what is the ap physics c course number

What is AP Physics C?

For many students, it is the culmination of their high school work in the physical sciences. In 2016, over 50,000 students took the AP Physics C: Mechanics course, though less than half went on to take the AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.

What are the prerequisites for AP Physics C Mechanics?

There are no formal prerequisites for the class, but before taking AP Physics C: Mechanics, students should be prepared for college-level calculus-based work and must at minimum have taken or be concurrently taking calculus. What Does the AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam Look Like?

Is AP Physics 1 a first year physics class?

AP Physics 1 was designed to be a first-year physics course which you can take without prior physics experience. This is the main difference from the old AP Physics B course, which was designed to be a second-year physics class.

Is AP Physics 1 B or C?

AP recommends Physics C (along with AP Calculus AB or Calculus BC) for students aiming for engineering or physical science majors in college.

What is AP Physics C equivalent to?

AP Physics C: Mechanics is equivalent to a one-semester, calculus- based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering.

Is AP Physics 1 the same as C?

AP Physics 1+2 and AP Physics C are the two sets of AP physics exams offered by the College Board. AP Physics 1+2 cover algebra-based physics. The two courses cover topics in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics. AP Physics C covers calculus-based physics.

Is AP Physics C two courses?

AP Physics C is also divided into two separate classes: AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Though these can each individually be taken over the course of an entire school year, they are sometimes also offered as single semester classes.

What college class is AP Physics C?

Course Overview AP Physics C: Mechanics is a one-semester, calculus-based, college-level physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in one of the physical sciences or engineering.

Does AP Physics 1 count as a college credit?

Since most colleges who do allow credit for the exam require a score of a 4 or 5, only about 21% of all test takers are likely to earn college credit....AP Physics 1 Score Information.AP Physics 1 Score Percentiles (2018 Data)ScoreNumber of StudentsPercentage of Students152,59530.84 more rows•Jul 3, 2019

Why is it called AP Physics C?

In the United States, Advanced Placement (AP) Physics collectively refers to the College Board Advanced Placement Program courses and exams covering various areas of physics.

Is AP Physics C or Physics 1 harder?

We all know that AP® Physics 1 is easier than AP® Physics C. We note that many of the AP® Physics C courses self-select for those motivated students or those with higher grades in Math. That is the reason for the ridiculously high rates for AP® Physics C as compared to AP® Physics 1.

Is Physics 1 or 2 harder?

Is physics 2 harder than physics 1? Physics 2 is certainly harder than physics 1 because it is more abstract, has more irregular calculations, and has more challenging topics. Physics 1 is easier because it has topics that are easier to visualize and we are more familiar with.

What percentage is a 5 on AP Physics C?

The score distribution tables on this page show the percentages of 1s, 2s, 3s, 4s, and 5s for each AP subject....AP Score Distributions.ExamAP Physics C: Mechanics523.5%428.6%321.3%214.9%6 more columns

How many AP Physics courses are there?

fourThe College Board now offers four separate and distinct versions of AP Physics, each designed with very different content, styles, and levels of mathematical complexity. Currently, the four physics courses offered are AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2, AP Physics C: Mechanics, and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.

Can physics c take Physics 1 without?

Essentially, you can pick and choose which AP Physics courses you want to take, and you can take either AP Physics C course without first taking AP Physics 1 and 2. However, keep in mind that AP Physics 1 and 2 are algebra-based courses, whereas both AP Physics C courses are calculus-based.

Not a Student?

Go to AP Central for resources for teachers, administrators, and coordinators.

About the Course

Explore concepts such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems.

About the Units

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences.

Course Content

You’ll begin your study of motion and the quantities associated with the motion of an object: position, velocity, acceleration, and time.

Search AP Credit Policies

Find colleges that grant credit and/or placement for AP Exam scores in this and other AP courses.

Course Resources

Once you join your AP class section online, you’ll be able to access AP Daily videos, any assignments from your teacher, and your assignment results in AP Classroom. Sign in to access them.

What is AP Physics C?

The AP Physics C course actually consists of two parts. The Mechanics portion (which is offered as a full-year course in some high schools, and as a semester-long course in others) includes units on kinematics, Newton’s Laws of Motion, Work, Energy, Power, Linear Momentum, Circular Motion, Angular Momentum, Oscillatory Motion, and Gravitation.

What is the second semester of physics?

The second semester consists of units in Electricity & Magnetism, including electrostatics, conductors, capacitors & dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism. While there are distinct advantages to learning—either in a classroom or online—with a real physics teacher, there are a number of online references ...

How long is the AP Physics C exam?

The AP Physics C exam is broken down into two separate, 90-minute tests: AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Both consist of a multiple-choice section and a free-response section.

What is AP Physics 2?

AP Physics 2 is the equivalent of the second semester in the college-level introductory course, covering the topics of fluid mechanics; thermodynamics; electricity and magnetism; optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics.

What is the difference between AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2?

What’s the difference between AP Physics 1, 2, and C? AP Physics 1 is the equivalent of the first semester of an introductory college-level course on algebra-based physics , covering the topics of Newtonian mechanics; work, energy, and power. AP Physics 2 is the equivalent of the second semester in the college-level introductory course, ...

Is AP Physics C good?

AP classes are great, but for many students they’re not enough! For a thorough review of AP Physics C content and strategy, pick the AP prep option that works best for your goals and learning style.

Can you use a calculator on AP Physics C?

You are allowed to use a calculator on the entire AP Physics C Exam—including both the multiple-choice and free-response sections. Scientific or graphing calculators may be used, provided that they don’t have any unapproved features or capabilities (a list of approved graphing calculators is available on the College Board’s website).

What is AP Physics C?

AP Physics C: Mechanics is the equivalent of a calculus-based, first-semester college physics course. It is most often taken over the course of an entire school year but, in high schools that offer block scheduling, can sometimes be taken during a single semester.

How long is the AP Physics C?

The AP Physics C: Mechanics exam is one of the shortest AP exams, clocking in at just one hour and 30 minutes. It comprises two sections: one section of multiple-choice questions and one section of free-response questions.

How many questions are asked in AP Physics C?

The first section of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam contains 35 multiple-choice questions , spans 45 minutes, and accounts for 50% of your total score. The questions are both stand alone and grouped into sets using the same stimulus or data set.

What is the highest level of AP Physics?

AP Physics C: Mechanics is one of the highest levels of AP Physics, with only AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism following it in the course sequence.

What do you need to know for AP Physics C?

The theory that you will need to know for AP Physics C: Mechanics ranges greatly in depth. You will need to grasp large theoretical concepts, highly specific applications of principles and equations, and everything in between. You should be comfortable using integral and differential equations to make quantitative calculations related to the material.

How many students took AP Physics C?

For many students, it is the culmination of their high school work in the physical sciences. In 2019, more than 57,000 students took the AP Physics C: Mechanics course, though less than half went on to take AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism.

What is science practice?

Scientific Practices: Science practices are the skills needed to think and act like a physicist. Because the course focuses heavily on science practices, students taking the AP Physics C: Mechanics class will spend a minimum of 20% of instructional time engaged in hands-on laboratory work.

What are the two classes in AP Physics C?

AP Physics C is also divided into two separate classes: AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Though these can each individually be taken over the course of an entire school year, they are sometimes also offered as single semester classes. The exams are offered back-to-back but are scored separately, and you do not have to take both.

What is AP Physics 1?

AP Physics 1. The AP Physics 1 course is the equivalent of a first-semester, algebra-based college physics course. It is the most introductory of the AP Physics options and it covers Newtonian mechanics (including rotational motion), work, energy, power, mechanical waves and sound, and introductory, simple circuits.

How many years of advanced physics study replaces Physics B?

This study formally recommended that “a two-year sequence of advanced physics study replace Physics B, enabling students to delve deeper into key physics concepts as they develop the reasoning and inquiry skills necessary to think like scientists.”.

Why do you re-design physics?

Re-designing the courses allows for deeper conceptual understanding and also aligns with a larger push in AP coursework to prioritize critical thinking and reasoning over memorization. Dividing the previous Physics B course allows more time to master foundational physics principles while engaging in science practices to earn credit or placement.

How long is the Physics C mechanics test?

Length: 1.5 hrs, offered directly after the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, though students are not required to take both. Section 1: 35 multiple choice questions, 45 minutes, 50% of your total score. Section 2: 3 short-answer questions, 45 minutes, 50% of your total score.

What percentage of class time is devoted to hands-on lab work?

Due to its heavy emphasis on inquiry-based learning, 25% of class time is devoted to hands-on laboratory work wherein students ask questions, make observations and predictions, design experiments, analyze data, and construct arguments in a collaborative setting.

How many AP classes are there?

Currently, there are 38 AP class options, and counting. This means that there are plenty of choices for every interest, ranging from studio arts to foreign languages to science and engineering. Sometimes, though, the course options can seem a little confusing to someone who’s just beginning to explore them.

What is the difference between AP Physics C and AP Physics 1?

AP Physics 1+2 cover more topics while AP Physics C focuses on two key areas: mechanics and electricity & magnetism. AP Physics 1+2 provide an introduction to the big ideas in the field of physics, while AP Physics C starts teaching students the details they’ll need if they want to continue with physics or engineering in college.

What are the topics covered in AP Physics 1+2?

AP Physics 1+2 cover algebra-based physics. The two courses cover topics in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, thermodynamics, and nuclear physics.

What classes are in AP Physics C?

The AP program still offers AP Physics C, which is broken into two courses and exams: Physics C: Mechanics and Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. Many schools teach these as the same class, or just teach one topic. Both of these courses are calculus-based.

What is AP Physics 1?

AP Physics 1. AP Physics 1 is an introductory, algebra-based, college-level physics course. It explores fundamental physics concepts like motion, force, Newtonian mechanics, gravity, energy, and momentum . AP Physics 1 was designed to be a first-year physics course which you can take without prior physics experience.

What is the best AP physics class?

Physics 2 is the best AP Physics class to take after a regular or honors physics class (Physics 1 would pretty much just repeat what you already learned). AP Physics C is also an option if you're taking/have already taken calculus and have either Physics 1 or Physics 2 under your belt.

How many years of AP Physics B?

However, the AP program recently replaced AP Physics B, a one-year course, with two one-year courses: AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2. These are both algebra-based physics courses, which means they don't require a math background beyond Algebra II.

What if your school doesn't offer physics?

If your school doesn't offer Physics C, take AP Physics 2 or honors physics if you can. Taking AP Physics 1 and Physics 2 is plenty if you aren't going to study natural sciences or engineering since you want to make room for other AP classes in your schedule.

How many AP Physics exams are there?

Both of these courses are calculus-based. This means that there are now four AP Physics exams: AP Physics 1. AP Physics 2. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism. AP Physics C: Mechanics. The fact that there are now four AP Physics exams can be confusing.

How to ask other students about AP Physics?

Ask your counselor and ask other students who teaches the AP Physics courses at your school. You can ask other students currently taking AP Physics what they think of the teacher and how prepared they feel for the AP test. You can ask your counselor what the AP Physics test pass rate is like at your school.