AP Physics C: Mechanics: Curricular Requirements

• The teacher has read the most recent AP Physics Course Description.
• The course covers Newtonian mechanics in depth and provides instruction in each of the following six content areas outlined in the Course Description:
  • Kinematics
  • Newton's laws of motion
  • Work, energy, and power
  • Systems of particles, linear momentum
  • Circular motion and rotation
  • Oscillations and gravitation
• The course utilizes guided inquiry and student-centered learning to foster the development of critical thinking skills.
• Introductory differential and integral calculus is used throughout the course.
• The course includes a laboratory component comparable to a semester-long, college-level physics laboratory. Students spend a minimum of 20% of instructional time engaged in laboratory work. A hands-on laboratory component is required. Each student should complete a lab notebook or portfolio of lab reports. Note: Online course providers utilizing virtual labs (simulations rather than hands-on) should submit their laboratory materials for the audit. If these lab materials are determined to develop the skills and learning objectives of hands-on labs, then courses which use these labs may receive authorization to use the "AP" designation.*

Resource Requirements

• The school ensures that each student has a calculus based college-level physics textbook (supplemented when necessary to meet the curricular requirements) for individual use inside and outside of the classroom.
• The school ensures that students have access to scientific equipment and all necessary materials for students to conduct hands-on, college-level physics laboratory investigations as outlined in the teacher's course syllabus.