AP+Syllabus

AP ® Physics 1 Ruths Syllabus Syllabus 1066422v1
 * Curricular Requirements || Page(s) ||
 * CR1 Students and teachers have access to college-level resources including college-level textbooks and reference materials in print or electronic format. || 1 ||
 * CR2a The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of kinematics in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 1 ||
 * CR2b The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of dynamics in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 1 ||
 * CR2c The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of gravitation and circular motion in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 2 ||
 * CR2d The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of simple harmonic motion in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 2 ||
 * CR2e The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of linear momentum in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 2 ||
 * CR2f The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principle of energy in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 2 ||
 * CR2g The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of rotational motion in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 3 ||
 * CR2h The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of electrostatics in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 3 ||
 * CR2i The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of electric circuits in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 3 ||
 * CR2j The course design provides opportunities for students to develop understanding of the foundational principles of mechanical waves in the context of the big ideas that organize the curriculum framework. || 3 ||
 * CR3 Students have opportunities to apply AP Physics 1 learning objectives connecting across enduring understandings as described in the curriculum framework. These opportunities must occur in addition to those within laboratory investigations. || 9 ||
 * CR4 The course provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge of physics principles to real world questions or scenarios (including societal issues or technological innovations) to help them become scientifically literate citizens. || 9 ||
 * CR5 Students are provided with the opportunity to spend a minimum of 25 percent of instructional time engaging in hands-on laboratory work with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations. || 4 ||
 * CR6a The laboratory work used throughout the course includes investigations that support the foundational AP Physics 1 principles. || 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ||
 * CR6b The laboratory work used throughout the course includes guided-inquiry laboratory investigations allowing students to apply all seven science practices. || 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 ||
 * CR7 The course provides opportunities for students to develop their communication skills by recording evidence of their research of literature or scientific investigations through verbal, written, and graphic presentations. || 4 ||
 * CR8 The course provides opportunities for students to develop written and oral scientific argumentation skills. || 10 ||

TEACHING RESOURCES Christian, Wolfgang, and Mario Belloni. Physlet® Physics: Interactive Illustrations, Explorations and Problems for Introductory Physics. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2004. Hieggelke, Curtis, David Maloney, and Stephen Kanim. Newtonian Tasks Inspired by Physics Education Research: nTIPERs. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2012. Hieggelke, Curtis, David Maloney, Tomas O’Kuma, and Stephen Kanim. E&M TIPERs: Electricity & Magnetism Tasks. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson, 2006. Knight, Randall D., Brian Jones, and Stuart Field. College Physics: A Strategic Approach. 2nd ed., AP® ed. Boston: Pearson, 2013.

INSTRUCTIONAL STRATEGIES The AP Physics 1 course is conducted using inquiry-based instructional strategies that focus on experimentation to develop students’ conceptual understanding of physics principles. The students begin studying a topic by making observations and discovering patterns of natural phenomena. The next steps involve developing, testing, and applying models. Throughout the course, the students construct and use multiple representations of physical processes, solve multi-step problems, design investigations, and reflect on knowledge construction through self-assessment rubrics. In most labs, the students use probeware technology in data acquisition. In the classroom, they use graphing calculators and digital devices for interactive simulations, Physlet-based exercises, collaborative activities, and formative assessments.

COURSE SYLLABUS

UNIT 1. KINEMATICS [CR2a] • Kinematics in one-dimension: constant velocity and uniform accelerated motion • Vectors: vector components and resultant • Kinematics in two-dimensions: projectile motion Big Idea 3 Learning Objectives: 3.A.1.1, 3.A.1.2, 3.A.1.3

UNIT 2. DYNAMICS [CR2b] • Forces, types, and representation (FBD) • Newton’s First Law

• Newton’s Third Law

• Newton’s Second Law

• Applications of Newton’s Second Law

• Friction

• Interacting objects: ropes and pulleys Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, 4

Learning Objectives: 1.C.1.1, 1.C.1.3, 2.B.1.1, 3.A.2.1, 3.A.3.1, 3.A.3.2, 3.A.3.3, 3.A.4.1, 3.A.4.2, 3.A.4.3, 3.B.1.1, 3.B.1.2, 3.B.1.3, 3.B.2.1, 3.C.4.1, 3.C.4.2, 4.A.1.1, 4.A.2.1, 4.A.2.2, 4.A.2.3, 4.A.3.1, 4.A.3.2

UNIT 3. CIRCULAR MOTION AND GRAVITATION [CR2c] • Uniform circular motion

• Dynamics of uniform circular motion

• Universal Law of Gravitation Big Ideas 1, 2, 3, 4

Learning Objectives: 1.C.3.1, 2.B.1.1, 2.B.2.1, 2.B.2.2, 3.A.3.1, 3.A.3.3, 3.B.1.2, 3.B.1.3, 3.B.2.1, 3.C.1.1, 3.C.1.2, 3.C.2.1, 3.C.2.2, 3.G.1.1, 4.A.2.2

UNIT 4. ENERGY [CR2f] • Work

• Power

• Kinetic energy

• Potential energy: gravitational and elastic

• Conservation of energy Big Ideas 3, 4, 5

Learning Objectives: 3.E.1.1, 3.E.1.2, 3.E.1.3, 3.E.1.4, 4.C.1.1, 4.C.1.2, 4.C.2.1, 4.C.2.2, 5.A.2.1, 5.B.1.1, 5.B.1.2, 5.B.2.1, 5.B.3.1, 5.B.3.2, 5.B.3.3, 5.B.4.1, 5.B.4.2, 5.B.5.1, 5.B.5.2, 5.B.5.3, 5.B.5.4, 5.B.5.5, 5.D.1.1, 5.D.1.2, 5.D.1.3, 5.D.1.4, 5.D.1.5, 5.D.2.1, 5.D.2.3

UNIT 5. MOMENTUM [CR2e] • Impulse

• Momentum

• Conservation of momentum

• Elastic and inelastic collisions Big Ideas 3, 4, 5

Learning Objectives: 3.D.1.1, 3.D.2.1, 3.D.2.2, 3.D.2.3, 3.D.2.4, 4.B.1.1, 4.B.1.2, 4.B.2.1, 4.B.2.2, 5.A.2.1, 5.D.1.1, 5.D.1.2, 5.D.1.3, 5.D.1.4, 5.D.1.5, 5.D.2.1, 5.D.2.2, 5.D.2.3, 5.D.2.4, 5.D.2.5, 5.D.3.1

UNIT 6. SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION [CR2d] • Linear restoring forces and simple harmonic motion • Simple harmonic motion graphs

• Simple pendulum

• Mass-spring systems

Learning Objectives: 3.B.3.1, 3.B.3.2, 3.B.3.3, 3.B.3.4, 5.B.2.1, 5.B.3.1, 5.B.3.2, 5.B.3.3, 5.B.4.1, 5.B.4.2

UNIT 7. ROTATIONAL MOTION [CR2g] • Torque

• Center of mass

• Rotational kinematics

• Rotational dynamics and rotational inertia

• Rotational energy

• Angular momentum

• Conservation of angular momentum Big Ideas 3, 4, 5

Learning Objectives: 3.F.1.1, 3.F.1.2, 3.F.1.3, 3.F.1.4, 3.F.1.5, 3.F.2.1, 3.F.2.2, 3.F.3.1, 3.F.3.2, 3.F.3.3, 4.A.1.1, 4.D.1.1, 4.D.1.2, 4.D.2.1, 4.D.2.2, 4.D.3.1, 4.D.3.2, 5.E.1.1, 5.E.1.2, 5.E.2.1

UNIT 8. MECHANICAL WAVES [CR2j] • Traveling waves

• Wave characteristics

• Sound

• Superposition

• Standing waves on a string • Standing sound waves Big Idea 6

Learning Objectives: 6.A.1.1, 6.A.1.2, 6.A.1.3, 6.A.2.1, 6.A.3.1, 6.A.4.1, 6.B.1.1, 6.B.2.1, 6.B.4.1, 6.B.5.1, 6.D.1.1, 6.D.1.2, 6.D.1.3, 6.D.2.1, 6.D.3.1, 6.D.3.2, 6.D.3.3, 6.D.3.4, 6.D.4.1, 6.D.4.2, 6.D.5.1

UNIT 9. ELECTROSTATICS [CR2h] • Electric charge and conservation of charge • Electric force: Coulomb’s Law Big Ideas 1, 3, 5

Learning Objectives: 1.B.1.1, 1.B.1.2, 1.B.2.1, 1.B.3.1, 3.C.2.1, 3.C.2.2, 5.A.2.1

UNIT 10. DC CIRCUITS [CR2i] • Electric resistance

• Ohm’s Law

• DC circuits

• Series and parallel connections

• Kirchhoff’s Laws Big Ideas 1, 5

Learning Objectives: 1.B.1.1, 1.B.1.2, 1.E.2.1, 5.B.9.1, 5.B.9.2, 5.B.9.3, 5.C.3.1, 5.C.3.2, 5.C.3.3

LABORATORY INVESTIGATIONS AND THE SCIENCE PRACTICES The AP Physics 1 course devotes over 25% of the time to laboratory investigations. [CR5] The laboratory component of the course allows the students to demonstrate the seven science practices through a variety of investigations in all of the foundational principles. The students use guided–inquiry (GI) or open–inquiry (OI) in the design of their laboratory investigations. Some labs focus on investigating a physical phenomenon without having expectations of its outcomes. In other experiments, the student has an expectation of its outcome based on concepts constructed from prior experiences. In application experiments, the students use acquired physics principles to address practical problems. Students also investigate topic-related questions that are formulated through student designed/selected procedures. All investigations are reported in a laboratory journal. Students are expected to record their observations, data, and data analyses. Data analyses include identification of the sources and effects of experimental uncertainty, calculations, results and conclusions, and suggestions for further refinement of the experiment as appropriate. [CR7]

To predict where two battery-powered cars will collide if they are released from opposite ends of the lab table at different times. Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine the proper placement of an air track, a glider, and a motion detector to produce a motion that matches a set of given graphs: position, velocity, and acceleration versus time.
 * UNIT || LAB INVESTIGATION OBJECTIVE(S) (Investigation identifier: Guided–Inquiry: GI Open–Inquiry: OI) ||
 * UNIT 1. KINEMATICS [CR6a] || 1. Meeting Point
 * ^  || 2. Match the Graph (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.2, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine and compare the acceleration of two objects dropped simultaneously.
 * ^  || 3. Free-Fall Investigation

Science Practices 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine the value of a resultant of several vectors, and then compare that value to the values obtained through graphical and analytical methods.
 * ^  || 4. Vector Addition (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || 5. Shoot the Target (GI) [CR6b] To determine the initial velocity of a projectile, the angle at

which the maximum range can be attained, and predict where the projectile will land.

Science Practices 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2

6. Chase Scenario (GI) [CR6b]

Lab Practicum: Students use a battery cart and a fan cart to recreate a chase scenario (police-thief) to predict the position where the ‘thief’ will be caught and the final speeds of both cars.

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2

UNIT 2. DYNAMICS

[CR6a]

7. Inertial and Gravitational Mass (GI) [CR6b]

To determine the difference (if any) between inertial mass and gravitational mass.

Science Practices 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2

8. Forces Inventory (GI) [CR6b] Qualitative and quantitative investigation on a variety of interactions between objects.

Science Practices 1,1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 9. Static Equilibrium Challenge To determine the mass of a hanging object in a setup with three strings at various angles.

Science Practices 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 10. Newton’s Second Law (OI) [CR6b] To determine the variation of the acceleration of a dynamics cart in two scenarios: (1) the total mass of the system is kept constant while the net force varies, and (2) the net force is kept constant while the total mass of the system varies. Science Practices 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 11. Coefficient of Friction (GI) [CR6b] To determine the maximum coefficient of static friction between a shoe and a wooden plank.

Science Practices 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 12. Atwood’s Machine (GI) [CR6b] To determine the acceleration of a hanging mass and the tension in the string.

Science Practices 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2

UNIT 3.

CIRCULAR MOTION AND GRAVITATION [CR6a] To determine the tension in the string and the centripetal acceleration of the flying toy.
 * 13. Flying Toy (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||

[CR6a] || 14. Roller Coaster Investigation (GI) [CR6b] To design a simple roller coaster using provided materials to test whether the total energy of the system is conserved if there are no external forces exerted on it by other objects.
 * UNIT 4. ENERGY

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine the work done on the spring from force-versus-dis- tance graph of the collected data.
 * ^  || 15. Work Done in Stretching a Spring (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine the energy dissipated by friction of a system consisting of a modified Atwood’s machine.
 * ^  || 16. Energy and Non-Conservative Forces (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 6.5, 7.2 ||

[CR6a] || 17. Bumper Design (GI) [CR6b] To design a paper bumper that will soften the impact of the colli- sion between a cart and a fixed block of wood. Their designs are evaluated by the shape of an acceleration-versus-time graph of the collision. Science Practices 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || To measure the change in momentum of a dynamics cart and compare it to the impulse received.
 * UNIT 5. MOMENTUM
 * ^  || 18. Impulse and Change in Momentum (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To investigate conservation of momentum and conservation of energy using a ballistic pendulum to determine the type of collision. Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || Lab Practicum: Apply principles of conservation of energy, conservation of momentum, the work-energy theorem, and a linear model of friction to find the coefficient of kinetic friction.
 * ^  || 19. Elastic and Inelastic Collisions (OI) [CR6b]
 * ^  || 20. Forensic Investigation (OI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || || UNIT 6.

SIMPLE HARMONIC MOTION [CR6a] To design two independent experiments to determine the spring constants of various springs of equal length.
 * 21. Finding the Spring Constant (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To analyze graphs of position, velocity, and acceleration versus time for an oscillating system to determine how velocity and acceleration vary at the equilibrium position and at the endpoints.
 * ^  || 22. Graphs of an Oscillating System (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To investigate the factors that affect the period of a simple pendu- lum and test whether the period is proportional to the pendulum’s length, the square of its length, or the square root of its length. Science Practices 1.2, 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||
 * ^  || 23. Simple Pendulum Investigation (GI) [CR6b]

[CR6a] || 24. Torque and the Human Arm (OI) [CR6b] To design and build an apparatus that replicates the forearm and biceps muscle system to determine the biceps tension when holding an object in a lifted position.
 * UNIT 7. ROTATIONAL MOTION

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.1, 7.2 || To determine the rotational inertia of a cylinder from the slope of a graph of an applied torque versus angular acceleration.
 * ^  || 25. Rotational Inertia (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To investigate how the angular momentum of a rotating system responds to changes in the rotational inertia.
 * ^  || 26. Conservation of Angular Momentum (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||

[CR6a] || 27. Mechanical Waves (GI) [CR6b] To model the two types of mechanical waves with a spring toy to test whether or not these characteristics affect the speed of a pulse: frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
 * UNIT 8. MECHANICAL WAVES

Science Practices 1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.2, 6.4, 7.2 || Design two different procedures to determine the speed of sound in air.
 * ^  || 28. Speed of Sound (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || || 29. Wave Boundary Behavior (GI) [CR6b] To compare what happens to the phase of a transverse wave on a spring toy when a pulse is reflected from a boundary and when it is reflected and transmitted from various boundaries (spring to string). Science Practices 1.4, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 Given a specified tension, students predict the length of the string necessary to generate the first two harmonics of a standing wave on the string. Then they perform the experiment and compare the outcome with their prediction. Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||
 * || 30. Standing Waves (GI) [CR6b]
 * || 30. Standing Waves (GI) [CR6b]

[CR6a] || 31. Static Electricity Interactions (GI) [CR6b] Students use sticky tape and a variety of objects to make qualitative observations of the interactions when objects are charged, discharged, and recharged.
 * UNIT 9. ELECTROSTATICS

Science Practices 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 6.2, 7.2 || To estimate the charge on two identical, equally charged spherical pith balls of known mass.
 * ^  || 32. Coulomb’s Law (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||


 * UNIT 10.

DC CIRCUITS [CR6a] || 33. Brightness Investigation (GI) [CR6b] To make predictions about the brightness of light bulbs in a variety of series and parallel circuits when some of the bulbs are removed. Science Practices 1.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To determine the relationship between the current through a resistor and the voltage across the resistor.
 * ^  || 34. Voltage and Current (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To investigate the effects of cross-sectional area and length on the flow of current through a roll of Play-Doh.
 * ^  || 35. Resistance and Resistivity (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.4, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1,5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 || To investigate the behavior of resistors in series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits. The lab should include measurements of voltage and current.
 * ^  || 36. Series and Parallel Circuits (GI) [CR6b]

Science Practices 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 6.1, 6.4, 7.2 ||

INSTRUCTIONAL ACTIVITIES Throughout the course, the students engage in a variety of activities designed to build the students’ reasoning skills and deepen their conceptual understanding of physics principles. Students conduct activities and projects that enable them to connect the concepts learned in class to real world applications. Examples of activities are described below. 1. PROJECT DESIGN [CR3] Students engage in hands-on activities outside of the laboratory experience that support the connection to more than one Learning Objective. ACTIVITY: Roller Coaster Investigation

DESCRIPTION:

Working in groups of three, students design a simple roller coaster using provided materials (a track with a vertical loop and toy cars) to test whether the total energy of

a car-Earth system is conserved if there are no external forces exerted on it by other objects. Students include multiple representations of energy to provide evidence for their claims. Students use a bar chart, the mathematical expression of conservation of energy represented by the graph, and the corresponding calculations to evaluate whether the outcome of the experiment supports the idea of energy conservation. This activity is designed to allow students to apply the following Learning Objectives:

Learning Objective 5.B.3.1

The student is able to describe and make qualitative and/or quantitative predictions about everyday examples of systems with internal potential energy.

Learning Objective 5.B.3.2

The student is able to make quantitative calculations of the internal potential energy of a system from a description or diagram of that system.

Learning Objective 5.B.3.3

The student is able to apply mathematical reasoning to create a description of the internal potential energy of a system from a description or diagram of the objects and interactions in that system.

Learning Objective 5.B.4.2

The student is able to calculate changes in kinetic energy and potential energy of a system, using information from representations of that system.

Learning Objective 4.C.1.1

The student is able to calculate the total energy of a system and justify the mathematical routines used in the calculation of component types of energy within the system whose sum is the total energy.

Learning Objective 4.C.1.2

The student is able to predict changes in the total energy of a system due to changes in position and speed of objects or frictional interactions within the system. 2. REAL WORLD APPLICATION

ACTIVITY: Torque and the Human Arm [CR4]

DESCRIPTION:

This activity provides an opportunity for students to make an interdisciplinary connection to biological systems by investigating the structure and function of a major muscle (biceps) in the human body.

Students design and build an apparatus that replicates the forearm and biceps muscle system. The objective is to determine the biceps tension when holding an object in a lifted position. Students may use the Internet to research the structure of the biceps muscle. They can use readily available materials in the classroom, such as a meter stick, a ring stand, weight hangers, an assortment of blocks, and a spring scale. In their lab journal, students are required to document the different stages of their design. Required elements include design sketches, force diagrams, mathematical representations of translational and rotational equilibrium, and numerical calculations.

Learning Objective 3.F.1.1

The student is able to use representations of the relationship between force and torque. Learning Objective 3.F.1.2

The student is able to compare the torques on an object caused by various forces.

Learning Objective 3.F.1.3

The student is able to estimate the torque on an object caused by various forces in comparison to other situations.

Learning Objective 3.F.1.4

The student is able to design an experiment and analyze data testing a question about torques in a balanced rigid system.

Learning Objective 3.F.1.5

The student is able to calculate torques on a two-dimensional system in static equilibrium, by examining a representation or model (such as a diagram or physical construction). 3. SCIENTIFIC ARGUMENTATION

In the course, students become familiar with the three components of scientific argumentation. The first element is the **claim**, which is the response to a prediction. A claim provides an explanation for why or how something happens in a laboratory investigation. The second component is the **evidence**, which supports the claim and consists of the analysis of the data collected during the investigation. The third component consists of **questioning**, in which students examine and defend one another’s claims. Students receive explicit instruction in posing meaningful questions that include questions of clarification, questions that probe assumptions, and questions that probe implications and consequences. As a result of the scientific argumentation process, students are able to revise their claims and make revisions as appropriate [CR8]. ACTIVITY 1: Formative Assessment: Changing Representations in Energy DESCRIPTION:

Students work in pairs to create exercises that involve translation from one representation to another. Some possible translations are: Each pair of students exchanges their exercises with another pair. After the students work
 * from a bar chart to a mathematical representation
 * from a physical situation diagram to a bar chart
 * from a given equation to a bar chart

through the exercises they received, the pairs meet and offer constructive criticism (peer critique) on each other’s solutions.

Learning Objective 5.B.4.1

The student is able to describe and make predictions about the internal energy of everyday systems. Learning Objective 5.B.4.2 The student is able to calculate changes in kinetic energy and potential energy of a system, using information from representations of that system. ACTIVITY 2. Laboratory Investigation: Speed of Sound

DESCRIPTION:

Working in small groups, students design two different procedures to determine

the speed of sound in air. They brainstorm their approaches and write them on the whiteboard. Each of the teams presents their ideas to the class. They receive feedback from their peers and then conduct their experiments. They record the revised procedures in their lab journals. During the post-lab discussion, the students discuss their results (evidence) by examining and defending one another’s claims. Then as a class we reach consensus about the estimated value for the speed of sound.

Learning Objective 6.A.2.1

The student is able to describe sound in terms of transfer of energy and momentum in a medium and relate the concepts to everyday examples.

Learning Objective 6.A.4.1

The student is able to explain and/or predict qualitatively how the energy carried by a sound wave relates to the amplitude of the wave, and/or apply this concept to a real-world example.

Learning Objective 6.B.4.1

The student is able to design an experiment to determine the relationship between periodic wave speed, wavelength, and frequency and relate these concepts to everyday examples.