Regents Physics (Physical Setting/Physics, NYSED): complete guide to the exam parts, the Reference Tables and the four content areas

The New York State Regents Examination in Physical Setting/Physics is the end-of-course exam set by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for the high-school physics course. It is an algebra-and-trigonometry-based survey of mechanics, electricity and magnetism, waves and modern physics, and it is taken under a 3-hour limit for a raw score of 85 points. The defining feature for study is the Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics: a booklet of constants, equations and charts you are given with every exam, which changes the skill being tested from recall to selection and application. This page maps the exam parts, the tables, and the four content areas, and links to every dot-point answer page, the module guides and the quizzes.

The four exam parts

The exam is built from four parts. Parts A and B-1 are multiple choice; Parts B-2 and C are constructed response, where you write calculations, draw diagrams and explain reasoning.

Part A (35 points, multiple choice)

Thirty-five stand-alone multiple-choice questions spanning the whole course. Each is worth 1 point. These test core definitions, single-step calculations and the ability to read the Reference Tables quickly.

Part B-1 (about 15 points, multiple choice)

About fifteen further multiple-choice questions, often more quantitative or built on a graph, diagram or data table. Each is worth 1 point.

Part B-2 (about 15 points, constructed response)

Short-answer items worth 1 or 2 points each: calculations shown in full, points plotted on a grid, a best-fit line drawn, a vector or free-body diagram completed, a circuit analyzed, or a ray diagram constructed. You must show the equation, the substitution with units, and the answer.

Part C (about 20 points, constructed response)

Longer, multi-step questions that integrate several ideas: a multi-stage calculation, an explanation that must be justified with physics, a circuit with several components, a wave or optics problem, or a modern-physics application. Partial credit is awarded generously for correct method.

Across the paper, about 50 of the 85 points are multiple choice and about 35 points are constructed response. The raw score is converted to a scaled score out of 100 using a chart published with each administration; 65 is the passing mark.

The Reference Tables: your given toolbox

Because the Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics are provided, the exam tests whether you can choose and apply the right relationship, not whether you have memorized it. The tables include:

• a List of Physical Constants ($c = 3.00 \times 10^8$ m/s, $g = 9.81$ m/s squared, $G = 6.67 \times 10^{-11}$ N m squared per kg squared, $k = 8.99 \times 10^9$ N m squared per C squared, $h = 6.63 \times 10^{-34}$ J s, $e = 1.60 \times 10^{-19}$ C, the electron, proton and neutron masses, and $1$ universal mass unit $= 931$ MeV) and the metric prefixes;
• a List of Physics Equations grouped into Mechanics, Electricity, Waves and Modern Physics;
• an absolute index of refraction table, an electromagnetic spectrum, a wavelengths of light chart, an energy-level diagram for hydrogen, circuit symbols, and a Standard Model of Particles chart with the quark and lepton charges.

The equations printed in the Mechanics section include $v = v_0 + at$, $d = v_0 t + \tfrac{1}{2}at^2$, $v^2 = v_0^2 + 2ad$, $\bar{v} = \dfrac{\Delta d}{\Delta t}$, $\bar{a} = \dfrac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}$, $F_{net} = ma$, $F_g = \dfrac{Gm_1 m_2}{r^2}$, $F_g = mg$, $F_f = \mu F_N$, $p = mv$, $F\Delta t = \Delta p$, $W = Fd$, $W = \Delta E_T$, $PE = mgh$, $PE_s = \tfrac{1}{2}kx^2$, $KE = \tfrac{1}{2}mv^2$, $P = \dfrac{W}{t}$, $P = Fv$, $a_c = \dfrac{v^2}{r}$ and $F_c = \dfrac{mv^2}{r}$.

The Electricity section prints $F_e = \dfrac{kq_1 q_2}{r^2}$, $E = \dfrac{F_e}{q}$, $V = \dfrac{W}{q}$, $E = \dfrac{V}{d}$, $I = \dfrac{q}{t}$, $R = \dfrac{V}{I}$, $P = VI$, $P = I^2 R$, $P = \dfrac{V^2}{R}$, $W = Pt$, the series and parallel resistor rules, and the magnetic-force relationship $F_B = qvB$.

The Waves section prints $v = f\lambda$, $T = \dfrac{1}{f}$, $\theta_i = \theta_r$, $n = \dfrac{c}{v}$ and Snell's law $n_1 \sin\theta_1 = n_2 \sin\theta_2$.

The Modern Physics section prints $E_{photon} = hf = \dfrac{hc}{\lambda}$, $E_{photon} = E_i - E_f$, $E = mc^2$ and the matter-wave (de Broglie) relationship $\lambda = \dfrac{h}{mv}$.

What you are given versus what you recall

The practical consequence is that your preparation should target three skills: knowing where each formula lives so you can find it in seconds, knowing what every symbol and unit means so you substitute correctly, and rehearsing the constructed-response habit of showing equation, substitution and answer on separate lines.

The four content areas

The Physical Setting/Physics Core Curriculum organizes the content into four areas, covered in full by this library.

Mechanics

One- and two-dimensional kinematics (including free fall and projectile motion), forces and Newton's three laws, friction, equilibrium and free-body diagrams, momentum and impulse with conservation of momentum, work, energy and power with conservation of energy, uniform circular motion, and universal gravitation.

Electricity and magnetism

Static electricity, charging and Coulomb's law, electric fields and potential difference, current, Ohm's law, electrical power and energy, series and parallel circuits, magnetism and the force on moving charges and current-carrying wires, and electromagnetic induction.

Waves

The properties of mechanical and electromagnetic waves, the wave equation, sound and the Doppler effect, reflection and refraction with Snell's law and the index of refraction, diffraction and interference including standing waves, and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Modern physics

The dual (wave-particle) nature of light and matter, the Bohr model and atomic spectra, mass-energy equivalence and nuclear reactions (fission, fusion and the mass defect), and the Standard Model of quarks and leptons.

The modules, dot point by dot point

Each dot point below is a focused answer page with worked Regents-style questions and cross-links, and each module has an overview guide and a paired quiz.

Mechanics: kinematics and motion - vectors and scalars, displacement, velocity and acceleration, graphs of motion, the kinematic equations, free fall, projectile motion. Guide: solving kinematics problems on the Regents.

Mechanics: forces and Newton's laws - Newton's first law and inertia, Newton's second law, Newton's third law, weight and the normal force, friction, equilibrium and free-body diagrams. Guide: forces, free-body diagrams and Newton's laws.

Mechanics: momentum, energy and gravitation - momentum and impulse, conservation of momentum, work and power, energy and its conservation, uniform circular motion, universal gravitation. Guide: momentum, energy and the conservation laws.

Electricity and magnetism - static electricity and Coulomb's law, electric fields and potential, current and Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, magnetism and the motor effect, electromagnetic induction. Guide: electricity and circuits on the Regents.

Waves, sound and light - wave properties and the wave equation, sound and the Doppler effect, reflection and refraction, diffraction and interference, the electromagnetic spectrum. Guide: waves, sound and light on the Regents.

Modern physics - the dual nature of light, the Bohr model and atomic spectra, mass-energy and nuclear physics, the Standard Model. Guide: modern physics and the Standard Model.

For the official materials

NYSED publishes past Regents Physics exams, scoring keys and rating guides, the Physical Setting/Physics Core Curriculum, and the Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics. Always study from the most recent released exams and the current Reference Tables, since the booklet edition and the exact equations printed are board-specific.

• Physical Setting/Physics Regents examinations and scoring keys (NYSED)
• Reference Tables for Physical Setting/Physics (NYSED)
• Physical Setting/Physics Core Curriculum (NYSED)