2008 -2009 Advanced Placement (A.P.) Physics Course Information
“Built on the Rock"
Instructor Information
Mr. Eric Pankow
Phone: 414-461-6000 ext 252 (Voice Mail)
Home Phone: 414-466-2992
Email:
Office Hours (in this room) 3rd and 8th hour
Available almost every day before (7:30-8 AM) and after school (3:00-3:45)
Texts
Fundamentals of Physics by Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, 2001
Course Materials Needed
- Pencils
- Scientific Calculator (every day)
- Highlighter
- Large binder (2-3”) with sections dividers
- Loose-leaf Paper
(DO NOT store your papers in your book…it breaks the binding and you will pay)
Grading
Your Semester grade will be determined in 6 ways:
1. Graded Homework (20 %). You will be given assignments well in advance (check the back board or the school website for due dates). They will be handed in to be graded. Points will be given for attempting the problems and for a correct solution.
2. Quiz Average (15 %). Quizzes will be scheduled about once a week. They will be on the homework and notes for the past week.
3. Lab Reports (20 %). This is a Lab class. We will do about one lab per 2 weeks. You are expected to do a complete lab write up (like a research paper) after the data is collected. Pay attention to lab due dates. You will be able to correct and fix all mistakes after they are due. They have no value 10 days after they are due (fixes included)
4. Computer Quizzes (5 %) You will be expected to do 5 computer quizzes at a time. The CD is site licensed to your home. Score 85 for credit, 95 for EC. The quizzes are 5 points each, -1 point for each day late.
5. Tests (30 %). These tests will be given at the end of each unit. Retesting is generally not available, as this is an honors level course.
6. Final Exam (10 %). It is taken from actual AP questions and will be graded on an AP Scale. Second semester the final exam is a practice test given about 2 weeks before the exam. It can count for 50 % of your semester 2 grade if it helps your grade (only for those taking the exam). For those not taking the actual A.P. exam, the day of the exam they will receive an old A.P. exam counting as 50 % of their semester 2 grade. If you take the actual A.P. exam in May and pass (with a 3), your Semester 2 grade will be an A.
Grading Scale (for all items in the class)
A 100-95 A- 94-92 B+ 91-89 B 88-86 B- 85-83 C+ 82-80 C 79-77 C- 76-74 D+ 73-71
D 70-68 D- 67-65
Grading Dates to Note:
Semester 1 Semester 2
6 weeks: End Oct 10, Reports Oct 15 End Feb 27, Reports March 4
12 weeks: End Nov 26, Reports Dec 3 End Apr 17, Reports Apr 22
Finals January 14-16 May 27-29
Rules
There are 5 rules in physics:
1.) Treat others with dignity and respect (So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to
you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets. Matthew 7:12)
I talk, you listen. You talk, I listen. I bring concerns to you privately, you do the same for me and
others. Confront others before you complain to me.
2.) Love Others as you love yourself. (The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself." Galatians 5:14)
Take care of your book and the equipment for future classes. Value and protect other student’s
chance to learn.
3.) Follow Policies and Procedures (Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted
among men. 1 Peter 2:13)
SCHOOL RULES ARE NOT NEGOTIABLE!
No Food in here unless I provide it.
Passes only for emergency (BR or PHONE) or because I need you to go (LOCKER or Next Class).
Dress Code: Emphasis this year on – Tucked in
- Too tight
- Too short
- Too low
No cell phones, cameras, or beepers ever out or on! I will take them.
Wear your ID at all times.
PURSES MUST ALWAYS BE ON THE FLOOR!
Cheating is NOT TOLERATED:
What is cheating in here?
Working on HW together?
Studying Together?
Copying HW?
Working on Labs together?
Doing Physics Quizzes Together?
Working on Computer Quizzes Together?
Asking or sharing test questions or answers?
Wondering eyes during a test?
4.) Be on time and attend every day. (The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self- controlled so that you can pray.1 Peter 4:7)
TARDY: Both feet must be in the door before the tone. I accept no excuses except passes. I keep
close track of tardiness.
ABSENCE: Besides extended absence, you are expected to complete the work you missed in a
prompt fashion. (HW - ready when you return, LAB - less than a week, QUIZ - less than
a week, Test – make arrangements with me). If not…….Academic Citation!
PLANNED ABSENCE: (field trips, sports releases, vacations, student council) You are expected
to show me HW before you go and make arrangements before on how you will make up
labs or quizzes. A failure to plan ahead may result in a 0 for those assignments.
5.) Perform to the best of your ability (Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the
Lord, not for men Colossians 3:23)
ACADEMIC CITATION: 2nd missed HW assignment per 6 weeks.
1 week late on lab or quiz.
CALL/EMAIL HOME: 3rd missed HW assignment per 6 weeks.
2 weeks late on lab or quiz.
ACADEMIC REFERRAL: 4th missed HW assignment per 6 weeks.
3 weeks late on lab or quiz.
Emergency Procedures
FIRE: Know where the fire extinguisher is. Exit quietly out the wood shop/maintenance hallway. Be an example!
MEDICAL: Interrupt me or head right for the bathroom (I’ll come check on you).
TORNADO (or HURRICANE): Don’t panic (A vortex is cool physics), listen for announcements, quietly head to the school’s “safe” area (the math wing).
My needs as a teacher:
Your full attention when I teach.
Support from you to try new things.
A safe learning environment for all my students.
Your participation.
You to accept me as a sinner and forgive me when I may offend you.
To share my faith with you.
Things I like as a teacher:
Learning that occurs without me talking.
Groups that work well together.
Students who want to be successful.
Meeting and talking with parents.
Students with integrity.
Students who ask for help before they give up.
Students who admit mistakes and try to change.
Positive action in the classroom.
Things I dislike as a teacher:
When students don’t take home progress reports.
When students are unprepared on a regular basis.
When students test the edge of the rule (dress code, tardy)
When students exclude others (cliques)
Behavior Modification Cues:
Level 1: The eye, proximity, or the pause.
Level 2: Whispered instruction.
Level 3: Stay after class.
Level 4: Call home.
Level 5 Mr. Gnan
Certain behaviors can send you right to level 5.
Example: Topics using Trig, Same topics using Calculus.
3 Goals for this Class:
1. Glorify God by putting out our best effort.
2. Learn Physics at a complex level.
3. Pass the AP exam.
Sunburst Lab/Field Trip: The research done at the park will be part of your semester 2 grade. The trip will cost about $20 (including the bus). The date is TBA.
Check with your colleges to see what scores they will accept, and what credit they will give you.
AP Physics Movie night: We will schedule it after homecoming. 7-9 PM…… a great bonding experience!
College Recommendations and references:
Feel free to use my name as a reference from this time on with my permission, anytime or
anywhere.
If you want a recommendation for college, write a note with your name, the school, what they
want, and special things about you I might not know (school and church activities, awards, …..)
HW Assignment #1:
Read the advice from last year’s class and find 10 things to focus on in A.P. Physics to be successful.
Advice from Last Year’s class:
1.
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10.
AP Physics C Course Syllabus
Course Description:
This course is a yearlong course that is equivalent to a first semester college course in Physics. The course goal is to prepare the students for the A.P. Physics C exam, which is given in the middle of May. The course follows the recommendations and syllabus for that examination, and students passing the exam at a score of 3 or higher may receive college credit. This course requires the knowledge and use of the basic concepts of calculus called differentiation and integration. A prerequisite of the course is that the student has taken or is taking concurrently the Calculus AB or BC course. The student also must have completed a yearlong Physics course before beginning this course of study. This is a laboratory science. In a typical 15-day unit, 3 days will be dedicated to lab work (either in 3 separate labs or 1 giant lab with a pre and post lab).
Textbook:
Each Student will be issued and is expected to return in good condition a copy of Fundamentals of Physics, 6th edition, by Halliday/Resnick/Walker, 2001, John Wiley & Sons.
Course Outcomes:
After the completion of this course all students will:
A.) Develop Critical Thinking Skills. Many of the problems given in the class have multiple solution techniques. Your ability to think through challenging problems will be developed and tested.
B.) Learn to work individually and in groups. You will often work hands on with Lab equipment. You will also be asked to present solutions in class or to evaluate the solutions others have used by yourself and in consultation with peers.
C.) Show the ability to use Scientific Inquiry to solve lab problems and discover concepts. There will often be open-ended laboratory work where you will determine the equipment used and how measurements are taken to answer a question.
D.) Use differential and integral calculus as a solution tool in all areas of Physics that will be studied.
Course Evaluation:
Your grade for each semester will be determined as follows:
Tests (every 6 weeks) 30 %
Homework (graded for quality and completeness) 20 %
Labs 20 %
Quizzes 15 %
Computer "Physics Quizzes" 5 %
Final Exam 10 %
Notebook:
All students are required to have a 3-inch ring binder to contain all their work. Sections in the binder should include notes, lab reports, homework, evaluations, and A.P. suggestions and practice problems.
Lab Work:
Your table small groups will often complete lab work, but each of you must write your own unique lab report. You will be posed a problem to solve in the lab setting and you will be provided a variety of equipment to use. You will have to develop and propose a scientifically sound solution technique to the problem, perform the experiment, and evaluate sources of possible error. You are expected to write up the complete lab like a research paper, including all parts of the Scientific method. Your labs will be evaluated and you will be able to correct all mistakes up to the deadlines given by the instructor. Final copies of the lab work must be kept in your binder and will be put into a portfolio for you to take with you after the course is completed as evidence of the lab work you completed.
Course Schedule, Topics, and Lab List:
Weeks 1 to 3:
Topic: Introduction, Measurement, Review of basic Mechanics concepts from last year
Labs: Various methods to find the value of g – open ended student directed procedures
Diluting Gravity 1 – Students find g by using an air track at an angle and a motion
sensor
Weeks 4 to 6:
Topic: Graphing Techniques and Calculus Applications
Labs: Spring Constant Lab – Hooke’s Law – Students use the F vs. x graph to find k
and Work done by the spring. They also write an F(x) function and take
the derivative and integral to find spring constant and Work done.
Egg Bungee – Students use graphing techniques to extrapolate the stretch of a
set of rubber bands
Displacement, Velocity and Acceleration – Students show the relationships
between graphs and the derivative and integral relationships between
the functions.
TEST at 6 weeks
Weeks 7 to 9:
Topic: One and two dimensional Kinematics.
Labs: Rocket Lab - Air powered rockets are shot at angles and data is used to find
range and initial speeds. They examine the derivative and integral
relationship between x, v, and a in two dimensions.
Diluting Gravity 2 – Students examine the freefall of a sphere using a motion
detector
Weeks 10 to 12:
Topic: Newton's Laws of Motion
Labs: Static Forces Lab – Students examine tensions in hanging object using a
computer force probe.
Friction Lab - Finding mu Lab. Students find the Static and Kinetic mu by tilting a
board with an object on it.
F=ma Lab – Students try and verify the equation using a Computer Force Probe
and a motion sensor on an air track glider.
Coffee filters and Air Resistance – Students examine freefall with air resistance
and write functions.
TEST at 12 weeks
Weeks 13-16:
Topic: Work and Energy
Labs: Roller Coaster Lab 1– Students examine the speeds of a cart down an incline
(measured in intervals by photo-gates)
Human Power Lab – Students will calculate work and Power while walking and
running up a stairway.
Ballistic Pendulum 1 – Students shoot a projectile off a table and use Kinematics
and Energy to find the known spring constant.
Swing and Cut Lab – Students swing a pendulum at an angle to the vertical and
find the speed at the cut of the string by energy and kinematics (flies
horizontally off a table)
Atwoods Machine Lab – A computerized pulley is used to examine the
accelerations and tensions from 2 different masses hung over a pulley.
Week 17:
Topic: Semester 1 Review
Week 18 - Final Exam - Semester 1
Field Trip Lab – The Physics of Snow tubing – Students collect data to find the coefficient of
friction and use Energy and timings at intervals on the hill to determine speeds
and accelerations.
Weeks 19 to 21:
Topic: Momentum and Collisions
Labs: Ballistic Pendulum 2 – Students shoot a projectile into a pendulum and use
collisions and energy to verify the spring constant they dealt with in
Ballistic Pendulum 1
2-d collisions – Students roll a ball down an incline and examine the 2-d collision
it has with another ball at the bottom of the hill (using kinematic
equations)
Air Track Collisions Lab – Students examine the data from 2 gliders of varying
mass colliding on on airtrack – Computer force and motion probes are
used.
Weeks 22-24:
Topic: Rotation
Labs: Turning Point – a pendulum is “cut shorter” during its swing and students
examine the height it swings to.
Whirligig – Students swing an object horizontally and examine centripetal forces
and accelerations.
Rolling Objects Lab – Students use moment of inertia and energy to predict
linear speeds of shapes at the bottom of a long incline. Actual speeds
are measured by motion sensors.
TEST at 24 weeks
Weeks 25-27:
Topic: Simple Harmonic Motion
Labs: Spring and mass Oscillations Lab – A computer motion sensor is used to
help students examine Simple Harmonic Motion of a spring and
determine factors that affect the period.
Pendulum Oscillations Lab – A computer motion sensor is used to
help students examine Simple Harmonic Motion of a pendulum and
determine factors that affect the period.
Weeks 28-30:
Topic: Gravitation
Labs: Kepler’s Laws - Students will use a software lab model to collect data on Kepler’s
2nd and 3rd Law and use Calculus to show the connection between the
Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum and Kepler’s 2nd Law.
Roller Coaster Lab 2– Students examine the g forces of a ball rolling
down an incline and through a loop
TEST at 30 weeks
Weeks 31-34:
Topic: Review and A.P. Practice Tests and Problems
A.P. Exam in Week 35