AP Physics B
AP Physics B is an Advanced Placement science course that studies Newtonian Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics, Waves and Optics, and Atomic and Nuclear Physics. The course is non-calculus based and involves algebra and trigonometry to solve various physics problems. It is supposed to be equivalent to a year-long introductory college course in physics.[1]
This course can help prepare students for the SAT Subject Test in Physics which is also administered by College Board.
This course will be discontinued and replaced with AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 beginning in the 2014 - 2015 school year. The final test date that the AP Physics B test will be offered on is May 2014.
Contents |
Exam [edit]
The exam is divided into two sections, a multiple choice section (70 questions) and a free response section (6 - 7 questions).[2] 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 formulas. The test is weighted such that each section is worth fifty percent of the final score. Overall, the exam is configured to approximately cover a set percentage of each of the five target categories:[3]
| Topic | Percent |
|---|---|
| Newtonian Mechanics | 35% |
| Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics | 15% |
| Electricity and Magnetism | 25% |
| Waves and Optics | 15% |
| Atomic and Nuclear Physics | 10% |
Purpose [edit]
According to the College Board web site, "the Physics 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."[4]
Grade distribution [edit]
The grade distributions for the Physics B scores since 2010 were:
| Score | 2010[5] | 2011[6] | 2012[7] |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 14.8% | 16.4% | 16.3% |
| 4 | 18.5% | 19.2% | 19.3% |
| 3 | 26.1% | 25.9% | 26.4% |
| 2 | 18.6% | 17.3% | 16.8% |
| 1 | 21.9% | 21.3% | 21.3% |
| Mean | 2.86 | 2.92 | 2.93 |
| Number of Students | 67,312 | 75,648 | 90,584 |
Redesign [edit]
Starting in the 2014-2015 school year, AP Physics B will no longer be offered, and AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 will take its place. Both will be algebra-based.[8]
References [edit]
- ^ "AP Physics B". AP Central. College Board. 2011. Archived from the original on 2 July 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2011.
- ^ "AP: Physics B: The Exam". Collegeboard.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ "AP: Physics B: Topic Outline". Collegeboard.com. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ "2006, 2007 AP Physics Course Description" (PDF). Retrieved December 2, 2011.
- ^ 2010 AP Scores Distribution
- ^ 2011 AP Scores Distribution
- ^ 2012 AP Scores Distribution
- ^ http://advancesinap.collegeboard.org/science/physics
