1AP Physics 1 and 2 SyllabusCurricular RequirementsCurricular Requirement 1: Students and teachers have access to college-levelresources including college-level textbooks and referencematerials in print or electronic format.Curricular Requirement 2: The course design provides opportunities for studentsto develop understanding of the AP Physics 2 foundationalphysics principles in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculumframeworkCurricular Requirement 3: Students have opportunities to apply AP Physics 1 and2 learning objectives connecting across enduring understandingsas described in the curriculum framework. These opportunities must occur inaddition to those within laboratoryinvestigations.Curricular Requirement 4: The course provides students with opportunities toapply their knowledge of physics principles to real worldquestions or scenarios (including societal issues or technological innovations) tohelp them become scientificallyliterate citizens.Curricular Requirement 5: Students are provided with the opportunity to spend aminimum of 25 percent of instructional time engaging inhands-on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations.Curricular Requirement 6: Students are provided the opportunity to engage ininquiry-based laboratory investigations that support thefoundational principles and apply all seven science practices defined in thecurriculum framework.Curricular Requirement 7: The course provides opportunities for students todevelop their communication skills by recording evidence oftheir research of literature or scientific investigations through verbal, written, andgraphic presentations.Pages23-125, 8,95,8, 10, 114-5, 7-8, 124-5, 7-8, 12(written as SPafter each lab)2, 5,8,12Course OverviewAdvanced Placement Physics 1 and Physics 2 are offered at Fredericton High School in a uniqueconfiguration over three 90 h courses. (Previously Physics 111, Physics 121 and AP Physics B 120; willnow be called Physics 111, Physics 121 and AP Physics 2 120). The content for AP Physics 1 is dividedbetween Physics 111 and Physics 121 (as per provincial curriculum guidelines) while the content for APPhysics 2 is divided between Physics 121 and AP Physics 2. While we do not title a course AP Physics 1,the curricular content and values are in line with AP guidelines. The one exception to AP guidelinesrests in our third course, in which there is limited time for student labs prior to the AP exam. Instead,the last 1/3 of the course is an open inquiry in which students must design, research and conduct anexperiment of the form “How does A affect B”. They present their results in the form of a one houroral defense in front of university physics professors. While this covers the time guideline, labs are notalways conducted in all topics. I have found this to be a particularly valuable exercise with students, andmost would agree that it is the most valuable aspect of the three courses, as they actually bring an open
2ended research question to some sort of conclusion. I am hopeful that this will satisfy the labrequirements of AP Physics 2. Students are required to keep a file with all their labs in it for evidence.The teacher has numerous demonstrations for each unit of study—some simple devices purchased fromscientific catalogs to illustrate specific concepts but most constructed by the teacher from easily vailablematerials. Class demonstrations are used to clarify concepts and generate interest for students. In everycase, the demonstration is meant to inspire questions and responses from students in an opendiscussion that reinforces concepts, brings out misconceptions, and illustrates real world applications.TextbooksEdwards, Lois, et. al. Physics. Toronto, ON: McGraw-Hill Ryerson (2003)(grade 11 book)Giancoli, Douglas C. Physics, 5th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall(1998) (primary grade 12)Urone, Paul Peter and Hinrichs, Roger, et. al. College Physics. OpenstaxCollege (2012) (secondary resource)Curricular Requirement1: Students andteachers have accessto college-levelresources includingcollege-level textbooksand referencematerials in print orelectronic format.HomeworkHomework is a regular part of all three courses. In Physics 111, homework is assigned daily – sometimesevaluated, sometimes used in formative assessment and sometimes simply to inspire questions andobservations. In Physics 121 and AP Physics 2, students are assigned homework questions and problemsunit by unit and are provided the opportunity in class to work on them, discuss them, strategize andpeer teach. Students also spend a considerable amount of time outside class doing lab reports, devisingdemonstrations, preparing methods of investigations and doing projects and writing a major essay(Question: What advance in physics do you feel has had the greatest impact on history? Discuss theadvance and justify your reasoning).LabsStudents are required to keep a section of their binder for labs. Lab reportsinclude calculations, but a significant part is dedicated to sources of error anderror analysis so that students can see and predict the validity (or lack thereof)of their results. In grade 11, most labs are teacher directed (1D Kinematics,Dynamics and waves), in grade 12 the majority of the labs are open inquirywith students simply being given a question. Students are required to developappropriate procedures and collect data with error analysis. In the finalcourse, 1/3 of the course is dedicated to a completely open inquiry which isstudent directed to (attempt to) answer a question in the form “How does Aaffect B?”Curricular Requirement7: The course providesopportunities forstudents to developtheir communicationskills by recordingevidence oftheir research ofliterature or scientificinvestigations throughverbal, written, andgraphic presentations.
3TestingStudents are tested on each unit in all three classes. Regular quizzes also occur in Physics 111 inparticular, to act as a more formative assessment. A summative exam is given in Physics 111 (2 hours),Physics 121 (3 hours) and students completing AP Physics 2 will write a summative practice AP Physics 1and AP Physics 2 exam.Chart 1: Course Timeline with Topics Correlated to Physics 1and 2 Curriculum Framework for Physics 111Course: Physics 111Curriculum Requirement 2: Thecourse design providesopportunities for students to developunderstanding of the AP Physics 1and 2 foundationalphysics principles in the context ofthe big ideas that organize thecurriculum framework.TimeTopic/Subtopic2 hoursOverview of physics – including history, philosophy,big picture [CROne dimensional kinematics and vectors [CR2a]Newton’s Laws in 1 dimension [CR2b]Momentum, Impulse and Conservation of Momentum[CR2e]Work, Energy, Conservation of Energy and Power[CR2f]Mechanical Waves and Sound [CR2j]Light, Interference and Refraction [CR2f]20 hours15 hours8 hours10 hours15 hours10 hoursCorrelation to CurricularFrameworkBI 1,4,5,6,7BI 2,3BI 1, 2, 3, 4BI 3, 4, 5BI 3, 4, 5BI 6BI 6Class work: Students analyze both d-t and v-t graphs of motion, including “real life” situations.Students/teacher derive equations of motion from v-t graphs and are used to solve 1-Dkinematics question.Newton’s Laws are stated and developed, linking forces to motion, solving 1-D dynamics andkinematics questions.Students understand the difference between mass and weight and the implications of each.Students are introduced to the concept of vectors and are able to differentiate between vectorsand scalars.Students are able to add perpendicular vectors to describe motion in two dimensions.Students resolve vectors into components for 1-D kinematics and dynamics questions.Conservation of momentum equations are derived from Newton’s laws, and the momentumimpulse equation and conservations laws are applied to 1-D interactions.
4 Conservation of energy and energy transformations are applied to kinematics problems and realworld situations. Power as the rate of transformation of energy is used in problems and relatedto real world situations including electrical energy.Students investigate a simple spring and can discuss it’s motion in terms of forces and theconvervation of energy.Students investigate wave motion and can describe it in terms of energy and compare it to themotion of a simple spring.The wave equation is derived and students use it to solve problems and describe wave motion.Students examine properties of waves qualitatively and quantitatively, including relection,refraction, interference and diffraction.Light is investigated as to its wave properties with reference to the historical debate over thewave/particle nature of light.Included laboratories, investigations, student demonstrations and project:1) Modelling Lab – Students examine six experiments andCurricular Requirement 5: Studentscreate models (visual, written, algebraic) of the experimentare provided with the opportunity tobased upon observation. [SP1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5]spend a minimum of 25 percent of2) Motion is investigated by students sketching d-t and v-tinstructional time engaging inhands-on laboratory work with angraphs of various motions. They describe the motion of anemphasis on inquiry-basedobject based upon the d-t or v-t graph. [SP1.4, 4.4,5.1]investigations.3) Determining speed of a constant motion cart: Studentsdetermine the speed of a constant motion cart using tickertape, meter stick and graphing. Structured Inquiry [SP 1.1,1.5,2.2,2.3,3.3,4.3, 220.127.116.11,5.3]4) Determine acceleration of gravity of a falling object: Students determine instantaneous speedsand acceleration of a falling object using ticker tape, meter stick and graphing. Structured Inquiry[SP 1.1,1.5,2.2,2.3,3.3,4.3, 18.104.22.168,5.3]5) Relative motion investigation: A qualitative investigation in which students develop anunderstanding that motion is relative and that the appearance of motion is based upon frame ofreference. Guided Inquiry [SP 1.4,6.4]6) Friction lab: Students measure the coefficient of friction between two surface using springbalances and graphing. Structured Inquiry [SP 1.2, 1.4, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1,6.5]7) Momentum Impulse demonstration: Students develop and explain an interaction in which themomentum-impulse theorem is demonstrated and present it to the class. Guided Inquiry [SP1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 6.2,6.3]8) Hooke’s Law Experiment: Students determine the relationship between distance stretched andforce required Structured Inquiry [SP 1.4, 2(all), 3.3, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1]9) Climbing Power: Students determine the amount of work and energy required to climb stairs atdifferent rates, relating potential energy with work done and power. Students are required todetermine the procedure to accomplish this. Guided Inquiry [SP 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4(all), 5.1]
510) Ballistics Pendulum: students determine the initial speed of a “bullet” using conservation ofmomentum and conservation of energy (kinetic and potential). Guided Inquiry [SP 2.1, 2.2, 3(all), 4.3, 4.4, 5(all)]11) Beats and Standing Waves: students determine how beats and standing waves are producedusing springs and sound equipment. [SP 1(all), 2.3, 3(all) 4(all)]12) Resonance Apparatus Lab: students determine the speed of sound by using resonance in a tube.Structured Inquiry [SP 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.3, 4.4]13) Index of refraction lab: Students determine the index of refraction of a liquid by measuringangles of incidence and refraction. Structured Inquiry [SP 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.3, 4.3, 4.4]14) Single slit interference: Students exam the single slit interference pattern produced by differentfrequencies of laser light and compare them. [SP 3(all), 4.4, 6(all), 7.2]15) Double slit Interference Lab: Students determine the separation of slits using a laser of knownwavelength and determine the wavelength of a laser of unknown frequency using these slits.Guided Inquiry as an independent study. [SP 1.5, 2 (all), 3(all), 4.1, 4.3, 4.4, 5(all), 6.1 6.4, 7.1]16) Research Report/Article: Choice of three topics –Curricular Requirement 4: TheAutomobile Safety, Energy Alternatives or Physics of acourse provides students withmusical instrument. Students relate physics to realopportunities to apply theirknowledge of physics principles toworld situations (Newton’s laws and conservation ofreal world questions or scenariosmomentum to Automobile Safety; Energy(including societal issues ortransformation and conservation to various energytechnological innovations) to helpthem become scientifically literatesources; Waves theory and wave motion to how acitizens.musical instrument works). [SP 1.2, 3(all), 4.4, 5.3,7(all)]Curricular Requirement 3: Studentshave opportunities to apply APPhysics 1 learning objectivesconnecting across enduringunderstandings as described in thecurriculum framework.Research report/article: LO 3.A.1.1;3.A.3.4; LO 4.C.2.2; LO 5.A.2.1Curricular Requirement7: The course providesopportunities forstudents to developtheir communicationskills by recordingevidence oftheir research ofliterature or scientificinvestigations throughverbal, written, andgraphic presentations.
6Chart 2: Course Timeline with Topics Correlated to Physics 1and 2 Curriculum Framework for Physics 121Course: Physics 121Curriculum Requirement 2: Thecourse design providesopportunities for students to developunderstanding of the AP Physics 1and 2 foundationalphysics principles in the context ofthe big ideas that organize thecurriculum framework.TimeTopic/Subtopic11 hours13 hoursGeometric Optics [CR2f (Phys 2)]Two dimensional kinematics and dynamics withenergy [CR2a, b, f (Phys 1)]Circular Motion, Kepler’s Laws and UniversalGravitation [CR2c (Phys 1)]Angular motion and torque, rotational statics, angularmomentum and rotational energy [CR2g (Phys 1)]Simple Harmonic Oscillators, Conservation ofMomentum in 2-D [CR2d,e (Phys 1)]Electrostatics and Electric Fields [CR2h (Phys 1); CR2c(Phys 2)]Electric Potential and Capacitance [CR2c, d(Phys 2)]Electric Circuits [CR2i (Phys 1); CRC2d (Phys 2)]12 hours12 hours12 hours10 hours10 hours10 hoursCorrelation to CurricularFrameworkBI 6BI 1,2,3,4BI 1,2,3,4BI 3,4,5BI 3,4,5BI 1,2,3,4,5BI 1,2,3,4,5BI 1,4,5Class work: Students derive the lens/mirror equation and apply it to problems, including real life problemssuch as cameras, telescopes and microscopes.Students can design a microscope given desired optical magnificationStudents reflect on qualitative questions surrounding mirror and lens use, spherical andchromatic aberration and practical functions of each type of device, including questionsregarding the function of the eye.Students solve problems for horizontal, symmetrical and asymmetrical projectiles in bothgeneral and specific form.Students apply Newton’s laws and free body diagrams inclined planes and multiple bodyproblems with and without (massless and frictionless) pulleys.Students use Kepler’s laws and Newton’s law of universal gravitation to solve problems,including real world problems (such as where to place geostationary satellites).Students recognize a gravitational field in terms of force per mass, as a change in the spacearound a mass and as the equivalent of gravitational acceleration.Students relate angular kinematics equations and dynamics equations to their linearcounterparts, and use these to solve rotational kinematics and statics problems.
7 Students use rotational kinetic energy, linear kinetic energy and gravitational potential energy tosolve problems and can discuss the transformation of these types of energy.Students use conservation of angular momentum to solve rotational collisions.Students solve problems involving real pulleys with mass and friction.Students analyze the relationship between circular motion and simple harmonic motion andderive equations for simple harmonic motion from circular motion.Students can describe the motion of a SHO using sine and cosine functions and can discuss anduse conservation of energy to describe the varying states of a SHO.Students use conservation of momentum both qualitatively and quantitatively to discussinteractions in two dimensions.Students can define charge and elementary charge and understand the law of conservation ofcharge.Students understand, qualitatively, the process and results of Millikan’s experiment.Students use Coulomb’s law to solve problems, including real world problems, involving staticelectricity in one and two dimensions.Students can define the electric field in terms of force per charge, and recognize it as the changein space around a charge. They can use electric fields to solve problems in one and twodimensions.Students can define electric potential and relate it to gravitational potential. Students recognizepotential difference as voltage and can use it to solve problems both spatially and in circuits.Students can define capacitance and are able to solve problems with capacitors in steady statecircuits. Students can also determine the capacitance of a device (or combination of devices)based on the voltage-time curve of an RC circuit.Students can solve simple and complex resistance circuits using circuit reduction, Ohm’s law andKirchhoff’s laws.Included laboratories, investigations, student demonstrations and project:17) Students determine the focal length of convex and concaveCurriculum Requirement 5: Studentslenses. Open inquiry. [SP 1(all), 2.1, 2.2, 3(all), 4(all), 5(all),are provided with the opportunity to6.1, 6.2]spend a minimum of 25 percent of18) Students determine the initial velocity of a projectileinstructional time engaging inhands-on laboratory work with anlaunched from a student built launcher (with the criteriaemphasis on inquiry-basedthat it must launch at a near constant velocity – includinginvestigations.direction). Open Inquiry [SP 1(all), 2.1, 2.2, 3(all), 4(all),5(all), 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 6.5]19) Students use a force table to show that net force is zero in a static situation. Guided Inquiry [SP1(all), 2(all), 3.1, 3.3, 4.1, 4.3, 4.4 , 5(all), 6.1, 6.2]20) Students are asked to devise and conduct an experiment to validate the centripetal forceequation by measuring centripetal force, radius and period independently. Open inquiry [SP1(all), 2(all), 3(all), 4(all), 5(all), 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.5]
821) Students are asked to measure the spring constant of a spring using Hooke’s law as well as theperiod of oscillation and be able to describe why these produce different results (not taking intoaccount the mass of the spring). Students are asked to determine the quality factor of thespring. Part Open, Part Guided Inquiry [SP 1(all), 2(all), 3(all), 4(all), 5(all), 6(all), 7.2]22) Students qualitatively investigate the effects of static electricity – opposite charges, attractionand repulsion, charging by friction, conduction and induction, and can describe qualitatively whycharging by friction works based on atomic and molecular electron configurations. GuidedInquiry [SP 1(all), 5(all), 7.1]23) Students verify the inverse square law of Coulomb’s equation. Guided Inquiry24) Students determine the capacitance of capacitors in series/parallel and combination using an RCcircuit and the time constant. Students construct circuits from symbolic circuit diagrams,including meters. Guided Inquiry [SP 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2(all), 3.3, 4.3, 5(all), 6.1, 6.4,7 (all)]25) Students validate Ohm’s law and Kirchoff’s laws in series/parallel and combination resistancecircuits. Students construct circuits from symbolic circuit diagrams, including meters. GuidedInquiry [SP 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2(all), 3.3, 4.3, 5(all), 6.1, 6.4,7 (all)]26) Research/Argumentative Essay: Students answer the question “What development in physics doyou believe has had the greatest impact on history.Curricular Requirement 4: TheDiscuss the advance and justify your reasoning.”course provides students withStudents are expected to discuss the physics behindopportunities to apply theirknowledge of physics principles to
Advanced Placement Physics 1 and Physics 2 are offered at Fredericton High School in a unique configuration over three 90 h courses. (Previously Physics 111, Physics 121 and AP Physics B 120; will now be called Physics 111, Physics 121 and AP Physics 2 120). The content for AP Physics 1 is divided