2013 F=MA Physics Olympiad Exam

<p>I thought the cutoff was incredibly low. That just goes to show that there’s very little competition for physics, unlike with the AMC.</p>

<p>Is there a way to see previous semifinal scores?</p>

<p>the amc is also extremely low cutoffs…</p>

<p>@qazmonk:
My teacher just told me that “over 3,000 people took the exam.” Not exactly specific, but it gives a ballpark number that you’d probably use.</p>

<p>Thanks </p>

<p>Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using CC</p>

<p>If I have only taken one semester of AP physics (mechanics) and an intro course is there any chance of qualifying?</p>

<p>^if you are not talented or lucky, then no</p>

<p>Does anyone know when camp invitations will be sent out?</p>

<p>Hi guys, Im new to the whole physics olympiad process. Can anyone explain it to me? Also, any tips for studying for next years? (Physics book Rec) :)</p>

<p>Does anyone know when camp invitations will be sent or has anyone already got an email.no one from my school took the f=ma and i have unfortunately no one to ask
Thanks</p>

<p>If I have a half year of physics B, is it enough to make it to the semis?</p>

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<p>You can definitely do it with dedication and self-study. However, do NOT expect to just walk into the exam hall and make semifinals with the experience you have in Physics B. There just isn’t enough emphasis on problem-solving in that course to help you. Remember, the F=MA exam only tests mechanics.</p>

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<p>There are two exams, the F=ma exam (the preliminary round) and the USAPhO semifinals. </p>

<p>The F=ma exam consists of 25 multiple-choice questions on non-calculus based mechanics, to be completed in 75 minutes. The top 400 students are invited to take the USAPhO semifinals, which is a calculus-based exam that covers all of introductory physics. It consists of 6 problems, 4 “A” section problems and 2 “B” section problems. The B section problems are usually harder and longer than the A section problems. </p>

<p>You need to have extensive practice in problem solving to do well on these exams. The best resources for USAPhO preparation are past exams, “An Introduction to Mechanics” by Kleppner, and E&M by Purcell. For F=ma preparation, I’d recommend detailed knowledge of mechanics. If you have any further questions, feel free to ask, as I have extensive experience with both of these exams.</p>

<p>Will the non-calculus topics covered in AP Physics C: Mechanics be on the F=MA exam?</p>

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<p>I’m not sure of the difference between the non-calculus content of Physics B and Physics C: Mechanics, as I never took AP Physics B. However, I believe the AAPT has stated that Physics B provides the necessary background for all questions on the F=ma exam.</p>

<p>mapletree7, did you study out of the older edition of purcell? The 3rd edition by David Morin came out this year and it is the best text ever… SI units, loads of problems and full solutions to some of them. (I am just starting and hope to finish in a few months) Would you recommend also looking at Griffiths or is it too overkill?</p>

<p>Is USAPHO harder than the other Olympiads?</p>

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<p>No, I didn’t, but I did jump at the new edition when it came out - it’s a rather nice improvement.
You can do the first 2 chapters of Griffiths, but the rest is a little overkill, maybe even for IPhO. Have you tried Irodov’s Problems?</p>

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The general consensus on difficulty and prestige is the following:
USAMO
.
.
.
(long gap here)
USAPhO
USABO
.
(a gap)
USNCO</p>

<p>None of the science olympiads are anywhere near the difficulty of the USAMO (and the USNCO is not much harder than AP Chemistry). USAPhO is undoubtedly the hardest science olympiad, owing to the more challenging nature of physics problems when compared to chemistry problems (and biology questions) and the fact that it selects the top 300 students, as opposed to the top 1000.
USABO is a memorization-fest, and USNCO is do-not-make-mistakes and know some orgo, really. </p>

<p>(Note: I’m a little biased towards physics).</p>

<p>USAMO(lots of skill, patience, and practice)>>USAPhO(skill required, but less so than USAMO)>>USABO(scientific intuition, photographic memory recommended, LUCK)>>>>>USNCO(LUCK, depending on your school; not much skill involved, basically tests your KNOWLEDGE of chemistry and orgo concepts)</p>

<p>Where would USACO (computing) fit in that?</p>

<p>Are there any prep classes for the F=ma 2014 test in the California Bay area that someone can recommend? Thanks.</p>