AP Physics C Mechanics

Regents Physics Syllabus Mrs. LaBarbera

Room 207 E-MAIL ADDRESS: [email protected] WEB PAGE: http://www.vcsd.k12.ny.us//Domain/248 POST SESSIONS: TUE. – FRI.

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The New York State course in Regents Physics is an excellent introduction to physics for the college bound senior. Many students embark on their university career without knowing exactly what they want to study. Taking physics in high school can open many doors for students who find that they want to major in a technical area. Students who take high school physics can obviously expect to do far better in university physics courses than those students who have not.

Taking a course in physics gives the student a stronger foundation in problem-solving strategies and critical thinking. These are exactly the areas in which many universities and employers are complaining that candidates are not skilled enough!

The Regents course is comprehensive in scope with each subject is treated with the proper depth for the average student. Students are prepared for, and expected to take, the Regents Physics exam in June.

There are two prerequisites for this course. First, students should have completed Regents Biology, Regents Earth Science and Regents Chemistry. Without previous science experience, it will be difficult to do well in this class. Second, students should have completed two Regents Math exams. This course requires the understanding of algebra and fundamental knowledge of geometry that you gain from your math class.

We meet every day for 40 minutes with an additional 40 minute lab period every-other day. At the completion of this course students should have a strong conceptual understanding of required topic and be able to complete all required physics laboratory experiments.

COURSE TOPICS

1. The language of physics, math – review algebra, graphs, scientific notation, etc. topics. 2. Kinematics. 3. Mechanics 4. Momentum and Energy 5. Electricity and Magnetism 6. Vibration and Waves 7. Modern Physics

RESOURCES AND HELPFUL LINKS

Textbook - Holt Physics, by Raymond A Servway and Jerry Faughn,

http://www.nysedregents.org/physics/ http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/ http://www.physicsclassroom.com/ http://hyperphysics.phy- http://www.launc.tased.edu.au/online/sciences/physics/tu astr.gsu.edu/hbase/hph.html#mechcon tes1.html http://webphysics.davidson.edu/physlet_resources/bu_ http://www.fearofphysics.com semester1/index.html http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/category/physics http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html http://www.walter-fendt.de/ph14e/stwaverefl.htm

GRADING SYSTEM

1 Regents Physics Syllabus Mrs. LaBarbera

Category 1st Quarter 2nd Quarter 3rd Quarter 4th Quarter Tests & Exams 60% 40% 60% 60% Lab 5% 5% 5% 5% Project/formal lab 5% 5% 5% 5% Class work/ Participation 10% 10% 10% 10% Homework 10% 10% 10% 10% Quizzes 10% 10% 10% 10% Midterm Exam 20%

Course Grade Students will receive a course grade that is an average of their grade for each of the four quarters and their score on the Regents Exam. Thus, each quarter and the Regents Exam will comprise 20% of the final course grade.

Midterm The physics department administers a district-wide midterm exam during "Midterm Week" in January. This exam includes Regents level questions and will count for 20% of the student's second quarter grade.

Tests and Exams A test is a 25 point assessment with a blend of multiple choice and extended response questions. Tests are typically given in the middle of a large unit of instruction. An exam is given at the end of each unit and is a two part assessment. Part One of the assessment will consist of 25 multiple choice questions. Part Two of the assessment will consist of 25 points worth of extended response questions. The two parts of the exam carry equal weight to each other and to all other tests and exam parts given in the same quarter. All tests are built using questions from past Regents exams and/or questions based directly on Regents exam questions.

Lab All labs will be documented in a personal lab-notebook which will be kept in the classroom. Students will be required to complete at least 1200 minutes of lab (about 30 labs) time with a complete lab report in order to pass the course.

Project/Formal Lab One Project per quarter will be designated as a "formal lab". This project will be subjected to strict grading criteria and will be important in teaching students how to produce high quality lab reports.

Class work / Participation Class work includes any formal or informal assessment of student work or preparedness for class. Most of the class work grades will consist of "Do Now's", "Exit Slips", and "Activities". Participation includes attendance, attentiveness to tasks during class and ability to work well with others. Participation grade heavily rewards effort on the part of the student.

Homework Homework is assigned from your textbook or from the http://www.castlelearning.com website. Homework is assigned everyday; it will take an average student about half an hour to complete. Homework will be collected and graded daily. According to research, completion of homework in high school produces a gain of about 24 percentile points.

Quizzes Quizzes will be given in the weeks in which no test is scheduled. They generally consist of five to fifteen questions that directly reflect the questions assigned on previous homework.

REQUIRED SUPPLIES

. Lab notebook . Binder (suggested) . Protractor with ruler . calculator

CLASSROOM RULES OF CONDUCT

1. No electronic devices are allowed during school.

2. Come to class on time. Standing outside the door and rushing in after the bell has begun to ring will constitute a tardy. You must be INSIDE the door when it begins ringing to be counted on time. If you are on time for five weeks, you will get one homework pass.

3. Begin do now activity within one minute after the second bell. Do now is part of participation grade.

4. Attend to personal needs before coming to class. I have been instructed not to give passes to lockers and to limit passes, so please do not ask for a pass unless you have a true emergency. If you used less than two passes for five weeks, you will get one homework pass.

5. Remain in your assigned seat unless you have permission to get up. Throw scraps away at the end of the period on your way out.

6. Bring required materials every day. If you bring all you supplies for a quarter, you can get a quiz pass for the quarter.

7. Talk only when permitted. Be aware of the situation since quiet talking is allowed in some situations and speaking to the entire group without raising your hand may be allowed in others. I will remind you once and expect compliance.

8. Use polite speech and body language. Unkind teasing and impolite behavior is unacceptable.

9. Do not cheat. Students caught cheating will receive a zero and a phone call home. Both the student who shares his work for an independent assignment AND the person who copies it will suffer the same consequences. I expect you to do your own work and to be sure no one can copy it.

10. Sign in when you are late or when you are back from a leave; Sign out when you leave the class.

TENTATIVE SCHEDULE

Unit Overview of Topics Text # of Chapters Weeks Math Prep A review of the various mathematical tools students will need 1 during the year. Students will get review in: algebra; trigonometry; significant figures; scientific notation; graphing; Quiz and unit conversions. There will be no tests in this unit, 9/11 however students will take a series of quizzes in the various topics presented. Motion in one dimension Motion of objects in one-dimension is described using words, 2 2 diagrams, numbers, graphs, and equations. Test 9/25 2-D motion and vectors Vector principles and operations are introduced and combined 3 3 with kinematics principles and Newton's laws to describe, Unit explain and analyze the motion of objects in two dimensions. Exam Applications include riverboat problems, projectiles, inclined 10/16 planes, and static equilibrium. Forces and laws of Newton's three laws of motion are explained and everyday 4 3.5 motion forces are analyzed. Test 11/9 Rotational Motion and Newton's laws of motion and kinematics principles are applied 7 1 Law of Gravity to describe and explain the motion of objects moving in Unit circles; specific applications are made to roller coasters and Exam athletics. Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation is then 11/20 presented and utilized to explain the circular motion of planets and satellites. Momentum and The impulse-momentum change theorem and the law of 6 2 Collisions conservation of momentum are introduced, explained and Test applied to the analysis of collisions of objects. 12/21 Work and Energy Concepts of work, kinetic energy and potential energy are 5 3 discussed; these concepts are combined with the work-energy Unit theorem to provide a convenient means of analyzing an object Exam or system of objects moving between an initial and final state. 1/15 Mid term review and test Review the previous 7 topics 2-7 0.5

Electric forces and fields Basic principles of electrostatics are introduced in order to 17, 18 2.5 explain how objects become charged and to describe the Test effect of those charges on other objects in the neighboring 2/12 surroundings. Charging methods, electric field lines and the importance of lightning rods on homes are among the topics discussed in this unit. Current and resistance The flow of charge through electric circuits is discussed in 19, 20, 4.5 Electric circuits and detail. The variables which cause and hinder the rate of 21 Unit charge flow are explained. The mathematical application of Exam Magnetism electrical principles to series, parallel and combination circuits 3/22 is presented. Magnets and magnetic fields are discussed. Mechanical waves /Sound The nature, properties and behaviors of waves are discussed 12, 13 2.5 waves and illustrated; the unique nature of a standing wave is Test introduced and explained. The nature of sound as a 4/19 longitudinal, mechanical pressure wave is explained and the properties of sound are discussed. Wave principles of resonance and standing waves are applied in an effort to analyze the physics of musical instruments. Electromagnetic waves - The behavior of light waves is introduced and discussed; 14, 15,16 2 Light waves, Reflection polarization, diffraction and interference are introduced as Unit and refraction of light supporting evidence of the wave nature of light. The ray Exam nature of light is used to explain how light reflects off of a plain 5/3 mirror to produce virtual images; how light refracts at planar surfaces; Snell's law and refraction principles are used to explain a variety of real-world phenomena; Modern physics E = h∙λ is used to explain the duality of energy and matter. 23 1.5 Model of atoms is introduced and is used to explain the atomic Unit spectra. Mass-energy relationship is presented and standard Exam model of particle physics is described. 5/17 Final review Review of all topics 1-7; 12- 3 21, 23 Regents Exam

Probable Labs

We will complete at least 20 of the following labs. Each lab will conclude with a lab report that includes a Title, a Purpose, a Data section, and a Conclusion. The reports are kept in a notebook in the classroom. New York State board of education may ask to see this portfolio, so it is important that you work hard on your labs.

chapter Lab Title Brief Description

Determine the relationship between diameter and circumference of a The circle lab Math Prep circle. Determine the thickness and the mass of a loose-leaf paper – Estimation lab Explore the use of prefixes.

Observe objects moving at a constant speed and objects moving Discovery lab - with changing speed. Graph the relationships between distance and Motion time for moving objects. Interpret graphs relating distance and time for moving objects.

Graph Matching Predict, Sketch and test velocity-time graphs of a described motion.

Project 1: Construct a model car to meet assigned criteria. Use concepts in Motion in one Race car physics to measure the performance of the car. dimension construction Quick Lab: Time Determine your reaction time using kinematics equations interval of freefall

Measuring time and Measuring motion in terms of the change in distance during a period motion of the timer or motion detector.

Free fall (picket Determine the acceleration of gravity using photo gates, picket fence) fences and the logger pro program. Create a series of directions that lead to a specific object. Follow Discovery lab - directions to locate a specific object. Develop a standard notation for Vector Treasure Hunt writing direction symbols. Generate a scale map. Quick Lab: Projectile Determine all projectiles has the same vertical acceleration motion Measure the velocity of projectiles in terms of the horizontal Velocity of a 2-D motion displacement during free fall. Compare the velocity and acceleration projectile and of projectiles accelerated down different inclined plane. vectors Develop a model that can be used to simulate a car driving off a cliff on a movie set. Analyze the relationship between the horizontal Projectile velocity and impact point of a projectile, using this model. Evaluate the assumptions made by the model. • Predict the velocity required for the car to land at the targeted spot on the beach. Projectile simulation Determine the initial speed and the angle of the projectile so that it lab will hit the target using the PHeT simulation.

Discovering Newton’s Explore the factors that cause a change in motion of an object. Laws Quick Lab: Forced Identify the forces that caused change in motion and change in motion Quick Lab: Inertia Determine the relationship between mass and inertia Force and Determine the relationship between force, mass and acceleration Acceleration using force sensors, logger pro program Determine the coefficients of static and kinetic friction for a variety of Invention Lab: surfaces. Classify materials according to coefficients of friction. Forces and Testing Material Compare the coefficients of static friction to the coefficients of kinetic laws of friction. motion Develop a method for determining coefficients of static and kinetic friction for shoes on roofing material. Measure forces of static and Static and Kinetic kinetic friction using a force sensor. Determine if forces of friction or Friction coefficients of friction depend on weight. Recommend shoes that are suitable for people working on roofs. Develop a physical model that simulates an object falling with a parachute. Analyze the relationship between mass and terminal speed of a falling object using data from the model. Evaluate two Air Resistance mathematical models relating air resistance to terminal speed using data generated in the simulation. Calculate an air resistance factor for the model. Predict the required air resistance factor for the parachute and the maximum allowable load for the drop. Distinguish between forces required to hold a variety of masses in a horizontal circular path moving at several speeds. Compare the Discovery Lab: circular motion of masses to the linear motion of masses. Discover Circular motion the relationship between mass, speed, and the force that maintains circular motion. Quick Lab: Radian Verify Circumference = 2π (radian) Circular and Arc length Motion and Develop a model to measure acceleration using a turntable. The Law of Determine the relationship between centripetal acceleration, Centripetal Gravity radius, and angular velocity using the model. Calculate the Acceleration radius and angular velocity to be used in new amusement park rides based on your data. Examine the relationship between the force that maintains circular Circular Motion motion, the radius, and the tangential speed of a whirling object. To determine the effect of separation distance, object mass and Phet-gravity force lab planet mass upon the gravitational force of attraction between an object and a planet. Project 2: Construct a contraption to satisfy assigned criteria Egg Drop Measure the mass and velocity of two carts. Calculate Momentum Conservation of momentum of each cart. Verify the law of conservation of and Collision Momentum momentum. Quick Lab: Elastic To compare kinetic energy before and after collision for a brand new and Inelastic tennis ball and an old tennis ball. collisions

Measure the change in the kinetic and potential energy as a ball moves up and down in free fall. Graph potential energy, kinetic Loss of Mechanical energy, and total energy. Analyze the graph to determine how Energy much kinetic energy is lost. Reach conclusions regarding the amount of energy possessed by the volleyball as it fell in the neighbor’s driveway. Measure the force required to move a mass over a certain Work, Energy, Exploring Work and distance using different methods. Compare the force required to Power Energy move different masses over different time intervals. Quick Lab: Mechanical To conclude that energy can be transferred, but energy is energy conserved. Determine spring constant of a spring. Calculate elastic potential Conservation of energy. Calculate gravitational potential energy. Determine mechanical energy whether mechanical energy is conserved in an oscillating spring. Discovery lab: Discover the electrical properties of metallic and nonmetallic Charges and objects. Construct an electroscope and investigate how it works. Electrostatics Observe forces between charged and uncharged objects. To charge a variety of materials by rubbing them together Stations lab and to examine their interactions with a positive, negative and neutral object in order to rank the materials according to their relative affinity for electrons. Use appropriate lab safety procedures. Design and Project 3: implement procedure. Manipulate electrostatic field forces Static Electricity Levitating Toys to cause objects to levitate. To identify the variables which do and do not affect the strength Electric Field of the electric field intensity at a given location surrounding a Simulation source of charge? To use Coulomb's law and vector principles to determine the Coulomb's Law Lab number of electrons which are transferred to a balloon as the result of 10 average-strength rubs on animal fur. Electric Field Lines To describe the nature of the electric field line pattern in the Lab space surrounding a positive charge, a negative charge and a configuration of two or more charges. Discovery lab: To determine the mathematical relationship (i.e., equation) Resistors and Current relating the voltage, current and resistance in a simple circuit Investigating Determine the resistance of conductors using the definition of Resistance resistance. Explore the relationship between length, diameter, material, and the resistance of a conductor. Discovery Lab: Construct circuits using different combinations of bulbs, Exploring Circuit batteries, and wires. Observe the effects of an electric current. Elements Compare your observations from different trials to discover how Current relationships are affected by changing one or more variables. Electricity Classify and analyze your observations. Quick Lab: Simple Explain exactly which parts of the bulb, battery, and wire must be Circuits connected for the light bulb to produce light.

Quick Lab: Series and Construct series and parallel circuit with drinking straws Parallel Circuits Resistors in Series and Measure current in the potential difference across resistors in in parallel series and in parallel. Find unknown resistance of two resistors. Calculate equivalent resistance. Analyze the relationship between potential difference, current, and resistance in a circuit.

Discovery Lab: Determine the factors that influence the time interval required for Pendulum and spring a pendulum to complete one full swing. Investigate the nature of waves. pendulum and wave motion. Quick Lab: Energy of a Observe how kinetic energy of a pendulum changes as its Pendulum. displacement changes. The pendulum and Construct simple pendulums, and find their periods. Calculate simple harmonic the value for g, the free fall acceleration. Example relationships motion between length, mass, and period for different pendulums. Test a spring to find the elongation of the spring due to applied Invention Lab: Tensile masses. Test a rubber band to find the elongation of the band Strength and Hooke’s due to applied masses. Plot a force-versus-elongation curve for law both the spring and for the rubber band. Find the spring constant of the spring from the slope of the spring graph. Design experiments to determine the factors that may affect the Mechanical Pendulum Periods period of a pendulum. Test the relationship between length, waves and mass, amplitude, and the period of a pendulum. • Recommend sound the specific characteristics of a clock pendulum using your data. Speed of sound Determine speed of sound in air Quick Lab: Resonance Explain pumping swing using resonance. Quick Lab: A Pipe Determine how the pitch produced by blowing into a straw Closed at One End change with the length of the straw. Develop a setup that allows you to analyze sound waves for frequency and amplitude. Analyze the waveforms of a tuning fork Sound Waves and and a musical instrument. Model waveforms using a Beats mathematical expression derived from your data. Observe beat frequencies when two waveforms are combined. Evaluate your ability to tune by ear based on beat frequencies in the combined waveform. Apply physics principles to the design of a musical instrument. Project 4: Building a Describe the instrument using the concepts of frequency, pitch, Musical Instrument and resonance. Find the relationship between the intensity of the light emitted by Brightness of Light a light source and the distance from the source. Quick Lab: Compare light intensity between different orientations of a Polarization of Light polarizer Determine the width of a hair sample using the concepts of Diffraction Electromagnetic diffraction and interference. waves, Discovery Lab: Light Form images using mirrors. Locate images using different reflection and and Mirrors methods. refraction Refraction To determine the index of refraction of the unknown materials. Construct a periscope with prisms using concept of total internal Quick Lab: Periscope reflection. To determine the critical angle for the water-air boundary and for A Critical Angle Lab the Lucite-air boundary. Modern physics Nuclear Fission PhET lab – How to use fission to produce nuclear energy What is inside an atom PhET lab – investigate structure of hydrogen atom