F=MA Exam

​

Overview:

The F=ma exam is the first qualifying round of the U.S. Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) selection process, run by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). It is named after Newton’s Second Law and serves as a nationwide physics competition for high school students in the United States.

​

Format:

• Duration: 75 minutes

• Questions: 25 multiple-choice questions

• Calculator: Not allowed

​

Content Focus:

• Primarily mechanics, including:

• Kinematics

• Newton’s Laws

• Energy and momentum

• Rotational motion

• Gravitation

• Harmonic motion

• Center of mass & torque

​

​

USAPhO Exam

​

Overview:

The United States Physics Olympiad (USAPhO) exam is the second round in the national selection process for the U.S. Physics Team, which represents the country at the International Physics Olympiad (IPhO). Administered by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT), the USAPhO exam challenges top high school students in the U.S. to demonstrate advanced understanding of physics through rigorous problem-solving.

​

Format:

• Eligibility: Top scorers from the F=ma exam (usually ~400 students nationwide).

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours

• Structure:

• Free-response questions (no multiple choice)

• Typically includes 4–6 multi-part problems

• Calculator: Not allowed

​

Content Focus:

• Mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotation)

• Electricity and Magnetism

• Thermodynamics

• Waves and Optics

• Fluid mechanics

• Modern physics (including quantum and nuclear concepts)

• Problem-solving techniques from both conceptual and mathematical perspectives

International Physics Olympiad

​

Overview:

The International Physics Olympiad (IPhO) is the premier global physics competition for high school students. Held annually since 1967, the IPhO brings together the most talented young physicists from over 80 countries to compete and collaborate in a highly challenging academic environment.

​

Format:

The IPhO consists of two main components administered over two separate days:

• Theoretical Exam

• Duration: 5 hours

• Format: 3 in-depth problems requiring creative and mathematical problem-solving.

• Experimental Exam

• Duration: 5 hours

• Format: 1 or 2 experimental tasks where students analyze and interpret real data. Both sections are scored out of 50 points, for a total of 100 points.

​

Content Focus:

• Classical Mechanics

• Electricity & Magnetism

• Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics

• Waves and Optics

• Relativity

• Modern Physics (including quantum and atomic physics)

• Experimental Techniques (data analysis, uncertainty, calibration)

Physics Bowl

​

Overview:

Physics Bowl is a national high school physics competition organized by the American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT). It is designed to challenge students across a range of physics topics and to promote excellence in physics education through friendly competition among individuals and schools.

​

Format:

• Duration: 45 minutes

• Questions: 40 multiple-choice questions

• Divisions:

• Division I: First-year physics students

• Division II: Second-year or AP Physics students

• Scoring: Individual scores contribute to both personal and school rankings

• Administration: Taken at schools (in-person or online) during a designated two-week period in the spring

​

Content Focus:

• Kinematics and dynamics

• Newton’s laws

• Energy and momentum

• Rotational motion

• Electricity and magnetism

• Waves and optics

• Thermodynamics

• Basic modern physics concepts