Aptos High School, AP Physics B, 2008-2009

Instructor: Mr. Manildi

Great News! You have been selected to take AP Physics B!

AP Physics B is the non-calculus version of a first year college course in physics. People who would take this course in college would be interested in any core science, premedical, biology, biochemistry, or other science related fields. Most science majors will eventually take calculus physics in college and AP Physic B is an excellent foundation for more advanced physics.

Goals: 1. Students will develop a basic knowledge of the discipline of physics and the energy conservation laws through trigonometry based problems, hands on laboratory exercises, and real life examples.

2. Students will develop and practice problem solving skills and scientific inquiry, and will be able to demonstrate their knowledge by asking appropriate questions to obtain answers to physical questions by use of quantitative and qualitative reasoning and experimental investigation.

3. Students will make connections between physics and other disciplines and to relevant social issues. Students will contribute to the Million Word Challenge by reading one approved novel for this class, and understand the relevance of literature to the promotion and continuation of physics.

4. Students will be aware of each of the Schools ESLER’s that is addressed during the course of the school year in physics.

Textbook: Giancoli, Physics, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2005, Sixth Edition.

Course Outline

Semester 1

Unit one Linear Motion

Unit two 2 – D Motion

Unit three Newton’s Laws of Motion

Unit four Gravitation and Circular motion

Unit five Work and Energy

Unit six Linear Momentum and Conservation Laws

Unit seven Simple Harmonic Motion

Unit eight Waves and Sound

Semester 2

Unit nine Electrostatics

Unit ten Electric Circuits

Unit eleven Magnetism and Magnetic Induction

Unit twelve Fluids

Unit thirteen Thermodynamics

Unit fourteen Light and Optics

Unit fifteen Modern Physics

1. Grading Policy

Semester Grade

Each quarter grade is worth 40%

Final Exam 20%

Grades will be updated at the end of each unit and before progress reports.

Grades are based on percentage, not total points.

Tardiness

The school tardy policy will be enforced!

Exams 50%

Exams are a major part of the grade. Exams will be given at the end of a unit, about every two weeks. There will be practice exams and it is expected that you will use the practice exams and homework to study for the real exams. There will be multiple choice questions and free response questions. Exams are graded for correct answer. On the day following the exam students are given a key and will review their answers, and partial credit may be awarded at this time. Students will find that most scores improve and many improve considerably by this process. This gives students the opportunity to show me their knowledge of physics and to learn from their mistakes. Make up exams are not given.

Laboratory work 25%

Labs are an essential part of understanding physics. There will be at least one formal lab write up for each unit, and many short labs and assignments. Students are required to keep a notebook with all laboratory work.

Projects 5%

There will be one project each quarter. Projects are completed at home and brought to class on the day they are due. You will be given clear direction, many ideas, and plenty of time to work on your physics projects.

Quizzes 10%

Quizzes will be given periodically and at least one quiz can be expected midway through each unit. The quiz may be a pop quiz with no prior warning, and can be from an AP exam question, a reading quiz, or a homework quiz. If a quiz is missed there will be an extra credit opportunity to make up the quiz for full credit.

Quiz make-ups: Every Tuesday at the beginning of class there will be a chance to make up Quizzes by presenting to the class a summary of a current newspaper, magazine, or Internet article related to science. The format for presentation will be explained in class.

Homework 10%

Practice problems will be assigned from the text book, worksheets, and from previous AP questions. Homework will be checked for on time completion, and collected at the time of the unit exam.

Late Work is accepted at 50% credit for one week after the due date. Make up work will be accepted ONLY for excused absences and must be turned in within one week of returning to school.

Signature Page!

I agree to…

1. Be on time and prepared for class.

2. Study physics one hour per night six days per week, or enough to get an A, which ever is least.

3. Form a study group and participate in that study group.

4. Do homework over winter break.

I have read and understand the requirements for AP Physics B at Aptos High School

I will take the AP Physics Exam.

Student Name ______________________________________

Student Signature______________________________________

Dear parent or guardian of the student applying to take AP Physics.

AP Physics is a rigorous and fast paced college level course that requires a lot of time and which makes many students feel like they will never understand or pass the AP exam. This may even make them want to drop the course, when in reality they may be doing just fine, and compared to other students at other schools our student may be doing very well. Even though not everyone will get an A, everyone who takes the course and consistently applies themselves can obtain a reasonable understanding of physics and stands a chance to pass the AP Exam at the end of the year. I am asking for your support with encouraging your child to continue and to work extra if he/she is struggling. I also ask that you support them in forming study groups and setting aside time for physics.

I have read the above and I support my son’s/daughter’s decision to take AP Physics.

Signature of Parent or Guardian ________________________________________