AP Physics B

AP Physics Course B provides a foundation in physics for students in the life sciences, pre-medicine, and some applied sciences, as well as other fields not directly related to science.
It is not the usual preparation for more advanced physics and engineering courses.
The course provides a systematic development of the main principles of physics; emphasizing problem solving and helping students develop a deep understanding of physics concepts.
Students should be familiar with algebra and trigonometry, and some basic concepts of calculus.

Students who have the knowledge of the introductory college physics courses.
Students who are familiar with algebra and trigonometry, and some basic concepts of calculus.

It is usually a one year course. The Physics B course includes topics in both classical and modern physics. The Physics B Exam covers topics in mechanics, electricity and magnetism, fluid mechanics and thermal physics, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics; a single exam grade is reported.

At etutorworld, we design approaches that best fit the needs of our students so the goals of the course are met.
Students are able to read, understand, and interpret physical information - verbal, mathematical and graphical.
Students learn to describe and explain the sequence of steps in the analysis of a physical phenomenon or problem.
Students use basic mathematical reasoning to solve a physical problem.

Calculators are not permitted on the multiple-choice sections of the Physics B exam. Calculators are allowed on the free-response section of the exam.
This year the AP Physics B exam will be held on May 10, 2010.
For more on the AP Physics B course and exam please go to www.collegeboard.com

Newtonian Mechanics

Kinematics

Newton’s laws of motion

Work, energy, power

Systems of particles

Linear momentum
- Impulse and momentum
- Conservation of linear momentum, collisions
Circular motion
- Uniform circular motion
Rotational motion
- Torque and rotational statics
Oscillations and gravitation
- Simple harmonic motion (dynamics and energy relationships)
- Mass on a spring
- Pendulum and other oscillations
- Newton’s law of gravity
- Orbits of planets and satellites a. Circular path

Fluid Mechanics

Thermal Physics

Temperature and heat
- Mechanical equivalent of heat
- Heat transfer and thermal expansion
Kinetic theory
- Ideal gases
  - Kinetic model
  - Ideal gas law
Thermodynamics
- Laws of thermodynamics
  - First law (including processes on pV diagrams)
  - Second law (including heat engines)

Electricity

Electrostatics
- Charge and Coulomb’s law
- Electric field and electric potential (including point charges)
Conductors
- Electrostatics with conductors
Capacitors
- Capacitance
- Parallel plate capacitors
Electric circuits
- Current, resistance, power
- Steady-state direct current circuits with batteries and resistors only
- Capacitors in circuits a. Steady state

Magnetism

Magnetic Fields
- Forces on moving charges in magnetic fields
- Forces on current-carrying wires in magnetic fields
- Fields of long current-carrying wires
Electromagnetism
- Electromagnetic induction (including Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law)

Waves

Wave motion (including sound)
- Traveling waves
- Wave propagation
- Standing waves
- Superposition

Optics

Physical optics
- Interference and diffraction
- Dispersion of light and the electromagnetic spectrum
Geometric optics
- Reflection and refraction
- Mirrors
- Lenses

Atomic and Nuclear Physics
- Atomic physics and quantum effects
  - Photons, the photoelectric effect
  - Compton scattering,
  - x-rays
  - Atomic energy levels
  - Wave-particle duality
- Nuclear physics
  - Nuclear reactions (including conservation of mass number and charge)
  - Mass–energy equivalence