 AP Physics
My student and I have thoroughly read the AP Physics syllabus and are excited about the opportunity to participate in class this year. We are ready to do what it takes to be successful in class!
Student signature: Parent Signature:
School country
United StatesSchool state
ArizonaSchool city
FlagstaffSchool / district Address
2801 N. IzabelSchool zip code
86004Requested competency code
Lab ScienceDate submitted
Approved
YesApproved competency code
- LPHY
- Physics