Science

AP Physics C: Mechanics

AP Physics C: Mechanics/E&M Paring: The semester-long courses AP Physics C: Mechanics and AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism (see course description on following page) are paired. Students who enroll in AP Physics C: Mechanics will automatically be enrolled in AP Physics C: E&M second semester.

AP Physics C is equivalent to one semester of calculus-based, college-level physics, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The emphasis in the course is to utilize guided inquiry and student-centered learning to develop conceptual understanding and critical thinking skills.

AP Physics C is a fast-paced and demanding course. The level of theoretical presentations, classroom discussions, assigned problems, and the inclusion of peripheral topics are appropriate for inquisitive students who have superior ability and motivation in the scientific area. This course is taught assuming prior success in AP Physics 1 and focuses more on applications of Calculus to Physics. Students are expected to take the two AP Physics C exams (Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism) in May. The learning style includes classroom lecture, hands-on labs, and computer-aided activities. Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course.

AP Physics C: Mechanics explores topics such as One and two-dimensional kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy and power; Impulse-Momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation.

Additional Expectations:

This course requires students to be more self-sufficient than students in the AP Physics 1 course. Students are expected to spend a substantial amount of time practicing problems outside of the classroom as compared with any other regular AP course.