Name:

Block:
AP Physics Course Syllabus

Instructor: Tim Woolgar
School Phone: 415-749-3600 (ext 3307)
School Email: twoolgar@gatewayhigh.org (the best way - Students must use their Gateway email)
Website: http://woolgar.weebly.com/

Course Description: AP Physics is a comprehensive course covering the core concepts in
physics. It is a non-calculus based physics course designed by the College Board. It is similar to
those taken in college by pre-med students. Students will develop an understanding of the basic
nature of matter and energy and how they are related. Physics gives students a deeper insight
into how the world around them works and how the math that they have studied is applied to
practical problems. This course will focus on understanding concepts, in-depth problem solving,
laboratory investigation, and applying concepts to natural phenomena. Passing the AP Test and
potentially earning college credit is the primary goal for all students enrolled in the class, but the
overall experience is more important. The process of students challenging themselves while
working closely with their peers ultimately prepares them for future success.

Course Overview: AP Physics is a one-year course that meets three times a week for a total of
3 hours 54 minutes. AP Physics is open to all students wishing to take the course, but it is
required that students have passed Algebra II and highly recommended that students have
passed Pre Calculus. All students enrolled in the course are required to take the AP exam in May.

Evaluation: Students will be evaluated in the following areas:
1. Tests (40%)
Tests are given after each unit. Each test consists of three sections:
Multiple-choice questions mixture of old AP, teacher generated and text questions
Free-response problems all old AP questions
Lab-based question: may also include demonstrations and/or simulations.
Quizzes - During each unit, quizzes are administered to assess student progress and to
identify concepts that need to be retaught.
2. Lab Work (30%) Lab experiments are all hands on and vary from the standard follow a
procedure model to more open-ended investigations.
3. Classwork (10%) - This grade reflects in-class problem-solving exercises, group work on
released AP exams, and Physlet problems.
4. Process Assignments (20%)
Homework assignments are given from the textbook and from released AP exams.
Students will be assessed on their lab notebook, and binder organization
-1% for every unexcused absence

Each quarter will be 40% of the overall semester grade with the semester final exam being the
remaining 20%. Both semester exams will be three-hour mock AP exams.

Textbook: AP Physics 1 Essentials, Hewiit Conceptual Physics for conceptual understanding
and electronic resources such as Physics classroom for online assistance.

NOTE I recommend 5 Steps to a 5 AP Physics 1 Algebra-based (Greg Jacobs) as a test prep
and review text.
Required Materials
Students will need the following materials for this class and are required to bring them everyday:
A binder, ruled journal (see below), Scientific Calculator, Pencil (YES a pencil!)
Your textbook can be kept wherever you do homework as there are copies in class.

Journal (or paper in a 3-ringed binder)
This is for Warm ups, homework and notes taken during class. This journal is for this class
only! There will be unit journal checks to count WUP stamps.


Typical Questions or FAQs
Do I accept late work?
Yes. I want you to get the work done, since it reinforces the material covered in class. However,
the work must be completed in tutoring or free blocks with Mr W and is only worth 50% credit
unless the absence was excused. You will also be given 2 late-work tickets per quarter for lab
assignments. If the passes are unused, they may be turned for bonus points.
LATE WORK CAN ONLY BE ACCEPTED FOR THE CURRENT UNIT
Please note:- Always hand in late work, since 50% is very different from a ZERO.

What if Im absent?
If your absence is un-excused, your work must be made up, but you will not be given full or
depending on the circumstance, any credit. If your absence was excused, you have until the next
time we meet to turn in the missing work for full credit. Find out what you missed from your
group. Your group members should store any missed assignments in the group folder. You may
also find extra handouts in your class binder (front of the class). Youll need to make up all
missed labs and / or tests during our scheduled make up day (Tuesday A/S). Use the sign up
sheet to sign up for lab make-ups.

What if I know Ill be absent or have athletics?
Come ahead of time during tutoring hours or even better try and come to another class to
complete the work. I will support you but remember balancing athletics with class is YOUR
responsibility.

Do you accept rewrites/revisions?
Yes and no. You may rewrite 1 unit test and revise 1 lab report per semester. Revising your
mistakes enhances your understanding of the material and will help you later on (final exams).
This is the second time I will be grading this material and it better be perfect. If your revision is
shoddy or shows little effort, your original grade will be reduced.

What are the grading symbols you use?
ex excused absence and grade will not be reduced
LATE Late work, only 50% credit (remember MUST be made up in tutoring)
LWT Late Work ticket (credit not reduced only on labs)

What if I need to ask questions outside of class?
Email me or use the website. I will get back to you ASAP. Please see me for extra help when needed.
I will be available during lunch Tuesday/Thursday and after school on Tuesdays.

AP Physics Big Ideas:
Each unit has guiding questions that directly correlate to the AP Physics 1 big ideas. These seven
principles are the core scientific principles, theories and processes of physics.

Big Idea 1: Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
Big Idea 2: Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big Idea 3: The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
Big Idea 4: Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
Big Idea 5: Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
Big Idea 6: Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer
of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
Big Idea 7: The mathematics of probability can be used to describe the behavior of complex systems and to interpret
the behavior of quantum mechanical systems.

Course Outline:

Unit 0: Introduction
1. Scientific Method
2. Significant figures
3. Units, unit conversion, and units in problem solving
4. Graphical methods
5. Vectors, vector algebra and components

Unit 1: Kinematics
Guiding questions (Big Idea 3) How can we describe and represent motion at constant velocity and
under constant acceleration? How can we represent motion with a graph? How can we analyze and
make calculations of motion in both one and two dimensions?
1. Motion in one dimension (including displacement, velocity, and acceleration)
2. Position-time, velocity-time and acceleration-time graphs
3. Equations of motion under constant acceleration
4. Motion in two dimensions, projectile motion

Unit 2: Newtons Laws of Motion
Guiding Questions (Big ideas 1,2,3,4) How do Newtons laws apply to objects at rest and in motion?
How can forces be represented using a free body diagram? How do Newtons Laws apply to two or
more objects?
1. Static equilibrium (First law)
2. Dynamics of a single particle (Second law)
3. Systems of two or more bodies, free body diagrams (Third law)

Unit 3. Gravitation and Circular Motion
Guiding Questions (Big Ideas 1,2,3 4) What is a fundamental force and how does it vary with distance?
How can an object be kept moving in a circle?
1. Newtons Law of Gravitation
2. Uniform circular motion
3. Centripetal Force and Acceleration

Unit 4. Work, Energy, Power and Linear Momentum
Guiding Questions (Big Ideas 3,4 and 5) How is energy transformed within a system and how does
work relate to energy? What does it mean for energy to be conserved and how can we represent that
using a circle graph? How does momentum change with an applied force? What does it mean for
momentum to be conserved? How does the outcome of a collision depend on the type of collision?
1. Work and work-energy theorem
2. Conservative forces and potential energy
3. Conservation of energy
4. Power
5. Impulse and momentum
6. Conservation of linear momentum, collisions

Unit 5. Torque and Rotational Momentum
Guiding Questions (Big Ideas 3,4 and 5) What are the relationships among angular momentum,
angular velocity, angular acceleration, rotational inertia, and torque? How are angular quantities related
to linear quantities? How is angular momentum conserved?
1. Center of mass
2. Static Equilibirum and Torque
3. Rotational Kinematics and energy
4. Rotational Dynamics
5. Angular velocity, angular acceleration and angular momentum

Unit 6. Simple Harmonic Motion, Waves and Sound
Guiding Questions (Big Idea 3, 5 and 6) What determines Simple Harmonic Motion and how is it
connected to circular motion? What creates a wave and how do they transport energy? What
determines the speed of a wave and how can it be found? What interactions occur between waves and
how do we observe them?
1. Simple harmonic motion (dynamics and energy relationships)
2. Mass on a spring, pendulum and other oscillations
3. Wave properties and equation
4. Doppler effect, bow and shock waves
5. Properties of traveling and standing waves
6. Superposition, interference and diffraction
7. Sound phenomenon including beats and resonance

Unit 7. Electrostatics and Simple Electric Circuits
Guiding Questions (Big Ideas 1, 3 and 5) What is charge and how can it be determined? How is charge
conserved and how do we charge objects? What determines the force between charged objects and
how is it related to gravitational force? How are current, voltage and resistance determined in both
parallel and series circuits? How can we interact safely with electricity?
1. Charge, conservation of charge, field and potential
2. Coulombs Law and field and potential of point charges
3. Ohms Law, current, resistance, power
4. Series and parallel circuits including Kirchhoffs law
5. Multimeters and electrical safety
Rocket Activity: The Rocket activity is designed to apply learning objectives from across multiple
topics within mechanics. The project requires design, building and testing of a 2 liter soda bottle
rocket and recovery system designed to carry a raw egg (eggonaut) safely up and back to earth.
Students will analyze launch video and complete calculations for motion, forces, momentum and
energy of the egg and then use this data to provide a narrative of the complete flightpath from the
perspective of the eggonaut using the data as evidence.

Real World Connection: The AP Physics 1 includes multiple opportunities to connect learning to
real world scenarios. Labs will include a real world connection question that tests understanding.

Argumentation Skills: An understanding of physics concepts is best developed when students
construct their own models to understand the physical world. In this class students work using
whiteboards to develop models for real world scenarios that they then present and defend with
their peers.

Lab Work: AP Physics 1 is a laboratory science and will require students to enhance their
understanding of the subject matter by performing qualitative and quantitative hands-on
experiments for each unit. Inquiry or more open-ended investigations will be an integral part of
the course. Students will be given an objective and a list of equipment and will then be asked
design their own procedure and a process for data collection, and synthesize their ideas in the
analysis. Class time will be used for conducting the experiment and data collection. Students will
need perform the analysis and complete the lab report at home. Reports will be done in a
students lab notebook. A minimum of 25% of class time will be dedicated to laboratory work.

Lab reports will consist of the following components: Purpose, Method, Assumptions, Data,
Analysis, Conclusion, and Sources of Uncertainty

General area
of study

Specific topic
(AP Physics 1
Science Practice)
Laboratory Title
(Guided and open inquiries will
be noted below)
Supplies
Graphing
practice
Graphical analysis
(SP 4.2, 4.3)
Using slope in data analysis Assorted masses, calipers, and
rulers.
Mechanics Linear Motion
(SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2,
5.1)
Prediction and reproduction of
kinematics graphs with motion
detector
Motion sensor
Mechanics Linear Motion
(SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2,
5.1)
Measurement and prediction of
velocity and relative velocity using
electric buggys
Stop watch, measuring tape
Mechanics Gravity / Terminal
Velocity
(SP 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2,
4.2, 5.1)
Determining the acceleration due
to gravity
(Guided Inquiry)
Stop watch, measuring tape,
motion sensor
Mechanics Projectile Motion
(SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2,
5.1)
Range of a projectile aka Hit the
target
(Guided Inquiry)
Projectile launcher, photogate
Mechanics Newton's 2
nd
, 3
rd
Law,
Friction
(SP 1.1, 1.4, 5.3, 6.4,
Determining an unknown mass
using a modified Atwood's
machine
Photogate, cart, pulley, masses
7.2) (Guided Inquiry)
Mechanics Friction
(SP 1.1, 1.3, 1.4, 2.2,
2.3, 5.3, 6.4, 7.2)
Determining the coefficients of
static and sliding friction
Varying rectangular blocks and
force sensor, masses
Mechanics Circular Motion and
Angular Momentum
(SP 6.4, 7.2)
Determining the velocity of an
object in circular motion
(Guided Inquiry)
Tubes, known mass on string,
slotted masses meter stick,
stopwatch
Mechanics Work, Energy, and
Power
(SP 1.1, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2,
4.2, 5.1)
Determining your personal power
output
(Guided Inquiry)
Scale, meter stick, stopwatch
Mechanics Conservation of
Energy
(SP 4.2, 4.3)

Pendulum predictions Bowling ball pendulum
Mechanics Conservation of
Momentum
(SP 2.2, 3.2, 5.1, 5.3,
6.4)
Collisions and velocity
calculations
Dynamics track, carts, photogates
Mechanics Conservation of
Momentum
(SP 2.2, 3.2, 5.1, 5.3,
6.4)
Collisions and velocity
calculations
Toy dart guns, toy cars, photogate
Mechanics Simple Harmonic
Motion, Hooke's Law
(SP 1.1, 1.4, 6.2, 6.4,
7.2)
Determining the force constant of
a spring two ways
(Guided Inquiry)
Hooke's law apparatus, a set of
masses and a meter stick
Electricity &
Magnetism
Electrostatics
(SP 3.1, 3.2, 6.2, 6.4,
7.2)
Investigation and discovery with
the Van de Graff generator
Van De Graff generator, discharge
sphere, various objects
Electricity &
Magnetism
Electrostatic charging
(SP 6.2, 6.4, 7.2)
To charge objects through
conduction and induction
Electrophorus, foam plate, neon
bulb
Electricity &
Magnetism
Circuits Series and
Parallel
(SP 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 4.2,
5.1)
Using electric circuits to verify
Ohm's Law
Multimeter, circuit board set
Waves Standing waves
(SP 2.2, 3.2, 5.1, 5.3,
6.4)
Determining the frequency of
standing waves
Electric string vibrator, string,
pulley with rod support, meter stick
and set of masses
Waves Mechanical Wave
properties
(SP1.2)

Musical Instruments in relation to
frequency and wavelength
Water flutes, meter sticks
Waves Resonance
(SP 2.1, 2.2, 3.2, 4.1,
5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4)
Determining the speed of sound
(Guided Inquiry)
Resonance tubes, tuning fork,
meter stick