Verified for the 2027 AP exam

AP Physics C: Electricity & Magnetism Study Guide & Review

Build reliable calculus-based models for electric charge, fields, potential, circuits, magnetism and induction using precise vectors, physical symmetry, representations, experiments and physically checked mathematical reasoning.

Unlock all resources
  1. 01Learn concepts
  2. 02Practise questions
  3. 03Review mistakes

How to study AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism

AP Physics C: E&M improves when the physical model controls the calculus. Use the six-unit syllabus map to separate sources, fields and forces; choose coordinates and symmetry before an integral; and connect electric potential, energy and field through signs and spatial change. In circuits and induction, define directions and initial conditions before writing loop, differential or flux relationships.

Rebuild a weak model in Concept and retrieve its law conditions, vectors and calculus setup in Mastery before applying it in the Question Bank. Mark the first failure as representation, symmetry, vector direction, law selection, differential element or bounds, circuit sign, algebra or units, limiting case, experiment or justification. Repair that move and solve a matched situation without notes.

Practise E&M through fields, calculus and evidence

Coordinate vector models, symmetry, calculus setup, circuit reasoning, experiments and physical checks across Units 8–13 and all four current FRQ forms.

Charge, fields and Gauss's law

Electric force, continuous charge, electric fields, flux, symmetry and Gaussian surfaces

Separate source charge, field and force on a test charge. For a distribution, choose coordinates and write the differential element before integrating. Use Gauss's law only after naming the symmetry and explaining where field magnitude or flux simplifies.

Practise electric fields

Potential, conductors and capacitors

Potential energy, electric potential, electrostatic equilibrium, charge redistribution, capacitance and dielectrics

Move deliberately among field, potential and energy using sign, direction and spatial relationships. For conductors and capacitors, state whether charge or voltage is fixed, apply boundary or equilibrium behavior and test geometry changes against energy and limiting cases.

Practise potential and capacitance

DC and transient circuits

Current, resistance, power, multiloop networks, Kirchhoff rules and RC circuits

Assign current directions and element polarities before writing independent junction and loop equations; interpret a negative solution physically. For RC behavior, connect the differential model, time constant, initial and final limits, graphs and stored energy instead of recalling exponentials alone.

Practise circuits

Magnetism and induction

Magnetic force, Biot–Savart, Ampère, magnetic flux, Faraday, Lenz, LR and LC circuits

Show right-hand-rule direction and charge sign explicitly. Choose Biot–Savart or Ampère from geometry and symmetry. For induction, define loop orientation and flux sign before calculating, then verify Lenz's-law direction through force or energy reasoning and check transient limits.

Practise magnetism and induction

Experiments, calculus and current FRQs

Mathematical routines, representation translation, experimental design and qualitative-quantitative translation

Rotate one Topic through all four task forms. Plan variables, controls and repeated measurements; graph or linearize with units and uncertainty; set calculus bounds and signs; then reconcile a qualitative prediction with the quantitative result and stated physical model.

Practise E&M FRQs

Where to start

Begin with one known weak Topic or use a mixed diagnostic to expose the earliest repeated representation, calculus, circuit, vector, experiment or reasoning failure.

Choose your starting point

  1. I know the weak Topic

    Open its exact Unit and identify the source, field or circuit model, representation, law and calculus operation required.

    Browse Units 8–13

  2. I do not know what is weak

    Take a mixed diagnostic and classify the first repeated E&M move that fails before reviewing broad content.

    Start a diagnostic

Choose the right starting point

  1. Build the representation

    Define coordinates, vectors, orientation, symmetry, circuit directions or initial conditions before choosing an equation.

    Review a Concept

  2. Select and set up

    Name the law and conditions, write differential elements, bounds or loop equations and predict sign and limiting behavior.

    Check Mastery

  3. Apply and repair

    Solve an unfamiliar task, compare mathematical and physical representations with evidence, then correct the first failed move.

    Practise questions

Explore all six AP Physics C: E&M units

Navigate 31 Topics across official Units 8–13, from electric charge and potential through conductors, circuits, magnetic fields and induction. Use current MCQ ranges to balance practice while preserving the physical and mathematical links between Units.

6
syllabus groups
31
mapped topics

8 Electric Charges, Fields, and Gauss’s Law

Open unit questions
8.1 Electric Charge and Electric Force8.2 Conservation of Electric Charge and the Process of Charging8.3 Electric Fields8.4 Electric Fields of Charge Distributions8.5 Electric Flux8.6 Gauss’s Law

9 Electric Potential

Open unit questions
9.1 Electric Potential Energy9.2 Electric Potential9.3 Conservation of Electric Energy

10 Conductors and Capacitors

Open unit questions
10.1 Electrostatics with Conductors10.2 Redistribution of Charge Between Conductors10.3 Capacitors10.4 Dielectrics

11 Electric Circuits

Open unit questions
11.1 Electric Current11.2 Simple Circuits11.3 Resistance, Resistivity, and Ohm’s Law11.4 Electric Power11.5 Compound Direct Current Circuits11.6 Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule11.7 Kirchhoff’s Junction Rule11.8 Resistor-Capacitor (RC) Circuits

12 Magnetic Fields and Electromagnetism

Open unit questions
12.1 Magnetic Fields12.2 Magnetism and Moving Charges12.3 Magnetic Fields of Current-Carrying Wires and the Biot-Savart Law12.4 Ampère’s Law

13 Electromagnetic Induction

Open unit questions
13.1 Magnetic Flux13.2 Electromagnetic Induction13.3 Induced Currents and Magnetic Forces13.4 Inductance13.5 Circuits with Resistors and Inductors (LR Circuits)13.6 Circuits with Capacitors and Inductors (LC Circuits)

AP Physics C: E&M exam format for 2027

The May 5, 2027 Session 2 hybrid exam has 42 digital multiple-choice questions in 85 minutes and four digital-prompt, handwritten free-response questions in 95 minutes.

Paper / componentQuestionsTime% of grade
Section I: Multiple Choice42 questionsBluebook presents discrete and stimulus-based questions using physical situations, mathematical representations and experimental data; approved calculators are available.How to prepare: Practise selecting laws, setting up calculus, tracking vector direction and circuit signs and checking units, limits and physical plausibility under time.85 minutes50%
Section II: Free Response4 questionsPrompts appear in Bluebook and responses are handwritten: Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis and Qualitative/Quantitative Translation.How to prepare: Train each form separately, then combine vector diagrams, calculus derivations, circuit or field models, feasible experiments, uncertainty and evidence-based reconciliation in timed work.95 minutes50%

SourceCollege Board · AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism ExamAP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism · May 2027 exam update

AP Physics C: E&M questions

College Board recommends a calculus-based Newtonian mechanics course, such as AP Physics C: Mechanics or equivalent, plus prior or concurrent calculus. Expect to set up and interpret derivatives, integrals and differential relationships while connecting each mathematical step to fields, circuits, energy, direction and limiting behavior.

College Board allows four-function, scientific or approved graphing calculators on both sections. Bluebook includes Desmos scientific and graphing calculators, and students may bring up to two permitted handhelds. External calculator apps or websites are not allowed during the exam.

E&M receives course-specific reference information in print and in Bluebook. At this review date, College Board had not yet posted the standalone 2027 booklet and directed students to the current CED appendix. Do not substitute the Mechanics or AP Physics 1 reference information.

At least 25% of instructional time must involve hands-on laboratory investigations. Practise defining variables and controls, choosing feasible measurements, collecting repeated data, graphing or linearizing results, interpreting slope and uncertainty and keeping claims within the evidence. Retain lab records for possible college review.

Use the official archive with an alignment check. College Board warns that materials around the 2024–25 revision do not all completely match the current course and exam. Tag questions by Topic and current task form, prioritize recent evidence and do not treat every older set as a full 2027 mock.