AP Physics B

AP Physics B is an advanced placement science course that is separated into nine different sections of study: Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics.

The exam

The exam is administered in two sections, a seventy (70) question multiple choice section and a six to eight (6 to 8) question free response section [ [http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_b/exam.html?physicsb
] ] . Each section must be completed within a 90 minute time limit. In order to test knowledge as well as skills, the multiple choice section is taken without a calculator. The free response section permits the use of a calculator as well as a list of common formulae. The test is weighted such that each section is worth fifty percent (50%) of the final score. Overall, the exam is configured to approximately cover a set percentage of each of the five target categories: [ [http://collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_b/topic.html?physicsb
] ]
*Newtonian Mechanics (35%)
*Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics (15%)
*Electricity and Magnetism (25%)
*Waves and Optics (15%)
*Atomic and Nuclear Physics (10%)

Purpose

According to the College Board web site, "the B course provides a foundation in physics for students in the life sciences, premedicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not directly related to science." [ [http://collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0607.pdf 2006, 2007 AP Physics Course Description ] ] Additionally, students who receive a certain score (usually 3 or above) on the AP Exam may have the opportunity to bypass the preliminary physics course at the college they choose to attend, depending on that institution's policy [ [http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/records/student_info/APscores.htm AP Scores/Credit ] ] [ [http://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1647&1534-D83A_1933715A=895ee0845263f3 Minnesota Students Post Gains in Advanced Placement Scores and Participation ] ] [ [http://www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/earncredit.shtml Oklahoma Higher Education - Student Center - Jr. High & High School Students - Earn College Credit ] ] [ [http://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/ap-ib-credit-policies.htm College Credit Policies ] ] However, students are cautioned to check with their intended college or university, as acceptance policies vary widely. Some schools require a higher score (4 or 5) in order to receive credit, while others will only give credit for a lower level physics course. It is the intention of the College Board, however, for this class to be taken by those students wishing to challenge themselves in a physics class but have no desire to pursue a rigorously science based college major or career. [ [http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/sub_physb.html?physicsb
] ] [ [http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0708.pdf 2008-2009 AP Physics Course Description] ] [ [http://registrar.stanford.edu/pdf/AP_Chart_2008-09.pdf Stanford UniversityAdvanced Placement Chart 2008-09] ] .

Grade distribution

In the 2007 administration, 54,890 students took the exam at 4,316 schools. The mean score was a 2.88.

The grade distribution [ [http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_b/dist.html?physicsb AP Physics B: Grade Distribution] ] for 2007 was:

References

External Links

* [http://www.course-notes.org/physics AP Physics Notes and Outlines]