AP PHYSICS B
The AP Physics B course is a college level non-calculus based survey physics course that includes topics in mechanics,
electricity and magnetism, fluid mechanics, thermal physics, waves and optics, and atomic and nuclear physics.
The AP Physics B exam is a 180 minute exam typically made up of 70 multiple choice questions and several free response
problems. There are 6 to 8 free response problems worth 10 to 15 points each, depending on length. Each free response problem
includes several related concepts, such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and circular motion, all within the same problem. The multiple
choice and free response sections are weighted equally, but a single score is reported for the B exam.
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Fundamentals of Values and Measurements – 1%
Units of length, mass, and time
Dimensional analysis
Problem solving
Unit Title: Vectors – 2%
A. Vector components
B. Resolving vectors
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
1-Dimensional Linear Kinematics (Motion) – 5%
Position, distance, and displacement
Average speed and velocity
Acceleration
Unit Title: Falling Objects (Vertical velocity and acceleration) – 2%
A. Freely falling objects
Unit Title: Projectile Motion (Two Dimensional Motion) -2%
A. Motion in 2 dimensions
B. Projectile motion: key characteristics
Unit Title: Forces, Force Vectors, and Equilibrium -4%
A. Force and mass
B. Vector nature of forces
Unit Title: Newton’s Laws of Motion -4%
A. Newton’s 1st, 2nd, and 3rd laws
B. F = ma
Unit Title: Everyday Forces - 3%
A. Weight
B. Normal force
C. Friction
D. Translational equilibrium
Unit Title: Newton’s Universal Law of Gravity & Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity – 3%
A. Gravitational attraction
B. General Theory of Relativity
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Work, Power, and Machines – 3%
Work done by a constant force
Power
Simple machines
Efficiency of machines
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
D.
Energy – 4%
Kinetic energy
Kinetic energy and the work-kinetic energy theorem
Potential energy
Conservation of mechanical energy
Unit: Momentum and Collisions – 4%
A. Linear momentum
B. Impulse
C. Elastic and inelastic collisions
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Rotational Motion – 2%
Angular position, velocity, and acceleration
Rolling motion
Rotational kinematics
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Rotational equilibrium and dynamics. – 2%
Torque
Center of mass and balance
Static equilibrium
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Simple Harmonic Motion -3%
Periodic motion
Oscillations about equilibrium
Pendulums
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Properties of Waves and Wave Interactions – 5%
Types of waves
Wave interactions
Standing waves
Unit Title:
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B.
C.
Sound – 5%
Sound waves
Sound intensity
The Doppler effect
Unit Title:
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B.
C.
D.
E.
F.
Light, Reflection, Refraction, Interference and Diffraction -5%
Electromagnetic waves
The electromagnetic spectrum
Geometrical optics
Reflection of light
Lenses and refraction
Interference and diffraction
Unit Title:
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B.
C.
Heat and Thermodynamics – 8%
Temperature and heat
Heat transfer
The laws of thermodynamics
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
D.
.
Unit Title:
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B.
C.
D.
Fluid Mechanics – 5%
Density
Pressure
Static equilibrium
Fluid flow
Unit Title:
A.
B.
C.
Subatomic Physics – 10%
Atomic physics
Nuclear physics and nuclear radiation
Quantum physics
Electric Forces, Current and Resistance, Circuits, and Magnetism – 18%
Electric charges, forces and fields
Electric potential
Electric current and DC circuits
Magnetism