AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism
A complete, visual study guide covering every topic on the College Board AP Physics C E&M exam. Master electrostatics, circuits, magnetism, induction, and Maxwell's equations.
๐ซ College Board Unit Mapping
The College Board organizes AP Physics C: E&M into 6 units (Units 8-13, continuing from Mechanics Units 1-7). This study guide reorganizes the content into 5 logical units. Here's how they map:
| Study Guide | College Board Units | CB Exam Weight |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1: Electrostatics | Unit 8: Electric Charges, Fields, Gauss's Law Unit 9: Electric Potential Unit 10: Conductors & Capacitors |
15-25% + 10-20% + 10-15% |
| Unit 2: Electric Circuits | Unit 11: Electric Circuits | 15-25% |
| Unit 3: Magnetic Fields | Unit 12: Magnetic Fields & Electromagnetism | 10-20% |
| Unit 4: Electromagnetism | Unit 13: Electromagnetic Induction | 10-20% |
| Unit 5: Maxwell's Equations | Distributed across Units 12-13 | Integrated above |
Electrostatics
Coulomb's Law, electric fields, Gauss's Law, electric potential, continuous charge distributions, conductors, and capacitors.
Electric Circuits
Current, resistance, Ohm's law, series & parallel circuits, RC circuits in steady-state and transient analysis.
Magnetic Fields
Magnetic forces on charges and wires, Biot-Savart Law, Ampere's Law, solenoids, and torque on current loops.
Electromagnetism
Magnetic flux, Faraday's Law, Lenz's Law, motional EMF, inductance, and RL & LC circuits.
Maxwell's Equations
The four Maxwell equations, displacement current, electromagnetic waves, and unification of E&M.
โจ๏ธ Keyboard Shortcuts
๐ Exam Strategy & Tips
โฑ๏ธ Time Management
- Section I: 35 MC questions in 45 minutes (~77 sec each)
- Section II: 3 FRQs in 45 minutes (15 min each)
- Skip hard MC questions โ come back if time permits
- Leave 5 minutes at the end to bubble in skipped answers
โ๏ธ FRQ Strategy
- Read all parts before starting โ later parts often give hints
- Show ALL work: equation โ substitution โ answer with units
- If you can't solve part (a), state an assumed answer and use it for (b)-(d)
- Draw clear diagrams โ they earn partial credit
- Justify direction claims with "by Lenz's Law" or "by RHR"
๐ฌ Lab-Based FRQ Tips
- Expect 1 lab-design or data-analysis FRQ
- Know how to linearize: plot Q vs V (for C), Tยฒ vs m (for oscillations)
- Slope interpretation: slope = C, slope = 4ฯยฒ/k, etc.
- Error analysis: mention systematic vs random uncertainty sources
๐งฎ Calculator Policy
- 4-function, scientific, or graphing calculator allowed
- No calculator with QWERTY keyboard or internet access
- Store constants: k, ฮตโ, ฮผโ, e, m_e, m_p
- Practice unit conversions: ฮผCโC, cmโm, msโs
๐ค Interactive Practice
Test your knowledge with interactive multiple-choice questions (with instant feedback) and free-response questions (with toggle-able solutions). Progress is saved automatically.
Electrostatics
Coulomb's Law, fields, Gauss's Law, potential, capacitors.
Electric Circuits
Ohm's Law, Kirchhoff's Rules, RC circuits, power, resistivity.
Magnetic Fields
Magnetic forces, Biot-Savart, Ampere's Law, torque, solenoids.
EM Induction
Faraday's Law, Lenz's Law, motional EMF, inductance, RL/LC circuits.
Maxwell's Equations
The four equations, displacement current, EM waves, Poynting vector.