AP Physics

Instructor: Audrey Micinski

Main Textbook: Cutnell&Johnson 5th Edition
Frequently Used Resource:AP Physics Study Guide by Hugh
Henderson 2nd Edition
& Cioffari’s Experiments in College Physics 8th Ed
& Bernard and Epp Laboratory Experiments in College Physics 6th Ed

Introduction & Chapter #1 C&J 5th Ed

mathematical concepts 4,9,12,13,19,22,25,26,
29,39,40,46,53,57

Scalars & Vectors Lab- Adding vectors using

#1 Units & Dimensional the Component Method
Analysis
AP Physics B Study guide
Hugh Henderson 2nd Ed
Multiple choice

Kinematics in 1 Chapter #2 C&J 5th Ed

Dimension 19,13,14,16,21,22,25,26,
35,41,47,51,58,61

Motion in 1 Dimension Lab- Acceleration Down an

#2 Incline

Activity- Sketching position

vs. time and acceleration vs.
time from a given velocity
vs. time

From AP- 1988B1

2006B2
 AP Physics

Kinematics in 2 Chapter #3 C&J 5th Ed

Dimensions 1-8,13,16,17,19,21,23
Projectile Bingo Problems
Projectile Motion Lab-Bungee Jump
Acceleration

#3 From APB 1994 problem

#1

AP Physics Study Guide

Hugh Henderson 2nd Ed
Multiple choice

Forces and Newton’s Chapter #4 C&J 5th Ed

Laws of Motion 1-8,11,13,18,20,22,23,
28,32,34,35,36,37,39,46,
47,50,58,63,64,65,67,68,
69,72

Labs: Newton’s 2nd Law lab

Newton’s Laws of Motion with probes and uniformly
#4 Atwood’s Machines accelerated
Modified Atwood’s Motion: The Atwood’s
Machines Machine
Elevator Problems
Friction From APB 2003 B1
1995 B3
1993 b!
1994 B2

AP Physics B Study Guide

Hugh Henderson 2nd Ed
Multiple Choice
 AP Physics

Dynamics of Uniform Chapter #5 C&J 5th Ed

Circular Motion 1,2,3,6,8,12,13,14,15,17,18,
20,21,26,27,29,30,31,36,37,50

Labs: investigating the

#5 Uniform circular motion relationships among the
Universal law of variables affecting the motion
Gravitation of a rubber stopper on a string
Orbital motion moving in a horizontal circle
Horizontal & Vertical
loops Vertical loop the loop lab: the
physics of a marble “roller
coaster”

From APB 2001 B1

1999 B5
2000 B1
1998 B1
Work & Energy Chapter #6 5th Ed
1,3,4,7,8,9,18,20,25,26,27,29,31
32,35,36,55,56,57,58,59,68,69,
71,72,74
Work
Energy Labs: energy of a tossed ball &
#6 Power work & energy on an incline
Conservation of Energy
Conservation of From AP 2001 B1
Mechanical energy 1992 B1
Work-Energy Theorem 2004 B1

AP Physics B study Guide

Hugh Henderson 2nd Ed
Multiple Choice
 AP Physics

Impulse & Momentum Chapter #7 C&J 5th Ed

1,2,3,4,5,7,8,9,100,12,13,16,
Linear Momentum 17,18,20,25,26,32
Impulse-Momentum
Conservation of momentum Lab: ballistic pendulum &
#7 in one and two dimensions conversation of momentum
in both elastic and inelastic
collisions

From AP 1996 B1
2001 B2
1990 B1
2004 C mech1
Fluid Mechanics Chapter 11 C&J 5th Ed
5,6,10,11,19,21,23,25,26,31
,33,35,38,42,50,51,53
Hydrostatics
Fluid Pressure Lab: Archimedes’ Principle
Pascal’s Principal Finding k constant of
#8 Archimedes Principle Spring using SHM &
Fluid Dynamics Then also using
Continuity Equation buoyant force method
Bernoulli’s Equation From AP 2004 B2
2003 B6
2002 B6
 AP Physics

Thermal Physics Chapter 12 C&J 5th Ed

1-8
Heat
Thermal Expansion Chapter 14 C&J 5th Ed
Ideal Gas Laws & PV 1,2,5,9,10,11,28,29,33
diagrams
#9 Kinetic Theory Chapter 15 C&J 5th Ed
First Law of Thermodynamics 1-13,18-24
Second law of
Thermodynamics Lab: Electrical equivalent of
heat

From AP 2004B5
Static Electricity Chapter 18 C&J 5th Ed
1,3,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,15,23,27
Coulomb’s Law
Electric Field Chapter 19 C&J 5th Ed
Electric Potential Energy 2,4, 6, 17,23,32
Electric Potential
Capacitors
#10 Lab: Charging &discharging a
capacitor

Electric Field Mapping

From AP 1998B2
 AP Physics

Electrical Current Chapter 20 C& J 5th Ed

2,7,24,26,39,41,44,48,51,53

Ohm’s law
Electrical resistivity,
Power & energy Lab: Build a bread board
Kirchoff’s Rules Circuit that will produce a
tone

#11

From AP 1998B4
Magnetic Fields Chapter 21 C&J 5th Ed
1,2,5,26,27,46,53,59,75

Magnetic force on electric Chapter 22 C&J 5th Ed

current 2,7,13,16,22,32,57,64
Magnetic Flux
Electromagnetic Induction
From AP 2004B3

#12
 AP Physics

Wave Properties Chapter 16 C&J 5th Ed

4,6,8,9,13,14,34,35,82,95

Standing waves Chapter 17 C&J 5th Ed

Beats 1,2,3,10,24,26,29,33,49,52
Doppler effect
Velocity of a wave on a
string Lab: Standing Waves in a
Open & Closed pipes String
#13

From AP 1995B6
1998B5
2004B4

Optics Chapter 24 C&J 5th Ed

2,8,13,14,15,
16,17,19,31,43

Chapter 25 C&J 5th

Reflection 2,5,10,11,14,16,17
Refraction
Snell’s Law Chapter 26 C&J 5th Ed
Convex & Concave lens 2,9,11,25,41,42
Convex & Concave mirrors
Geometric optics
Interference patterns Lab: Finding Focal length
#14 Diffraction of concave mirrors &
Electromagnetic Spectrum convex lenses

From AP 2001B4
 AP Physics
Atomic & Nuclear Physics Chapter 29 5th Ed
5,8,10,15,17,23,24
Photoelectric effect Chapter 30th Ed
Energy & linear momentum 8,9,11,12,39,40,41,45
of photon
Energy levels in an Atom
DeBroglie Wavelength
#15 Compton effect From AP 2004B6

On the next page you will find my lab syllabus. It is also alluded to in each of the above
units.
AP Physics Labs- I have a total of 19 labs infused throughout my year long
curriculum.
Of those lab acitivities 14 of them require a full lab write up with data analysis and
calculations maintained and written up in a lab journal. The other 5 lab activities
are more student directed and student driven.

The Formal labs all require one full class period of 55 minutes with the questions &
calculations to be done outside of class on their own. The lab activities allow for
more
student creative problem solving and are done in class as a group.

I consider the labs in my class to be invaluable. The labs always go hand in hand
with the topic that they are covering in class and are meant to add to the
understanding of the concepts.

Unit #1- Formal lab- Addition of Vectors. From Cioffari’s Experiments in College Phy

Unit #2- Formal lab-Uniformly Accelerated Motion –From Lab Exp in College Physics
Bernard & Epps

Unit #3-Formal lab-Bungee Jump Accelerations-Vernier Lab with probeware

Unit #4-Formal lab-Newton’s Second Law Lab-Texas Instruments Labs with probeware

Unit #4-Formal lab-The Atwood’s Machine-From Cioffari’s Experiments in College Phy

Unit #5-Student Driven Activity-Centripetal Force Lab-(Each group is given a variety of

stoppers, a variety of masses and a centripetal force device. The students are asked to
take data to determine experimentally the factors that affect the centripetal force. They
must use data and graphs to make a case for their prediction of the formula used to
calculate the centripetal force.)

Unit #5-Student Driven Activity-The changing forces in a vertical circle(Each group is

given 10 pieces of pipe insulation that they can cut open to make a “roller coaster” for a
marble. They are given a list of requirements that their “roller coaster” marble must
achieve.)

Unit #6-Formal lab-Energy of a tossed ball-Texas Instruments Labs with probeware

Unit #6 –Formal lab- Energy on an incline-Vernier Lab with probeware

Unit #7-Formal lab- Ballistic Pendulum-From Cioffari’s Experiments in College Phy

Unit #7-Formal lab-Conservation of Momentum-From Lab Exp in College Physics
Bernard & Epps

Unit #8-Formal lab- Archimedes’ Principle-From Cioffari’s Experiments in College Phy

Unit #8-Student Driven Activity-Finding the k constant of a spring using simple

harmonic motion ( Each group is given a variety of springs and asked to find the spring
constant using the period of oscillation. I ask the students to choose what variables to
change and investigate.)

Unit #9-Formal lab-Electrical Equivalent of Heat-Joule’s Law-From Cioffari’s

Experiments in College Phy

Unit #10- Formal lab-Charging & Discharging of a capacitor through resistors-From

Laboratory Experiments in College Physics by Bernard & Epps

Unit #10 –Student Driven Activity-Electric Field Mapping (Students investigate using
conductive pens and conducting paper and then use a voltmeter to find and map out the
equipotential field lines around the shapes that they choose to draw.)

Unit #11- Student Driven Activity- Building a metronome on a breadboard & then
modifying it to generate different tones (Use basic circuit from Radio Shack’s book
Getting Started in Electronics and then the students can change around the values of the
capacitors & resistors to see if they can get different tones.)

Unit #13-Formal lab- Standing Waves in a string-From Cioffari’s Experiments in College

Unit #14-Formal lab- Finding focal length of concave mirrors & convex lens-From
Laboratory Experiments in College Physics by Bernard & Epps