AP Physics C – Course Description and Policies
Welcome!
AP Physics C is designed to be equivalent to first year college courses in mechanics and in electricity and magnetism that would typically be taken by students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering. This course is an in-depth study of the fundamental theories and laws of classical physics with emphasis on problem solving skills. Calculus is an integral part of the course. The specific content is determined by the College Board AP Program and due to limited time the topics which appear on the AP test will be emphasized.
Homework, Tests, Lab
Exercises, etc. all give you the opportunity to earn points. Your
grade at any time is the percentage of points you have earned out of the total
possible points. This percentage will be rounded to the nearest whole
number and 5% will be added at the end of the term (
93 – 100 A
85 – 92 B
75 – 84 C
70 – 74 D
0 – 69 F
For each unit of study there will be a rather extensive set of problems and questions. Students are expected to complete each assignment on separate paper in legible handwriting. Each item should be adequately labeled and answers to numerical problems should be circled or boxed following the work that produced that answer. To receive full credit your method of solution must be evident. In most cases this means showing calculations, equations, and/or algebraic operations. Your solution does not have to be correct to get credit as long as you have made a reasonable attempt to work the problem.
Most units of study will end with an exam covering the stated objectives. The format of each unit exam will be as close as possible to that of the AP test both in content and style of questions. This includes a multiple choice section and a free response section. For the free response section, students will be allowed to use the same information and equation sheet that is provided during the AP test and also any standard scientific or graphing calculator except those with “QWERTY” keyboards. The comprehensive final exam is weighted as 25% of your grade.
There will be approximately one lab exercise per week (usually two per unit of study). Reports are graded both for completion and correctness. Students are expected to collect all graded reports in a notebook or portfolio.
Late Work
Assigned work will have a due date. Work should be ready to turn in at the beginning of the class period before the bell. Work turned in after the bell will have 10% deducted. Work received one day late after the due date will have 20% of the possible grade deducted. Work received beyond one day late will have another 10% deducted for each additional school day late -- up to a maximum deduction of 50%. For this purpose the day ends when class begins. If you are absent from school on the due date or the day before, the due date for you will be extended beyond your return to class the number of consecutive days you were absent prior to the original due date.
Making Up Work
You may make-up a test or a lab activity in the case that you have an excused absence from class. If you are present on the day of the test you must take the test unless you have missed the previous 2 or more days in a row. It is your responsibility to see me to arrange for the test or lab to be made up. You have three days upon your return to arrange the make-up. Failure to do so may result in a score of zero on the missed work. Preparing and grading make-up tests is a pain for me. For this reason rescheduling make-ups will be permitted only in extreme cases.
Tardiness
If you are not in your seat when the bell rings you are late to class. If this happens to you, sign the Attendance Log located near the door. Do not interrupt class! If you feel you have a good reason for being late, either see me after class or give me a note from a faculty member. The main reason for the Attendance Log is this: as soon as the bell rings I will take roll; if you are not in your seat when the bell rings I will mark you absent. I hold onto the Attendance Log until the end of the semester and use it to correct your attendance record for the class if necessary. Punishment for repeated tardiness is described in the Farragut High School Attendance Policy (in your school folder). I will try to warn you if you are approaching one of the magic numbers of tardies, however it is your responsibility to keep up with such things.
Cheating
Homework and lab reports are not to be copied! It is fine to work with a partner or partners on such assignments but in the end it should be your own work that is turned in. Labs will often be performed in groups such that each member has the same data but the analyses in the report are always expected to be the work of an individual. Any student caught cheating will be subject to parent notification and permanent school documentation.
Behavior
I expect you to be honest, courteous, tolerant, respectful, and responsible. There is to be no food or drink in the room at any time. Cell phones, iPods, etc. should be turned off and put away – the only electronic device allowed at any time is your calculator.
Getting Help!
I have tried to anticipate most situations and questions in preparing this description. However, I know there will always be some circumstances that are impossible to foresee. Please let me know ASAP if you have some special conditions or problems that may affect your attendance or performance in this class. I am willing to be flexible if the cause is sufficient. Also, don't hesitate to seek me outside of class if you are having difficulties. I care. After all, it is my job to help you learn and that's what it's all about. I hope we have a fun and productive year.
I am available for extra help and tutoring before or after school most days – however, the best times for me are: Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday mornings and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Additional information, calendars, due dates, resources, etc. can be found at two web sites: www.farraguttn.com/science/milligan and farraguths.knoxschools.org. I keep both sites up to date and make regular adjustments and postings. Parent Portal may be used to monitor your grades and I will enter scores in a timely fashion.
The total course amount is $11.00. This figure is separated into two separate accounts described below. These fees have been approved by the Knox County Board of Education. Any students receiving free or reduced price meals may have these fees waived.
Of the $11.00 collected for each student $1.00 is for the physics lab. This covers the cost of materials that are expended in the lab.
Of the $11.00 collected for each student $10.00 is for computers. This money goes into a separate account for maintenance, updates, and supplies for the science department computers and printers that are used by students in various activities.
Each AP exam costs $87 and this will be collected separately from other fees at a date later in the term. Note that there are two separate AP Physics C exams – Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism – which will each cost $87. Material found on the Mechanics exam is covered during the fall term and the material found on the Electricity & Magnetism exam is covered during the spring term. Both exams are given on the same day in mid-May.
Course Resources
Text: Physics - Principles With Applications (5th Edition) by Douglas Giancoli
The following videos may be shown at some point during the course in physics:
Physics Single-Concept Films SKT Ltd., Ztek Co.
Nova: Roller Coaster PBS
Creation of the Universe PBS
Applications of Sinusoidal Waves Films for the Humanities and Sciences
Energy Transformations in an Automobile Ford Motor Company
If you do not approve of a specific resource listed in this syllabus, please make your request to me in writing and an alternative assignment and/or materials will be provided. The request should include your name, the child's name, the specific activity/materials in which you do not want your child to participate or to which you do not want them exposed, and the nature of your objection.
Student Materials
The following materials should be brought to class daily:
q Notebook, paper, and pencil/pen of your choice for taking notes and daily class work (Recommended: 3-ring binder)
q Graph Paper
q Graphing/Scientific Calculator
q Ruler with centimeter scale (Recommend: plastic “see-through” type)
q Protractor
AP Physics C – Course Outline
The course is divided into units of study as listed below. For each unit there will be a 100 pt. test and homework assignment of at least 50 pt. Each unit lasts about two weeks and includes a lab (or labs) and/or other assignments. The course correlates with guidelines from the College Board.
Fall Term – Mechanics
A. Kinematics
Distance, displacement, position, speed, velocity, acceleration relationships
in constant speed and in constant acceleration situations, freefall, graphs of
position, velocity, and acceleration
B. Advanced
Kinematics
Trigonometry review, vector components, vector addition and subtraction,
relative motion, projectile motion, parametric equations, derivatives and antiderivatives
C. Dynamics
Newton's Laws of motion, inertia, mass, weight, force analysis, sliding and
starting friction, air resistance, terminal velocity, inclines, pulleys, method
of sections
D. Circular Motion and
Gravity
Circular motion, centripetal force and acceleration, nonuniform
circular motion,
E.
Work,
Energy, and
Power
Energy forms, potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy, work,
work-energy relationships, conservative and nonconservative
forces, power, machines and efficiency
F.
Linear
Momentum
Center of mass, systems of particles, conservation of momentum, internal and
external force, closed systems, elastic and inelastic collisions, impulse,
rocket motion
G. Rotation
Rotational kinematics and dynamics, torque, moment of inertia, rolling, angular
momentum
H. Equilibrium and
Oscillation
Statics, conditions of equilibrium, stability, simple harmonic motion,
mass-spring systems, simple pendulum, physical pendulum
Spring Term – Electricity & Magnetism
A. Electrostatics
Charges, electric force, Coulomb's Law, electric field properties, charge
distributions
B. Electric Flux and
Potential
Electric flux, Gauss’s Law, electrostatic work and energy, potential,
conductors
C. Current and Circuits
Electric current, drift velocity, resistivity,
resistance, Ohm’s Law, batteries, series and parallel connections, Kirchoff’s Laws, meters
D. Capacitance
Capacitors and capacitance, capacitor design, dielectrics, RC circuits
E.
Magnetostatics
Magnetic fields and poles, magnetic force, current carrying wires and loops,
motor principle, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere’s Law,
solenoids
F.
Induction
and Inductance
Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s Law, generators, Maxwell’s equations, inductors and
inductance, RL circuits, LC circuits