Ap Physics B Article Index for
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Information About

Ap Physics B




AP Physics B is an , Electricity and Magnetism , Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics , Waves and Optics , and Atomic and Nuclear Physics .


THE EXAM


The exam is configured in two categories, a seventy (70) question . The free response section permits the use of a calculator. The test is weighted such that each section is worth fifty percent (50%) of the final score. Overall, the exam is configured to approximately cover a set percentage of each of the five target categories:http://collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/physics_b/topic.html?physicsb
  • Newtonian Mechanics (35%)

  • Fluid Mechanics and Thermal Physics (15%)

  • Electricity and Magnetism (25%)

  • Waves and Optics (15%)

  • Atomic and Nuclear Physics (10%)


On the exam students are provided with an extensive equation sheet for use during the free-response section of the test. The equation sheet is available straight from the College Board here .


PURPOSE


According to the College Board web site, "the 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."http://collegeboard.com/prod_downloads/ap/students/physics/ap-cd-physics-0607.pdf Additionally, students who receive a certain score (usually 3 or above) on the AP Exam may have the opportunity to bypass the preliminary physics course at the college they choose to attend, depending on that institution's policy http://apps.collegeboard.com/apcreditpolicy/index.jsphttp://www.middlebury.edu/administration/records/student_info/APscores.htmhttp://www.ohe.state.mn.us/mPg.cfm?pageID=1647&1534-D83A_1933715A=895ee0845263f3
http://www.okhighered.org/student-center/jrhigh-highscl/earncredit.shtmlhttp://www.emory.edu/ADMISSIONS/admission-aid/ap-ib-credit-policies.htm


GRADE DISTRIBUTION


In the 2006 administration, 50,987 students took the exam at 4,082 schools. The mean score was a 2.79.

The grade distribution for 2006 was:


REFERENCES