Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism course: This course is only available to learners who have taken the Mechanics course.  This course covers electrostatics, electric circuits, magnetic fields, and electromagnetism.  In addition, it will provide continuous review of the Mechanics material covered in the fall semester so that students can reinforce their knowledge of Mechanics and remain prepared for the Mechanics AP Exam in May. When taken together with the Mechanics course, these two courses are equivalent to a full year of calculus based physics at a major college or university.

Physics C: Mechanics covers all of the topics of Newtonian mechanics, including kinematics (vector motion in one and two dimensions), Newton’s laws of motion (linear and circular motion), work, energy and power, linear momentum, oscillations, and gravitation.  This course ordinarily forms the first part of the college sequence that serves as the foundation in physics for students majoring in the physical sciences or engineering.  Calculus is used wherever appropriate in formulating physical principles and in applying them to physical problems. Consequently, learners should be simultaneously enrolled in calculus (either AP Calculus or Calculus).  Use of calculus in problem solving and in derivations is expected to increase as the course progresses.  In addition, laboratory investigations that explore these physics concepts are an important part of this course in order to build understanding and critical thinking skills.

The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the major concepts and tools for collecting, analyzing, and drawing conclusions from data. Students are exposed to four broad conceptual themes:

• Exploring Data: Describing patterns and departures from patterns
• Sampling and Experimentation: Planning and conducting a study
• Anticipating Patterns: Exploring random phenomena using probability and simulation
• Statistical Inference: Estimating population parameters and testing hypotheses