AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism (often AP Physics C E&M) is the second calculus-based AP Physics exam. It builds on AP Physics 2 electricity concepts and AP Calculus — and is usually taken in the same year as AP Physics C: Mechanics.

Hub: AP Physics C Mechanics · AP Physics 2 · AP Physics 1.

Syllabus overview

Confirm units on AP Central — Physics C: E&M. Typical areas include:

Area	Skills
Electrostatics	Coulomb’s law, electric field, potential
Conductors & capacitors	Gauss’s law applications where required
Circuits	DC circuits, Kirchhoff, RC (syllabus-dependent)
Magnetism	Forces, fields, Biot–Savart / Ampère where in CED
Induction	Faraday’s law, inductance

Calculus links fields to potentials and flux — weak integration hurts FRQs.

Exam prep

1. Master AP Physics 2 circuit and field basics — Physics 2 guide.
2. Weekly FRQ with College Board scoring guidelines.
3. Pair with Mechanics rotation only where cross-topic — do not neglect E&M-only drills.
4. AP tutors for multi-step FRQs.

Frequently asked questions

E&M without Mechanics?

Possible at some schools; most STEM students take both C exams.

Same day as Mechanics?

Often yes — plan energy and sleep for exam day.

vs A Level Physics?

Cambridge 9702 is a different exam — US apps may still want AP scores.

American curriculum schools?

Listed in AP course lists at UAE American schools.

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