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AP courses

AP Physics 1

Algebra-based mechanics, from kinematics and forces through energy, momentum, rotation, and oscillations.

8 units · 48 lessons · 410 practice items · 127 videos

AP Physics 1 is the algebra-based introduction to mechanics. You begin with kinematics and the description of motion, then move into forces and translational dynamics, work and energy, and linear momentum. The later units carry those ideas into rotation with torque, rotational dynamics, and the energy and momentum of spinning systems, and the course closes with oscillations and the motion of springs and pendulums. Each unit reuses the conservation laws set up earlier.

You answer many problems by drawing the physics itself: force vectors on a diagram, energy bar charts, motion graphs you sketch or read values from. Most problems carry hints, and a small set follows the answer with worked steps, so the reasoning stays tied to a physical picture even when the algebra gets busy.

This course follows the College Board's published AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based framework.

Syllabus

Every published lesson in this course, by unit.

Kinematics7 lessons
  1. 1Scalars, vectors, and displacement
  2. 2Average and instantaneous velocity
  3. 3Acceleration
  4. 4Representing motion with graphs
  5. 5Motion with constant acceleration
  6. 6Reference frames and relative motion
  7. 7Two-dimensional motion and projectiles
Force and translational dynamics9 lessons
  1. 1Systems and center of mass
  2. 2Forces and free-body diagrams
  3. 3Newton's first law and inertia
  4. 4Newton's second law
  5. 5Newton's third law
  6. 6Gravitational force, weight, and the normal force
  7. 7Friction and inclined planes
  8. 8Spring force and Hooke's law
  9. 9Uniform circular motion
Work, energy, and power5 lessons
  1. 1Translational kinetic energy
  2. 2Work and the work-energy theorem
  3. 3Potential energy: gravitational and elastic
  4. 4Conservation of energy
  5. 5Power
Linear momentum6 lessons
  1. 1Linear momentum
  2. 2Impulse and the change in momentum
  3. 3Conservation of linear momentum
  4. 4Inelastic collisions
  5. 5Elastic collisions
  6. 6Two-dimensional collisions
Torque and rotational dynamics6 lessons
  1. 1Rotational kinematics
  2. 2Connecting linear and rotational motion
  3. 3Torque
  4. 4Rotational inertia
  5. 5Rotational equilibrium
  6. 6Newton's second law for rotation
Energy and momentum of rotating systems6 lessons
  1. 1Rotational kinetic energy
  2. 2Work and power in rotation
  3. 3Angular momentum and angular impulse
  4. 4Conservation of angular momentum
  5. 5Rolling
  6. 6Motion of orbiting satellites
Oscillations5 lessons
  1. 1Simple harmonic motion
  2. 2Period and frequency of a mass on a spring
  3. 3The simple pendulum
  4. 4Describing SHM with graphs
  5. 5Energy in simple harmonic motion
Fluids4 lessons
  1. 1Density and the structure of matter
  2. 2Pressure in a fluid
  3. 3Buoyancy and Newton's laws in fluids
  4. 4Fluid flow and conservation laws