AP PHYSICS 1 & AP PHYSICS C AP PHYSICS MR. MOEHNKE MERRILL F. WEST HIGH SCHOOL 2017-2018 COURSE SYLLABUS AP Physics is the high school equivalent of a first-year college or university physics course. There are two levels of AP Physics: AP Physics 1, which is a Pre-Calculus-based college physics course; and AP Physics C, which is a Calculus-based college physics course for science & engineering majors. Both levels of AP Physics are year-long high school courses that are equivalent to the first semester of a college physics course. Both courses cover Mechanics, at different levels. AP Physics 1 also covers Waves and Electric Circuits. GOALS Describe physical events, using verbal, mathematical, and graphical representations and models. Analyze physical events: describe the model to be used, including simplifying assumptions; state the physics principles that apply; specify the relevant limitations; carry out and describe the analysis steps; and interpret the results including special cases. Use mathematical reasoning, including arithmetic, algebra, geometry, & trigonometry (& calculus for Physics C). Perform physics lab experiments: ask questions, design experiments, conduct experiments, collect data, analyze data, and interpret results (including experimental uncertainties). UNITS 1: Linear Kinematics: describing motion along a line 2: Planar Kinematics: describing motion in 2 dimensions 3: Dynamics: explaining motion using forces 4: Energy: explaining motion using energy 5: Momentum: explaining motion using momentum 6: Rotation: describing and explaining rotational motion 7: Gravitation: describing and explaining orbital motion 8: Simple Harmonic Motion & Waves: describing and explaining periodic motion & waves 9: Electricity & Review: C Review, 1 Electric Charge & Circuits THE AP PHYSICS EXAM This course prepares you for the AP Physics C: Mechanics or AP Physics 1 Exam. Passing the exam can earn you 1 semester of college credit in Physics. Taking the AP Exam is optional it does not affect your grade in this course.
The Physics C Exam has two sections: a 35-question multiple-choice section and a 3- question free-response section (word problems where you show your work). The Physics 1 Exam has two sections: a 50-question multiple-select section (multiple choice where you can select more than one answer, and more than one answer may be right) and a 5- question free-response section (word problems and short essay questions). On both exams, each section is 50% of the total exam score, calculators are permitted, and reference sheets with common physics equations are provided. The fee for each AP Exam is about $93. The Physics 1 test date is Tuesday, May 8, 2018. The Physics C: Mechanics exam test date is Monday, May 14, 2018. RESOURCES Get a graphing calculator and bring it with you daily. We use a college textbook. Physics C uses Halliday/Resnick/Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 8 th ed. Physics 1 uses Wilson/Buffa/Lou, Physics, 7 th ed. Keep your text at home for homework and studying. We will not need the text in class. Our course web site has unit schedules and our AP Exam Hall of Fame at https://www.tracy.k12.ca.us/sites/whs/whssea/web/apphysics.html. The Physics C textbook has a companion web site with simulations and interactive learning tutorials. There is a link to it on our course web site. WebAssign o WebAssign is an online learning system at https://www.webassign.net/login.html. We will use WebAssign for homework and problem sets. o To log in, use your username & password given to you by Mr. Moehnke. Our institution name is mfwest.ca. o From your WebAssign home page, choose an assignment, enter your answers, and click "Submit" at the bottom of the page. WebAssign grades your answers immediately and shows you which were right and which were wrong. You usually get two chances to change your wrong answers and resubmit them. Be sure to ask for help before you do! You only get credit for right answers. o WebAssign problems are customized for each student no two students have the same answers. Share strategies, not answers! o You can review your assignments any time after the due date, under "Past Assignments", to compare your answers to the correct answers and to review.
Remind o Remind is a free, safe, private communication network for schools. It is accessible by text messaging, smart phone app, and over the web. We will use Remind for communication outside of school you can use it to send messages to Mr. Moehnke to get help, and Mr. Moehnke can use it to send out announcements. o You need to sign up to use Remind. To sign up, text @whsapphys to 81010 and follow the instructions. Or go online to remind.com/join/whsapphys. Or download the Remind app from Google Play or Apple. Our class ID is @whsapphys. o You can send messages by using Remind s web site, remind.com, by using the Remind app, or by sending a text message to 81010 starting with @whsapphys:. GRADING Your grade is calculated based on how many points you earn compared to the points possible in each category. Categories are then weighted and combined as follows: o Quarter Percent = 50% Tests + 50% Assignments. o Semester Percent = 40% 1st Quarter + 40% 2nd Quarter + 20% Final Exam. Your Letter Grade is determined by your quarter or semester percent using the following scale: A = 90-100%, B = 80-89%, C = 70-79%, D = 50-69%, F = 0-49%. We will have a comprehensive Final Exam each semester. A study guide for each final will be given on a separate handout. The 1 st semester final is a written exam; the 2 nd semester final is a lab exam. Detailed current grades will be posted on WebAssign, including all assignments and tests, whether done on WebAssign or not. Grades are updated daily. Completed quarter, semester and final exam grades will be posted on Aeries Parent Link. TESTS 50% OF YOUR GRADE We will have a closed book, closed note test at the end of each unit of study. Each test will take 1-2 class periods. Calculators are allowed and the AP Exam reference sheets will be provided. Tests are about 80 points each. Tests have the same format as the AP Exam: a multiple choice or multiple select section and a free response section (where you work out word problems and show your work or answer short essay questions). On free response you earn full credit for the right answers, and partial credit for correct work but the wrong answers. To make up a missed test, arrange with Mr. Moehnke to take the test after school within 2 days after your absence.
ASSIGNMENTS 50% OF YOUR GRADE Labs: Learning to do physics is key to understanding AP Physics! o About 20% of class time will be spent in labs. Most labs will take 2-4 class periods. Labs are done during class, and must be completed during class. Labs are 60 points each. o Each lab will start with a prelab, where we will discuss the purpose and procedures for the lab. You will take notes on the prelab, and use the notes to do the lab and to create your lab report. o You will create data tables and graphs for labs in MS Excel. You will create the lab report in MS Word, and insert the tables and graphs from Excel into the report. o Each lab will end with a postlab, where teams will share their results with the class and we will discuss the results. Lab reports will be due the day after the postlab. o To make up a missed prelab, lab, or postlab day, get the information from another member of your lab team and complete the lab as usual. Problem Sets: Learning to solve problems is key to understanding AP Physics! o You will do most problem sets as individuals: for these, you will do the problems on WebAssign, and they will be graded the same was as homework assignments. Some problem will be Tutorials that walk you through the solution to a problem step by step so you can learn how it s done. o You will do some problem sets in teams: each lab team will be assigned a problem to solve and given time to do it. One member of each team, chosen at random, will then work out their solution on the board, while the rest of the class puts the solution in their notebooks. Problem sets done this way become part of your notebook and are graded with your notebook. o To make up a missed problem set: if it was by individuals, request an extension on WebAssign; if it was by teams, solve the problems on your own before the end of the unit. Homework: Learning to solve problems is key to understanding AP Physics! o Homework assignments are done on WebAssign. Current homework and due dates are shown on WebAssign. Homework assignments are 30 points each. o Homework follows Board Policy 6154 (see the Student Handbook). o To make up a missed homework, request an extension on WebAssign, then complete the assignment before the new due date.
Notes & Notebooks o You will take notes during class presentations, and keep them in a binder. The notes are very useful while doing classwork and homework, or preparing for tests. o Notebooks include notes and team problem sets. Keep them in a binder. Do only one assignment per page, and keep them in order. Turn in your notebook on test day. It is worth 10 points for each page. Notes must be in order, complete, and readable for full credit. o To make up a missed section of notes, get the notes from Mr. Moehnke the day after your absence, put them in your own handwriting, and put them in your notebook before the end of the unit. o To make up for a missed notebook, turn in your notebook the day you return from the absence. You lose 20% for each day it is late if the absence is unexcused or if you were not absent on the due date. Extra Credit o Each unit s extra credit is on WebAssign - do as much or as little as you want. ABSENCES You are responsible for all assignments absences are no excuse. All missed work is a zero unless made up. Follow the makeup policies given above. For excused absences, follow the makeup policies given above. These absences include illness, school activity, and in-house suspension. Unexcused absences cannot be made up all missed work stays a zero. These absences include truancy and home suspension. GETTING HELP - Asking questions is key to understanding AP Physics! You can come in before school from 7:00-7:50 am any day to work on assignments or to get help from Mr. Moehnke. You can also ask questions during class. And you can come in after school from 2:50-5:00 pm. To get immediate help outside school (before 11 pm), message Mr. Moehnke through Remind. To get delayed help outside school, ask Mr. Moehnke a question on WebAssign using the "Ask Your Teacher" feature. Be sure to check back later for the response. Or send Mr. Moehnke an e-mail at rmoehnke@tusd.net. BEHAVIOR EXPECTATIONS Be Prompt. Be in class, in your seat before the bell (otherwise you are tardy). Stay until dismissed.
Be Prepared. Bring your notebook, a pen or pencil, and a calculator each day. Be Polite. Be courteous & respectful. Be quiet when others are speaking. No profanity. No food, drink or gum. Take hats off in class. No electronic devices (except calculators) all electronic devices must remain off and put away while you are in class, unless Mr. Moehnke gives you permission to use them for a class activity. Then you may only use your electronic device as specified by Mr. Moehnke for that class activity. Be Productive. Follow directions. Use class time for work. Don t cheat don't talk or copy on tests, and don't share answers when helping someone on an assignment (share strategies, not answers). MISBEHAVIOR CONSEQUENCES Minor Misbehavior: (1) You will get a verbal warning. (2) Your seating assignment will be changed. For electronic devices, the device will be confiscated and turned in to the office. (3) You will have a conference with Mr. Moehnke. (4) Your parent will be contacted. (5) You will be referred to your counselor and your parent will be contacted. (6) You will be referred to an administrator for appropriate consequences and your parent will be contacted. Serious Misbehavior (as defined in your Student Handbook): You will be referred to an administrator for appropriate consequences and your parent will be contacted. Cheating: (1) You will get a zero on the assignment that you cheated on and your parent will be contacted. (2) You will be referred to an administrator for appropriate consequences and your parent will be contacted. Tardies: For the foilowing number of tardies per semester: (1) & (2) You will get a verbal warning. Any class activities that you miss due to the tardy may not be made up. (3) & (4) You will get a verbal warning and your parent will be contacted. Any class activities that you miss due to the tardy may not be made up. (5) (9) You will be referred for a conference with an AP. (10) You will be referred for a DART Contract and loss of offcampus pass. (11) You will be referred for a day of In-House Suspension. (12) & above You will be referred for a day of Home Suspension. LAB SAFETY Wear safety goggles at all times during a lab experiment. Handle all lab equipment properly - if you don't know how, ask for help. Do not do any unauthorized experimenting. Report any accident, injury or emergency to Mr. Moehnke at once. At the end of each lab period, clear your lab table and return all equipment to the place where you got it.