AP Physics 2

  Home AP Physics 1 AP Physics 2 AP Physics C Astronomy

AP Physics 2 Course Syllabus
Important Physics 2 Dates
Text:   College Physics - Explore and Apply (2nd Edition) by Etkina, Planinsic, and Van Heuvelen
Text:   Open Stax, College Physics by Paul Peter Urone & Roger Hinrichs
Physics 2 Overview from the College Board
Physics 2 Course & Exam Description from the College Board
Physics 2 Home multiple resources and information from the College Board
AP Exam Info and Equation Sheet for Physics 2
AP Physics 2 Released Free Response - by year, includes scoring guidelines
Mr. M's favorite internet Links for physics
Lab Information and Homework Requirements


Listed below are the various units of study and related documents and links.

Electrostatics - Field and Potential
    Objectives & Homework - Electrostatics         Answer Key     (see also Homework Requirements)
    In-Class Practice
    Interactive Desmos Graph:   Electric Field Superposition of two point charges
    Interactive Desmos Graph:   Equipotentials for two point charges (3-D version)
    Potential vs. Field using PhET's Charges and Fields
    Electrostatics Mini-Lab - Charging by Conduction and by Induction
    Review Problems
    Class Notes:   Charge Basics,   Force and Field,   Potential vs. Field,   Potential vs. Charge

Circuits - Resistors, Batteries, and Capacitors
    Objectives & Homework - Circuits & Capacitance         Answer Key
    In-Class Practice
    EMF & Internal Resistance - an interactive lesson/investigation
    Mini-Lab: Resistivity - Aluminum foil "wires" in the classroom
    Mini-Lab: Virtual Resistivity - Accuracy of PhET simulated DC circuits    
    Mini-Lab: EMF and r - Terminal voltage, emf, and internal resistance     Lab Report
    Capacitor Intro - get your feet wet using PhET AC Circuits Lab
    Mini-Lab: Capacitor - homemade aluminum foil capacitor
    Review Problems
    Lab Report - Circuits     (see also Lab Information)
    Class Notes:   Current & Power,   Resistance & Resistivity,   Circuit Analysis,   Capacitance

Magnetism - Magnetic Fields and Induction
    Objectives & Homework - Electromagnetism         Answer Key
    In-Class Practice
    Mini-Lab: Earth's Field - Components, Magnitude, Inclination
    Mini-Lab: Magnetic Force - Interactions of magnet and current coil
    Mini-Lab: Magnetic Field - Field of a long, straight current
    Review Problems
    Class Notes:   Magnets & Poles,   Magnetic Force & Charges,   Magnetic Force & Currents,
                        Magnetic Fields Sources & Ampere's Law,   Magnetism in Matter,   Induction & Faraday's Law

Optics & Interference - Reflection, Refraction, Diffraction, Lenses & Mirrors
    Objectives & Homework - Optics & Interference         Answer Key
    In-Class Practice
    Interactive Desmos graphs:  Wave Function,  3D Animated EM Wave,  Interference Patterns (2 slit)
    Interactive Desmos graphs:  Image in Plane Mirror,  Retroreflector
    Image in Spherical Mirror - practice with Law of Reflection, image formation, and ray tracing
    Mini-Lab: Interference - Diffraction gratings & wavelength of LED's
    Mini-Lab: Refraction - Snell's Law and the index of refraction of water     Lab Report
    Mini-Lab: Lenses - Images and focal length
    Lab Report - Images, Lenses, and Mirrors
    Ray Diagrams - Pencil & paper practice with Lenses & Mirrors
    Interactive Desmos graph:  Ray Tracing Practice
    Review Problems
    Class Notes:   Wave Basics,   Graphing Waves,   Light & EMR,   Diffraction & Interference,   Reflection & Refraction,   Lenses & Mirrors

Fluids - Pressure, Buoyancy, Fluid Flow
    Objectives & Homework - Fluids         Answer Key
    In-Class Practice
    Mini-Lab: Fluid Mechanics - guided exploration using PhET Java simulation
    Review Problems
    Buoyancy Lab - Archimedes principle, specific gravity, etc.     Lab Report
    Class Notes:   Density, Pressure, & Buoyancy,   Flow & Bernoulli's Equation

Thermodynamics - Heat, Internal Energy, Gas Laws, Kinetic Theory, Entropy
    Objectives & Homework - Thermodynamics         Answer Key
    In-Class Practice
    Kinetic Theory Ideal Gas Desmos Graphs:   Distribution of Speeds
    Mini-Lab: Ideal Gas Law - PV = NkT w/ GoDirect Pressure Sensor
    Mini-Lab: Gas Properties - Kinetic theory and gas laws using PhET Simulation
    Review Problems
    Class Notes:   Internal Energy, Temperature & Heat,   Processes, Cycles, & Engines,   Entropy

Modern Physics - Quantum Models, Photons, Scattering, Nuclear Reactions & Decay
    Objectives & Homework - Quantum and Atomic Physics
    In-Class Practice
    Mini-Lab: Photoelectric Effect - using PhET Java simulation
    Mini-Lab: Planck & LEDs - Experimental measurement of energy per photon
    Review Problems
    Class Notes:   Wave/Particle Duality,   Special Relativity,   Nuclear Physics

Final Exam!
    About the Final Exam . . .
    Early Dismissal Form
    Review Questions and Problems - Multiple Choice
    Practice Problems based on DAWN
    Practice Problems using Interactive Simulations



AP Physics 2 Due Dates and Test Dates
Fri 5 Jan Syllabus Quiz (on Canvas)
Fri 5 Jan Lab Safety Contract (submit on Canvas)
Tue 9 Jan Dismissed Early (windy)
Wed 10 Jan 2 hrs. late (strong breeze before 7 am)
Fri 12 Jan School Closed (wind forecast)
Jan 16 - 19 School Closed (actual snow!)
Jan 22 - 23 School Closed (ice remains)
Jan 24 School Closed (hazardous slush) (T > 40 °F)
Jan 25 2 hrs. late (darkness)
Thu 25 Jan Electrostatics Problems 1 - 19
Fri 26 Jan Electrostatics Problems 20 - 38
Mon 29 Jan Electrostatics Test
Fri 9 Feb Circuits Problems 1 - 20
Thu 15 Feb Circuits Problems 21 - 35
Fri 16 Feb Circuits Test
Mon 19 Feb Battery Properties Lab
Fri 23 Feb Magnetism Problems 1 - 18
Thu 29 Feb Magnetism Problems 19 - 37
Fri 1 Mar Magnetism Test
Tue 19 Mar Optics Problems 1 - 18
Tue 26 Mar Optics Problems 19 - 38
Thu 28 Mar Optics Test
Fri 5 Apr Optics Lab
Thu 11 Apr Fluids Problems 1 - 29
Fri 12 Apr Fluids Quiz
Fri 19 Apr Thermodynamics Problems 1 - 19
Thu 25 Apr Thermodynamics Problems 20 - 30
Fri 26 Apr Thermodynamics Quiz
Wed 8 May Modern Physics Homework (Optional)
Thu 9 May Modern Physics Quiz
Fri 17 May AP Exam: Physics 2       full AP sched
Tue 23 May Final Assessment (Underclassmen not taking AP exam)
Early Dismissal and Exemption Forms