AP Physics Big Ideas
The course with the most changes was AP Physics, dividing the previous AP B course into two years and drastically changing the approach. If you have questions regarding the whys of these changes, please see here for more information.
Big idea 1: Objects and Systems
Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
Big idea 2: Fields
Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big idea 3: Forces
The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
DCI PS2.A: Forces and Motion
DCI PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
Big idea 4: Interactions
Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
DCI PS2.B Types of Interaction
DCI PS2.C Stability and Instability in Physical Systems
Big idea 5: Conservation Laws
Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
DCI PS1.C: Nuclear Processes
DCI PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
DCI PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
Big idea 6: Waves
Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
DCI PS4.A: Wave Properties
DCI PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
DCI PS4.C: Information Technologies and Instrumentation
Big idea 7: Quantum Mechanics
The mathematics of probability can be used to describe the behavior of complex systems and to interpret the behavior of quantum mechanical systems
Big idea 1: Objects and Systems
Objects and systems have properties such as mass and charge. Systems may have internal structure.
Big idea 2: Fields
Fields existing in space can be used to explain interactions.
Big idea 3: Forces
The interactions of an object with other objects can be described by forces.
DCI PS2.A: Forces and Motion
DCI PS3.C: Relationship Between Energy and Forces
Big idea 4: Interactions
Interactions between systems can result in changes in those systems.
DCI PS2.B Types of Interaction
DCI PS2.C Stability and Instability in Physical Systems
Big idea 5: Conservation Laws
Changes that occur as a result of interactions are constrained by conservation laws.
DCI PS1.C: Nuclear Processes
DCI PS3.A: Definitions of Energy
DCI PS3.B: Conservation of Energy and Energy Transfer
Big idea 6: Waves
Waves can transfer energy and momentum from one location to another without the permanent transfer of mass and serve as a mathematical model for the description of other phenomena.
DCI PS4.A: Wave Properties
DCI PS4.B: Electromagnetic Radiation
DCI PS4.C: Information Technologies and Instrumentation
Big idea 7: Quantum Mechanics
The mathematics of probability can be used to describe the behavior of complex systems and to interpret the behavior of quantum mechanical systems