The AP Program offers four physics courses:

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based is a full-year course that is the equivalent of a first-semester introductory college course in algebrabased physics.

AP Physics 2: Algebra-Based is a full-year course, equivalent to a second-semester introductory college course in physics.

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a half-year course equivalent to a semester-long, introductory calculus-based college course.

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, a half-year course following Physics C: Mechanics, is equivalent to a semester-long, introductory calculus-based college course.

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion.

The course content is organized into seven commonly taught units, which have been arranged in the following suggested, logical sequence:

• Unit 1: Kinematics
• Unit 2: Dynamics
• Unit 3: Circular Motion and Gravitation
• Unit 4: Energy
• Unit 5: Momentum
• Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion
• Unit 7: Torque and Rotational Motion

AP Physics 2 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: fluids; thermodynamics; electrical force, field, and potential; electric circuits; magnetism and electromagnetic induction; geometric and physical optics; and quantum, atomic, and nuclear physics.

The course content is organized into seven commonly taught units, which have been arranged in the following suggested, logical sequence:

• Unit 1: Fluids
• Unit 2: Thermodynamics
• Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential
• Unit 4: Electric Circuits
• Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction
• Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics
• Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

AP Physics C: Mechanics is a calculus-based, college-level physics course. It covers kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; oscillations; and gravitation

The course content is organized into seven commonly taught units, which have been arranged in the following suggested, logical sequence:

• Unit 1: Kinematics
• Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion
• Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
• Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum
• Unit 5: Rotation
• Unit 6: Oscillations
• Unit 7: Gravitation

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism is a calculus-based, collegelevel physics course, especially appropriate for students planning to specialize or major in physical science or engineering. The course explores topics such as electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism. Introductory differential and integral calculus are used throughout the course.

The course content is organized into five commonly taught units, which have been arranged in the following suggested, logical sequence:

• Unit 1: Electrostatics
• Unit 2: Conductors, Capacitors, Dielectrics
• Unit 3: Electric Circuits
• Unit 4: Magnetic Fields
• Unit 5: Electromagnetism