AP Physics 2At one time the field of physics was called “natural philosophy”, because to study physics was to explore the “how” and “why” of the natural world. In the modern era, physics has developed into a diverse field with many sub‐topics and specializations. AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based overview that moves on from AP Physics 1 with more introductory areas while emphasizing the development of skills of scientific inquiry such as problem solving and critical thinking.
Course content Topics to be studied include:
|
|
The Big Ideas
The course is based on six Big Ideas which encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the physical world. The following are the Big Ideas:
Students establish lines of evidence and use them to develop and refine testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena. Focusing on these disciplinary practices enables teachers to use the principles of scientific inquiry to promote a more engaging and rigorous experience for AP Physics students. Such practices require that students:
It is the expectation that students completing this course will take the AP Physics 2 exam in May. Because this is an accelerated college‐level program much will be expected of the student. It is not uncommon for successful AP Physics students to spend 1 to 1½ hours outside of class each day working on AP Physics assignments and preparatory material, especially since 25% or more of class time will be spent in laboratory investigations. Students will be expected to read the text and complete assigned homework outside of class before coming to class. This is essential to be prepared to participate in the discussions and activities that occur during class. Missed classwork and assignments, especially weekly lab activities, should be made‐up as soon as possible. Policy regarding make up work is as follows:
Students will have 2 days from the day of their absence to request make‐up work. Completed make‐up assignments are due 5 days from the absence. If a student is absent the day of a test then they will be expected to take the test on the day they return – unless other days were missed prior.
Grading and assessment of your participation in this class will be based on a blend of homework, classwork, labs, quizzes and tests. Final averages will be calculated based on the following weighted categories:
Students in AP Physics will need a scientific calculator, preferably one capable of graphing. They are available for loan in the media center if you do not wish to purchase one. There is no excuse for not having a calculator, particularly on test day. There will be no sharing of calculators.
The course is based on six Big Ideas which encompass core scientific principles, theories, and processes that cut across traditional boundaries and provide a broad way of thinking about the physical world. The following are the Big Ideas:
- Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
- Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
- The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
- Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
- Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
- 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.
Students establish lines of evidence and use them to develop and refine testable explanations and predictions of natural phenomena. Focusing on these disciplinary practices enables teachers to use the principles of scientific inquiry to promote a more engaging and rigorous experience for AP Physics students. Such practices require that students:
- Use representations and models to communicate scientific phenomena and solve scientific problems;
- Use mathematics appropriately;
- Engage in scientific questioning to extend thinking or to guide investigations within the context of the AP course;
- Plan and implement data collection strategies in relation to a particular scientific question;
- Perform data analysis and evaluation of evidence;
- Work with scientific explanations and theories; and
- Connect and relate knowledge across various scales, concepts, and representations in and across domains.
It is the expectation that students completing this course will take the AP Physics 2 exam in May. Because this is an accelerated college‐level program much will be expected of the student. It is not uncommon for successful AP Physics students to spend 1 to 1½ hours outside of class each day working on AP Physics assignments and preparatory material, especially since 25% or more of class time will be spent in laboratory investigations. Students will be expected to read the text and complete assigned homework outside of class before coming to class. This is essential to be prepared to participate in the discussions and activities that occur during class. Missed classwork and assignments, especially weekly lab activities, should be made‐up as soon as possible. Policy regarding make up work is as follows:
Students will have 2 days from the day of their absence to request make‐up work. Completed make‐up assignments are due 5 days from the absence. If a student is absent the day of a test then they will be expected to take the test on the day they return – unless other days were missed prior.
Grading and assessment of your participation in this class will be based on a blend of homework, classwork, labs, quizzes and tests. Final averages will be calculated based on the following weighted categories:
- Classwork, Homework and Labs - Formative Assessments - 50%
- Tests and Quizzes - Summative Assessments - 50%
Students in AP Physics will need a scientific calculator, preferably one capable of graphing. They are available for loan in the media center if you do not wish to purchase one. There is no excuse for not having a calculator, particularly on test day. There will be no sharing of calculators.