AP Physics 1
Everything about AP Physics 1. Beginner to advanced levels
66 articles
Unit 8.4 | Bernoulli’s Equation
Learn Bernoulli's equation for AP Physics 1: conservation of energy for fluids, why fast flow has low pressure, pipes that change height, and draining tanks.
Unit 8.2 | Buoyancy and Archimedes’ Principle
Learn buoyancy and Archimedes' principle for AP Physics 1: where the buoyant force comes from, floating objects, apparent weight and Newton's laws in fluids.
Unit 8.3 | Fluid Flow and the Continuity Equation
Learn fluid flow for AP Physics 1: volume flow rate Q = Av, the continuity equation A₁v₁ = A₂v₂, branching pipes and streams that narrow as they fall.
Unit 8.1 | Density and Pressure
Learn density and fluid pressure for AP Physics 1: ρ = m/V, P = F/A, absolute and gauge pressure at depth, and U-tubes, containers and straws.
Unit 7.4 | Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
Learn how energy moves around a simple harmonic oscillator: E = ½kA², the speed at any position, energy graphs, and what happens when the system changes mid-cycle.
Unit 7.2 | Period and Frequency of Springs and Pendulums
Learn the period and frequency of simple harmonic motion: T = 2π√(m/k) for springs, T = 2π√(L/g) for pendulums, what changes the period and what does not.
Unit 7.3 | Representing and Analyzing SHM
Learn to represent simple harmonic motion with x = A cos(2πft), position, velocity and acceleration graphs, and force vs. position graphs.
Unit 6.4 | Rolling and Orbiting Satellites
Learn rolling without slipping, why a sphere beats a hoop down a ramp, and how orbits conserve angular momentum and energy, including escape speed.
Unit 6.2 | Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
Learn angular momentum for spinning objects and moving points, angular impulse, and how to read torque vs. time and angular momentum vs. time graphs.
Unit 6.1 | Rotational Kinetic Energy and Work
Learn rotational kinetic energy and the work done by a torque, then solve flywheels, brakes, torque vs. angle graphs and pulleys with energy.
Unit 5.3 | Rotational Equilibrium
Learn Newton's first law for rotation, the two conditions for static equilibrium, and a 3-step method for seesaws, beams, hinged shelves and ladders.
Unit 5.4 | Rotational Inertia and Newton’s Second Law
Learn rotational inertia, the parallel axis theorem and Newton's second law for rotation, then solve pulleys with mass and swinging rods.
Unit 5.2 | Torque
Learn what torque is, how to calculate it with τ = rF sin θ, how to sign and add torques, and how an object's own weight makes a torque.
Unit 4.4 | Momentum and Energy Together
Solve the hardest AP momentum problems by splitting them at the collision: momentum for the hit, energy before and after. Ballistic pendulums, slides and springs.
Unit 5.1 | Rotational Kinematics
Learn how to describe rotation with angular position, velocity and acceleration, use the rotational kinematic equations, and link spin to the speed of a point.
Unit 4.2 | Conservation of Momentum
Learn why the total momentum of a system is conserved, how to choose the system, and the problem types that test it, from added mass to the center of mass.
Unit 4.3 | Collisions and Explosions
Solve every collision and explosion with one momentum framework: objects that stick, objects that bounce, and explosions and recoil, plus elastic vs. inelastic.
Unit 3.3 | Conservation of Energy, Systems, and Problem Solving
Learn the law of conservation of energy, open and closed systems, conservative and nonconservative forces, and a 3 step framework to solve any energy problem.
Unit 3.4 | Understanding and Applying Power
Learn the difference between energy and power, how to calculate power from work and time, and the P = Fv shortcut for moving objects.
Unit 3.2 | Work and the Work-Energy Theorem
Learn how forces transfer energy through work, when work is positive, negative, or zero, and how the work-energy theorem connects forces to kinetic energy.
Unit 6.3 | Conservation of Angular Momentum
Learn when angular momentum is conserved, why spinning skaters speed up, and how to solve rotational collisions with turntables and pivoted rods.
Unit 7.1 | Defining Simple Harmonic Motion
Learn what makes motion simple harmonic: the restoring force F = -kx, equilibrium and amplitude, vertical springs, and why a small-angle pendulum is SHM.
Unit 4.1 | Momentum and Impulse
Learn what momentum is, why it is a vector, how impulse changes it, and why airbags and soft landings work.
Unit 3.1 | Powering the Universe – Understanding Energy in Physics
Learn what energy really is and how to calculate kinetic, gravitational potential, and spring potential energy. The foundation for every energy problem in AP Physics 1.
Unit 2.A | Understanding Circular Motion and Centripetal Forces
Understand the fundamental forces that allows object to move in a circular path. This involves tackling the centripetal force and acceleration conceptually.
Unit 2.7 | Problem Solving – Simple Pulley Systems
This article delves into the realm of pulley system problems, illustrating the basics of a simple pulley system, referred to as an Atwood's machine. It discusses the implications of having a massless versus a massive pulley, the direction of acceleration in pulley systems, and offers two approaches to solving pulley problems: a longer method using force framework, and a shorter method treating the system as a whole. Various levels of problem scenarios are provided for practice, exploring different configurations and challenges posed by pulley systems.
Unit 2.6 | Advanced Problem Solving – Objects on Incline Planes
The article elaborates on solving problems related to objects on incline planes, covering Force Body Diagrams for inclines, dealing with vectors at angles, and providing a variety of problems to solve. It maintains a focus on applying a systematic framework to tackle such problems.
Unit 2.5 | Advanced Problem Solving – Tension and Elevators
The article delves into advanced problems concerning tension in ropes and forces in elevators. It explains the concept of apparent weight, its visualization, and how to calculate it in different scenarios, particularly in elevators. It also offers problems to solve, aimed at practicing the framework of drawing Force Body Diagrams, finding net forces, and using F=ma to solve for unknowns.
Unit 2.4 | Easily Solve Any Linear Force Problems and Deriving Equation
The article provides a structured approach to solving linear force problems in physics, emphasizing the derivation of equations over memorization. It discusses different types of force problems, differentiating between static and non-static situations, and outlines a framework to tackle single-body force problems by deriving equations from basic principles
Unit 2.3 | Drawing FBD (Force Diagrams) Quickly and Accurately
The article guides readers on how to draw Force Body Diagrams (FBDs), essential tools in solving physics problems. It offers steps to draw FBDs correctly, introduces five important rules related to forces and their representations in FBDs, and provides practice problems to reinforce learning
Unit 2.2 | Common Linear Forces in Physics
The article explains linear forces in physics, covering the basics of force, the significance of understanding forces, common linear forces and their equations. It elucidates the differences between force, mass, and gravity, along with examples like pushing a box to illustrate these concepts
Unit 2.1 | Understanding and Applying Newton’s Law in Depth
The article delves into the intricacies of Newton's three laws of motion, illustrating how they are applied to everyday phenomena through engaging examples. It also touches on the concepts of inertia, force, and net force, along with counterintuitive scenarios to stimulate understanding and reasoning skills
Unit 1.5 | Solving Projectile Motion (Motion in 2 Dimensions)
Solve problems in 2 dimensions, in a quick and simple way
Unit 1.4 | Applying Kinematic Equations in 1 Dimension Easily
Using the "Big 4" equations to solve interesting motion problems.
Unit 1.3 | Kinematic graphs made simple
Learn how to turn scenarios into motion graphs.
Unit 1.2 | Variables in Kinematics: Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
Understand the basics of Kinematics (the study of motion).
Unit 1.1 | Understanding vectors and the standard units used in Physics
Build a robust understanding of vectors in the simplest way possible
