If you are seeking a AP Physics tutor, you came to the right place! in Queen Elizabeth Academy, we provide high quality AP Physics Tutoring programs for students who are attending the course or preparing for the AP Physics exam
Private Tutoring on AP Physics
Physics is a challenging subject for a lot of students. The key challenge is that physics is problem solving based. Students are accustomed to math, where they will have a formula and “plug-in” the numbers to derive the answer. For physics, you need to know which formula to use in the first place and how to change the formula according to the situation.
Memorizing steps and equations doesn’t work in physics. All questions in physics are application based, they are word problems. This means that your teacher can change the question slightly and your entire solution - the equation you use, the givens, the approach, will be all different. Understanding the concepts and apply them, instead of memorizing equations, is the key to doing well in physics.
How can our AP Physics tutor help you?
- Build foundation of physics based on understanding, not memorizing
- Teach you the concepts in a way that you understand
- Go through homework from your school
- Go through our application / thinking problems with the difficulty on par with the school tests
- Provide weekly worksheets and homework package on application thinking problems
AP Physics explores the key concepts of kinematics, dynamics, momentum energy, and static. Students will first find this course difficult, especiailly when they try to use the math approach to tackle AP Physics, i.e. plugging in numbers into the equation to get an answer. However, physics requires more than this. The challenge lies on which equation to use. In other words, students needs to understand the situation, and then extract the givens and variables, and then re-arrange the equations to find the unknowns. This is called problems solving technicques and this is exactly what we teach at QE.
Pre-AP Physics preparation program - Summer and School year
Are you a pre-AP student in grades 9, 10, or 11 getting ready for AP Physics? Whether it's during the summer or school year, engaging in comprehensive AP Physics preparation brings numerous advantages. You'll cultivate a profound comprehension of fundamental physical principles, enabling you to grasp intricate concepts effortlessly. This early exposure establishes a robust foundation for future academic pursuits. Moreover, thorough preparation enhances confidence and minimizes stress associated with this demanding course. By dedicating time to AP Physics preparation, you'll develop strong study habits and organizational skills crucial for achieving success. Don't miss out on the opportunity to excel in AP Physics and lay the groundwork for a prosperous academic journey.
Tips to study AP Physics
When you are searching for AP Physics tutors, you are either taking the course or preparing for the AP physics exam. You have found the right place! Queen Elizabeth Academy has the physics expertise and successful track record and experience, to help you get through AP Physics.
Success of QE alumni
QEA’s approaches of tutoring Physics
Teaches: English grade 5 to 12
PhD Candidate, English literature
Writing Course Director, Guelph-Humber University
Harvard University
Queen Elizabeth Advisor
Designed Learning Strategies for our courses.
Teaches: Calculus, Advanced Functions, Physics
PhD Candidate, University of Toronto
Taught university math tutoring classes for 2+ years
Teaches: Advanced Functions
1200+ hours of tutoring experience. Specialized in making complex concepts easy to understand
Teaches: Calculus, Grade 9-12 Math
Certified Teacher, Mathematics.
6 years of university teaching experience as a TA
Queen's University, Canada
Major in chemistry
3+ years of teaching experience including university level and high school level chemistry
QEA AP Physics Tutoring (and other subjects) - in Action!
If you are taking AP Physics, you have found the right place!
AP Physics Tutoring
The AP Physics Course
To score well in AP Physics Course, it is imperative that you have a strong understanding of the concept. For example, instead of memorizing formulas and trying to plug in numbers, you need to understand the concept first and figure out how to apply it.
For example, say a box is sliding down a ramp and you need to calculate the acceleration. You first have to visualize the question and know what variables are involved. In this case, gravity is the main, but not the entire gravity will be used, since it is in a ramp. So you need to calculate that portion.
We use a strategy of visualizing to teach our students to tackle physics problems - to understand the questions first, then manipulate the equations to match the situation.
AP physics topics
In taking AP physics, here are the topis covered:
- Position, velocity, and acceleration
- Montion in one and two Dimensions
- The field of gravitation
- Understanding forces
- Learning Newton’s First and Second Law
- Applications of Newton’s Law
- Understanding the Vector fields
- Theorem of work
- Gravitational field
- Electric forces
- Open and closed systems of energy
- Understanding the conservation of Energy & Power
- Open and closed systems of momentum
- Conservation of linear momentum
- Exploring Simple Harmonic Motion
- Learning energy of a simple harmonic oscillator
- Torque and rotational kinematics
- Rotational Dynamics
- Rotational Energy
The AP Phyics Exam
The AP Physics Exam contains 50 multiple choice questions (50% of score) and 5 free response questions (the other 50% of score). The free response questions of AP Physics exam is algebra, based, meaning that the students need to manipulate the equations and variables instead of plugging in numbers. This demand a strong math foundation skills on the student's side.
Some questions involve graphing and some are lab based. Lab based questions are different. For AP Physics lab questions, students need to be familiar with the concepts, plotting the data on a graph and understand what's happening / rationale behind it. This requires the student to master the concepts and observe the graph pattern, being able to explain the reasoning behind the graphs.
AP Physics Tutoring
Key to tackle AP Physics course
The key to understanding AP Physics, is to use the "physics" approach rather than the math approach. What does this mean? It means when you are tackling AP Physics, you can't expect to "plug-in" some equations and derive an answer, as in math. Rather, you need to work from the question or the situation. The question or situation on Physics can change all the time, and any slight change will result in a completely different approach.
Your first step to tackle AP Physics is to understand the concept. In your own word, what does the equation mean? What does it derive? Then when you approach a problem on AP Physics, you have to work from the problem. One approach we teach AP Physics, is to visualize the question. See the question, what are you trying to do? Then, from this, you can only filter out the parameters (givens) and variables. And from there you will know what equation to use to tackle, and further manipulate the equation to solve your problem. This is how our AP Physics tutors will teach you.
Tackling AP Physics Course and Exam
The AP Physics exam has 2 parts, the multiple choice section and the free response part. AP Physics exam is 3 hours, therefore the multiple choice section is 1.5 hour, whereas the free response is 1.5 hours as well.
Let's talk about the AP Phsyics free response questions
The AP Physics exam includes free response questions that challenge students to apply their knowledge and problem-solving skills. These questions assess a student's ability to analyze complex scenarios, formulate solutions, and articulate their thought processes clearly. The free response section of the exam provides an opportunity for students to demonstrate their understanding of physics principles in real-world contexts. By practicing with past exam questions and familiarizing themselves with the format and expectations, students can improve their performance on the free response section. Effective preparation for these questions can significantly contribute to success on the AP Physics exam.
AP Physics Exam tips
Tackle AP Physics Exam - Concept types of questions
Understanding the concept means, some questions on AP Physics exam will ask you theoretical based questions. These are not definition, but rather, situation based question. For example, if one object A is to collide with one object B, whereas object A is much heaviler, what will happen?
And supposedly object A and object B has equal mass, what will happen? And of course, part of your marks on AP Physics Free Response question, is to explain your reasoning!
As you can see, AP Physics free response questions are challenging. You cannot just memorize the equations or theory. You need to understand what happens inside.
Tackling AP Physics Exam - problem solving (calculation) questions
AP Physics calculation problems are similar to the everyday homework you have in the course, except it is harder. It is mostly algebra based, meaning that instead of "plugging in" numbers, you will derive the answer in terms of algebraic expression. This means that to do well on AP Physics free response questions, you need to sharpen your math, especially algebra skills.
A typical question will look like, for instance, a pulley question, where you have a situation with two blocks falling, connected by a rope. Then you are required to calculate the acceleration, final velocity, or tension based on the givens. Note that most of the questions on AP Physics exam only provide you with the variable, instead of numbers. Therefore, you will need to assemble the combine equations with these variables, and derive the final expression, rather than a final answer. When studying for AP Physics exam, make sure you practice based on this settings, and derive the final expression, instead of a single answer.
In almost all AP Physics exam, free response, you will expect to produce graphs. Therefore, in your preparation for AP Physics exam, make sure that you single out the section that requires graphing.
These are the possible topics for graphing - AP Physics Exam:
- dt-vt graph conversion
- vt-at graph conversion
- graphing energy (potential or kinetic) vs. time or distance on a situation (i.e. an object falling or bouncing)
- graphing force vs. time or velocity on a situation
- graphing the conservation of energy (i.e. spring potential energy to kinetic, or kinetic to potential on a falling object)
- graphing the path of two colliding objects, based on their mass
These are just our suggested topics, there are more of course. Our AP Physics tutors will help you prepare and understand the graphs for each of these section, so that you can perform on your exam!
The AP Physics lab questions are quite different from the typical problem solving questions you practice on your homework. You are no longer working with equation to solve theoretical problems, but instead, working with data and interpret them.
The first step, in tackling AP Physics lab questions is to take the given data and plot the graph. You should practice regularly in this area because it is easy to score good grades on it. The challenging part is to interpret the data.
This requires that you understand the concept, and understand what it means. It will be useful for you to compare to a theoretical graphs (you will still need to plot an ideal graph based on the concept). From your interpretation, you need to explain the situation and the reasoning behind it.
disclaimer: All the suggestions in our website is based on the best of our knowledge and experience. We do not take any responsbility on your success or failure of your exam in using our information. Consult your own experts
AP Physics - Course Content
AP Physics - Unit 1: Kinematics
Kinematics involves the study of motion. In this unit, you will explore key concepts of velocity, displacements, accelerations and all the related calculations. You will also explore displacement time graphs, velocity time graphs and others, as well as learning how to convert them. Finally, this unit requires vector calculation in 2D type questions.
AP Physics - Unit 2: Dynamics
Dynamics further your understanding of motion into forces and Newton's 3 laws. This includes interaction between multple objects and movements.
AP Physics - Unit 3: Circular Motion and Gravitation
This is an extention with the motion and force unit, and move into objects moving in circular paths. This unit explores various models of motion, both vertical and horizontal, involving centripetal force and other relationships.
AP Physics - Unit 4: Energy
This unit explores the relationship between energy, work and power. Students learn the concept of potential and kinetic energy and the related calculations.
AP Physics - Unit 5: Momentum
Students explore the relationship between force, time, and momentum, in both one dimension and two dimension problems. Students need to analyze the physical situation and manipulate the formulas to derive the solutions
AP Physics - Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion
This unit explores various models and techniques to analyze simple harmonic motion.
AP Physics - Unit 7: Torque and Rotational Motion
Students explore an object rotating around an axis. Unit 1 and 2 (Kinematics and Dynamics) law will apply, but modifed to fit into a rotational concept, as well as torque.
Students tutored by QEA in physics and other subjects
Victor is excellent at communicating with parents and students and he is also very good at listening and acting on everyones feedback. Highly recommend QEA!!read more
FAQ for AP Physics Tutoring
Is AP Physics C One course?
AP Physics C is a stand alone course that is simllar to AP Physics, except it's based on calculus, therefore it is more challenging
What does AP Physics C learn?
AP Physics C covers mechanics, kinematics, dynamics momentum, energy and other topics, which is similar to AP Phyiscs 1, except students need to use calculus techniques
Is AP Physics C useful?
AP Physics C is very useful for students going into engineering, physics and architecture related courses in college program. It builds the foundation for students going into these area and prepare the student for first year college.
Which AP physics is hardest?
In our opinion, AP Physics electromagnetism is the hardest, followed by AP Physics C
Is E&M harder than mechanics?
Some studnets score better with mechanics and some work better with E&M. In general, E&M is harder since the concept is more abstract. People can understand gravity but often have difficulty understanding voltage. The calculuation and problem solving aspect is simlar.
Is AP Physics C calculus based?
AP Physics C course is calculus based, and the student needs to have a background in calculus before attempting these courses.
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