AP Physics B

Syllabus 4
Course Overview
The school day consists primarily of eight 43-minute periods. Science classes meet six periods a week. One of these periods backs up to the regular class time, allowing time for a two-period lab. [C7] Texts Physics by Giancoli, 3rd edition; UPCOs Review of Physics (United Publishing Company Inc., Albany, N.Y.) The review book is often changed among different publishers versions between one year and the next. It provides a review of New York State Regentslevel material that follows the basic AP Physics B content. I use it during the year as simple base-level material that is enhanced to the AP level by the textbook.
C7The course includes a laboratory component comparable to collegelevel physics laboratories, with a minimum of 12 student-conducted laboratory investigations representing a variety of topics covered in the course. A hands-on laboratory component is required. Each student should complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Note: Online course providers utilizing virtual labs (simulations rather than hands-on) should submit their laboratory materials for the audit. If these lab materials are determined to develop the skills and learning objectives of hands-on labs, then courses that use these labs may receive authorization to use the AP designation. Online science courses authorized to use the AP designation will be posted on the AP Central website. C1Newtonian mechanics

Course Outline
The following is a course content outline with a suggested timeline. The percentages are those listed in the AP Physics Course Description for coverage on the AP Exam. Chapters relate to our textbook. Any review for the AP Exam takes place in the ninth period (after school). Review generally consists of AP Released Exams. Review problems are assigned over February and April breaks and review classes start in March. I. Mechanics (1/2 year) [C1] A. Kinematics ......................................................................................................11% 1. Motion in one dimensionChapter 2 2. Motion in two dimensions a) Projectile motionChapter 3 b) Uniform circular motionChapter 5 c) Torque and Rotational staticsChapter 8 d) Angular momentum and its conservationChapter 9 B. Newtons Laws of MotionChapters 4 and 9 ........................................... 9% 1. Static equilibriumFirst law 2. Dynamics of a single particleSecond law 3. Systems of two or more bodiesThird law C. Work, energy, and powerChapter 6 ......................................................... 5% 1. Work and the workenergy theorem 2. Conservative forces and potential energy 3. Conservation of energy 4. Power

D. Systems of particles, linear momentumChapter 7 ................................ 4% 1. Impulse and momentum 2. Conservation of linear momentum, collisions E. Oscillations and gravitationChapter 11 .................................................. 6% 1. Simple harmonic motion 2. Mass on a spring 3. Pendulum and other oscillations 4. Newtons law of gravity 5. Keplers laws II. Fluid Mechanics, Heat, Kinetic Theory, and Thermodynamics (1 weeks)
[C2] C2Fluid mechanics and thermal physics

A. Fluid mechanicsChapter 10 1. Fluid statics a) Pressure and density b) Variation of pressure with depth c) Pascals principle d) Archimedes principle (buoyancy) 2. Fluid dynamics a) Continuity equation b) Bernoullis equation c) Applications B. Temperature and heatChapter 14............................................................. 3% 1. Mechanical equivalent of heat 2. Specific and latent heat 3. Heat transfer and thermal expansion C. Kinetic theory and thermodynamics .......................................................... 7% 1. Ideal gasesChapter 13 a) Kinetic model b) Ideal gas law 2. Laws of thermodynamicsChapter 15 a) First law (pV diagrams) b) Second law (heat engines)

III. Electricity and Magnetism (4 weeks) [C3] A. ElectrostaticsChapter 16........................................................................... 5% 1. Charge, field, and potential 2. Coulombs law and point charge field and potential B. Conductors and capacitorsChapter 17 .................................................... 4% 1. Electrostatics with conductors 2. Capacitorsparallel plates C. Electric circuits ............................................................................................... 7% 1. Current, resistance, powerChapter 18 2. Direct current circuitsChapter 19 D. MagnetostaticsChapter 20 ........................................................................ 4% 1. Forces on moving charges in magnetic fields 2. Forces on current-carrying wires in magnetic fields 3. Fields of long current-carrying wires E. Electromagnetic induction and wavesChapters 21 and 22 .................. 5% IV. Waves and Optics (3 weeks) [C4] A. Wave motion (sound and physical optics) ................................................ 10% 1. Properties of traveling and standing wavesChapter 11 2. Doppler effectChapter 12 3. Superposition 4. Interference and diffractionChapter 24 5. Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrumChapters 22 and 24 B. Geometric opticsChapter 23..................................................................... 5% 1. Reflection and refraction 2. Mirrors 3. Lenses V. Modern Physics (2 weeks) A. Atomic physics and quantum effects [C5]Chapter 27 ....................... 10% 1. Alpha particle scattering and Rutherford model 2. Photons and the photoelectric effect 3. Bohr model 4. Wave particle duality B. Nuclear physics [C5]Chapter 30 ............................................................... 5% 1. Radioactivity and half-life 2. Nuclear reactions 3. Mass and energy effects

C3Electricity and magnetism

C4Waves and optics

C5Atomic and nuclear physics

Laboratory
Our labs are placed throughout the instructional year. An attempt is made to do them when they fit best in the curriculum. We do use TI 83s and CBL (CalculatorBased Laboratory) materials in the lab program, but most of the labs are still done without computers or TI 83s. Labs begin with the presentation of a question or problem. For example, Given some lenses, a diffraction grating, and meter sticks, how can one determine the wavelength of a laser pointer? Students are led in a guided discussion to formulate a hypothesis to answer the question or solve the problem. They are then presented with an assortment of equipment and supplies and asked to design and carry out an experiment to test their hypothesis. They make observations, collect data, manipulate the data (if necessary) and then form conclusions. [C6] Each experiment requires a written report, kept in an organized lab notebook. The following is a list of our labs, most of which we will do during the school year before the AP Exam. [C7]

C6The course utilizes guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical thinking skills.

General Labs
1. Measurement of Length Objectives: To use the Vernier and the micrometer calipers and read their scales. Explain how the number of significant figures in a measured value depends on the least count of the measured instrument. Velocity and Acceleration 2. Bulldozer Objective: Analysis of the measurements of position and time of a toy car to calculate its velocity. 3. Graphing Your Motion Objective: To use a motion detector to replicate the motion given in a teachergenerated worksheet. 4. What Goes Up Must Come Down Objective: Determination of the acceleration due to gravity. Projectile Motion 5. Shoot for Your Grade Objective: Determination of muzzle velocity of a dart gun and calculation of the range.

C7The course includes a laboratory component comparable to collegelevel physics laboratories, with a minimum of 12 student-conducted laboratory investigations representing a variety of topics covered in the course. A hands-on laboratory component is required. Each student should complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Note: Online course providers utilizing virtual labs (simulations rather than hands-on) should submit their laboratory materials for the audit. If these lab materials are determined to develop the skills and learning objectives of hands-on labs, then courses that use these labs may receive authorization to use the AP designation. Online science courses authorized to use the AP designation will be posted on the AP Central website.

Newtons Laws and Vectors 6. Newtons Second Law Objective: Graphical analysis of the variation of acceleration and force for different masses. 7. Addition of Force Vectors Objective: Experimental, graphical, and analytical addition of force vectors. 8. Coefficient of Friction Objective: Determination of static and kinetic coefficients of friction for various materials. Work, Momentum, and Energy, Circular Motion 9. Conservation of Momentum in Explosions Objective: Analysis of the explosion of a dynamics cart system to determine if momentum is conserved. 10. Work and the Inclined Plane Objective: Design two methods to determine the work due to nonconservative forces using an inclined plane. 11. Conservation of PE and KE Objective: Verify the conservation of mechanical energy using a modified Atwoods machine. 12. Conservation of Momentum and EnergyCollision in 2D Objective: Vector conservation of momentum in two-dimensional collisions on the air table. 13. Centripetal Force Objective: Relationship between the period, mass, speed, and radius of an object in uniform circular motion. Forces, Simple Harmonic Motion 14. Torque Objective: Determination of an unknown mass using translational and rotational equilibrium.

15. Hookes Law Objective: Analysis of the spring constants of several springs. 16. Simple Pendulum Objective: Investigation of the dependence of the period on the mass, length, angle, and determination of the acceleration due to gravity. 17. Keplers Laws Virtual Lab (http://www.astro.utoronto.ca/~zhu/ast210/kepler.html) Objective: Use of a simulation to analyze Keplers laws of planetary motion. Electricity and Magnetism 18. Static Electricity Objective: Discovery activity to understand how attraction and repulsion between charged objects occurs. 19. Part I. Ohms Law Part II. Series and Parallel Circuits Objectives: Measurement of the relationship between voltage, current and resistance, dependence of resistance on length and cross-sectional area, series and parallel combinations of resistances. 20. Magnetic Fields Around Magnets Objectives: Tracing of magnetic fields produced by various magnets. 21. Electromagnetic Induction Objectives: Determination of the induced emf in a coil as a measure of the magnetic field from an alternating current in a long straight wire. Waves and Optics 22. Wave Properties Objectives: Relationship among wave variables using a ripple tank. 23. The Speed of Sound Objectives: Determination of the speed of sound using a tuning fork and a column of water.

24. Part I. Law of Reflection Part II. Snells Law Objectives: Analysis of reflection and determination of the index of refraction of a material. 25. Part I. Images formed by Curved Mirrors Part II. Convex and Concave Lenses Objectives: Experimental, geometrical, and analytical determination of the formation of images. 26. Wavelength of Light Objectives: Measurement of the wavelength of a laser beam using a diffraction grating.

Classes
Classes that do not involve labs generally consist of problem review, a 20-minute lecture (often with demonstrations), and real-life applications. The remaining time is used by students to start their new assignment, which usually involves the application of critical thinking skills in order to solve problems associated with the lecture/demonstration. Students are allowed to pair up and help each other. [C6] This gives the instructor time to help students individually.
C6The course utilizes guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical thinking skills.

Problem Assignments
Problems given to students come from the textbook, review book, AP Released Exams, and worksheets designed by the instructor. An orderly problem-solving process is stressed to enable students to find solutions to all problems they may encounter. This process is covered every time the instructor reviews a problem. Real-life, problem-based learning assignments are also given.

Evaluation
Students are tested at the end of every unit with some quizzes given in between. Tests consist of Regents exam multiple-choice questions for part one and AP freeresponse questions for part two. Students are allowed to use AP reference tables and calculators. The only cumulative exams given are the AP Physics B Exam and the Regents exam. Laboratory and homework scores are combined with the test/quiz grades to give an overall grade for the course.