Welcome to AP Physics, a math-intensive science class
aimed at preparing you for the College Board test at the end of the
year. Most of the math used in this class will stem from topics covered
in Algebra 1, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus. It is recommended that you
complete Pre-Calculus or take it concurrently with AP Physics.
Since the emphasis of this class is on the exam at the
end of the year, most of your grade will depend on your performance
on chapter/topic tests. Grades will be weighted as follows:
60% Tests
20% Labs
20% Homework/quizzes
You can expect to spend several hours a week working on
Physics outside of class-time. The class is designed to be 1 and ½
periods, which will meet during EB (beginning at 7:25) and 1st period
this year.
The following table shows the topics covered by the AP
Physics exam, and the corresponding chapters in the book we will be
using.
% |
Topics |
Chapters |
35% |
Newtonian Mechanics |
7 |
Kinematics: vectors, coordinate systems, displacement, velocity,
acceleration, motion in 1D and 2D |
1, 2, 3 |
9 |
Newton’s Laws of Motion
includes centripetal and friction |
4 |
5 |
Work, Energy, Power |
6 |
4 |
Systems of Particles: linear momentum, impulse and momentum, and
conservation of momentum |
7 |
4 |
Circular Motion and Rotation: uniform circular motion, and rotational
statics |
5, 8 |
6 |
Oscillations and Gravitation: SHM, mass on spring, pendulum, Newton’s
Law of Gravitation, Orbits |
5, 11 |
15% |
Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
|
| 6 |
Fluid Mechanics: hydrostatic pressure, buoyancy, fluid flow continuity,
Bernoulli |
|
2 |
Temperature and Heat: mech equiv of heat, specific and latent
heat (including calorimetry), heat transfer and thermal expansion
|
13, 14 |
7 |
Kinetic Theory and Thermodynamics: ideal gases (kinetic model,
kinetic law), Laws of Thermo (1st including processes on pV diagrams,
2nd including heat engines) |
13, 15 |
25% |
Electricity and Magnetism |
5 |
Electrostatics: charges, fields, potential, Coulomb’s law,
potentials of point charges, planar fields and potentials |
16 |
4 |
Conductors, Capacitors, Dielectrics: electrostatics with conductors,
parallel plate capacitors |
17 |
7 |
Electric Circuits: current, resistance, power, direct current
with batteries and resistors, capacitors in circuits |
18, 19 |
4 |
Magnetic Fields: forces on moving charges in magnetic fields,
forces on current carrying wire in magnetic fields, fields of long
current carrying wires |
20 |
5 |
Electromagnetism: EM induction (Faraday & Lenz) |
21 |
15% |
Waves and Optics |
5 |
Wave Motion: properties of traveling and standing waves, doppler
effect, superposition (including sound waves) |
11, 12 |
5 |
Physical Optics: interference and diffraction, dispersion and
EM spectrum |
22, 24 |
5 |
Geometric Optics: reflection and refraction, mirrors and lenses
|
23 |
10% |
Atomic and Nuclear Physics |
7 |
Atomic Physics and Quantum Effects: photons, photoelectric effect,
atomic energy levels, wave-particle duality |
27, 28 |
3 |
Nuclear Physics: nuclear reactions (including conservation of
mass number and charge), mass-energy equivalence |
30, 31 |
The AP test is scheduled for May 12, 2008 during the afternoon
session.
We will attempt to leave the last few weeks before the
exam for review. During this time you will take 2 or 3 old AP Physics
tests (each one has 2 parts that are 90 minutes long), which may require
you to give up part of a few lunch periods this year.
If you need additional help during the year, don’t
hesitate to come ask me questions. You can usually find me in room 129
or in the science office. I am also pretty good about checking my e-mail,
even from home: fays@zbths.org
|
