AP Physics exam questions

Test Preparation AP Test Preparation
1

<p>So I signed up for AP physics at my school next year and it teaches the B curriculum. However, Ive been looking at the college board website and it looks like thats not really going to be the college prep that I was hoping for from the class (I am going into biomedical engineering). So from people who have already taken some of the physics classes/exams... how do the materials and rigor of the classes compare? Would a B class help for self studying the C exams? And whats the deal with the two separate physics C tests? Is it worth it to take all three exams? Would I even get anything out of self studying physics? </p>

<p>This isnt to just add more AP tests to what Im doing. I honestly just want the strongest possible background in this subject when I get to college. I know that physics C is more calculus based. I took calc AB and BC last year and got a 5 with a 5 subscore on the test. Also, next year I will be taking Calc 3. I took enriched physics last year and did very well but Im not sure how that would measure up to physics C. Another class that may or may not be helpful is a "college level" principles of engineering class at my highschool. Although Im not really sure it can really be that hard because there are no prerequisites so it may just be rehashing the same old physics and math I already know.</p>

<p>So what do you think? Any suggestions or comments would be really helpful because I really am not very familiar with how the AP physics exams work.</p>

2

<p>This year I self-studied both Physics C exams a week before the test (took the alternate, because of Physics B), and I got 5s on both sections (late scores came out today), as well as a 5 on Physics B. </p>

<p>It's definitely worth it to take all three, as getting a good score on Physics C can give you credit at top schools that don't take Physics B, plus you learn something :)</p>

<p>Physics B has a lot of stuff you don't need for Physics C, such as optics, waves, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and modern physics.</p>

<p>I wouldn't worry about the calculus on the exam as it is fairly straightforward (Basic functions, such as x^6 or 4x^5 + 7x are examples of what you will differentiate and integrate). I would focus on mastering the concepts instead. I know my Physics B class went over some things that weren't on the B exam but on the C (angular momentum, center of mass)</p>

<p>What I did to study was grab as many old tests and practice books and confine myself in my house for a week, as the test was after graduation, so if you're going to be a senior, spend some time to yourself studying. The day of the test I asked my teacher things I didn't know, and that was that.</p>

<p>I never recalled using any of Maxwell's Equations (the stuff in C: E & M that isn't in B) on the test. For the new stuff in E & M you must know circuits really well and for Mech, know the angular stuff, as well as SHM. In fact, I didn't even study for Mech as most of the Mech stuff will be covered in Physics B, you just need to know when to use the calc, which is easy.</p>

<p>What did you go over in this enriched physics class? I could tell you what you need to know if you could tell me.</p>

<p>Also, the Physics C exams are VERY forgiving. You typically need a 55% minimum to get a 5 in Mech and a 50% to get a 5 in E & M.</p>

3

<p>I forgot to mention, I believe if you do a search on physics C on this board, you will find a dowload link for past physics C free response questions and answers, but it's large</p>

4

<p>I too toke all three, and I got 5's in B and C E&M and a 4 in C Mech. I think the biggest thing is to review the topics that are on the C but not at all on B, ie center of mass, angular momentum, Gauss' Law, inductance, etc. These topics are covered in any good prep book. I think the reason I got a 4 in Mech was that I didn't review much for it, as I thought I would know it all already. Sadly, I was mistaken. Just study for both, and they are both doable from a Physics B knowledge base. Good luck next year!</p>

5

<p>Oh thanks for the advice!!! </p>

<p>It'sGr82BeAGator: In physics last year we covered motion, work/energy, oscillations, a lot with electricity, waves, some magnets, and a little bit of this and that in other areas.</p>

6

<p>The topics you mentioned you learned in class are kind of vague. What kind of motion? Linear or Rotational? Did you go over circuits? transformers? capacitors?
Anyways, you don't have to answer that. I was asking so I could tell you what wasn't in B that was in C.
Why don't you go here
<a href="http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0708.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0708.pdf&lt;/a>
and look at page 18 to look at what's different between the AP Physics B and Physics C exams</p>