AP® Physics C: Mechanics

UC AIT AP ® Physics C: Mechanics
Academic Year 2011-2012
Description
AP Physics C: Mechanics is a rigorous college-level course designed to be equivalent to the first semester of a typical college
sequence in physics for science and engineering majors. Major areas of study include kinematics, forces and motion, work and
energy, systems of particles, rotational dynamics and statics, gravitation, and oscillations. The curriculum is designed to prepare
students for the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, which the College Board offers in May. Calculus is used throughout the course to
unify concepts and develop the theoretical framework for the course.
In this course, students will develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills in a variety of ways. Understanding concepts
and connections will be emphasized over memorizing equations. Homework and in-class activities will offer students opportunities
to apply physics knowledge in new and meaningful ways. Students will utilize technology, from computer simulation and data
analysis software to calculator and computer data collection equipment, in order to connect the physics they are studying to realworld
situations.
Students will learn to clearly communicate their scientific work, a critical skill for today’s workplace, through work in small
cooperative groups, presentations of projects, homework problem solutions, and writing lab reports. This course will include a
variety of activities to reach students with varied learning styles, including several cooperative group activities to help students
solidify their own physics knowledge by teaching their peers.
Prerequisites
Any student who has completed Physics 1 Honors with a final grade of 90% or above and is concurrently taking AP Calculus AB
may register for AP® Physics C: Mechanics.
Textbook and Materials
1. Each student is issued a copy of the textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers (with PhysicsNOW and InfoTrac) 6 th or 7 th edition by
Raymond A. Serway and John W. Jewett.
2. Students will have access to a copy of Interactive Physics 5 (Design Simulation Technologies). We use this software for classroom
demonstrations and for the enrichment purpose of simulation of chosen homework assignments throughout the year.
Each student should obtain:
1. A three ring loose-leaf binder with dividers and loose leaf paper for exclusive use in this course. All quizzes, tests, handouts,
homework, class notes and laboratory reports should be kept in this binder.
2. A separate lab journal notebook to maintain a record of all laboratory notes, data and reports.
3. A scientific calculator. A limited supply of TI-89 calculators will be available for in-class use.
Summer Assignment
All students will be given an assignment over the summer break (prior to our first class meeting). Students will be given a quiz on
this material at the end of the first week of school.
Assessment
Tests are given for every Physics C: Mechanics unit. The tests are purposely similar in construction to the AP Exam. Each test consists
of 7-15 multiple-choice questions and 1-2 free response questions similar or identical to released AP Physics C: Mechanics exams.
There is a midterm exam given in January and a final exam given in May before the actual AP exam. Both the midterm and final
exams are designed to be as similar as possible to the AP exam format and content.
Grading
The final grade for the course consists of the four marking period grades, worth 20% each, and midterm and final examination (and
project), worth 10% each. A final grade of 65% is required to successfully pass the course. Marking period grades are calculated as
follows (20% of final grade per marking period):
Tests, quizzes, graded assignments 70%
Lab reports 15%
Graded Homework (see grading rubric in Class Expectations handout) 10%
Class Participation and conduct 5%
UC AIT AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus

Homework
Homework is assigned daily via whiteboard and recorded on my teacher website. Homework assignments are always checked for
completion as well as collected once every 2 weeks to be scored and graded. All homework exercises are reviewed thoroughly in
class. This methodology encourages students to stay current in their assignments.
Laboratory Requirements
Hands-on laboratory experience is a fundamental part of the course. Approximately 20 percent of class time will be spent on
laboratory work. Considerably more time will be required outside of class to prepare laboratory reports and lab journal. Students
will be required to keep and maintain a laboratory journal. The purpose of the journal is twofold. First, it is a record of all lab work
done for the year. Students will be able to use the lab journal as a reference for the remainder of the year and during college if the
student takes further physics courses. The second purpose is to further persuade that specific colleges will award the student full
credit for the course.
Physics C: Mechanics Labs
Lab #1 One Dimensional Kinematics, Lab #2 Projectile Motion, Lab #3 Friction, Lab #4 Work done by a Variable Force, Lab #5 Work
and Energy, Lab #6 Impulse and Momentum, Lab #7 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions, Lab #8 Rolling Down a Hill, Lab #9 SHM,
Lab #10 Pendulums, Lab #11 Final project
Physics C: Mechanics Topics and Coverage
Physics C: Mechanics is covered through the entire school year (September through May). Concepts and problem-solving techniques
are introduced through a combination of lectures, physical and simulation demonstrations, and problem solving sessions (“problem
days”). The text is our main resource, with previous AP exam multiple choice and free response questions used as concept
summative exercises. Calculus is used throughout our problem solving and most notably during lecture sessions where we will go
through derivations of equations that students have used (but not derived with Calculus) previously in Physics 1 Honors.
1. Introduction, Vector Mathematics, Calculus
2. Kinematics
3. Newton’s Laws of Motion
4. Work, Energy, Power
5. Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
6. Circular Motion and Rotation, Uniform Circular Motion, Rotational Dynamics, Angular Momentum
7. Gravitation
8. Oscillations and Simple Harmonic Motion
I will expect you to:
-Come to class on time and be ready to participate
-Take responsibility for your actions
-Be prepared to do significant work outside of class commensurate with a college level course of study
-Show respect to others when they are talking by listening carefully and quietly
-Show respect for school property as well as others’ property
-Obtain missed notes from a classmate or teacher if you have been absent
-Check the assignment website for missed assignments.
http://www.ucvts.tec.nj.us/ucvts/AIT/Staff/Timothy%20Laverick
-Ask questions and seek additional help from your teacher as needed
-Do Your Best and Have Fun!
Please feel free to contact me at tlaverick@ucvts.tec.nj.us or by telephone at 908-889-8288 extension 423 if you have any questions.
UC AIT AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus

Please sign and return this form, please keep page 1-2 for your notebook
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UCAIT AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus 2011-2012:
I have read and understood the course description, material requirements, grading policy, and expectations.
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UC AIT AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus

AP PHYSICS STUDY SKILLS
Physics is not a spectator sport. You cannot expect to acquire the understanding you need to do well on an AP Exam by merely attending class
and listening to the teacher. It requires your active participation in the learning process. You should ask questions such as "Why do we think
this?" and "What would happen if we did this?" and if you can't answer them, seek the help of your physics teacher or other students.
Having the opportunity to answer these questions by exploring phenomena and conducting experiments in the laboratory can often help you
internalize the concepts and make them more concrete. Some computer simulations that allow you to set up hypothetical physical situations
and observe the results of changing various
quantities in the situations can also be helpful in developing conceptual understanding.
When studying physics from a textbook, it is a good idea to have paper and pencil with you. You could review by working the details of
solutions to example problems on your own. If you have completed the problems assigned by your teacher for homework and are still not sure
of your understanding of the material, try some of the unassigned problems in the book on the same topic.
Many students have the impression that physics is merely a list of formulas to be memorized and recalled at the proper time. Of course,
formulas and equations are important in physics, but that is because physics is a science that deals with principles that can be expressed
quantitatively. The equations are merely a way of expressing these principles. A feel for the physical reality behind the equations will help you
remember them better than just trying to memorize a list.
You must study regularly. In a physics course, many topics are based on preceding ones. Students who study regularly have the added
advantage of being able to
reinforce and enlarge on what they already know while tackling something new.
The study of physics requires a high degree of concentration. Solutions to physics problems must be carried out carefully and in a precise,
orderly manner. Be sure to draw a sketch of the problem in order to clarify what is being asked.
If an error is made in a mathematical expression, it may be carried over to the following parts of the problem. Solve your problems in pencil,
neatly and methodically. At every step of the analysis, be sure that you know your reason for taking the step. Write your answers with the
appropriate units.
PREPARING FOR THE AP PHYSICS EXAM
Preparation for an exam is normally a cooperative venture between students and teachers, you should assume total responsibility for studying
and learning the material presented in the course.
Preparation for an AP Exam through independent study is also possible. If you exercise this option, the most important ingredient for success
is strong self-motivation, although it would be extremely useful to have access to a teacher or tutor who can answer your questions and help
you if you get stuck.
The AP Physics examinations are given in May. To provide the most information about differences in students' achievement in physics, the
examinations are designed so that students earn average scores of about 50% of the maximum possible score; this applies to both the multiplechoice
section and the free-response section. Therefore, you may find AP Examinations more difficult than most classroom tests. However, it is
possible for students who have studied most but not all of the topics in the outline to obtain acceptable test scores.
Most AP students are accustomed to taking tests, both those prepared and graded by their teachers and standardized exams. Virtually
everyone knows that regular study plus
reviews of major elements in the course constitute the best preparation for tests. Effective study for examinations will vary somewhat among
students. For example, many students find it helpful to study in a group with other students, while for others, group preparation may not
work well. Some students can "cram" for a test, memorizing large amounts of material in a brief period of time just before the test. For others,
cramming causes cognitive overload and exam-day confusion.
If you want to master the skills and knowledge in your AP course, remember that material that is reviewed periodically and skills that are
reinforced by practice are far more likely to remain with you than are those that are hastily acquired and partially digested over a brief interval
of time.
UC AIT AP Physics C: Mechanics Syllabus