Calculating Work, Energy, Power with AP Physics C (OP051/OP053) Peer Tutor Damian Musk

In this article, the Board of SASS interviews AP Physics C peer tutor Damian Musk. We hope that this article will help current and future AP Physics C students in their academic journey!

What did you enjoy about AP Physics C (OP051+3)?

Physics is a relatively pure science that prioritizes problem solving and application, which is largely what drew me to the subject and OP051 at Stanford OHS. It might prove a demanding course for some of you, but it is certainly worth it if you wish to further your education in the subject.

What challenged you the most in AP Physics C (OP051+3)? How did you overcome those challenges?

The most challenging portion of the course, in my opinion, was preparing for the first major exam (the midterm for the mechanics portion of the course). Studying for the first midterm proves to be a daunting and nerve wracking test for just about any course, from my experience, as students are yet to fully realize how these tests are written and how similar they may be, for example, to the problems featured in weekly assignments or how difficult they will be relative to the course material. I will not give away too much, but if you study diligently, you may find these tests to be a bit tamer than the more nightmarish ones you may have previously imagined.

What tips do you have that could be useful to students taking AP Physics C (OP051+3)?

As for studying tips, there is nothing in particular I recommend that proves unique from studying techniques you would use for other classes. As I commented earlier, the class may appear less daunting once you see how few equations or facts you may have to memorize relative to a more memorization-intensive class such as AP Biology, but this only better emphasizes the importance of understanding a physics concept before moving on. To prepare for larger exams, I typically review past assignments and go through problems that previous weeks had ignored (the weekly problem sets typically cover about a third to a half of the chapter's problems): I found this to be a fairly reliable (if not particularly noteworthy) studying technique.

About how much time did you spend a week working on assignments and preparing for discussion sessions in AP Physics C (OP051+3)?

I estimate that I spent about 12-13 hours or so on course assignments (including the quiz) for a slightly more demanding week (I could have just been very slow, however). As the course has thus far been the only one I’ve experienced at the OHS, I am not entirely sure how this compares to classes students may have taken previously, but I often had to shape my day around my daily AP Physics C work (a friend of mine who was a full-course student taking OP051/053 at the same time as me would likely give similar comments, however). This course is truly for those who love physics, and if you do, you will be happy to face whatever the courses may throw at you.

What did the typical week in AP Physics C (OP051+3) look like?

For any given week, we would have reading material (the course covers a chapter a week, for the most part), make sure you understand it (each chapter has Stop to Think problems, which are effectively module-to-module intermissions, that may help you in this respect: I also recommend that you do the end-of-chapter conceptual questions before moving on), and proceed to the week's main assignments. These assignments include a problem set from Mastering Physics, problems from the workbook (in contrast to problem set problems, they are mostly graphical and involve diagrams), a potential lab (physics pun intended), a quiz, and quiz corrections for the previous week (should you complete the corrections, you may earn up to 50% credit on incorrectly-answered questions).

What was your favorite topic covered in AP Physics C (OP051+3)?

I greatly enjoyed covering Maxwell’s equations in the second half of the course (AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism). Another key component of physics that I adore is the level of math involved and how deeply intertwined math and physics are (higher mathematical methods, such as tensor or exterior calculus, are virtually inextricable with physics), and the line and surface integrals are the most complex mathematical concepts required in the course (fairly convenient for those taking UM52A/UM52B). The equations, particularly the Ampère-Maxwell law, also tell us some profound things about the nature of electricity and magnetism and the relationship between the two, showing how one mathematical relation can mean so much.

Do you have any resources (i.e. study tips, useful websites) to share with students who want to take the course?

There will be a number of study guides posted throughout the course. However, for further reference, I recommend this website on Feynman’s various physics lectures, which explain certain concepts in fairly unique ways that may prove useful: https://www.feynmanlectures.caltech.edu/.

HyperPhysics (http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/index.html) also has a number of interesting physics explanations and widgets.

If you took the AP exam, how well did AP Physics C (OP051) prepare you for the AP exam? How would you recommend studying for the AP exam outside of class?

AP Physics C served as excellent preparation for the corresponding AP exams (I received a 5 on both), with any given quiz or exam being substantially harder (from what I find) than what the end-of-year exams provide. However, outside studying for the APs will certainly help you: I highly recommend that you go through past AP Physics C FRQs shortly before the exams and cover questions from every part of the curricula (OHS does provide FRQ assignments for Mechanics that are mandatory for those taking the APs, so I recommend you spend more time focusing on Electricity and Magnetism questions). There are also a number of full-length multiple-choice practice sets available online that may be used to prepare for the corresponding sections, although (as I mentioned earlier) a number of study guides are provided that will also provide invaluable practice for both multiple-choice questions and FRQs.

Damian Musk is a peer tutor for AP Physics C and can be found on the Writing and Tutoring Center.

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