SAMPLE SYLLABUS #1

AP Physics C: Mechanics
®

Curricular Requirements
CR1 Students and teachers have access to college-level resources including a See page:
college-level textbook and reference materials in print or electronic format. 3

CR2 The course provides opportunities to develop student understanding of the See page:
required content outlined in each of the Unit Guides of the AP Course and 3
Exam Description (CED).

CR3 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 1: Visual Interpretation. 6

CR4 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 2: Question and Method. 6

CR5 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 3: Representing Data and Phenomena. 6

CR6 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 4: Data Analysis. 6

CR7 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 5: Theoretical Relationships. 7

CR8 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 6: Mathematical Routines. 7

CR9 The course provides opportunities for students to develop the skills related to See page:
Science Practice 7: Argumentation. 7

CR10 The course provides students with opportunities to apply their knowledge See page:
of AP Physics concepts to real-world questions or scenarios to help them 7
become scientifically literate citizens.
CR11 Students spend a minimum of 25 percent of instructional time engaged See pages:
in a wide range of hands-on laboratory investigations with an emphasis 7, 9
on inquiry-based labs to support the learning of required content and
development of science practice skills throughout the course.

CR12 The course provides opportunities for students to record evidence of their See page:
scientific investigations in a portfolio of lab reports or a lab notebook (print or 9
digital format).
Advanced Placement
Physics C: Mechanics
Sample Syllabus #1

Textbook
The main textbook for this course, which will be supplemented with other online
resources, is: 

Halliday, David, Robert Resnick, and Jearl Walker, Fundamentals of Physics, 10th ed. New
York: John Wiley & Sons, 2015. This is a calculus-based, college-level textbook. CR1 CR1
The syllabus must cite the

Student Practice title, author, and publication

date of a calculus-based,
Throughout each unit, Topic Questions will be provided to help students check their college-level textbook.
understanding. The Topic Questions are especially useful for confirming understanding of
difficult or foundational topics before moving on to new content or skills that build upon
prior topics. Topic Questions can be assigned before, during, or after a lesson, and as in-
class work or homework. Students will get rationales for each Topic Question that will
help them understand why an answer is correct or incorrect, and their results will reveal CR2
misunderstandings to help them target the content and skills needed for additional practice. The syllabus must
include an outline of the
At the end of each unit or at key points within a unit, Personal Progress Checks will course content using any
be provided in class or as homework assignments in AP Classroom. Students will get a organizational approach
personal report with feedback on every topic, skill, and question that they can use to chart that demonstrates the
their progress, and their results will come with rationales that explain every question’s inclusion of all required
answer. One to two class periods are set aside to re-teach skills based on the results of the course topics and big ideas
Personal Progress Checks. listed in the AP Course and
The following units will be included in this AP Physic C Mechanics course: CR2 Exam Description (CED).

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 1: Kinematics (14%–20%) 1.1 Motion in One Dimension 1.A Chapters: 2, 3, 4

~22 days. Big Idea CHA 1.B
3.A
4.A
4.C
5.A
7.A

1.2 Motion in Two Dimensions 1.C

5.B
6.A
7.B

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 1.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 1.
Take Unit 1 Test.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion 2.1 Newton’s First and Second Law 1.A Chapters: 5, 6
(17%–23%). Big Idea INT ~24 days 2.D
3.B
4.B
5.A
7.A
7.B

2.2 Circular Motion 1.B

5.C
6.B

2.3 Newton’s Third Law 1.C

5.C
5.D
7.C
7.D

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 2.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 2.
Take Unit 2 Test.

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 3: Work, Energy and Power 3.1 Work-Energy Theorem 2.A Chapters: 7, 8
(14%– 17%) Big ideas INT, CON ~20 days 7.C

3.2 Force and Potential Energy 1.D

4.B
6.A

3.3 Conservation of Energy 2.E

4.D
5.C
6.C
7.E

3.4 Power 5.D

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 3.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 3.
Take Unit 3 Test.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 4: Systems of Particles and 4.1 Center of Mass 6.B Chapter 9

Linear Momentum (14%–17%). Big
Ideas CHA, INT and CON ~20 days 4.2 Impulse and Momentum 1.C
2.C
5.D

4.3 Conservation of Linear 1.E

Momentum (Collisions)  5.E
7.D
7.E
7.F

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 4.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 4.
Take Unit 4 Test.

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 5: Rotation (14%–20%). Big 5.1 Torque and Rotational Statics 2.D Chapters: 10, 11
Ideas INT, CON ~20 days 3.B

5.2 Rotational Kinematics 2.B

5.B
6.C

5.3 Rotational Dynamics and Energy 1.E

3.C
4.D
5.D

5.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum 1.E

5.E
6.D
7.D

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 5.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 5.
Take Unit 5 Test.

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 6: Oscillations (6%–14%) 6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion 1.E Chapter 15

Big Idea INT ~10 days (Springs and Pendulums) 2.B
2.F
4.C
4.E
5.E
7.F

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 6.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 6.
Take Unit 6 Test.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

Unit Description Topics Science Practice Textbook

Unit 7: Gravitation (6%–14%) Big 7.1 Gravitational Forces 3.D Chapter 13

Ideas FLD, CON ~10 days 4.E
5.E

7.2 Orbits (Planets and Satellites) 3.C

5.D
6.C
7.F

Complete Personal Progress Check MCQ for Unit 7.

Complete Personal Progress Check FRQ for Unit 7. CR3
The syllabus must
Take Unit 7 Test.
include one activity
or lab describing how
Big Idea  Description aka students analyze and/
or use nonnarrative/
1 Interactions produce changes in motion CHANGE nonmathematical
representations of physical
2 Forces characterize interactions between FORCE INTERACTIONS
objects or systems  situations, excluding
graphs. The activity or lab
3 Fields predict and describe interactions FIELDS must be labeled with the
relevant skill(s) (e.g. “1.B”)
4 Conservation laws constrain interactions CONSERVATION
associated with Science
Practice 1.
Throughout this AP® Physics C Mechanics course, students will be provided with
opportunities to develop important skills in the following Science Practices: CR4
The syllabus must
1. SP1: Visual Representations: Analyze and/or use [non-narrative/non-mathematical]
include one activity or lab
representations of physical situations, excluding graphs (1A–1E).
describing how students
a. Bungee Jump Design Activity (Students must explain the motion and energy determine scientific
transformations during the descent of a bungee jumper during each stage of questions and methods.
their fall.) The activity or lab must be
b. Students will draw and analyze free-body diagrams for a variety of scenarios. labeled with the relevant
CR3 skill(s) associated with
2. SP2: Question and Method: Determine scientific questions and methods (2A–2F). Science Practice 2.

a. Mu of Shoe Lab (Students develop 2 different methods to find the coefficients of CR5
friction between a shoe and 2 different surfaces)
The syllabus must
b. Flying Pig Lab (Students must devise a method to accurately find the angle at include one activity
which the pig is flying as well as a method for accurately taking data.) CR4 or lab describing how
3. SP3: Representing Data and Phenomena: Create visual representations or models of students create visual
physical situations (3A–3D). representations or models
of physical situations. The
a. How is Motion Recorded Lab (Students utilize motion detectors to discover
activity or lab must be
the mathematical and graphical relationships between position, velocity, and
labeled with the relevant
acceleration graphs.)
skill(s) associated with
b. Projectile Motion Video Analysis Lab (Students utilize Logger Pro Video Analysis Science Practice 3.
software to collect data and create horizontal and vertical motion graphs.) CR5
4. SP4: Data Analysis: Analyze quantitative data represented in graphs (4A–4E). CR6
a. Projectile Motion Video Analysis Lab (Students collect data, create graphs, and The syllabus must
discover that the horizontal motion of a projectile is constant while vertical include one activity or lab
motion changes due to gravity.) describing how students
analyze quantitative data
b. Ballistic Pendulum Lab (Students collect data and utilize their knowledge of
represented in graphs.
energy, collisions, and projectile motion in order to predict the landing location
The activity or lab must be
of a sphere projected using the ballistic pendulum.) CR6
labeled with the relevant
skill(s) associated with
Science Practice 4.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

5. SP5: Theoretical Relationships: Determine the effects on a quantity when another CR7
quantity or the physical situation changes. (5A–5E). The syllabus must
a. Twirly Lab (Students explore the effects of changing mass, radius and centripetal include one activity or lab
force of a rotating object.) describing how students
determine the effects on
b. Air Resistance Lab (Students explore the effects of air resistance on a falling
a quantity when another
object as mass changes.) 
quantity or the physical
c. Simple Harmonic Motion Problems (Students will describe simple harmonic situation changes. The
motion and predict the period using Hooke’s law.) CR7 activity or lab must be
6. SP6: Mathematical Routines: Solve problems of physical situations using labeled with the relevant
mathematical relationships. (6A–6D) skill(s) associated with
a. Practice Free-Response and Multiple-Choice Questions (Students will use Science Practice 5.
mathematical routines to solve unknown physical quantities.)  CR8
b. PHET Solar System Activity (In this online activity, students will utilize data The syllabus must
collected from the simulation to perform calculations related to Gravitational include one activity
Force, Period, Escape Velocity, etc.)  or lab describing how
students solve problems of
c. Bungee Design Lab (In the laboratory, students will use mathematical
physical situations using
routines to determine unknown physical quantities using experimentally
mathematical relationships.
measured quantities.) CR8
The activity or lab must be
7. SP7: Argumentation: Develop an explanation or a scientific argument. (7A–7F) labeled with the relevant
a. In the lab report students will explain how experimental error affects results, skill(s) associated with
outcomes, and conclusions. In addition, students propose ways to reduce Science Practice 6.
experimental errors in future investigations.
CR9
b. In the lab students will verify laws by doing inquiry-based investigations. For The syllabus must
example, conservation of momentum will be verified using the Ballistic Pendulum include one activity or lab
lab to determine the velocity of a projectile, and later the landing distance of describing how students
said projectile. CR9 develop an explanation
In this AP Physic C Mechanics course, students will be provided with opportunities or a scientific argument.
to apply their knowledge to real-world questions and scenarios to help them become This activity or lab must be
scientifically literate citizens by focusing on the following topics in problems, lab labeled with the relevant
investigations, and design challenges: skill(s) associated with
Science Practice 7.
ƒ Roller Coaster Loop Problems 
CR10
ƒ Engineering Road Design (banked curves) and the importance of speed limits.
The syllabus must label
ƒ Car Crashes (Newton’s Law, Momentum, Impulse)  and provide a description of
ƒ The Physics of Bungee Jumping and Design at least one assignment or
ƒ The Physics of Toys (Cars, Nerf guns, Yo-Yo, Toy Rockets)  activity requiring students
to apply their knowledge
ƒ The Physics of Space (Satellites, Gravity, Space Travel, Kepler’s Laws) of AP Physics concepts
ƒ Rotational inertia and sports (ice skating, gymnastics, etc.)  to understand real-world
ƒ Earthquake and Buildings (Simple Harmonic Motion, Natural Frequency, Stiffness, questions or scenarios.
Resonance) CR10 CR11
Students will spend a minimum of 25% of their instructional time engaged in a wide The syllabus must include
variety of hands-on, inquiry-based laboratory investigations. A minimum of 20 of the labs an explicit statement
listed below will be utilized in the class. Over 50% of these labs, activities, and design that at least 25 percent
challenges listed below utilize some form of guided or open inquiry. CR11 of instructional time is
spent engaged in hands-on
laboratory investigations,
Unit 1: Kinematics with an emphasis on
1. Engineering Design and Cost Analysis project: Students practice their collaboration, inquiry-based labs.
communication, and creativity to design and build a structure while minimizing costs AND
and taking into account structural integrity and time constraints.
Laboratory investigations
2. How Motion Is Recorded: Prediction and Reproduction of Kinematics Graphs with must be listed with a title
Motion Detectors. and brief description.
Guided- and open-inquiry
labs must be labeled.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

3. Determination of Acceleration Due to Gravity: Guided Inquiry based lab in which

students devise a way to determine acceleration due to gravity.
4. Projectile Motion Video Analysis: Guided Inquiry based lab in which students
discover the independence of horizontal and vertical velocity.
5. Rocket Launch: Students collect data to indirectly calculate launch velocity and
maximum height

Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion

6. Atwood’s Machine: Guided Inquiry in which students determine the relationship
between acceleration and total mass as well as acceleration and mass difference.
7. Yo-Yo Analysis: Students analyze the forces acting on a yo-yo to determine variables
of its motion.
8. Terminal Velocity Coffee Filter Lab: Students collect data to determine the terminal
velocity of a coffee filter as well as the drag coefficient.
9. PhET Friction Simulation: Through guided inquiry students explore the effects of
friction and motion. 
10. Mu of Shoe: Guided Inquiry in which students devise a method to determine the
coefficient of friction of their shoe on multiple surfaces .
11. Engineering Design Project: Guided Inquiry Drone Parachute Challenge—Students
are tasked with designing a parachute that will accurately and safely deliver a
package from a predetermined drop height.
12. Flying Pig Lab: Guided Inquiry in which students explore circular motion and must
devise a method for making accurate measurements.

Unit 3: Work Energy Power

13. Power Lab: Students collect data to determine the amount of power generated in
walking stairs and doing pushups.
14. Conservation of Energy of a Popper: Guided Inquiry in which students must find the
popping velocity of a toy popper. 
15. Conservation of Energy Lab: Guided Inquiry in which students design a lab to show
the conservation of energy.
16. Hot Wheels Launch Challenge: Guided Inquiry utilizing knowledge of kinematics,
forces and energy; students predict where a hot wheels car will land.
17. Hooke’s Law exploration: Guided Inquiry in which students discover the differences
of springs in series and parallel and conduct calculation for determining their
spring constants.
18. Bungee Design Challenge: Guided Inquiry in which students are tasked with
developing a formula that will predict the number of rubber bands needed for a diver
to successfully jump from an unknown height.

Unit 4: Systems of Particles, Linear Momentum

19. Ballistic Pendulum Lab: Guided Inquiry in which students develop a method for
determining the launch velocity of the sphere. 
20. Smart Cart Conservation of Momentum Lab: Students will explore the three main
types of collisions.
21. Smart Cart Impulse Exploration: Students will explore the idea of impulse and its
importance when it comes to car crashes.
22. Online Cart Crash Simulation Activity: Guided Inquiry in which students will
discover that momentum is conserved in all collisions while kinetic energy is not.

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Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics Sample Syllabus #1

Unit 5: Rotation
23. PhET Ladybug Revolution Lab: In this inquiry-based activity, students will explore
rotational dynamics 
24. Twirly Lab: Students will explore the relationships between rotation variables.
25. Toilet Paper Challenge: Guided Inquiry in which students must predict where to drop
an unrolling roll of toilet paper so it hits the ground at the same time as a roll of toilet
paper dropped from 2 m. CR11
26. Moment of Inertia Challenge: Guided Inquiry in which students must predict the
internal structure of three disks based on their behavior as they roll. 

Unit 6: Oscillations
27. PhET Pendulum and Mass Spring Oscillation Lab: Students will discover the
properties of pendulums and springs in simple harmonic motion and the variable that
affect their period and frequency.
28. Engineering Design Project ... Earthquake Retrofit 2.0: Students will design a retrofit
system to alter the natural frequency, period, and resonance of an existing toy block
model building.  CR12
The syllabus must include
Unit 7: Gravitation the components of the
written reports required of
29. Elliptical Orbit Simulation Lab: Students will prove Kepler’s Law is equivalent to the
students for all laboratory
law of conservation of momentum.
investigations.
30. My Solar System PHET Lab: Students will explore the variable related to orbiting
AND
objects and prove that angular momentum is conserved in orbiting objects, regardless
of the shape of its path (Fg, Ug, L, orbits, etc.). The syllabus must include
an explicit statement that
In this AP Physics C Mechanics course, all formal lab investigations will conclude with students are required to
students completing a lab report. The lab report will contain the required components that maintain a lab notebook
are included in the lab notebook (Claim/question, Hypothesis, Experimental Procedure, or portfolio (hard copy or
Experimental Data, Data Analysis, Conclusions, Error Analysis, etc.). These lab reports electronic) that includes all
will be retained in their lab report portfolio. CR12 their lab reports.

AP-Course Audit Teacher Resources © 2020 College Board 9