Last week of April

Good Monday Morning to All!!!

This week is a critical one. It is the last full week before the AP Calculus exam next Wednesday, May 6th.

I know that you all have been working hard; most of you have either purchased or borrowed an AP study guide for Physics and/or Calculus. I would work only out of these books at this point, and read and re-read as necessary. Of course work the problems and do the practice exams also.

I would like to emphasize that you should read and strive to understand the concepts. Don't just assume you can plug a bunch of numbers into some memorized equations and you'll be okay. It is critical that you understand why you are using the equations.

Also remember that you can look at the AP website at collegeboard.com

For Physics this week,

----- We are basically finished with Optics.
----- Begin reading Chapter 24 which is "The Wave Nature of Light"
----- Begin reading Chapters 27 and 28 concerning "Early Quantum Theory and Models of the Atom" and "Quantum Mechanics of Atoms"

-----Begin reading Chapter 30/31 "Nuclear Energy; Effects and uses of Radiation"

Chapters 27 - 31 are lightly covered on the exam. We'll focus on these next week. It sounds like a lot of information, but the exam will just touch on a few specific areas.

Chapter 24 will be covered this week. Much is a repeat or expansion of Optics concepts. We'll discuss diffraction, index of refraction, wave interference (constructive and destructive), light waves through slits and how they behave. Most of the emphasis will be on this last subject.

The Physics exam will be Monday, May 11.

For Calculus,

We are finished as far as learning new concepts before the exam. Just continue to work out of your study guide, and finish the free response and the multiple choice from the on-line practice exams that we began last week.

Keep in mind that the exam is 10 days from today. Plan accordingly (but don't stress out).

I'll be around as much as possible in the next couple of weeks. Also, you all know how to get in touch with me outside of school, and we'll have 2 Sunday afternoon study sessions. One will be this Sunday, May 3rd and the other next Sunday, May 10.

Have a great day.

Talk to you all tomorrow.

Mrs. Little

Outlook for the week of April 20 - April 24

Hello to All!


As I said in my last blog, the next 2 weeks will be devoted to preparation for the AP exam.

For Physics,

We still need to cover Optics - This is an interesting subject with not a lot of tough math and a lot of opportunity to draw diagrams. If you like this, Optics will be a very enjoyable chapter for you! We will study concave and convex mirrors, and converging and diverging lenses. We will study refraction and reflection of light through different mediums.

After Optics, we'll study the wave vs. particle nature of electromagnetic waves, and look at the electromagnetic spectrum and the famous double slit experiments.

Lastly, the class will touch on Nuclear Physics and particles. It won't be a very deep chapter, but it is an interesting introduction to the tiny world of particle reactions.

For the AP students, we'll squeeze in the last couple of points of Magnetism that we left off before break, and that will wrap things up!!!

The exam is on May 11 (a Monday). This is great because we can have an all day study session on Sunday May 10 if you want to!!!


For Calculus,

We have the luxury of being completely done with new material, so at this point, its REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW!!!!

On Wednesday we have a block period, and I will give you the Multiple Choice part of the released AP Calculus exam from the internet. Don't worry; this is strictly to give you an idea of the kinds of questions you will see on the exam next month, and to help you pinpoint which areas you will need to brush up on.

The Calculus exam is May 6 (a Wednesday) so we have 2 weeks left!!!


I would like to tell all of you that it is officially "CRUNCH TIME" and you should work very hard for the next 2 to 3 weeks for these exams. You can do this. It will be worth it!!!!

Take care.

Mrs. Little