Advanced Placement Physics B
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Physics AP B is a non-calculus based physics course that gives the students a broad-based understanding of the subject in preparation for various courses of study in college. It is an excellent opportunity for students to further increase the understanding of physical principles generated in earlier courses and to improve their ability to apply the higher mathematics knowledge they have obtained toward practical applications. Furthermore, the laboratory component provides an excellent vehicle for improving analytical reasoning skills.

Physics AP B is a rigorous course and provides an excellent transition to college courses and a sound foundation for advanced studies. It is excellent preparation for students who are interested in science careers, architecture, engineering, or medical fields.

 

The Course
Newtonian Mechanics - 35% of the course is dedicated to the study of kinematics, vector mathematics, Newton's laws, circular motion, gravitation, periodic motion, work and energy, momentum, and rotational motion.

Fluid and Thermal Physics - 15% of the course is focused on pressure, buoyancy, Pascal's formula, Bernoulli's formula, the continuity equation, kinetic theory, thermal effects on materials, heat and temperature, phase changes, heat transfer, the laws of thermodynamics, and thermodynamic processes.

Waves and Optics - 15% of the course is directed to basic wave properties, sound, physical optics behavior, and geometric optics of lenses and mirrors.

Electricity and Magnetism - 25% of the course focuses on electrostatics, capacitors, conductors and circuits, magnet fields, magnetic forces, magnetic induction, and electromagnetism.

Atomic and Nuclear Physics - 10% of the course is dedicated to atomic, quantum, and nuclear processes including reactions and decays and the photoelectric effect.

Approximately 40% of the course will be laboratory related with an emphasis on lab design.

More information on the course can be found at the course website at http://classroom.kleinisd.net/webs/nlafave/ and at the College Board AP site at www.apcentral.collegeboard.com.
Prerequisites
Students should have completed Physics I, Algebra II, and Pre-calculus. Enrollment in calculus is encouraged, but not required. Students are expected to review and employ concepts and principles that they learned in physics I and have a proficiency in algebra, geometry, and pre-calculus. Specifically, the students should have the ability to solve equations and systems of equations for a desired variable or variables, to extract slope and y-intercept from a linear equation and a linear graph, to solve quadratic equations, to recognize geometric properties in a drawing, to employ geometric constructions, to formulate trigonometric functions from the geometry of right triangles, and to solve simple equations involving trigonometric functions. Students should also know proper methods for expressing numbers, error handling, graphing, formulating tables, reading graphs and tables, and drawing conclusions from data. In addition, a proficiency in laboratory work and reporting is desired.


The Exam
Students will take the exam in early May. The cost of the exam is approximately $56 dollars, $16 dollars if the student is in the free or reduced lunch program. A passing score of 3 to 5 will earn physics credit for a student at most colleges or universities. The exam is 1.5 hours for the multiple choice section (70 questions) and 1.5 hours for the free response questions (6 to 8 problems). Students may employ a graphing calculator and equation sheet for the free response section, but not for the multiple choice section.