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AP® Physics C

This Advanced Placement Physics Course is equivalent to a full-year introductory college-level course, for scientists and engineers, which introduces the main principles of Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism. The rigor and pace of this course is consistent with that of many major colleges and universities, and will prepare students for two Advanced Placement® Examinations in May on 1) Mechanics and 2) Electricity and Magnetism. Additional details on this course from College Board can be found here: AP Physics C Mechanics and AP Physics C Electricity & Magnetism.

AP Physics C is a calculus-based course that builds upon prior knowledge of physics; this requires completion of a comprehensive, lab-based full year physics course as well as completion or concurrent enrollment in AP Calculus. In the Mechanics portion of the course, students will investigate topics such as kinematics, Newton’s Laws of motion, work, energy and power, systems of particles and linear momentum, circular motion and rotation, and oscillations and gravitation. In the Electricity and Magnetism portion of the course, students will explore the topics of electrostatics, conductors, capacitors and dielectrics, electric circuits, magnetic fields and electromagnetism. In both parts of the course, students will use complex mathematical problem solving techniques, including differential and integral calculus.

This course incorporates a variety of textbook and multimedia resources and has a comprehensive lab program that meets College Board requirements. Students will perform hands-on lab work using materials from their lab kit, conduct virtual experiments, share experimental data to analyze large data sets and participate in lab-based discussions with their peers. Students will also engage in collaborative activities, including discussions, that develop scientific literacy and connect physics principles to real-world applications and current events, in order to develop a deeper understanding of physics.

Students will be expected to enroll in My AP Classroom through their VHS Learning AP course and will be guided to complete review work in My AP Classroom throughout the year. My AP Classroom resources include AP Daily Videos and unit-based Personal Progress Checks, which include AP-style multiple choice and free response questions.

Students enrolled in VHS Learning Advanced Placement courses with a passing grade are expected to take the AP Exam. Students register for AP exams through their local school or testing site as “Exam Only” students. AP exam scores will be reported to VHS Learning through My AP Classroom; exam results will not affect the student's VHS Learning grade or future enrollment in VHS Learning courses.

This AP course has a required summer assignment. The summer assignment is a review of prerequisite content and critical concepts students must be comfortable with before beginning the course. Students are expected to complete their summer assignment before the course begins and submit their work by the end of Week 1. Students who register on or after September 1 will receive an extension to complete the summer assignment by the end of Week 3.

Acknowledgements

  • Grade of B+ or better in prior full-year, algebra-based Honors Physics class. (Note: An introductory physical science course does not meet this prerequisite.)
  • Recommendation by former Physics teacher.
  • Completion or co-enrollment in AP® Calculus (AB or BC).
  • Prior experience in a comprehensive hands-on lab course is required.
  • In addition to the enrollment fee, this course has an Additional Course Fee of $80. This course also requires a lab kit that must be purchased for an additional fee of $228. Lab kits shipped internationally may incur additional fees.
  • International schools must have the ability to receive lab materials through customs.
  • The required summer assignment for AP® Physics C can be found in our AP Summer Work Directory.

Course Objectives

Course Essential Questions:

  • How do changes in the properties of a system predict future states of the system?
  • How do we describe object and system interactions?
  • How do the parts of a physical system impact the whole system?
  • How do conservation laws influence interactions between objects within a system?

Course Learning Objectives:

  • Create representations that depict physical phenomena
  • Conduct analyses to derive, calculate, estimate or predict physical phenomena
  • Describe experimental procedures and methods, interpret results and scientifically support claims.

Additional Requirements

  • Students will need to access a number of YouTube videos throughout the course.
  • Accessibility Note: Although every effort has been made to make this course accessible to all students, some resources or activities in this course, such as audio files, images of visual art pieces, or hands-on activities, may present accessibility challenges.
  • Please Note: This course requires use of java to access some course content, which will require regular access to a computer with a Windows/Mac operating system running Safari or Internet explorer. This part of the course cannot be completed on a Chromebook or mobile device.
  • The following additional materials are required:
    • Paperclips, printout of rulers (in lesson)
    • A ball
    • Coins with 3 different masses
    • Old soft sneaker with laces
    • Three coins
    • Four sheets of copy/printer paper
    • Two unopened food cans
    • Empty aluminum soda can
    • Teaspoon, or similar