Advanced Placement Physics 1 20034210

Leon High School Mr. Aley 2015-16

Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level

physics course that explores topics such as Newtonian mechanics (including rotational
motion), work, energy, and power; mechanical waves and sound, and introductory
simple circuits.
Both problem solving skills and concept understanding will be addressed
throughout the course. Student progress and assessment will be determined through text
assignments, teacher generated worksheets, laboratory work, and varied-form tests for
each unit. Laboratory work will correlate with current topics and will involve both
traditional and inquiry based activities.

Text

Serway, Raymond A. College Physics. Pacific Grove, CA: Thomson-Brooks/Cole,

2006. (Replacement cost $106)

Additional Resource

"Physics Tutorial." Physics Tutorial. N.p., n.d. Web.

Serway, Raymond A., and Jerry S. Faughn. Holt Physics. Orlando: Holt, Rinehart and
Winston, 2009. Print.

Syllabus

Mechanics
1) Kinematics
a. One dimension
i. Manipulate four kinematics equations to solve for unknown
variables (i.e. displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time).
ii. Determine unknown variables (i.e. displacement, velocity,
acceleration, and time) from graphical representations of motion.
b. Two dimension
i. Manipulate four kinematics equations to solve for unknown
variables (i.e. displacement, velocity, acceleration, and time) of
projectiles.
ii. Apply vector addition in solving for displacement, velocity and
acceleration.
2) Dynamics
a. Apply laws of motion in analyzing the motion of a particle.
i. Analyze the motion of an object with uniform linear motion.
ii. Relate the forces acting on an object on an incline to the objects
motion.
iii. Include frictional forces in an object’s motion.
iv. Determine motion of a system of masses and pulleys.
b. Express the forces acting on an object through free-body diagrams.
c. Apply Hooke’s law in analyzing the motion of an oscillating spring.
 3) Energy
a. Work
i. Determine the work done in moving an object.
1. Calculate work done from force applied and displacement.
2. Graphically analyze work done from a graph of work vs.
displacement.
b. Energy
i. Calculate Kinetic Energy
ii. Calculate Gravitational Potential Energy
c. Work-Energy
i. Apply the work-energy theorem in analyzing a system.
d. Law of Conservation of Energy
i. Apply conservation principles to systems
1. General
2. Pendulum motion
3. Spring oscillations
e. Power
i. Calculate power
4) Momentum
a. Define and calculate impulse
b. Define and calculate momentum
c. Apply Impulse-Momentum theorem
d. Law of Conservation of Momentum
i. Apply Law of Conservation of Momentum to describe collisions.
ii. Identify collisions as elastic or inelastic.
5) Rotation/Gravity/Simple Harmonic Motion
a. Uniform Circular Motion
i. Calculate centripetal acceleration.
ii. Calculate centripetal force.
iii. Represent with vectors the velocity, acceleration, and force of an
object undergoing uniform circular motion.
b. Gravity
i. Apply the Universal Law of Gravitation.
ii. Describe orbital motion quantitatively.
iii. Apply Kepler’s Laws of Planetary Motion.
c. Simple Harmonic Motion
i. Define and identify simple harmonic oscillation
ii. Analyze simple pendulum motion.
iii. Apply energy and momentum relationships to simple harmonic
oscillators
Waves
6) Waves
a. Identify the main characteristics of waves
b. Analyze wave characteristic using the wave equation
c. Describe reflection of waves
d. Analyze standing waves
i. Identify nodes and anti-nodes
7) Sound
a. Relate basic wave characteristics to sound
b. Apply standing wave characteristics to identify resonance in open and
closed pipes.
c. Apply the Doppler Effect to sound.
 Electricity
8) Electrostatics
a. Identify the source of electric charge.
i. Relate to basic atomic model
b. Describe the characteristics of electric charge.
i. Apply the law of electrostatics
ii. Differentiate between induction and conduction
c. Determine the electrostatic force between multiple charged particles.
9) Electric Field
a. Determine the electric field surrounding a point charge.
b. Represent the electric field surrounding a single point charge and multiple
point charges.
c. Identify equipotential lines in an electric field
d. Charged particle
i. Determine the electric potential of a charged particle in an electric
field.
ii. Determine the force and resulting motion of a charged particle in
an electric field.
10) Current/Resistance
a. Define current, resistance, and voltage.
b. Apply Ohm’s law for a current carrying wire.
c. Resistors
i. Relate resistance to physical characteristics
ii. Determine heat produced in a resistor
11) DC Circuits
a. Series and parallel circuit analysis
i. Determine EMF
ii. Apply Ohm’s law
iii. Apply Kirchoff’s law.
iv. Meters
A) Effect of introduction.
B) Proper application

Laboratory
Students are required to complete and submit individual laboratory reports.
Advance Placement Physics 1 laboratories will be a mix of traditional directed
laboratory activities in addition to inquiry based laboratory activities.
Grading
Quarter grades for AP Physics will be determined from a variety of activities.
Activities will be weighted and will include the following:

10 % Laboratory/activity assignments – In class hands-on investigations of

current and relevant topics. Laboratory
work will correlate with current topics and
will involve both traditional and inquiry
based activities.
10 % Topic related assignments – In class and homework assignments that
support the current topic. Due to the analytical
nature of physics assignments are checked for
accuracy and scored accordingly.
80 % Assessment – Unit tests and practice exams to gauge your progress.
 It is required that class work, homework, laboratories, and tests be submitted for grading on
time. Credit will not be given for assignments that have already been graded and returned to the
class. Credit will not be given for assignments missed because of an unexcused absence.
Assignments missed due to an absence can always be made up in accordance with the
guidelines in the student handbook and will be accepted for full credit. It is expected that missed
laboratories will be made up either before or after school. All make-up work for a unit must be
completed prior to taking the unit test.
Students are expected to maintain academic integrity at all times. Academic integrity violations
can include plagiarism, cheating, and unauthorized group work on any assignment, project, or test.
Students with academic integrity issues will be subject to the following:
 Parent/guardian notification.
 The student will receive an F with zero credit on the assignment, project, or test.
 The citizenship grade will be lowered for the current grading period.
 A notice will be recorded with the guidance department.
 Any occurrence of academic dishonesty may be reported on college admissions
applications by the guidance department.
 For students involved in extracurricular activities additional notification will be
made to the club sponsor or coach.
Grades will be posted on line and updated periodically through the school web site. Any
discrepancy with the posted grade must be addressed immediately either before or after school.
Grades are submitted to the office twice per quarter. Any discrepancy in the quarter grade or
semester exam grade must be addressed within a week of grade distribution. No changes will be
made in quarter grades or semester exam grades after this time.
Letter grades will be assigned in accordance with Florida Department of Education
guidelines:

Percent Letter
90 – 100 A
80 – 89 B
70 – 79 C
60 – 69 D
0 – 59 F

I look forward to a productive and enjoyable year in physics. Please do not hesitate to
contact me with any concerns. While I am unable to take phone calls during instructional time
e-mail messages will be addressed either by e-mail or phone as time permits. I can be reached
by phone after school (1:50 pm) and may be free to talk at that time.

Mark Aley
617-5700
aleym@leonschools.net

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