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AP PHYSICS B 2012-2013 Mr. Hotell Email: [email protected] (best way to reach me) Voicemail: 277-6400 ext 1147

Course Description and Expectations:

Advanced Placement Physics B is a fast-paced, college-level course taught in high school. This class is designed for highly-motivated students who desire a rigorous academic challenge. Students should expect to devote a minimum of 10 hours per week outside of class to AP Physics. The primary goal of the course is to learn physics well enough to pass the AP Physics B exam on Monday May 13, 2013. Accomplishment of this goal will require a highly concentrated effort both in and out of class. A passing score (3, 4, or 5 out of 5) may qualify a student for college credit. The awarding of college credit is an individual university decision. All students are expected to take the AP Physics Exam on May 13, 2013. You have made the choice to take this class and the cost for the test (especially if you qualify for a fee waiver) is not overwhelming. More about fees later in syllabus.

The course will encompass five major topic areas: Newtonian Mechanics, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Electricity and Magnetism, Waves and Optics, Atomic and Nuclear Physics. You will soon receive a comprehensive list of specific concepts to be learned.

Success in this course will require students to work together, both in and out of class. A phone/email list will be disseminated so students can form study groups, an incredibly valuable tool for success in this course. You will be assigned a partner (which changes each month) with whom you will work daily to: share and exchange ideas, solve problems, peer review, hypothesize with and investigate physics phenomena. Class time will include lecture and teacher demonstration but will consist primarily of student’s investigating, processing, and discussing physics phenomena.

Goals:  Learn physics well enough to pass the AP Physics B Exam on Monday May 13, 2013!  Do difficult work so that you learn that you can do difficult work.  Experience a college course while still in high school so that your transition to college will be smoother when you get there! AP Physics B Exam:

There are two physics AP exams, AP Physics B and AP Physics C, administered by College Board. The AP Physics C exam is a calculus-based physics test designed to be taken after completing a foundational college physics course for physical science and engineering students. This is NOT the course you will be taking!

The AP Physics B exam is an algebra/trigonometry-based test designed to be taken after completing a college-level physics course for students in the life sciences, premedicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not directly related to science. This is the one you are taking!!!

The three hour AP Physics B exam consists of two parts: a 1 ½ hour multiple choice portion, and a 1 ½ hour free response portion. The test is very difficult! The national pass rate is approximately 60%. Mr. Hotell’s AP students have a 70% average pass rate over the last 7 years. What this shows is that with hard work, resolve, and dedication you can accomplish great results!

The cost of the AP Physics B exam is $89. Fee reductions are available for qualified families/students which could significantly lower the cost. While the cost seems high, a passing score on the exam may earn you college units which cost MUCH, MUCH MORE! AP exam fees will be collected soon.

To properly prepare for exam success, it will be necessary to have several after school or weekend study sessions. Dates and times will be worked out as we approach the exam.

Textbook: Physics, John D. Cutnell and Kenneth W. Johnson. Approximate replacement cost is $112. Keep your book covered at all times and return it in comparable condition. Students are encouraged to use the internet resources which are found in the text. Students will also be given a study guide which accompanies the text. Use and completion of the study guide is another key to success. Materials: The following are to be provided by the student every day:  Three ring binder with loose-leaf lined paper  Textbook  Scientific calculator (or a graphing calculator). It is recommended that you have a calculator that you can store equations in. Mr. Hotell can provide recommendations for choice of calculator  Writing Instrument (All quizzes, tests, and homework problems need to be completed in pencil)  Ruler  A 3”x5” or 4”x6” index card binder/box for equations  A “can-do” attitude

Laboratory Donation: The science department is requesting a laboratory donation of $40 per AP student. This money will be used to provide and support the laboratory activities our students need and deserve. Laboratory activities are critical for the proper depth of understanding necessary in AP Physics. Please give your lab fee to Mr. Hotell in the form of cash or check (made out to “West Campus”). A timely response is greatly appreciated.

Tardy Policy: Students will be given 2 tardies per quarter without consequence. The 3rd tardy and every one thereafter will result in assignment of lunch detention under the direction of the principal or assistant principal.

Grading: Each assignment will have a point value. Points will be totaled at the end of the grading period and a grade assigned based on the following scale: A = 85 - 100% B = 70 - 84% C = 55 - 69% D = 40 - 54%

F = 0 - 39% A D or an F is not acceptable for college admission!!!

Grades will be determined by the approximate weighting of each of the categories below: Tests and Quizzes 40% Final Exam 20% Homework 20% Labs/In-class activities 20% Tests and Quizzes:

Short, announced quizzes will occur periodically, while tests will occur every 3-4 weeks. All tests will consist of a multiple-choice section and a free- response section, each weighted equally. These tests will mimic the AP Physics B Exam format, but in a shorter time frame (one class period).

Physics is learned best by doing, therefore the lab component of this course is essential to understanding. Many of the lab experiences will be open-ended and begin with a question or problem. Laboratory groups (2-4 people) will be provided with potential laboratory equipment and instructed to generate a hypothesis and develop a procedure for testing the hypothesis. Students will execute the procedure and gather and record experimental data. It will be the group’s responsibility to analyze the data and formulate a conclusion. Communication of scientific findings is vital. Therefore, each student will produce a formal lab report (completed primarily outside of class) following many labs. Lab report procedure will follow at a later date.

Homework Policy:

Students can expect nightly homework. Reading assignments are given most nights in anticipation of the next day’s lesson. Homework assignments may consist of relevant problems from the text, teacher-generated worksheets, or a continuation of an in-class activity. The purpose of these assignments is to reinforce and extend content understanding. These assignments will be discussed in class the following day and turned in. Homework solutions will be posted on Edmodo. Timely homework completion is essential to success in AP Physics. Late work will not be accepted except following an excused absence. Great things can only be accomplished via hard work and determination!

Class Rules:  I will do my best today.  I will respect myself and others.  I will be responsible for my academic success.  I will be teachable.  I will have fun! Attention Students and Parents:

Please read the attached AP Physics B Course Syllabus. Sign and return this half sheet to Mr. Hotell TOMORROW to indicate that class information has been communicated to and understood by both students and parents. This is your first assignment! Course Syllabus is to be placed in AP Physics B Binder. I look forward to a fulfilling and successful school year for all.

Mike Hotell

Print Student Name ______Student Signature______Date:______

Print Parent Name ______Parent Signature ______Date:______

Attention Students and Parents:

Please read the attached AP Physics B Course Syllabus. Sign and return this half sheet to Mr. Hotell TOMORROW to indicate that class information has been communicated to and understood by both students and parents. This is your first assignment! Course Syllabus is to be placed in AP Physics B Binder. I look forward to a fulfilling and successful school year for all.

Mike Hotell

Print Student Name ______Student Signature______Date:______

Print Parent Name ______Parent Signature ______Date:______