AP Physics B

AP Physics B covers fundamental concepts in physics, including mechanics, thermodynamics, and waves, preparing students for college-level physics courses.

Mechanics: Motion and ForcesThermodynamics: Heat and EnergyWaves and Sound
Electricity and MagnetismFluid MechanicsOptics and Light
Physics in EngineeringMedical PhysicsRenewable Energy Technologies
Mastering Problem SolvingEffective Test Preparation
Mechanics: Motion an...Thermodynamics: Heat...Waves and SoundElectricity and Magn...Fluid MechanicsOptics and LightPhysics in Engineeri...Medical PhysicsRenewable Energy Tec...Mastering Problem So...Effective Test Prepa...
Advanced Topics

Fluid Mechanics

Understanding Fluids

Fluids (liquids and gases) behave differently from solids. Fluid mechanics studies how they flow and respond to forces.

Key Principles

  • Buoyancy: Why objects float or sink, explained by Archimedes’ Principle.
  • Bernoulli’s Principle: As the speed of a fluid increases, its pressure decreases.
  • Viscosity: The "thickness" or resistance to flow.

Everyday Examples

Fluid mechanics explains how airplanes fly, why boats float, and how blood moves through arteries.

Examples

  • A soccer ball curves in mid-air due to changes in air pressure.

  • Helium balloons rise because they are less dense than air.

In a Nutshell

Fluid mechanics explores the behavior of liquids and gases in motion and at rest.

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Optics and Light