Next year, Langley will expand its course options for students and offer AP Physics B for the first time.

Unlike AP Physics C, which is the only AP Physics class currently offered, AP Physics B is non-Calculus Physics. It reviews mechanics and engineering first quarter, before delving into a wider breadth of topics, including optics, sound, quantum and nuclear physics and thermodynamics. The result is what Mr. Foley describes as a “survey of the science underlying modern civilization.”

“The target audience for this class is people who will want to major in science, but don’t want to major in physics and engineering,” Mr. Foley explained.

“I think Physics B is definitely a strong option that would encourage people to take physics. Right now, the misconception is that you have to have a strong Calculus base to take Physics,” said senior Debbie Pan.

That doesn’t mean that preferences for AP Physics B and AP Physics C are mutually exclusive. Senior Saba Eskandarian points out that if he could have, he would have taken both courses. “I like physics because it provides a systematic and mathematical model for understanding our world.  I think robotics has made me more interested in physics, since it’s shown me how physics can be applied in the real world.” He also added that he appreciates how, “C covers mechanics in detail, but B covers a wide scope of topics.”

Part of the appeal of AP Physics B is that it covers at a college level topics such as optics, that many students have not worked with since elementary school. “ I would really enjoy studying those topics more, if only to gain a more complete understanding of how things work,” said Eskandarian.