AP Physics Syllabus 2009x

AP Physics Syllabus 2009
-
2010


Taken from the
AP Physics B Syllabus
, College

Board, AP Physics Workshop Handbook 2009


I. Introduction



Unit 1: Math and Data Review

(~1
.5

week)




Algebra and data collection review



Vector addition using both graphing and
algebra


II. Newtonian Mechanics


Unit 2: Kinematics

(~2.5 weeks)




Motion in one dimension

1.

Position and velocity graphs

2.

Equations of motion with constant acceleration



Motion in two dimensions

1.

Projectiles

2.

Circular motion


Unit 3: Newton’s Laws

(~2.5 weeks)




Static equilibrium (first law)



Dynamics of single body (second law)



Systems of two or more bodies (third law)



Gravitation



Applications

1.

Inclined planes

2.

Static and kinetic friction

3.

Planetary motion


Unit 4: Work, Energy, Power and Momentum

(~2.5 weeks)




Wor
k and Work
-
Kinetic Energy Theorem



Conservation forces and potential energy

1.

Gravity

2.

Springs



Conservation of mechanical energy



Power



Simple harmonic motion

1.

Springs and pendulums

2.

Energies of simple harmonic motion



Momentum

1.

Impulse
-
Momentum Theorem

2.

Conservation of linear momentum and collisions

3.

Conservation of angular momentum


III. Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics


Unit 5: Fluid Mechanics

(~2 weeks)




Density and pressure

1.

Pressure vs. depth

2.

Pascal’s Law



Buoyancy and Archimedes Principle



Fluid flow

continuity



Bermouli’s equation



Applications

1.

Hydraulics

2.

Flotation

3.

Flight

4.

Plumbing


Unit 6: Thermal Physics

(~2.5 weeks)




Temperature and thermal effects

1.

Mechanical equivalent of heat

2.

Heat transfer and thermal expansion

3.

Calorimetry



Kinetic Theory, Ideal
gases and Gas Laws



Thermodynamics



First Law of Thermodynamics

1.

Internal energy

2.

Energy conservation

3.

Molar heat capacity of a gas



Second Law of Thermodynamics

1.

Directions of processes

2.

Entropy



Heat engines and refrigerators


IV. Electricity and Magnetism


Unit
7: Electrostatics

(~2.5

weeks)




Coulomb’s Law



Electric fields and Gauss’ Law



Electric potential energy and electric potential



Capacitance

1.

Graphical description

2.

Capacitors in series and parallel


Unit 8: Current Electricity

(~2
.5

weeks)




Electric circuits

1.

Emf, current, resistance and power

2.

DC circuits

a.

Series and parallel circuits

b.

Batteries and internal resistance

c.

Ohm’s Law and Kirchhoff’s Rules

d.

Voltmeters and ammeters

e.

Capacitors in circuits


3. Applications


Unit 9: Electromagnetism

(~2
.5

weeks)




M
agnetostatics

1.

Force of a magnetic field on a moving charge

2.

Force of a magnetic field on a current carrying wire

3.

Magnetic fields due to straight and coiled wires



Electromagnetic introduction

1.

Magnetic flux

2.

Faraday’s Law and Lenz’s Law



Applications


V. Waves
and Optics


Unit 10: Wave Motion and Sound

(~2

weeks)




Description and characteristics of waves



Standing waves and harmonics

1.

String

2.

Open and closed tube



Doppler Effect



Sound intensity and power



Musical applications


Unit 11: Optics

(~2.5 weeks)




Geometric
optics

1.

Reflection, refraction and Snell’s Law

2.

Images formed by mirrors

3.

Images formed by lenses

4.

Ray diagrams and the thin lens/mirror equation



Physical optics

1.

Electromagnetic spectrum

2.

Interference and path difference

3.

Interference effects


VI. Atomic and
Modern Physics


Unit 12: Modern physics

(~1.5 weeks)




Atomic physics and quantum effects

1.

Photons and photoelectric effect

2.

X
-
ray production

3.

Electron energy levels

4.

Compton scattering



Nuclear physics

1.

Nuclear processes

a.

Modes of radioactive decay

b.

Fission

c.

Fusion