AP Physics C : Mechanics Course Syllabus 2014-2015 Instructor: Mr. Ronald J. Maniglia www.rjmaniglia.org Introduction AP Physics C: Mechanics is an 18-week calculus-based laboratory course concerning kinematics, Newton s laws of motion, work, energy and power, systems of particles and linear momentum, rotational dynamics, gravitational fields, and oscillatory motion. Students will acquire an understanding of the foundational principles of classical mechanics by conducting inquiry-based laboratory investigation and reporting, data collection, analysis and interpretation. Students will use methods of differential and integral calculus to solve multistep problems based upon the laws of physics. Successful completion or concurrent enrollment in Calculus AB and teacher approval is a prerequisite for enrollment in this course. Course Overview Lectures will serve to highlight the major aspects of a particular topic by focusing upon the pertinent theory and problem-solving techniques. Students will be required to perform small-group laboratory experiments as part of each unit of study. Students are responsible for reading assigned material in Fundamentals of Physics Extended, 10th Edition by Halliday, Resnick & Walker in addition to supplementary content provided through the instructor s password-protected website. Testing A minimum of three tests containing theoretical questions and problems are scheduled each quarter. In-class tests for AP Physics include at least 10 multiple choice and 3-5 open-ended problems. Make-up tests are administered at the sole discretion of the instructor provided the absence is authorized as legitimate. A student must take a missed test immediately upon his/her return to school. There is no extra credit available in this course. Students will be required to take a comprehensive final assessment in this course. Assigned Problems Students must complete problem sets corresponding to the material discussed in each unit. Students are encouraged to ask questions concerning these problems prior to the test. A copy of the completed assigned problems is due for credit on the day of the test. Problems not completed during any allotted class time must be completed as homework. Grading Policy All quarter grades are calculated using a weighted average with 50% of the marking period average derived from the student's score on in-class tests administered every 7-12 school days. Students receive 45 points of credit for completing assigned problems/questions towards the 100 point value of the test. Generally, corrected tests are returned the next school day. Assignments submitted after the due date may receive zero credit at the discretion of the teacher. Completed group lab reports comprise 30% of the quarter grade. Each lab group member receives the same score unless circumstances warrant otherwise. The lab report score is based
upon the group's performance of the experiment, the description of the procedures, and the analysis/interpretation of the data. Graded lab reports are returned to the student within 2-3 school days. The remaining 20% of a student's marking period grade is based upon scores achieved on quizzes delivered online due two days prior to the test date. The quizzes contain multiple choice, fill-in, or true/false questions concerning basic concepts and problem-solving skills. Resources Students are encouraged to access the instructor s website for sample practice tests, lab report templates, summaries of lecture notes, and additional support materials. Academic Honesty Any student suspected of or caught cheating or assisting any other student in cheating, including disruption of the classroom environment by any verbal or non-verbal means (breach of test security) or academic dishonesty (plagiarism), will be liable to a reduction in grade to a maximum of zero credit at the discretion of the teacher. Intentional plagiarism, falsification, or misrepresentation of one's written or oral work and/or breaking test/exam security is considered academically dishonest. Cheating on any assessment such as a test, quiz, examination, or an individual or group project includes any attempted dishonest conduct where the student communicates with another individual under any circumstances. Additionally, cheating occurs when a student attempts to accesses any textbook, notebook, study guide, any written material or mechanical/electronic device not authorized by the teacher. Students who complete an assessment in whole or in part for another or consult with another person or review materials outside of the classroom without permission are equally guilty of cheating. Leaving answers available for viewing by another person or repeated attempts to read another student's paper are further examples of cheating. Academic dishonesty also includes attempts at tampering with assessments, class work, and/or grades; failure to abide by directions given by an instructor prior to an assignment or test; the attempted acquisition, possession, and/or distribution of assessment materials or related information without the permission of a teacher; the impersonation of another student in a testing situation or on an assignment; and the falsification or fabrication of an assignment. Use of Graphing Calculators Students are allowed to use graphing calculators during tests/examinations provided the student shows evidence that all stored programs have been cleared beforehand. Laboratory Investigations Laboratory experiments, which comprise 20% of course instruction, are scheduled corresponding to the material discussed in each unit. Each group is required to submit within one week a detailed analysis of the experiment following the prescribed format. The typed report must contain a step-by-step description of the procedures, collected data and sample calculations in addition to a discussion of the theory. Questions are provided to guide students in their analysis and interpretation of the results of the experiment. An experiment-specific rubric is used to assess each lab that indicates the credit awarded for performing the experiment, formatting the report, listing procedures, completing the data charts with sample calculations and any graphs, and presenting a thorough discussion and analysis.
Students are obligated to follow lab safety rules and reimburse the school for any damage made to the equipment. No food or drink is allowed to be consumed in the lab. AP Testing and CAP Credit Students have the option of taking the AP Physics C: Mechanics examination or enrolling in the CAP program for 4 college credits awarded from BCC for the course. Course Outline Unit 1: Vector Analysis Time Allotted: 8 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 40-55 Textbook Problems: 9, 15, 16, 17, 26, 30, 37, 38, 40, 42, 45, 61, 63, and 78 Experimentation: Composition of Forces To determine the magnitude of an unknown force (weight of a suspended object) with two other known forces in equilibrium Determination of Mass (Inertia Balance) To determine the mass of an unknown by comparing the period of vibration to the calibration curve generated from three known masses Represent vectors both graphically and mathematically (vector resolution) Distinguish the difference between scalar and vector quantities Calculate the magnitude and direction of a vector Perform calculations (cross and dot products) using unit vector notation Add and subtract vectors graphically by the parallelogram and tip-to-tail methods Unit 2: Kinematics (Rectilinear & Projectile Motion) Time Allotted: 13 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 13-30 and 62-75 Textbook Problems: Chapter 2: 5, 7, 15, 33, 35, 38, 49, 59, 67, 70, and 89 Chapter 4: 18, 19, 28, 37, 70, 78, 79, and 80 Experimentation: Projectile Motion To calculate the angle required to fire a projectile with an experimentally-determined known initial velocity from a given height above ground through the center of a hoop positioned at a known height a specified distance downrange. Represent position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration as two-dimensional vectors Use velocity vectors to analyze problems involving relative motion Distinguish between distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration Calculate displacements, velocities, and accelerations using the equations of one-dimensional motion
Interpret x-versus-t and v-versus-t plots for both motion with constant and variable velocity and acceleration Describe the motion of freely falling objects and projectiles Calculate the terminal velocity of an object moving vertically under the influence of a retarding force dependent on velocity Solve problems with constant velocity and/or acceleration in two dimensions Apply the equations for two-dimensional motion to a projectile and a free-falling body Unit 3: Newton s Laws First & Third Laws of Motion /Rotational Dynamics (Torque) Time Allotted: 16 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 95-97, 104-107, 124-129, 303 and 328-339 Textbook Problems: Chapter 5: 6 Chapter 6: 25 Chapter 11: 22 & 25 Chapter 12: 10, 11, 23, 28, 37, 39, 65, 66, 72, 73, & 88 Experimentation: Determination of Rolling Frictional Force (Hall s Carriage) To determine the coefficient of rolling friction for the wheels of a Hall s carriage being pulled up an incline at a known angle at a constant speed. Rotational & Translational Equilibrium (Human Arm Mechanics) To determine whether a system can be in translational and rotational equilibrium. Apply Newton's laws of motion to solve problems in one and two dimensions Derive a differential equation for the velocity of the object as a function of time as an application of Newton s second law of motion. Derive an expression for the acceleration as a function of time for falling object experiencing drag forces Draw a free-body diagram and solve problems involving a body or a system of bodies at rest or in motion with a constant velocity or with a constant acceleration Analyze forces involving static and kinetic friction, cables, and objects on inclined and level surfaces Identify reaction-action force pairs in light of Newton s third law of motion Demonstrate an understanding of conditions for translational and rotational equilibrium Calculate the torque due to a given force about a given axis Understand the significance of force couples in analyzing rotational problems Unit 4: Newton s Second Law & Impulse-Momentum Time Allotted: 10 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 98-113, 130-132, and 214-243 Textbook Problems: Chapter 5: 44, 45, 51, 53, 56, 59, 65 and 82 Chapter 6: 39, 61, 79, & 94 Chapter 9: 2, 3, 7, 13, 18, 25, 32, 62, and 76
Experimentation: Conservation of Momentum (Two-Dimensional Collisions) To determine whether momenta is conserved in various collisions of air pucks from an analysis of tracings of their collisions. Newton s Second Law To determine the relationship between the applied force on a mass and acceleration. Compare/contrast conservative and non-conservative forces Determine the location of the center of mass of a system Calculate the center of mass of a thin rod of non-uniform density using integration Apply the relationship between center of mass velocity and linear momentum and between center of mass acceleration and net external force for a system of particles. Relate impulse to the change in linear momentum and the average force acting on an object. State and apply the relationship between linear momentum and center of mass motion for a system of particles. Use the law of conservation of momentum to analyze elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions Draw a free-body diagram and solve problems involving a body or a system of bodies with a constant acceleration Unit 5: Work, Energy & Power Time Allotted: 13 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 149-158, 162-168, and 177-199 Textbook Problems: Chapter 7: 8, 13, 21, 22, 37, 43, 50, 64, and 82 Chapter 8: 2, 6, 7, 38, 42, 47, 62, 69, 88, and 119 Experimentation: Conservation of Energy & Momentum (Ballistic Pendulum) To determine the height to which a ballistic pendulum will rise based upon the laws of conservation of energy and momentum. Calculate the work done by constant forces including the dissipative work done by friction Determine the kinetic, potential, and elastic energy of an object Calculate the average power delivered when work is performed by a system Apply the principle of the conservation of mechanical energy to solving problems Calculate the magnitude and direction of a one-dimensional force when given the potential energy function for the force Calculate the potential energy of one or more objects in a uniform gravitational field Recognize the conditions under which the law of conservation is applicable and relate this law to one- and two-particle systems Determine the strength of the gravitational field and field at a specified point inside and outside a spherically symmetrical mass dependent upon its radius and density
Unit 6: Oscillatory Motion Time Allotted: 6 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 159-162, 182, 185, 413-422, and 425-430 Textbook Problems: Chapter 7: 62, 67, and 81 Chapter 8: 19, 20, 25, 30, 31, 53, 55, and 84 Chapter 15: 24, 30, 31, 33, 84, 101, and 105 Experimentation: Conservation of Energy (Hooke s Law) To determine the elastic potential energy of a spring based upon a measurement of the spring constant. Derive an expression for the force exerted by and the potential energy of an ideal spring Calculate the potential energy of one or more objects in a uniform gravitational field Recognize the conditions under which the law of conservation is applicable and relate this law to one- and two-particle systems Explain how the total energy of an oscillating system depends on the amplitude of the motion Calculate the kinetic and potential energies of an oscillating system as functions of time Calculate the maximum displacement and velocity of a particle that moves in simple harmonic motion Derive the expression for the period of oscillation of a mass on a spring and for a simple pendulum Analyze problems in which a mass attached to a spring oscillates vertically and horizontally Determine the period of oscillation for systems involving series or parallel combinations of identical springs, or springs of differing lengths. Analyze the motion of a torsional pendulum or physical pendulum in order to determine the period of small oscillations. Unit 7: Rotational Kinematics & Dynamics Time Allotted: 14 Blocks Readings: Fundamentals of Physics (10 th Edition), pp. 257-286, 298-300, 303-316, and 354-373 Textbook Problems: Chapter 10: 4, 6, 10, 14, 17, 23, 32, 41, 47, 49, 51, 60, 71, 91 and 102 Chapter 11: 2, 3, 7, 12, 33, 45, and 49 Chapter 13: 3, 7, 18, 32, 43, and 76 Experimentation: Law of Conservation of Angular Momentum To determine whether angular momentum is conserved from the horizontal circular motion of a rod by varying the radius of rotation and the applied tangential force. Distinguish between angular and tangential displacement, velocity, and acceleration Apply the concept of moment of inertia to solve rotational problems.
Use the concepts of rotational kinetic energy and work and the law of conservation of angular momentum to solve rotational problems. Understand torque for rotational motion and its relationship to angular acceleration Apply Newton's Universal Law of Gravitation to solve problems. Identify forces acting on a body in a horizontal versus a vertical circle. Derive Kepler s Third Law for circular orbits. Apply conservation of angular momentum to determine the velocity and radial distance at any point in the orbit of an object. Apply conservation of angular momentum and energy to relate the speeds of an object at the two extremes of an elliptical orbit and to analyze an object projected straight up from a planet s surface.