This document outlines the curriculum, materials, schedule, policies, and grading for an AP Physics B course. The course covers mechanics, electricity, waves, and modern physics over four quarters based on the College Board AP Physics B standards. Students will use a physics textbook and complete labs, homework, quizzes, and tests. The syllabus details expectations for class behavior, lab safety, making up missed work, academic honesty, assignment deadlines, and how student grades will be determined.

1. AP Physics B -- Gridley 2010-2011
In this course the student will study the areas of physics covered in a first year trig-based college physics course. The
curriculum is based on the standards set by the College Board for AP Physics B. A detailed student object list can be would on
their website.
Text: Physics Cutnell and Johnson 4th edition
Other materials: Notebook of your choice, calculator with trig functions, graph paper, ruler, and a protractor.
First Quarter topics: Introductory Math/Vectors; Kinematics in 1-D/Graphical Analysis of Motion; Kinematics in 2-D;
Newton’s Laws of Motion; Work and Energy and Momentum
Second Quarter: Circular Motion; Torque; Simple Harmonic Motion; Rotational Motion; Fluids; Electrostatics; and DC
Circuits.
Third Quarter: Magnetism; Electromagnetic Induction Sound and Waves; Reflection and Refraction.
Mirrors/Lenses; Diffraction and Interference;
Fourth Quarter: Ideal Gas Laws; Thermodynamics; Modern Physics and review for AP test. After AP Exam students will
work on group or individual projects.
Note: The topics covered each quarter may need to be adjusted depending on school calendar and when breaks occur.
Class time:
• Students are expected to maintain appropriate classroom behavior at all times.
• All school rules will be followed in class.
Safety First:
• Labs are to be conducted in such a way that equipment and students are safe.
• Inappropriate behavior during labs or misuse of lab equipment will have serious consequences for the student,
including but not limited to zero for the lab, and exclusion from other labs.
Absences:
• It is the STUDENT’S responsibility to determine what is missing and the due dates.
• Most of my notes are given on the overhead and therefore erased. You will need to get class notes from someone in
class or take careful notes from the text. You are expected to get notes within two day of the absence.
• If a student misses classwork, homework, a quiz or a test it is expected to be completed and turned in within two days
of absence. An extension may be granted by the teacher if requested by the student.
• If a student misses a lab it is to be made up within one week of the absence.
• A student that is absent for a school related activity (field trip, band, athletics…) is responsible for the work
done that day and should be prepared for the next days work—including turning in any homework that is
assigned, getting any missed notes and being prepared for any quiz or test.
Academic Honesty (cheating)
• Keep in mind that maintaining academic honesty and integrity will benefit you more than anyone else.
• Students are encouraged to actively work together to finish a problem, lab or other assignments.
• Students that are suspected of cheating will receive a zero for that assignment. Be aware that I consider a student
cheating if the student is copying or allowing someone to copy.
• If a student gives an assignment to another student to copy that student that gave the assignment and the student that
copied the assignment will both receive zeroes and an academic referral.
• If a student takes another student’s assignment without their consent the student that is cheating will receive a zero for
the assignment and a disciplinary referral for stealing and the other student will not be penalized.
Turning in assignments:
• The due date and deadline for all assignments is the same date.
• If a student is working on an assignment in the five minute passing period it will be considered incomplete and will
not be accepted.
Grading: Please note I grade using weighted categories and percents, not total points.
For all graded assignment NO WORK = NO CREDIT
To ensure full credit for word problems:
• Indicate what is given.
• Identify what is unknown.
• Identify the formula to be used.
• Substitute.
• Solve—include appropriate number of significant figures and appropriate units.
To ensure full credit for conceptual questions justify answers and include appropriate Physics terms.
See additional handout regarding arriving at student grade.