AP 物理C 力学 Physics C Mechanics

AP 物理C 力学 Physics C Mechanics

AP Physics C: Mechanics

The AP Physics C program consists of two separate courses — Mechanics and Electricity & Magnetism — each roughly equivalent to one semester of college-level work. Usually, Mechanics comes first, and some teachers opt to teach only this half. When both are offered in a single academic year, teachers should allocate roughly the same amount of time to each. Throughout both courses, students engage in guided inquiry and student-centered learning to build critical thinking, while applying introductory differential and integral calculus.

Physics C: Mechanics covers six core topics: kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion; work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; circular motion and rotation; and oscillations and gravitation.

Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism, in turn, addresses five main topics: electrostatics; conductors, capacitors, and dielectrics; electric circuits; magnetic fields; and electromagnetism.

In similar college courses, departments often add extra topics—such as wave motion, kinetic theory and thermodynamics, optics, AC circuits, or special relativity. While wave motion, optics, and thermal physics are among the most common additions, there’s no consistent set across institutions, and they are not tested on the AP Physics C exams. The Development Committee suggests supplementing Physics C with additional material whenever feasible. Many teachers find that the best time to weave in these enrichment topics is after the AP exams, toward the end of the school year.

Both Physics C courses require a hands-on lab component equivalent to a semester-long introductory college physics lab. At least 20% of instructional time must be dedicated to active laboratory investigations. Every student should maintain a lab notebook or compile a portfolio of lab reports documenting their work.

Schools must provide each student with a calculus-based, college-level textbook for both classroom and independent use (supplemented as needed to meet course requirements). A list of acceptable textbook examples is available on the Physics C course pages of the AP Central website.