So! You wanna know about my courses, eh? OK, you asked for it:
I teach A. Advanced Physics I, B. Pre-AP Physics I, C. AP Physics II (AP Physics B Test), and, for those students who qualify, D. AP Physics III (AP Physics C Test)
For the first year courses, A. and B. above, mechanics, heat, and waves (perhaps with light and optics at the end) are covered (about half the text). The reason for not covering all topics in the text is that students are brought up to speed along the way with problem solving skills, all driven by emphasis on units. These skills should be useful for them in the future, even if they don't take the second year course, and useful whatever their career.
The second year course, C. above, covers essentially the rest of the text, including quantum physics, atomic physics, nuclear physics, particle physics, relativity, electricity, and magnetism (in that order). Students are expected to take the ap physics B test at the end of the year. All this can be covered faster than in the first year, as they have their problem solving skills "under their belt."
The third year course, D. above, covers the major topics in the first year course and the second year course, using a calculus-based college text. It is individualized in format and can only be taken by a senior student who took the first year as a soph., the second year as a jr. Such as student will either have had the school's first year calculus course as a jr., or be concurrently enrolled in the calculus course (as a senior).
A. Advanced Physics I
1. Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills
a.) Basic and advanced Algebra I skills through
systems of linear equations
b.) (Optional) Exposed to principles of
Chemistry I (i.e. Kinetic Theory of Matter)
c.) Biology I and Algebra I
d.) Exposure to Jr. High basics in Physical
Science (i.e. simple machines, energy,
etc.)
2. Course Objectives
a.) Units conversion capability, given appropriate conversion
factors
b.) Efficiency in calculator application, including the trig function
keys
c.) Ability to do a "full-blown" lab write-up
d.) Solve stated problems in the following areas:
i). Kinematics (including graphical representation)
ii). Dynamics (Newton's 2nd Law, Force diagram &
Statics Problems)
iii). Work, Power, and Energy
iv.) Rotary Kinematics, Dynamics, and Energy
v.) Simple Harmonic Motion (i.e. mass-on-spring,
pendulum)
vi.) Heat and Thermodynamics
vii.) Waves and wave motion
viii.) Sound
ix.) Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
x.) Optics (Mirrors and Lenses)
xi.) Diffraction
B. Pre-AP Physics I
1. Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills
a.) Basic and advanced Algebra I skills
through systems of linear equations
and quadratic equations
b.) Exposure to principles of chemistry
(optional) i.e. -- Kinetic Theory of
Matter, temperature, etc.
c.) At least a grade of B in Biology I and
Algebra I
d.) Exposure to Jr. High basics in Physical
Science -- i.e. simple machines, energy,
etc.
2. Course Objectives
a.) Capability of any unit's conversion, given appropriate
conversion factors
b.) Ability to utilize the calculator efficiently toward
solving problems, including the trig and inverse
trig function keys
c.) Develop the skills necessary to do a "full-blown"
lab write-up, starting only with a college-like lab
hand-out
d.) Be able to solve stated problems in the following
areas:
i.) Kinematics (including graphical representation)
ii.) Dynamics (Particularly Newton's 2nd Law
and force diagram and static problems)
iii.) Work, Power, and Energy
iv.) Rotary kinematics, dynamics, and energy
v.) Simple harmonic motion (i.e. mass-on-spring,
pendulum)
vi.) Heat and Thermodynamics
vii.) Waves and wave motion
viii.) Sound (including Doppler effect, sonic booms)
ix.) Light and the Electromagnetic Spectrum
x.) Optics (Mirrors and Lenses)
xi.) Diffraction
C. AP Physics II (AP Physics B Test)
1. Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills
a.) Advanced Physics I or Pre-AP Physics I
b.) Extensive problem solving skills
c.) Demonstrated problem solving skills
d.) Enrollment in either Pre-Calculus or
Calculus I
e.) Skills in taking physics exams
i.) Multiple-choice questions
ii.) Multi-part word problems
f.) Experienced in applied math
i.) Algebra
ii.) Trigonometry
2. Course Objectives
a.) Quantum Model of Light (Dual nature of light)
b.) Quantum Revolution and Theory
c.) Bohr Model of the Atom
d.) Nuclear Physics
i.) Decay Constant, Mean Life, Half-Life
ii.) Nuclear Reactions
e.) Particle Physics
i.) Elementary Particle Charts
ii.) Hastings' Star Baryon Chart
iii.) Conservation Rules
f.) Special Relativity (time dilation, length contraction,
mass increase)
g.) Electrostatics
i.) Coulomb's Law
ii.) Electric Field
iii.) Gauss' Law
h.) Capacitors
i.) Resistors
j.) Ohm's Law and Circuit Theory
i.) Kirchoff's Laws
ii.) Circuit marathon (Megamomma)
k.) Magnetism
i.) Magnetic Field
ii.) Faraday's Law of Induction
iii.) Ampere's Law
l.) RC Circuits
m.) RL Circuits
n.) RLC Circuits
i.) Resonance
ii.) Applying Kirchoff's Laws
D. AP Physics III (AP Physics C
Test)
1. Prerequisite Knowledge/Skills
a.) Advanced Physics I or Pre-AP Physics I
b.) AP Physics II (AP Physics B Exam Optional)
c.) Exposure to major Physics concepts and terms
d.) Proficient in problem solving skills
e.) Demonstrated proficiency in working through
Physics exams
i.) Multiple-choice questions
ii.) Multi-part word problems
f.) Proficient in calculator skills
g.) Experienced in Applied Math
i.) Algebra
ii.) Vector Analysis
iii.) Calculus (Derivatives and Integrals)
2. Course Objectives
a.) Express and apply Newton's Laws of Motion
as time derivatives and integrals (both linear and
rotary)
i.) Kinematics
ii.) Dynamics
iii.) Simple Harmonic Motion
b.) Work, Power, and Energy in Vector Form
c.) Ideal Gas Laws in Calculus Form
i.) V, P, & T as Derivative Variables
ii.) V, P, & T as Integral Differentials
d.) Calculus Form of Thermodynamics
e.) Electrostatics
i.) Calculate Electric Fields
ii.) Calculate Voltages
iii.) Gauss' Law in Calculus Form
f.) Circuit Theory
i.) R, C, and L
ii.) Kirchoff's Laws in
aa.) RC Circuits
bb.) RL Circuits
cc.) RLC Circuits
g.) Magnetism
i.) Faraday's Law
ii.) Ampere's Law
h.) Maxwell's Equations