Course Syllabus
AP Physics 1
Laramie High School
Instructor: Christopher West
Email: cwest@acsd1.org (preferred contact method)
Phone: (307) 721-4420 ext. 61050
Textbook: College Physics, OpenStax (Link to web version on Canvas)
Course Description
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of Physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics; dynamics; circular motion and gravitation; energy; momentum; simple harmonic motion; and torque and rotational motion.
AP Physics 1 Framework
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.
Science Practices (SP):
SP1: The student can use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems.
SP2: The student can use mathematics appropriately
SP3: The student can engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of AP Physics
SP4: The student can plan and implement data collection strategies in relation to a particular scientific question
SP5: The student can perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence
SP6: The student can work with scientific explanations and theories
SP7: The student is able to connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations and in and across domains.
Class Website: Canvas will be utilized for homework, videos, virtual labs, and review.
Required Materials
- Writing instruments: pens (blue or black) for the lab notebook, pencils for homework, quizzes, and tests
- Highlighters: Pink, yellow, green, blue (for lab notebook and notes)
- Composition notebook for labs
- Spiral notebook/3 ring binder for notes, homework, and practice problems
- Calculator: List of approved calculators can be found at apstudents.collegeboard.org
- Headphones (when there are videos or music is needed to aid focus)
Grading
- Homework and Classwork: 20%
- Labs: 30%
- Tests and Quizzes: 50%
Lab Notebook
Students will be expected to keep and maintain a complete lab notebook. This notebook will follow the expectations given to the students, which will be attached to the inside of their notebook.
This MUST be kept in a composition notebook with your name, school year, and class on it. Please keep this notebook until you go to college. You may be able to present this to your Physics department, in conjunction with a passing AP Physics exam grade, to receive credit for a Physics lab. Let me know if acquiring a composition notebook is difficult for you.
Classroom Rules
The rules for this class can be reduced to one thing: Respect. If you have respect for the classroom, your fellow students, and me, I am sure we will all get along great and have a productive class. If you are about to do, or say something, one simple rule of thumb is to ask yourself whether or not you are being respectful. Of course, this requires a certain amount of give and take by all of those in the class. This means that as your teacher, I will also give you the respect you deserve. Any violation of this rule could result in either a detention, a written assignment or an administrative referral. Note: If you truly follow this rule everyday, all of the other rules will already be taken care of!
Late or Missing Assignment Policy
Assignments are generally due on the day of the unit exam. Because of the large amount of time given for students to complete work, in addition to the work time in class, late work will be accepted up to ONE DAY LATE for a 20% penalty. Late work will not be accepted after that point. All missing assignments are IMMEDIATELY marked as a zero.
Plagiarism and Cheating
Education is about improving oneself; improving what you know and your abilities. Let me explain why by way of an analogy. Everyone can go online and watch videos of the world’s best runners, soccer players, and athletes in the world. Does watching those videos do anything to make the WATCHER better? No. If anyone aspires to something great, that person has to put in the time and the work. The same is true intellectually. You can’t copy your way to improvement and greatness. You can only copy your way to stasis and mediocrity. (Think about it this way, the problems at the end of the chapter are called EXERCISES for a reason.)
Just as it is easier and easier to see the best athletes in the world, it is also becoming easier and easier for students to plagiarize assignments or “cheat” on quizzes and tests. We will be using a variety of in class technologies that lend to the possibility of cheating. CHEATING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED! This includes, but is not limited to:
- Completing an assignment for a student other than yourself
- Copying someone’s assignment and turning it in as your own
- Editing another student’s work without their permission
- Copying work done on websites and submitting it as your work
- Using unauthorized websites during assignments
Cheating is an automatic non-replaceable zero and phone call home for all involved.
Additional Study Help
- Additional tutoring is available during I & E every week.
- I am also available before and after school. If a student needs extra help, they need to schedule a time that works for everyone involved.
- Struggling students may want additional study materials. Ask for recommendations.
*Note: Any book or material dated earlier than 2014 is likely not up to date.*
Tentative Course Outline
Fall Semester
Unit Zero: Mathematical and Graphing Skills (1-2 weeks)
Unit One: Kinematics (3-4 weeks)
Unit Two: Dynamics (4-5 weeks)
Unit Three: Circular Motion (2 weeks)
Unit Four: Energy (4-5 weeks)
Cumulative Midterm
Spring Semester
Unit Five: Momentum (4-5 weeks)
Unit Six: Simple Harmonic Motion (1-2 weeks)
Unit Seven: Torque and Rotational Motion (5-6 weeks)
Mock Exam and Review (4 weeks)
AP Exam: May 12, 2022
Course Summary:
| Date | Details | Due |
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