Otis Singleton
The AP Physics 1 curriculum has undergone changes, removing units 8-10, which covered electricity-related topics such as electrical forces, circuits, and waves. These topics are now covered in AP Physics 2, aligning the course with typical freshman physics college courses that primarily focus on mechanics. The change is intended to increase equity and access to college-level physics, catering to a wide range of university and high school programs. While some students appreciate the reduced stress and increased review time, others express concerns about the timing of the changes and the depth of learning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year of change | 2021 |
| Subjects removed | Electricity, waves |
| Reason for change | To align with a typical freshman physics college course |
| Units removed | 8, 9, 10 |
| Topics covered in removed units | Electrical forces, electrical circuits, waves |
| Other changes | Fluids added as Unit 8, more connections between rotational and translational motion, additional learning objectives referencing power, additional equations of motion for objects in simple harmonic motion |
| Exam changes | 40 multiple-choice questions (MCQs), down from 50; removal of multiselect questions; increased time for MCQs and FRQs |
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What You'll Learn
Electric circuits
The flow of electrons in a circuit is essential for various applications. For instance, in an incandescent bulb, the current flows through a thin tungsten wire or metallic filament with high resistance to current flow. The electrons collide with atoms, losing kinetic energy in the form of heat and light. This process is called incandescence. However, incandescent bulbs are inefficient, losing 90-95% of their energy as heat rather than light.
Fluorescent lights, on the other hand, work differently. Electrons pass through a tube filled with mercury vapor and neon or argon gas. When the electrons collide with mercury atoms, they transfer energy to the electrons in those atoms. As the electrons in the mercury atoms return to their original state, they release this energy as light in the form of photons. This makes fluorescent lights significantly more efficient than incandescent bulbs.
It's important to note that circuits can be open or closed. A closed circuit is a continuous, unbroken loop of conductive material that allows charge carriers to flow through without interruption. If there is any break in the circuit, it becomes "open," disrupting the flow of charge carriers.
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Electric charges
Electric charge is a physical property of matter that causes it to experience a force when placed in an electromagnetic field. The SI unit of quantity of electric charge is the coulomb (C), defined as the quantity of charge that passes through the cross-section of an electrical conductor carrying one ampere for one second. Electric charge can be positive or negative, with like charges repelling each other and opposite charges attracting each other. This principle is foundational for various concepts in electromagnetism and is crucial for understanding the interaction of charged particles.
Protons and electrons carry electric charges. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons have a negative charge. These charges are equal in magnitude and are considered fundamental physical constants. The number of protons in an atom determines the type of atom or element it is, as listed in the Periodic Table of Elements. Atoms are electrically neutral when they have an equal number of protons and electrons, with their charges cancelling each other out.
When an object carries a negative charge, it has an excess of electrons compared to protons, and vice versa for a positive charge. An ion is an atom or group of atoms that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net positive or negative charge, respectively. Electric charge is carried by subatomic particles, and in ordinary matter, electrons carry the negative charge, while protons in the nuclei of atoms carry the positive charge.
The concept of electric charge is essential for understanding electricity and magnetism. A moving charge produces a magnetic field, and charged particles interact through attractive or repulsive forces, as described by Coulomb's law. The algebraic sum of the charges in a system remains constant over time, and the total charge in an isolated system stays the same.
The study of electric charges has a rich history, with early contributions from Benjamin Franklin and later experiments by Robert Millikan, who conducted the Millikan oil-drop experiment between 1909 and 1910 to determine the electric charge on each drop. Understanding the properties of electric charges is crucial for various scientific phenomena and has practical applications in electromagnetism and electrochemistry.
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Electric force
> F(on q1 by q2) = |(k * q1 * q2) / r^2|; k = 9 x 10^9 Nm^2/C^2
The constant k converts force to the proper units of Newtons. The force increases linearly with the magnitude of each charge but decreases as the inverse of the distance squared. This means that the force weakens quickly as the charges separate.
Like charges repel each other, while opposite charges attract. Protons and electrons, for example, are attracted to each other because they carry opposite charges. Protons have a positive charge, while electrons carry a negative charge. Atoms are in balance when they have an equal number of protons and electrons.
Coulomb's law, first published in 1785 by French physicist Charles-Augustin de Coulomb, calculates the amount of force between two electrically charged particles at rest. It was essential to the development of the theory of electromagnetism.
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Electric current
The SI unit of electric current is the ampere, often abbreviated as "amp," and it is used to quantify the amount of electric charge flowing through a circuit. The more charge that flows, the larger the current. Ammeters are devices used to measure current, and they are connected in series with other components in a circuit. The conventional symbol for current is "I," which originates from the French phrase "intensité du courant" (current intensity).
In alternating current (AC) systems, commonly used in residences and businesses, the direction of electric charge periodically reverses. The usual waveform of an AC power circuit is a sine wave, but other applications may use triangular or square waves. Direct current (DC), on the other hand, refers to a unidirectional flow of electric charge and is produced by sources such as batteries, solar cells, and commutator-type electric machines.
While I found no specific mention of "Physics 1" in relation to the removal of electricity, I did find references to changes in the AP Physics 1 curriculum. These changes indicate that AP Physics 1 now focuses primarily on mechanics, with some adjustments to the number of units and the inclusion of topics like fluids and power connections.
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Electrical components
Passive Components
Passive components cannot introduce net energy into a circuit and cannot amplify a signal. They include:
- Resistors: Resistors are two-terminal components that introduce resistance to the flow of electric current in a circuit to limit the current. They are represented by multiple bends, illustrating resistance to the movement of charges.
- Capacitors: Capacitors store and release electrical charge. They are used for filtering power supply lines, tuning resonant circuits, and blocking DC voltages while passing AC signals. The capacity of a capacitor is measured in Farads (F).
- Inductors: Inductors are two-terminal components that store energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through them.
Active Components
Active components can introduce net energy into a circuit and can amplify a signal. They include:
- Batteries: Batteries are two-terminal devices that supply power to an electric circuit. They are made up of cells and are represented by lines of unequal length to indicate the potential difference between the positive and negative terminals.
- Diodes: Diodes allow current to flow in one direction and are used for various purposes, including transient voltage suppression and digital-to-analog conversion.
- Transistors: Transistors are electronic components that can amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. The MOSFET (metal-oxide-semiconductor FET) is the most widely manufactured transistor.
Electromechanical Components
Electromechanical components use moving parts or electrical connections to carry out electrical operations. They include:
- Relays: Relays are electromagnetic switches that open and close potential-free contacts. They consist of an armature, coil, spring, and contacts.
- Switches: Switches are used to connect or disconnect electrical circuits.
- Crystals: Quartz crystals, in particular, are used in electronic circuits to create a stable clock input for processors.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, they removed electricity from Physics 1. Units 8-10, which include electrical forces, electrical circuits, and waves, have been removed from the curriculum.
The College Board made this change so that AP Physics 1 would focus on mechanics, aligning with the typical freshman physics college course.
Yes, there have been revisions to the AP Physics curriculum for the 2024-25 school year. These revisions include changes to the learning objectives, exam format, and timing.
