ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS 2002 - 2003



ADVANCED PLACEMENT PHYSICS

This syllabus is intended as an outline of the activities to be undertaken in this class.

This course follows the curriculum guidelines of the College Board as necessary for the student taking the Advanced Placement Physics “C” examination. The course concentrates on the various major sections of physics. It is assumed the student has taken, or is currently enrolled in, a calculus class.

The textbook we will be using is Halliday, David, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker. Fundamentals of Physics, 7th edition. New York: JohnWiley & Sons.

This course offers students an opportunity to pursue a college level study in Physics. It also provides a systematic introduction to the main principles of Physics and emphasizes the development of problem solving abilities. It is assumed that the students will be familiar with algebra and trigonometry, and basic calculus. You would benefit by having your last year’s Physics notebook available, but it is not necessary. Background information from last year will be your responsibility. This course is designed to cover last year’s material in more depth.

PREREQUISITES: one year of first level Physics.

You have two options available to you to acquire 4 college credits:

1. You can take the AP Physics Exam at the end of the year.

These tests cost approximately $85 each. It occurs usually the 2nd week in May.

Most colleges or universities require a score of 4 or 5 to receive credit.

You would need to take either/both Mechanics C and/or Electricity and Magnetism C.

2. You can enroll in the University of Pittsburgh’s College in High School

Program. The cost in $200 and the credits will transfer to almost any college

or University if you choose not to go to Pitt. The requirements are that you

take 3 exams and a final exam.

MAJOR UNITS COVERED: Mechanics and Dynamics

Waves and Kinetic Theory

Electricity and (Magnetism, if time permits)

Note: Please refer to College in High School syllabus for more detail of units.

CALCULATORS: A graphing calculator will be necessary.

GRADING PROCEDURE: Grades are based upon total points in a 9-week grading period.

Points will be assigned for labs, projects, homework, quizzes and

tests.

QUIZ / TESTING 40 point quizzes will be given approximately each week and will be based on

PROCEDURE material covered during that week and any prior material. Quizzes will be problem and concept based. There will be approximately 6-7 quizzes per

9 weeks. On all quizzes, you must show all work, units and equations to

receive total/partial credit. Occasionally, take home quizzes are given.

They are to be returned by 7:45 a.m. on the very next school day. No

exceptions will be made. Tests are given every 2-3 chapters. They are used as

a student’s instrument in illustrating their understanding of the fundamental

concepts of physics. These tests are also used to prepare the student to

succeed on other tests for which they are not able to answer all items in the

allotted time (i.e. ACT; SAT; A.P. tests, etc.). The grading system for tests

assumes that each student enrolled in the course is of superior quality. All

work, units, and equations must be shown on the tests to receive full credit.

HOMEWORK: In this course, the student will refine their problem solving skills. Problem sets are assigned for each appropriate chapter of the text. Problem sets will be

given in 2 - 3 week intervals. You should make a diligent effort to work the

assigned problems. Students may request to check solutions from the solutions

manual located on my bookshelf in my office. Homework will be graded.

Solution sets for the homework will also be handed out to check your work.

LABS: Each person will be responsible for keeping a lab notebook. These lab notebooks will

be checked for credit. Each lab entry should include an objective, data, calculations

including formulas used, graphs and a good evidence-based discussion. Occasionally,

students will be required to write a formal lab write-up. The student should follow the

usual guidelines from last year for these labs.

PROJECTS: One or two projects will be completed per nine weeks. Some class time may be given to work on these projects. These projects can and will affect your grade. Please take them seriously.

TEST

SCORING Each test has only eleven questions, with points assigned on the number of questions answered correctly regardless of the location of the question on the test. The first five questions are of the multiple choice variety with no possibility for partial credit. The remaining six questions are either derivations or problems for which the student can earn partial credit . Points are awarded for each question according to how hard that question was for the student. ( I will assume a more complete response indicates an easier question for the student regardless of the location of the question on the test.) After scoring is complete, the questions for a student are ordered from easiest to hardest and awarded points according to the following scale:

Number of

Correct

Questions 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Easiest Hardest

Possible 15 15 15 15 7 7 7 7 4 4 4 Possible

Points Points

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Percentage 15 30 45 60 67 74 81 88 92 96 100

NOTE: During raw scoring on the test, all fractional points are rounded down to the nearest integer due to the nature of the scale.

Example: The student gets 4 out of 5 multiple choice questions correct. They then miss the next 4 problem questions completely. Finally, they complete 100% of questions #11 correctly but only 70% of question #10 correctly.

4 MC questions correct = 60 points = 60%

Question #11: 100% of 7 points = 7 %

Last question 70% x 7 points = 4 points (NOT 4.9 or 5) = 4%

Total for test = 60% + 7% + 4% = 71% (grade C for only 5+ out of 11)

IF, AT ANY TIME, SOME STUDENTS ARE NOT GIVING A DILIGENT EFFORT ON ALL QUESTIONS ON THE TEST (AS EVIDENCED BY A LACK OF INFORMATION ON THE MAJORITY OF THE TEST), I RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REMOVE THE TEST SCORING PROCEDURE AND REPLACE IT WITH ONE WHICH WILL BE MORE “NORMAL” IN NATURE. (100 POINTS; WITH MULTIPLE CHOICE WORTH 20% AND PROBLEMS WORTH 80% FOR AN EXAMPLE).

Highlands A.P. Physics

I have read, understand, and agree with the conditions mentioned in the syllabus for A.P. Physics. I further understand that a diligent effort will be necessary for this class from the first day of school until (and possibly including) graduation day. I will attempt, to the best of my ability, any and all projects whether an individual one or as a member of a team.

Failure to work to the best of my abilities not only lets my classmates and instructor(s) down, but most importantly, I am cheating myself of a possible learning experience.

__________________________________ ____________________________ (your signature here) (today’s date)

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