AP Physics 2
Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 2 is a year-long introductory physics course administered by the College Board as part of its Advanced Placement program. It is intended to proxy a second-semester algebra-based university course in fluid mechanics, thermodynamics, electromagnetism, optics, and modern physics.[1] Along with AP Physics 1, the first AP Physics 2 exam was administered in 2015.
The content of AP Physics 2 overlaps with that of AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, but Physics 2 is algebra-based, while Physics C is calculus-based. AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism also is focused entirely on Electricity and Magnetism while AP Physics 2 covers additional topics such as Fluids, Thermodynamics, Optics, Nuclear Physics, Quantum Physics, and Atomic Physics.
History[edit]
The AP Physics 2 classes began in the fall of 2014, with the first AP exams administered in May 2015. The courses were formed through collaboration between current Advanced Placement teachers and The College Board, with the guidance from the National Research Council and the National Science Foundation.[2] As of August 2013 AP summer institutes, the College Board professional development course for Advanced Placement and Pre-AP teachers,[3] dedicate 20% of the total to preparing AP Physics B educators for the new AP physics course. Face to face workshops sponsored by the College Board focused 20% of their content on the course in September 2013. In February 2014, the official course description and sample curriculum resources were posted to the College Board website, with two practice exams being posted the next month. As of September 2014, face to face workshops are dedicated solely to AP Physics 1 & AP Physics 2. The full course was first taught in 2014, with the exam given in 2015. In 2020, the examination was administered on computer from home because of COVID-19. College Board suspected that some students may be using unauthorized resources while taking the test. In order to ensure accurate results in the future, the course materials will be more difficult and in depth.
Curriculum[edit]
AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course in which students explore fluid statics and dynamics; thermodynamics with kinetic theory; PV diagrams and probability; electrostatics; electrical circuits with capacitors; magnetic fields; electromagnetism; physical and geometric optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics. Through inquiry-based learning, students develop scientific critical thinking and reasoning skills.
The College Board has released a "Curriculum Framework" which includes the 7 principles on which the new AP Physics courses will be based as well as smaller "Enduring Understanding" concepts.[4]
| Units[5] | Exam Weighting |
|---|---|
| Fluids | 10-12% |
| Thermodynamics | 12-18% |
| Electric Force, Field, and Potential | 18-22% |
| Electric Circuits | 10-14% |
| Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction | 10-12% |
| Geometric and Physical Optics | 12-14% |
| Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics | 10-12% |
Exam[edit]
Both the multiple choice and free response sections of the exam are worth 50% of the score. Students are given 90 minutes to complete 50 multiple choice questions. The free response section includes an experimental design question, a qualitative/quantitative translation question, and two short answer questions that must be completed in 90 minutes.
Score Distributions[edit]
| Score | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 (online) | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 8.5% | 9.5% | 11.1% | 11.2% | 12.6% | 14.0% | 15.4% | 15.1% | 15% |
| 4 | 13.7% | 17.0% | 15.6% | 14.8% | 19.8% | 24.3% | 17.9% | 17.8% | 17% |
| 3 | 33.5% | 34.9% | 34.1% | 34.9% | 31.1% | 35.0% | 32.0% | 35.8% | 36% |
| 2 | 34.8% | 30.6% | 29.7% | 30.6% | 27.8% | 21.3% | 27.0% | 24.7% | 26% |
| 1 | 9.6% | 8.1% | 9.5% | 8.5% | 8.7% | 5.4% | 7.6% | 6.6% | 6% |
| % of scores 3 or higher | 55.7% | 61.4% | 60.8% | 60.9% | 63.5% | 73.3% | 65.3% | 68.7% | 68% |
| Mean | 2.77 | 2.90 | 2.89 | 2.90 | 3.00 | 3.20 | 3.06 | 3.10 | 3.09 |
| Standard Deviation | 1.07 | 1.08 | 1.12 | 1.11 | 1.15 | 1.09 | 1.17 | 1.13 | 1.12 |
| Number of Students | 20,533 | 26,385 | 24,985 | 25,741 | 23,802 | 21,835 | 18,736 | 17,842 |
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ Jacobs, Greg (25 July 2011). "Jacobs Physics: AP Physics 1 and 2 Redesign (as it stands now) and Honors Physics I". Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "AP Physics 1 and AP Physics 2 | Advances in AP". Archived from the original on 2014-10-18. Retrieved 2014-08-02.
- ^ "AP Workshops – AP Central | College Board". apcentral.collegeboard.org. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "AP Physics 2" (PDF). collegeboard.com. Retrieved 4 September 2023.
- ^ "AP Physics 1-2 course and exam description" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-01-03. Retrieved 2015-11-11.