Physics B completes the full-year laboratory physics course submitted under UC A-G area D. It carries energy (HS-PS3-1 to HS-PS3-5), waves and information (HS-PS4-1 to HS-PS4-5), the electric and magnetic parts of HS-PS2-4 and HS-PS2-5, and the engineering expectations HS-ETS1-1 to HS-ETS1-4 again, with RST.11-12 literacy and the Mathematical Practices. Physics A taught motion, forces, momentum and gravitation; students arrive with free-body diagrams, linearized graphs and the habit of reporting uncertainty, and this semester relies on all three.

The area D case. Reviewers look for quantitative science, hands-on laboratory work that is part of the course rather than decoration, and evidence of scientific practice. The quantitative work is visible in every unit: energy accounting in spreadsheets, specific heat from the method of mixtures, Coulomb’s law with vector addition, Ohm’s law and Kirchhoff’s rules, Faraday’s law, Snell’s law and E = hf. The labs are the heart of the case. UC’s area D guidance expects hands-on laboratory activity directly connected to the rest of the course and taking a substantial share of class time; the articulation checklist plans for at least 20%. Check the current A-G Guide wording when you submit.

Labs in Physics B. Every Investigation Lab (x.2) is hands-on with measured data: energy on a ramp, calorimetry, circuits with a multimeter and standing waves on a string. Further labs appear in other lessons: the rubber-band launcher (1.3), warming curves of insulated cups (2.4), sticky-tape charges (3.1), the electromagnet (3.3), the induction coil (3.4) and refraction with a laser pointer (4.4). Simulations (PhET, Falstad) are modeling tools and alternative routes, never the lab itself.

Evidence of practice. Lab reports ask for a claim, evidence and reasoning with an uncertainty and error discussion; tasks move through plan, peer-reviewed draft, revised final and defense. Keep samples from each stage.

Coverage across the year. The validator checks that every HS-PS2, HS-PS3, HS-PS4 and HS-ETS1 expectation is cited across the two semesters. HS-PS2-6 (designed materials) appears in both.