AP Physics

2025-2026 Agendas

Mr. Porter

2026.03.25 AP Physics Do Now

A weight is tied to a rope that is wrapped around a pulley. The pulley is initially rotating counterclockwise and is pulling the weight up. The tension in the rope creates a torque on the pulley that opposes this rotation. The weight slows down, stops momentarily, and then moves back downward.

1. Graph of the angular velocity () versus time for the period from the initial instant shown until the weight comes back down to the same height. Take the initial angular velocity as positive.
2. Graph the angular acceleration () versus time for the same time period.

The figures below show hollow spheres (not drawn to scale) that are rolling at a constant rate without slipping. The spheres all have the same mass, but their radii as well as their linear and angular speeds vary.

Rank the radius of the spheres.

2026.03.25 AP Physics

of the : Who do you think is the best superhero?

2026.03.23 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather travel back in time to meet your meet your ancestors or to the future to meet your descendants?

2026.03.20 AP Physics

of the : Who's your march madness team?

2026.03.19 AP Physics Do Now

In Case A, a metal bullet penetrates a wooden block. In Case B, a rubber bullet with the same initial speed and mass bounces off of an identical wooden block.

Will the speed of the wooden block after the collision be (i) greater in Case A, (ii) greater in Case B, or (iii) the same in both cases? _____ Explain your reasoning.

2026.03.19 AP Physics

of the : What is one song you know all of the words to?

2026.03.17 AP Physics Do Now

2026.03.17 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather be able to see the past or the future when you touch an object?

2026.03.16 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather live in a hot, sandy desert, or the North Pole?

Paired Quiz Review

• Work through quiz with partner - put answers on one piece of paper
• When prompted compare answers with another group -> make any changes to your quiz In another color
• Eventually Whiteboard assigned problem (or section of a problem)

2026.03.12 AP Physics

of the : Blue or Red for Hoops vs. Hunger?

2026.03.10 AP Physics

of the : If you invited dragons to a taco party, would you give them spicy salsa?

2026.03.09 AP Physics

of the : If you could pick one of your stuffed animals (or toys) to come to life, which would it be?

2026.03.05 AP Physics

of the : If gravity suddenly decreased by half for 24 hours, what would you do first?

2026.03.03 AP Physics

of the : What's your favorite type of food? (American, Italian, Chinese, Thai, Mexican, etc)

2026.03.03 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather be a dragon or own a dragon?

2026.03.02 AP Physics Do Now

Shown below is a graph of velocity versus time for an object that moves along a straight, horizontal line under the perhaps intermittent action of a single force exerted by an external agent.

Rank the work done on the box by the external agent for the 5-second intervals shown on the graph.

2026.03.02 AP Physics Do Now

In the figures below, identical boxes of mass 10 kg are moving at the same initial velocity to the right on a flat surface. The same magnitude force, F, is applied to each box for the distance, d, indicated in the figures.

Rank the work done on the box by F while the box moves the indicated distance.

2026.03.02 AP Phyiscs

of the : If you were one of Snow White's dwarfs, which one would you be? Doc, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, Bashful, Sneezy, Dopey

2026.02.26 AP Physics

of the : If you could join any past or current music group which would you want to join?

Block Launcher Lab

Physics:

• Work-Energy Theorem: What does work to slow the block to a stop?
• What can you measure? What can you graph where is in the slope?

2026.02.25 AP Physics

Determine the spring constant of your pop up toy.

• Use energy analysis
• Available equipment: meterstick and/or ruler

Complete on whiteboard with your lab group. Show all work. Include an energy bar graph

2026.02.25 AP Physics

of the : If one animal were suddenly super-sized, which would be the coolest?

4.A

4.B Choosing Systems

4.C Energy Graphs

4.C Energy Graphs

4.F Energy Transformations

4.F Energy Transformations

4.G Circ Motion & Energy

4.G Circ Motion

2026.02.24 AP Physics

of the : How was your break? Did you do anything fun?

2026.02.13 AP Physics

of the : Do you believe Friday the 13th is bad luck? What are your plans for break?

In each case below, an arrow has been shot from the top of a building either up at a 45º angle, straight out horizontally, or down at a 45º angle. All arrows are identical and are shot at the same speed, and the heights of the buildings and the direction the arrows are shot are given. Ignore air resistance.

Rank the speed of the arrows just before they hit the ground below.

For extra excitement, a new roller coaster ride is designed to launch the riders over an alligator-infested lagoon. The frictionless coaster starts at rest at point A. The coaster lands on a ramp on the other side of the lagoon.

After it is airborne, will the maximum height of the coaster be (i) greater than, (ii) less than, or (iii) equal to the height at point A?

Explain your reasoning.

In the figures below, identical boxes of mass 10 kg are moving at the same initial velocity to the right on a flat surface. The same magnitude force, , is applied to each box for the distance, , indicated in the figures.

Rank the work done on the box by F while the box moves the indicated distance.

2026.02.12 AP Physics

of the : If you could be a fly on the wall, anywhere in the world, where would you be?

Tic Tac Bounce

2026.02.11 AP Physics Do Now

A performer on a skateboard is launched by a spring initially compressed a distance as shown. His speed on the horizontal portion of the ramp is , and he rises to a height after he leaves the ramp. Ignore friction effects.

• Pick three moments in time (A, B, C) and identify the energy storage methods at each moment. Draw a pie graph if you prefer.

2026.02.11 AP Physics

of the : What's your favorite family tradition?

2026.02.09 AP Physics

of the : What was your favorite commercial last night?

2026.02.06 AP Physics

of the : What is your favorite superbowl snack?

2026.02.06 AP Physics

of the : Hanging out by a camp fire, bonfire, or fireplace?

2026.02.05 AP Physics

of the : Which Disney Princess would you choose to be?

2026.02.03 AP Physics

of the : Are you ready for spring yet?

Conical Pendulum - Flying Farm Animals

2026.02.02 AP Physics Do Now

A motor swings a ball on a string in a vertical circle such that the tension in the string is constant throughout the ball's motion. Which of the following correctly indicates at which point the ball has the greatest speed and provides a valid justification?

A. At the topmost point, because the tension force and gravitational force are both directed toward the center of the ball's motion.
B. At the topmost point, because the net force on the ball is zero.
C. At the bottommost point, because the tension offsets the gravitational force.
D. At the bottommost point, because the net force on the ball is a maximum.

2026.02.02 AP Physics

of the : What are two of your pet peeves?

2026.01.30 AP Physics Do Now

A skateboarder is skating over a circular bump. At the instant shown, she is at the top of the bump and is moving with a speed of 5 m/s. Is the normal force exerted on the skateboarder by the bump (i) greater than, (ii) less than, or (iii) equal to the weight of the skateboarder? Explain your reasoning.

2026.01.30 AP Physics

of the : What luxury is totally worth the price?

2026.01.28 AP Physics

of the : Should you eat rice with a fork , a spoon , or chopsticks ?

2026.01.27 AP Physics

of the : If you could make one chore disappear, what would it be?

2026.01.22 AP Physics

of the : Who is your celebrity crush?

2026.01.21 AP Physics

of the : You got this.

Agenda

1. Test
   • Write in the boxed area
   • There is a graph printed
   • Ignore the very last question (pendulum)

2026.01.20 AP Physics

of the : What's the most unusual thing you've ever eaten?

DO NOW Modified Atwood Machine 2026.01.15

On your Whiteboard as a group...

Predict the tension of the string and the acceleration of the lab cart.

Givens:

• Cart: 316.2 grams
• Mass: 92.5 grams

2026.01.15 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather always be slightly late or super early?

2026.01.14 AP Physics

of the : If you could redesign the human body, what one improvement would you make?

2026.01.13 AP Physics

of the : You have to sing karaoke, what song do you pick?

Hooke's Law

or Magnitude:

Does your spring and/or your rubberband follow Hooke's Law?

A spring is attached to the ceiling of an elevator, and a block of mass M is suspended from the spring. The cases are identical except that in Case A the elevator is moving upward with a constant speed of 7 m/s, while in Case B the elevator is moving downward with a constant speed of 9 m/s. Will the spring be stretched (i) more in Case A, (ii) more in Case B, or (iii) the same in both cases?

Explain your reasoning.

2026.01.09 AP Physics

of the : If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

2026.01.08 AP Physics Do Now #1

Anna Litical and Noah Formula now place a 2-kg brick on a wooden board and incline the board at 35 above the horizontal. The coefficient of friction between the brick and the board is 0.3. Use the structure provided at the right to determine the

2026.01.08 AP Physics Dow Now #2

A person exerts a force on a rope to pull a block of mass up a ramp. The rope makes an angle to the ramp and the ramp makes an angle , to the horizontal, as shown. The force of kinetic friction between the block and the ramp has magnitude . Which of the following expressions is equal to the magnitude of the acceleration of the block?

2026.01.08 AP Physics

of the : If you found that food was falling from the sky, what food would you want to be falling? What food would you NOT want to be falling?

2026.01.06 AP Physics Do Now

1. Open Pivot: Forces on Object on Ramp and complete Part 1: Preliminary Questions
   • For all of the diagrams, just draw on a mini whiteboard. In pivot write "on mini whiteboard" for those questions.

Wait before starting Part 2:

2026.01.06 AP Physics

of the : What secrets do you think your pet would spill about you, if they could talk?

2026.01.05 AP Physics

of the : Do you have any New Year Resolutions?

2025.10.01 AP Physics

of the : Cake or pie?

For each of these cases, if any, is...at the indicated point?

1. the position zero ?
2. the position negative?
3. the velocity zero?
4. the velocity negative?
5. the acceleration zero ?
6. the acceleration negative?

2025.09.30 AP Physics

of the : Should you bite or lick your ice cream?

Homework

• PC CalcPad K10 - Velocity Time Graphs 1
• PC CalcPad K11 - Velocity Time Graphs 2

2025.09.29 AP Physics Do Now

The graphs below show the velocity versus time for boats traveling along a straight, narrow channel. The scales on both axes are the same for all of these graphs. In each graph, a point is marked with a dot.

Rank the magnitude of the velocity of the boat at the point indicated. Explain your reasoning.

2025.09.29 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather watch a movie on your TV at home or on the big screen in the theater, and why?

2025.09.25 AP Physics Do Now

The position-time graph shown represents the motion of two children who are moving along a narrow, straight hallway.

1. Do either of the children ever change direction?
2. Are the two children ever at the same position along the hallway?
3. Do the two children ever have the same speed?
4. Do the two children ever have the same acceleration?

2025.09.25 AP Physics

of the : What is your favorite family vacation?

2025.09.24 AP Physics

of the : If you could do anything you wanted today, what would you do?

2025.09.23 AP Physics

of the : What is the worst food?

Ticker Tape Best Practices

• how to set up the spark timer to collect good data:
  • length of tape = length of run, make sure tape is shorter than track so it is pulled all of the way through
  • label tape after collecting data
    • trial #, where zero is
  • need to pull tape through timer BEFORE taping to cart
• Note You do not need to record every ticker mark...but be sure to follow the 8x10 rule. More data is better here if you have it!

2025.09.19 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather be a superhero or super villain?

2025.09.18 AP Physics

of the : What animal do you think is the creepiest?

A red car (top) and a green car (bottom) are having a race. The green car has a head start (distance a). The two cars start at the same time. The red car must travel to the finish line (distance b). The red car averages a speed of . The green car averages a speed of .

1. Determine the time it takes the red car to reach the finish line.
2. Determine the time it takes the green car to reach the finish line.

A red car (top) and a green car (bottom) are having a race. The green car has a head start (distance a). The two cars start at the same time. The red car must travel 200.0 m to the finish line (distance b). The red car averages a speed of . The green car averages a speed of . When the red car crosses the finish line, how far (in meters) ahead or behind is the green car? (Enter a + answer if green car is ahead and a - answer if the green car is behind.)

A red car (top) and a green car (bottom) are having a race. The green car has a head start (distance a). The two cars start at the same time. The red car must travel to the finish line (distance b). The green car averages a speed of . What speed (in m/s) must the red car average in order to reach the finish line at the exact same time as the green car?

A red car (top) and a green car (bottom) are having a race. The green car has a head start (distance a). The two cars start at the same time. The red car must travel to the finish line (distance b). The red car averages a speed of . The green car averages a speed of . What must be the head start distance (distance a) in order for the two cars to reach the finish line at the exact same time?

A red car (on left) and a green car (on right) are spaced apart (distance a). They start at the same time and head towards each other. The red car averages a speed of . The green car averages a speed of . What distance will the red car have traveled (distance b) when it is at the same position as the green car?

2025.09.17 Do Now

Each graph below shows the position of an object as a function of time.

1. Rank the displacement of each object from least to greatest.
2. Rank the distance of each object from least to greatest.

2025.09.17 AP Physics

of the : Would you rather live in the ocean or on the moon ?

2025.09.15

AP Physics Do Now

1. Do the cyclists start at the same point? How do you know? If not, which is ahead?
2. At , which cyclist is ahead? How do you know?
3. Which cyclist is traveling faster at 3s? How do you know?
4. Are their velocities equal at any time? How do you know?
5. What is happening at the intersection of lines and ?

2025.09.15

AP Physics Do Now

6. Write a hypothetical mathematical model for each cyclist

2025.09.15 AP Physics

of the : What is the proper length of a playlist?

2025.09.12

AP Physics Do Now

Defining "How Far"

Who went further? Dorothy or Toto?

2025.09.12 AP Physics

of the : What is the best fry shape?

2025.09.11 AP Physics

of the : Does a week start on Sunday or Monday?

Buggy Lab

Purpose

Collect data on your buggies so that you can represent the motion (all aspescts) of both buggies on the same graph. Your final models should be able to predict the position of your buggy at specified times.

Question

Does your Buggy move in a consistent manner? [Define consistent]

Constraints

You will be given scenario card that describes the setup of your buggies

Scenarios

• You can ignore the speed label, just use the colors for reference

Do Now: Register for...

1. AP Classroom ->> AP Exam Prep & Review

• Website: https://apclassroom.collegeboard.org/
• Code: RPPQPA

2. Physics Classroom ->> General Physics Practice & Homework

• Website: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/sign-in
• Code: 003117a
• Register with school email as username

2025.09.09 AP Physics

of the : Is it OK to ask the genie for infinite wishes?

Physics Classroom

• Interactives are a large collection of HTML5 interactive physics and chemistry simulations.
• Concept Builders help discover and solidify learning concepts and discover and correct incorrect ideas.
• Minds On challenge student's understanding in a game where correct answers progress you to the finish line.
• Calc Pad provides students with math-based questions to practice their understanding and usage of equations and formulas.
• Science Reasoning help students to learn and grow their scientific thinking and reasoning skills in the context of various physics related tasks.

Buggy Lab

Purpose

Collect data on your buggies so that you can represent the motion (all aspescts) of both buggies on the same graph. Your final models should be able to predict the position of your buggy at specified times.

Constraints

You will be given scenario card that describes the setup of your buggies

Scenarios

• You can ignore the speed label, just use the colors for reference

AP Physics Do Now

1. Go to Data Collection Best Practices Interactive
2. Read and click through the examples
3. Reflect on your Coefficient of Restitution lab, did you follow these practices? How can you improve upon your design?

2025.09.08 AP Physics

of the : Do you think it would be easier to give up sugar or technology?

Board Meeting

On your whiteboard

• Hypothesis and results
  • What did you do and what did you find? How does your data support or refute your hypothesis?

Things to consider:

• What does your graph look like? Linear, curve, etc?
  • What does that mean? What do the graphical features like slope/intercept mean?
• How confident are you in your data? High or low levels of uncertainty?

2025.09.05 AP Physics

of the : Sweet or savory for breakfast?

Do Now

1. Fill out index card:
   1. Name
   2. Phone number to reach your parents/guardians if you sleep through the AP Exam
   3. Favorite Candy
   4. Favorite Emoji
   5. Emoji the describes your current mood
2. Fill out Paper Quesionnaire

Lab Grouping Game

• There are 13 of you
• Based on your cards get into LOGICAL groups of three (plus one group of 4)
• Check whole class answer with Mr. Porter
  • 4 Chances to Check
• Reorganize if necessary

(Yes this is the game Connections)

Answers

• KINDS OF BEANS - KIDNEY, MUNG, NAVY
• DEVISE - CONCOCT, ENGINEER, HATCH
• NASA SPACECRAFT - GALILEO, VIKING, VOYAGER
• GAMES WHERE YOU SAY THE GAME’S NAME - BINGO, TAG, UNO

Survival Island

1. Share your survival skill that you wrote down with your group
2. Using everyone's skill develop a plan to survive or escape the deserted island
3. On your whiteboard present your plan (drawing, mind map, set of instructions)
   • Highlight everyone's skill

Surivial Plan...

Coefficient of Restitution Lab

Determine whether the coefficient of restitution, , for a specific ball remains constant when dropped from various heights. Do this by comparing drop height to bounce height for your assigned ball.

Lets Science!

Lab Notebooks

What is a Lab Notebook?

• A detailed, chronological record of a scientist's research activities, experiments, and observations.
• Documentation of the scientific process from intial ideas to final results and conclusions.

Why keep lab notebooks?

• Document Research
• Develop Ideas
• Organize Data
• Collaboration Tool
• Publication Support
• Troubleshooting
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Historical Record

Lab Notebooks can be Legal Documents

• Proof of invention in Patent Cases
• Intellectual Property Protection
• Admissibility in court - must be properly maintained
• Note: Often property of the instituation where the research was conducted (i.e. Property of Regeneron, or Property of Cornell University)

Remember

• Lab notebooks are most importantly scientific documentation
• They represent the scientific process and are record of your thinking
  • This means your ideas and conclusions and hypotheses can change based on new data

Lab Notebook

• Write in pen
• All mistakes get a single cross through
• Full Date (YYYY/MM/DD) at the beginning of each entry (for multiday labs date start of each day)
• Enter Lab Pages into table of contents

Lab Notebook - Pre Lab

• Title and objective of the experiment:

  • Write a clear, concise title for each experiment.
  • State the main objective or purpose of the experiment in 1-2 sentences.

• Theoretical background:

  • Briefly explain the relevant scientific principles.
  • Include key equations or concepts that will be tested or applied.

• Hypotheses:

  • State your predictions about the experiment's outcome.
  • Base these on your understanding of the theory.

Lab Notebook - Pre Lab

• Materials and equipment list:
  • Provide a detailed list of all materials and equipment used.
  • Include model numbers and specifications where relevant.
• Experimental procedure outline:
  • Write a step-by-step outline of the planned procedure.
  • Be specific enough that someone could replicate your experiment.

During the Experiment

• Raw data in tables with units:
  • Create neat, organized tables for all numerical data.
  • Always include units and uncertainty estimates.
  • Label columns clearly and use consistent significant figures.
• Observations and qualitative notes:
  • Record all relevant observations, even if they seem unimportant.
  • Note any unexpected occurrences or anomalies.

During the Experiment

• Any changes to the planned procedure:
  • Document any deviations from the original procedure.
  • Explain why changes were made and how they might affect results.
• Sketches or diagrams of experimental setup:
  • Include clear, labeled diagrams of your experimental setup.
  • Add dimensions and important details to aid in replication.

Post Lab

• Data analysis and calculations:
  • Show all steps in your calculations, including formulas used.
  • Explain your reasoning for each step of the analysis.
• Graphs and charts:
  • Create neat, properly labeled graphs and charts.
  • Include titles, axis labels with units, and legends where appropriate.

Post Lab

• Discussion of results:
  • Interpret your results in the context of the experiment's objectives.
  • Explain any patterns or trends observed in the data
• Comparison with hypotheses:
  • Explicitly state whether your results support or refute your hypotheses.
  • Discuss possible reasons for any discrepancies.
• Sources of error and uncertainty:
  • Identify potential sources of experimental error.
  • Discuss how these might have affected your results.
  • Quantify uncertainties where possible.

Post Lab

• Conclusions:
  • Summarize the main findings of the experiment.
  • Relate these back to the original objectives and broader scientific principles.
  • Suggest improvements or future directions for the experiment.

Ball Bounce Lab

Question:

Is the coefficient of restitution constant for your ball? Do this by comparing drop height to bounce height for your assigned ball.

Ball Bounce Lab

Question:

Is the coefficient of restitution constant for your ball? Do this by comparing drop height to bounce height for your assigned ball.

Background:

The coefficient of restitution (symbol: ) is a dimensionless quantity that describes how much energy is conserved in a collision, specifically how well an object bounces back after impact. It is used to characterize the elasticity of collisions between two bodies.