AP Physics C: Mechanics (547-1) Information
Period: B3
Syllabus for AP Physics-C: Mechanics
Course #547
Academic Year: 2010-2011
Instructor:
Mr. J. Michael Johnson
Voice Mail:
654-2495 (x240)
e-mail:
jmjohnso@salesianum.org
I. Course Description
A. AP Physics-C: Mechanics is a calculus-based
entry-level course in college physics (particle mechanics).
B. Topics include those specified by the College
Board
1)
Kinematics
a)
One Dimensional
b)
Two Dimensional
2)
Forces and Dynamics
a)
b)
Applications
of
3)
Work and
Energy
a)
Work-Energy
Theorem
b)
Power
c)
Conservation
of Energy
4)
Linear
Momentum
a)
Conservation
of Linear Momentum
b)
Center-of-Mass
Reference Frame
5)
Rotational
Motion
a)
Rotational
Kinematics
b)
Rotational
Dynamics
c)
Conservation
of Angular Momentum
6)
Other
Topics
a)
Gravitation
b)
Static
Equilibrium
c)
Simple
Harmonic Motion
II.
Course Objectives
A. Students will undergo an in-depth study of
introductory college-level physics limited to the discipline of classical
mechanics.
B. Students will learn to apply calculus in the
solution of problems in classical mechanics.
C. Laboratory work and classroom discussion are the
basis for the development of the major physical concepts that are studied.
D. The student will be prepared for the
Mechanics section of the AP Physics C exam.
III. Classroom procedures
A.
You are expected
to be in your seat ready to work when the bell rings at the beginning of
class.
B.
Bring all
required materials to class with you each day.
C.
If you need
to see me about any particular concern that you may have (e.g. obtaining extra help, signing a trip form,
etc.) please approach me at a time does not interfere with classroom
activities.
IV. Required materials
A.
Textbook: Physics
for Scientists and Engineers Fifth
edition, by P. A. Tipler. Standard
Version: ISBN 0-7167-8339-8
B.
Pencils (at least
two number 2 pencils should be brought to class each day)
C.
Calculator
D.
You may be
requested to bring other materials to class during the year as they are needed.
V. Sources of Information about this Course
A.
Mr. Johnson’s
Webpage contains teacher contact information and policies.
B.
Moodle
contains schedules, due dates, Powerpoint presentations and class handouts.
C.
Net Classroom
contains grades and comments about student progress as appropriate.
VI. Grading policy
A.
Letter grades
for each quarter will be based on your numerical quarter grade (rounded to the
nearest whole number), according to the scale published in the Student
Handbook. That scale is as follows:
A+ is not
assigned A = 93
– 100
B+ = 89 – 92 B = 85
– 88
C+ = 81 – 84 C = 77
– 80
D+ = 73 – 76 D = 70
– 72
F = 0 – 69
B.
Quarter
grades will be calculated based on grades earned from tests and written
assignments. The test average counts as
65% and the written assignment average counts as 35% of the quarter grade.
1. The test average is the numerical average of the tests
taken during the marking period.
2. The written assignment average is calculated as 100
times the total points earned on written assignments (homework and labs) divided
by the total possible points for these assignments.
C.
The final
assessment consists of a Web Assign assignment and a written exam. The written
exam is given in class after AP Exams in May.
No one is exempt from the final assessment.
D.
Your course grade
is calculated as the arithmetic average of your four numerical quarter grades
and your final assessment grade. The
course letter grade will be assigned according to the grading scale in part A above with the following
exception. (Exception: If the arithmetic
average of your four numerical quarter grades and final exam grade is less than
70 but greater than or equal to 65 you will receive a course grade of 'D'
provided you received passing grades for at least 3 of the 4 quarter grades.)
VII. AP Physics
Exam
A.
School policy
states that all students enrolled in AP Courses must take the AP exam. In accordance with this, all students must
take the AP Physics-C: Mechanics Exam given in May.
VIII. Absence
A.
All assigned
work, must be turned in regardless of whether you are absent on the day that it
is assigned or due. Failure to turn in
an assignment will result in a grade of M
(missing) for that assignment. A grade
of M counts as a zero.
B.
If you are
absent for one day only, you are expected to turn any written (hard copy)
assignments in immediately upon your return and submit Web Assign work by the
posted due date. If you are absent for
more than one day, you may receive an extension. Any extensions must be requested by you
immediately upon your return.
C.
Students are
expected to make a serious effort to keep up with the assigned work whenever
they are absent from class. Schedules
and assignment due dates are posted on Moodle and Web Assign to aid you in
keeping up.
IX. Tests
A.
Tests will be
given periodically as indicated on the schedule. Usually three tests are given per quarter.
B.
Tests will be
based on the homework and lab assignments made for the material covered since
the previous test. Knowledge of physics,
however, is cumulative so students are expected to remember concepts learned in
previous chapters.
C.
Tests usually
consist of general knowledge questions and/or problems, some of which have
multiple parts. When solving these
problems you must show your work as you are being graded on your methods and
accuracy. Calculators will be permitted.
D.
Any student
absent from school on the day of a test, must take the test immediately upon
his return to class unless special arrangements to make up the test have
already been made. Students are
encouraged to email the teacher in order to make special arrangements if they
desire to do so.
E.
Students who
know that they will be absent for a test prior to the day of the test should
inform the teacher of their expected absence from the test before the test is
given so that arrangements for a make up test can be made.
F.
Any student,
who is in school but not in class on the day of a test and, as a result, misses
the test without the prior approval of the teacher, will be allowed to make up
the test but will receive a two letter grade penalty. Exceptions to this policy are possible but
extremely unlikely.
X. Homework
A. Students are expected to understand how to solve all assigned written homework problems. The tests will contain problems similar to the assigned written homework.
B. Two types of homework assignments will be made. These are Web Assign and Hard Copy.
C. Students must submit Web Assign homework to the Web Assign website on or before the due date. Due dates will be included on schedules which are periodically handed out. No late homework will be accepted in Web Assign unless the student has arranged for an extension and such extension has been granted by the teacher.
D. Students must submit hard copy (written homework) on or before the due date. This homework will be graded based on accuracy and presentation of the work so students must show their work carefully and completely. Due dates will be included on schedules which are periodically handed out. The following late penalties will be assessed for hard copy unless an extension has been granted:
1 day late: one full letter grade
2 days late: two full letter grades
Hard copy assignments that are late by 3 or more days will be accepted but will receive no more than 50% credit.
XI. Labs
A.
It is important
that you come to class prepared and ready to work on lab days so that
all work can be finished before the end of the period.
B.
You are to
work with your assigned lab partner(s) at your assigned table. Wandering and socializing are not permitted
and could result in expulsion from the lab (see F below).
C.
Spend your
time wisely in the lab. When you are
finished obtaining data, clean up and begin working on your lab report.
D.
Each student
must submit his own lab report.
Discussion sections of lab reports will be turned in to turnitin.com. Hard copy of data, graphs, calculations and
discussion sections will be turned in at the beginning of the period on the due
date. Due dates will be included on
schedules which are periodically handed out.
E.
The grade
will reflect accuracy of data, calculations, and results as well as care taken
in presentation (organization and neatness).
F.
Even though students often work in lab groups in order
to perform experiments and gather data, the written assignments that each
student submits must be uniquely his own work.
While data may be the same, students must perform their own calculations
and formulate their own discussions and conclusions.
G.
Students who
are absent on the day of a lab are still responsible for obtaining data and submitting
a lab report.
H.
Failure to
conform to lab procedures could result in disciplinary action or expulsion from
the lab.
I.
Late
penalties for labs will be the same as late penalties for hard copy homework
(see Section X, D above).
XII. Some advice
A. Plan on doing about an hour of homework each night, including weekends and days that AP Physics C does not meet. Repeated practice is the key to mastery. Since AP Physics C is a college level course, you can expect more homework than usual. You should anticipate 6-8 hours of homework per week.
B.
Do not fall
behind in your work. It will make your
job more difficult.
C.
If you are
having trouble with a particular concept, see Mr. Johnson early for extra help.
D.
Keep in mind
that “Academic Integrity is the expectation
of every Salesianum Student. Any student
who jeopardizes this by plagiarism, cheating, or taking another’s work will
receive a zero for the assignment in question...” (Salesianum Student
Handbook, pg. 7-8). This policy will be
enforced for all submitted assignments.