Syllabus for AP Physics C Mechanics
Academic Year: 2008-2009
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
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
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. The student will be prepared for both 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. You have two
options available to you. Purchase
either one or the other but not both.
1. Volume 1 only: ISBN 0-7167-0809-4
2. 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. 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.
C.
The test
average is the numerical average of the tests taken during the marking period.
D.
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.
E.
Final course
grades will be assigned based on the arithmetic average of the four numerical
quarter averages and the final exam. The
same scale stated in item A above will determine the letter grade for the
course.
VI. 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.
VII. Absence
A.
If you are
absent for one day only, you will be expected to take tests and turn
assignments in immediately upon your return.
If you are absent for more than one day, you may receive an
extension. If you desire an extension,
you must request it immediately upon your return to school.
B.
Students
should attempt to keep up with the assigned work whenever they are absent from
class. Schedules and assignments are
posted on Mr. J. Michael Johnson’s web page to aid you in keeping up.
VIII. 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 will
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, with the exception of students who are
suspended from school, must make special arrangements to make up the test. 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. Students
who miss a test because they are suspended from school will receive a failing
grade for the test.
E.
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 receive a failing
grade for the test. Exceptions to this
policy are possible but extremely unlikely.
IX. 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.
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. 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 a failing grade.
X. 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. Data, graphs and calculations will be turned
in separately. The grade will reflect
accuracy of calculations and results as well as care taken in presentation
(organization and neatness). Due dates
will be included on schedules which are periodically handed out.
E. 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.
F. Students who are absent on the day of a lab must make
arrangements to stay after school in order to perform the experiment. Failure to perform the experiment will result
in a 2 letter grade deduction taken from the lab report.
G.
Failure to
conform to lab procedures could result in disciplinary action or expulsion from
the lab. Students who are expelled from
the lab are allowed to submit a lab report, but will receive a 2 letter grade
deduction as they have failed to perform the experiment.
H.
Late penalties
for labs will be the same as late penalties for hard copy homework (see Section
IX, D above).
XI. 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). This policy will be enforced for all
submitted assignments.