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AP Course List

List specifically for AP Physics students. (Please still read the introduction for this course.)

AP Physics 1​

Based on College Board's AP Physics 1

Note that the website says "May include," so there may be missing or extra topics here.

Also, since this is "Algebra-Based," I added an entire math section for this course. :p

Unit 1: Kinematics​

10%–15% of multiple-choice exam score

Kinematics is the study of motion without considering its causes. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Scalars and vectors in one dimension (Why not 2 and 3 dimensions? 😞)
    • Scalars and Vectors have their own category here and a short section here which is more focused on vectors and scalars in kinematics.
    • One-dimensional motion is covered here.
  • Displacement, velocity, and acceleration
    • Has its own page here.
  • Representing motion
    • This section focuses on graphing and showing motion, which can be done with the following:
      • Position-time graphs
      • Velocity-time graphs
      • Mathematical equations
      • Vector notation These are covered here but will be getting their own pages soon.
  • Reference frames and relative motion
    • Relative motion has its own page here.
  • Vectors and motion in two dimensions
    • 2D motion has its own page here.

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics​

18%–23% of multiple-choice exam score

Force and Translational Dynamics is the study of the causes of motion. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Systems and center of mass
  • Forces and free-body diagrams
  • Newton’s Third Law
  • Newton’s First Law
  • Newton’s Second Law
  • Gravitational force
  • Kinetic and static friction
  • Spring forces
  • Circular motion

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power​

18%–23% of multiple-choice exam score

Work, Energy, and Power is the study of the relationship between work and energy. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Translational kinetic energy
  • Work
  • Potential energy
  • Conservation of energy
  • Power

Unit 4: Linear Momentum​

10%–15% of multiple-choice exam score

Linear Momentum is the study of the motion of objects in terms of their mass and velocity. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Linear momentum
  • Change in momentum and impulse
  • Conservation of linear momentum
  • Elastic and inelastic collisions

Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics​

10%–15% of multiple-choice exam score

Torque and Rotational Dynamics is the study of the causes of rotational motion. This unit covers the following topics:`

  • Rotational kinematics
  • Connecting linear and rotational motion
  • Torque
  • Rotational inertia
  • Rotational equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in rotational form
  • Newton’s Second Law in rotational form

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems​

5%–8% of multiple-choice exam score

Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems is the study of the relationship between energy and momentum in rotating systems. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Rotational kinetic energy
  • Torque and work
  • Angular momentum and angular impulse
  • Conservation of angular momentum
  • Rolling
  • Motion of orbiting satellites

Unit 7: Oscillations​

5%–8% of multiple-choice exam score

Oscillations is the study of periodic motion. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Defining simple harmonic motion (SHM)
  • Frequency and period of SHM
  • Representing and analyzing SHM
  • Energy of simple harmonic oscillators

Unit 8: Fluids​

10%–15% of multiple-choice exam score

Fluids is the study of the behavior of liquids and gases. This unit covers the following topics:

  • Internal structure and density
  • Pressure
  • Fluids and Newton’s laws
  • Fluids and conservation laws