AP Physics C: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism Syllabus

AP Physics C is a calculus-based, college-level physics course that covers two separate full-year courses: Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. This course is designed for students interested in pursuing careers in physical science, engineering, or mathematics. The course emphasizes problem-solving, laboratory work, and conceptual understanding of fundamental physics principles.

The Mechanics portion covers kinematics, Newton's laws of motion, work, energy, power, systems of particles, linear momentum, circular motion, rotation, oscillations, and gravitation. The Electricity & Magnetism portion covers electrostatics, conductors, capacitors, dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, electromagnetism, and electromagnetic induction.

Students will engage in hands-on laboratory experiments, develop computational models, and solve complex problems using calculus. The course prepares students for both AP Physics C exams and provides a strong foundation for future studies in physics and engineering.

Teacher: Feng Gao
Grade: 11 & 12
Prerequisite: Calculus AB (or concurrent enrollment)
Classes per Week: 5
Curriculum + Credit: AP 5 (2 courses: Mechanics + E&M)

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

  1. Apply calculus to solve physics problems involving motion, forces, energy, and fields.
  2. Understand and apply fundamental principles of mechanics: F = ma, conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, rotational dynamics, and gravitation.
  3. Understand and apply fundamental principles of electricity and magnetism: Coulomb's law, Gauss's law, Ohm's law, Ampère's law, Faraday's law, and Maxwell's equations.
  4. Design, conduct, and analyze laboratory experiments to test physical principles.
  5. Develop computational models to simulate physical phenomena.
  6. Critically analyze and solve complex, multi-step physics problems.
  7. Prepare for and succeed on both AP Physics C exams (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism).

Primary Textbook: Physics for Scientists and Engineers with Modern Physics
Authors: Raymond A. Serway and John W. Jewett
Publisher: Cengage Learning
Edition: Latest Edition (as available)

Supplemental Materials:

This textbook provides comprehensive coverage of calculus-based physics, with numerous worked examples, problem sets, and conceptual explanations. The course follows the textbook structure closely, with additional emphasis on AP exam preparation and laboratory work.

Grades will be based on the following components:

Category Percentage
Attendance 15%
Participation 15%
Homework 20%
Exam 50%

- Late Work Policy: Assignments submitted late will incur a penalty of 10% per day, up to a maximum of 5 days. After 5 days, no credit will be given.
- Lab Policy: Laboratory reports are included in the Homework category. Students must complete all lab work to pass the course. Makeup labs are available for excused absences.
- Extra Credit: Occasionally, extra credit opportunities may be provided, such as solving advanced physics problems or extended lab projects.

AP Physics C consists of two separate exams, each 90 minutes long:

AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Exam

Preparation includes weekly practice problems, unit exams, and full-length practice exams in the final 8 weeks of the course.

Course Schedule

Week Dates Topics Unit
Semester 1: Mechanics
Week 1 Sep 1 - Sep 7 Kinematics: 1D Motion, Vectors, Velocity & Acceleration Unit 1: Kinematics
Week 2 Sep 8 - Sep 14 Kinematics: 2D Motion, Projectile Motion, Relative Motion Unit 1: Kinematics
Week 3 Sep 15 - Sep 21 Kinematics: Motion Graphs, Free Fall, Kinematic Equations Review Unit 1: Kinematics
Week 4 Sep 22 - Sep 28 Newton's Laws: Force, Inertia, Newton's First & Second Law Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion
Week 5 Sep 29 - Oct 5 Newton's Laws: Newton's Third Law, Friction, Drag Forces Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion
Week 6 Oct 6 - Oct 12 Newton's Laws: Equilibrium, Inclined Planes, Circular Motion Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion
Week 7 Oct 13 - Oct 19 Work & Energy: Work done by constant/variable forces, Kinetic Energy Unit 3: Work, Energy, Power
Week 8 Oct 20 - Oct 26 Work & Energy: Potential Energy, Conservation of Energy, Power Unit 3: Work, Energy, Power
Week 9 Oct 27 - Nov 2 Work & Energy: Energy diagrams, Non-conservative forces, Review Unit 3: Work, Energy, Power
Week 10 Nov 3 - Nov 9 Linear Momentum: Center of Mass, Impulse-Momentum Theorem Unit 4: Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum
Week 11 Nov 10 - Nov 16 Midterm Exam Midterm Assessment
Week 12 Nov 17 - Nov 23 Linear Momentum: Conservation of Momentum, Collisions Unit 4: Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum
Week 13 Nov 24 - Nov 30 Rotation: Angular Kinematics, Rotational Energy, Torque Unit 5: Rotation
Week 14 Dec 1 - Dec 7 Rotation: Moment of Inertia, Rolling Motion, Angular Momentum Unit 5: Rotation
Week 15 Dec 8 - Dec 14 Rotation: Conservation of Angular Momentum, Static Equilibrium Unit 5: Rotation
Week 16 Dec 15 - Dec 21 Oscillations: Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, Pendulums Unit 6: Oscillations & Gravitation
Week 17 Dec 22 - Dec 28 Gravitation: Newton's Law of Gravitation, Kepler's Laws, Orbital Mechanics Unit 6: Oscillations & Gravitation
Week 18 Dec 29 - Jan 4 Mechanics Comprehensive Review & Final Exam Semester 1 Final
Semester 2: Electricity & Magnetism
Week 19 Mar 2 - Mar 8 Electrostatics: Coulomb's Law, Electric Fields, Gauss's Law Unit 1: Electrostatics
Week 20 Mar 9 - Mar 15 Electrostatics: Electric Potential, Capacitance, Dielectrics Unit 1 + 2: Electrostatics & Capacitors
Week 21 Mar 16 - Mar 22 Electric Circuits: Current, Resistance, Kirchhoff's Laws, DC Circuits Unit 3: Electric Circuits
Week 22 Mar 23 - Mar 29 Magnetic Fields: Lorentz Force, Biot-Savart Law, Ampère's Law Unit 4: Magnetic Fields
Week 23 Mar 30 - Apr 5 Electromagnetism: Faraday's Law, Inductance, Maxwell's Equations (ALL CONTENT COMPLETE) Unit 5: Electromagnetism
Review & Exam Period
Week 24 Apr 6 - Apr 12 AP Review: Mechanics (Units 1-6) + Mock Exam 1 AP Exam Review
Week 25 Apr 13 - Apr 19 AP Review: E&M (Units 1-5) + Mock Exam 2 AP Exam Review
Week 26 Apr 20 - Apr 26 AP Review: Weak area focus + Full-length practice exam AP Exam Review
Week 27 Apr 27 - May 3 Final Review + Last practice exam AP Exam Review
Week 28 May 4 - May 10 Final AP Review & Exam Preparation AP Exam Review
Week 29 May 11 - May 17 AP Physics C Exams (Mechanics + E&M) AP Exam Week
Final Project Period
Week 30 May 18 - May 24 Final Project: Proposal & Planning Final Project
Week 31 May 25 - May 31 Final Project: Development & Implementation Final Project
Week 32 Jun 1 - Jun 7 Final Project: Testing & Documentation Final Project
Week 33 Jun 8 - Jun 14 Final Project: Presentations & Submission Final Project

Note: Schedule is subject to adjustment based on class progress and lab scheduling needs.

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