About AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an algebra-based physics course. It includes both classical and modern physics. We will study the five following areas:
- Newtonian Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Waves and Optics
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Students will have the opportunity to perform many hands-on labs in the classroom. Most of the labs will present a question or a problem to the students and then they will design and perform their own lab procedure.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in The University of Utah concurrent lab course Physics 2015. They will earn college lab credit by participating in these labs.
There are several projects that students will get to do. Projects that have been done in the past are building trebuchets and designing and building electrical model houses.
In May students will take the AP Physics B test. The test is 3 hours long - divided between a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. There are 70 multiple-choice questions and 6-7 free-response questions. The test is designed to evaluate the breadth of learning and a student's understanding of fundamental physical concepts. Because the exam covers a wide range of topics, some students all over the nation find it more difficult than classroom tests. Because of this we here at Brighton will get lots of practice with released exams before The Big Day. We want our students to feel comfortable and prepared for the exam.
- Newtonian Mechanics
- Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Waves and Optics
- Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Students will have the opportunity to perform many hands-on labs in the classroom. Most of the labs will present a question or a problem to the students and then they will design and perform their own lab procedure.
Students will also have the opportunity to participate in The University of Utah concurrent lab course Physics 2015. They will earn college lab credit by participating in these labs.
There are several projects that students will get to do. Projects that have been done in the past are building trebuchets and designing and building electrical model houses.
In May students will take the AP Physics B test. The test is 3 hours long - divided between a multiple-choice section and a free-response section. There are 70 multiple-choice questions and 6-7 free-response questions. The test is designed to evaluate the breadth of learning and a student's understanding of fundamental physical concepts. Because the exam covers a wide range of topics, some students all over the nation find it more difficult than classroom tests. Because of this we here at Brighton will get lots of practice with released exams before The Big Day. We want our students to feel comfortable and prepared for the exam.
Scope and Sequence
Below are the topics we will discuss and how much of the AP test will contain these topics (given in percentage).
1. Newtonian Mechanics (35%)
a. Kinematics (7%) b. Newton's Laws of Motion (9%) c. Work, Energy, Power (5%) d. Linear Momentum (4%) e. Circular Motion (4%) f. Oscillations and Gravitation (6%) 2. Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics (15%) a. Fluid Mechanics (6%) b. Temperature and Heat (2%) c. Thermodynamics (7%) |
3. Electricity and Magnetism (25%)
a. Electrostatics (5%) b. Conductors, Dielectrics, Capacitors (4%) c. Electric Circuits (7%) d. Magnetic Fields (4%) e. Electromagnetism (5%) 4. Waves and Optics (15%) a. Wave motion (5%) b. Physical Optics (5%) c. Geometric Optics (5%) 5. Atomic and Nuclear Physics (10%) a. Atomic Physics and Quantum Effects (7%) b. Nuclear Physics (3%) |
Student Work - Evidence of Learning and Understanding
There will be several opportunities for students to show evidence of their learning. Below are some of the examples:
1. WebAssign homework - problems taken from the text will be posted onto WebAssign. Students submit their answers and receive immediate feedback on their work. They'll have several chances to submit correct answers. Students will also be able to utilize the forum on WebAssign to discuss the homework with one another and assist each other in learning.
2. Labs - labs will be done both in class and with the concurrent enrollment course with The University of Utah Physics and Astronomy Department. Students will learn how to design and construct their own experiments, how to collect data, how to interpret data, and also how to report their results in formal lab reports.
3. Projects - students will participate in projects to extend their learning and apply their knowledge to the outside world. Most projects will involve construction of some kind (building trebuchets and bridges, for example). Others will allow students to use their creativity (making videos, designing their dream home powered by alternative energy sources, etc.).
4. In class practice - students will work together with their classmates to answer example problems. Occasionally they will be asked to write solutions on the board and present their work to their classmates. They will have the opportunity to teach and help their classmates by presenting their work, as well as develop their communication skills in the process (performing problems on your own and telling someone else how you do a problem are very different skills).
5. Quizzes - these will be given occasionally as an informal evaluation tool. The quizzes are mainly for the benefit of the students as they will be able to see what they already know and what they need to work on in the future. These may be given in class or posted online.
6. Tests - every unit will have a summative assessment. Students will have the opportunity to improve their test grade by retaking the tests (not the exact same test, but one that is similar) if they choose. Test retakes will be encouraged because the goal of the course is MASTERY.
1. WebAssign homework - problems taken from the text will be posted onto WebAssign. Students submit their answers and receive immediate feedback on their work. They'll have several chances to submit correct answers. Students will also be able to utilize the forum on WebAssign to discuss the homework with one another and assist each other in learning.
2. Labs - labs will be done both in class and with the concurrent enrollment course with The University of Utah Physics and Astronomy Department. Students will learn how to design and construct their own experiments, how to collect data, how to interpret data, and also how to report their results in formal lab reports.
3. Projects - students will participate in projects to extend their learning and apply their knowledge to the outside world. Most projects will involve construction of some kind (building trebuchets and bridges, for example). Others will allow students to use their creativity (making videos, designing their dream home powered by alternative energy sources, etc.).
4. In class practice - students will work together with their classmates to answer example problems. Occasionally they will be asked to write solutions on the board and present their work to their classmates. They will have the opportunity to teach and help their classmates by presenting their work, as well as develop their communication skills in the process (performing problems on your own and telling someone else how you do a problem are very different skills).
5. Quizzes - these will be given occasionally as an informal evaluation tool. The quizzes are mainly for the benefit of the students as they will be able to see what they already know and what they need to work on in the future. These may be given in class or posted online.
6. Tests - every unit will have a summative assessment. Students will have the opportunity to improve their test grade by retaking the tests (not the exact same test, but one that is similar) if they choose. Test retakes will be encouraged because the goal of the course is MASTERY.