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SYLLABUS

AP-C PHYSICS

Mrs. K. C. St. Clair kstclair@mail.mcps.org
Blacksburg High School 951-5706 ext 246 Website: http://www.kcstclair.com

Welcome!

In this course we will be exploring the physical nature of our world and universe through lecture and discussion, hands on labs and problem solving skills. This course is the equivalent of a first year course for college science and engineering majors. There will be an emphasis on the mathematics - calculus, algebra and trig - in preparation for the AP examinations in the spring. In order for students to be successful in this course they must spend substantial amount of time outside of classroom activities on physics. A serious work ethic and well-developed organizational skills are a must for success in this course.

Topics are divided into two categories: Mechanics will be covered throughout the first semester: linear kinematics, projectile motion, Newton's laws, work-energy theorem, momentum conservation, rotational kinematics and dynamics, and simple harmonic motion. Electricity and Magnetism will be covered second semester: Coulomb's law, electric potential, electric current, capacitance, static circuits involving capacitors and resistors, magnetic fields and forces, circuits involving resistors, capacitors and inductors, general AC circuits and electromagnetic fields. Tests in the class will emulate the AP examinations, and be composed of 1 section of multiple choice that has no use of a calculator or a formula sheet and a second section of free response questions that includes the use of a calculator and formula sheet.

It is imperative that the fundamental laws and concepts be fully understood and memorized throughout the course of the year. These concepts will be tested from first principles on the AP exams. The AP Physics C course is designed to replace most universities and colleges first year physics courses for the sciences. Many of the universities of interest to science and engineering majors will accept an AP C-M (mechanics) score of 4 or 5, and an AP C-E&M score of, usually, 5.

General Outline for the Year

First Semester

1st six weeks - Kinematics: Motion in a straight line, vectors, motion in 2-D, 3-D, projectile motion; Newton's laws; work, energy and power: force and motion, kinetic energy and work
        AP percentage goals: 9%; 10%; ~7%
2nd six weeks -Work, energy and power: Conservation of mechanical energy; systems of particles, linear momentum; Circular motion and rotation, uniform, angular momentum, Torque, rotational kinematics;
        AP percentage goals: ~7%; 6%, 9%;
3rd six weeks -Oscillations and gravitation, simple harmonic motion, pendulums, orbits; Begin E & M, Electrostatics, charge, field, Coulomb's law, charge distributions, Gauss's law;
        AP percentage goals: 9%; 15%

Second Semester

4th six weeks -Conductors, capacitors, dielectrics; Electric circuits, current, resistance, Power, steady-state direct current circuits, capacitors in circuits and folding; Magnetostatics, forces on charges, forces and fields on current-carrying wires,
        AP percentage goals: 7%; ~10%; ~10%
5th six weeks - Biot-Savart laws, Ampere's laws, Electromagnetism, EM induction, Faraday's law, Lenz's law, inductance,
        AP percentage goals: ~10%; ~8%
6th six weeks -Maxwell's equations; Review and Study for exams; Post AP exam (first week of May): Optics; Thermodynamics; Modern Physics
        AP percentage goals: ~8%

Honor Code:

All students are expected to know and to honor the Blacksburg High School Academic Honor Policy:

http://www.mcps.org/bhs/incoming9th

Grading Scale:

According to Montgomery County Policy:
90 - 100    A    60 - 69    D
80 - 89    B    below 60     F
70 - 79    C
Six weeks grades are determined by the total point system (your total points divided by the total possible). The following can be expected each grading period:
1)    Tests: 40%
2)    Quizzes; homework: 20%
3)    Labs; Projects: 40%
NOTE:    Semester Exams, given in January and June, count as 20% of the semester grade
All textbooks must be returned, library fines and other fees paid before students can receive their grades.

Homework/Make-up work policies:

Homework is due at the beginning of class period the day after it is assigned unless otherwise noted. Extenuating circumstances will be considered; however, these need to be addressed with me before the fact whenever possible. However, you will receive a different homework set than the rest of the class. That's so that the answers may be posted in a timely manner.

Make-up work: Make up work is the student's responsibility. It is NOT my responsibility to remind you about missed work. Any missed work must be made up or the student will receive a zero. Students may come during lunch, and before or after school to do make-up work and/or to receive help. Make-up tests and quizzes can also be given at these times. Please read and be familiar with the makeup policy in the student handbook concerning absences due to field trips and athletic trips.

Tardy Policy:

The BHS tardy policy is: If you are not on time for any reason, you will be considered tardy and subject to the following each six weeks:
    1st Tardy        30 minutes detention
    2nd Tardy        1 hour detention
    3rd Tardy        ISS
This is school policy and will not be discussed. School policy states that detention must be served within 5 school days. Please be familiar with the tardy policy in the student handbook. You are tardy to my class if you are not in your assigned place when the bell rings.

Classroom Policies:

R-E-S-P-E-C-T - Yourself, your classmates, your classroom, your teacher - all the other classroom rules follow from that basic tenet. (And mine has the added benefit it will make you sing).

ALL BHS policies and rules will be followed with no exception. Do not ask me to change school/county policy. You will annoy me.

Students will need to bring their textbook, a notebook, pens and pencils to class daily.

Laboratory Policies:

1. Students will work in lab groups. Depending on the lab, these groups will be kept as small as possible. Realize that all members in a group are graded on group answers AND individual participation.

2. Pay attention to the pre-lab lecture. There will usually be pre-lab work or write-ups for each lab. These MUST be completed before you enter the lab.

3. Use equipment only when and as directed. Keep your work area clean when working on labs. Be sure that your lab area is clean before you leave the lab.

4. You have five days with an excused absence in which you will be allowed to make up the lab - however, YOU must arrange a suitable time with the teacher.

5. REPORT ANY ACCIDENTS TO THE TEACHER IMMEDIATELY.

6. "If the equipment does not belong to you, leave it alone. This is especially true for students who will be sitting at lab tables during lecture." (thanks to S. Rhodes, Chemistry)

7. Misconduct in class/lab will not be tolerated. If a problem should develop, parents/guardians will be contacted and misconduct forms will be sent to the office.