AP Physics Full Review

Past Exam Breakdown

1. Energy (25%)
2. Dynamics/Newton's Law (20%)
3. Kinematics (17%)
4. Rotational Motion (16%)
5. Momentum (14%)
6. Circular Motion/Gravitation (5%)
7. Simple Harmonic Motion (3%)

Key Concepts

• Important Idea
• Vocab
• Sub-definition
• Formulas

Kinematic Equations

• Motion Graphs
  • Position graph: velocity is the slope.
  • Velocity graph: acceleration is the slope; area under is displacement.
  • Acceleration graph: area under the line is velocity.

Basic Formulas

• Acceleration = v/t
• V = d/t
• V_avg = (V1 + V2)/2

Projectile Motion

• Basics

  • Horizontal motion: velocity, displacement, time.
  • Vertical motion: initial velocity, final velocity, displacement, time, acceleration.
  • Horizontal time = vertical time.
  • Use kinematic equations for vertical quantities, then find horizontal quantities.
  • At highest point, t = -Voy / -g.

• Angles

  • Break down into horizontal and vertical components.
  • Use average velocity equation.
  • Horizontal range: Voy^2 * sin(2θ)/g.*

Forces

Newton's Laws

1. Object at rest stays at rest unless acted on by a net force; moving object maintains constant velocity unless acted upon.
2. Acceleration is the net force divided by mass (a = F_net/m).
3. Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Equilibrium

• Static Equilibrium: Net force on a motionless object/system is 0.
• Dynamic Equilibrium: Net force on a moving object/system is 0 (constant velocity).

Normal Force & Friction

• Normal force: Perpendicular to the surface (F_g = mg).
• Friction force: Parallel to the surface.
  • Static friction (F_s): Opposes motionlessness.
  • Kinetic friction (F_k): Opposes motion once moving.

Atwood Machines

• Two masses, massless string, frictionless pulley.
• Tension consistent; accelerations equal.
• System accelerated by gravity.

Mechanical Energy & Work

Work

• Work (W): Transfer of energy by force causing displacement.
• Formula: W = Fdcos(θ) or ΔKE.

Energy

• Kinetic Energy (KE): Energy of motion, K = 1/2mv^2.
• Potential Energy (PE): Energy stored, U_g = mgh.
• Elastic Potential Energy: U_s = 1/2kx^2.
• Conservation of Energy: Total energy constant in absence of friction.

Power

• Power (P): Rate of energy change, P = Fv or P = W/t.

Momentum

• Impulse (J): Change in momentum, J = F * t = Δp.*

Collisions

• Elastic Collisions: Momentum and kinetic energy conserved.
• Inelastic Collisions: Only momentum conserved, objects stick together in perfectly inelastic collisions.

Center of Mass

• Calculation: weighted average of mass distances.

Circular Motion & Gravitation

Basics

• Uniform circular motion: constant speed along circular path.

Centripetal Acceleration & Force

• Directed towards center, Ac = v^2/r.
• Fc = m * (v^2/r).*

Gravity

• Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation: Fg = G * m1 * m2 / r^2.

Rotational Motion

Quantities

• Translational, Angular, and Combination motion.

Torque

• Torque (τ): Rotational force, τ = F * r * sin(θ).

Equilibrium

• Rotational equilibrium: Net torque = 0.

Inertia

• Moment of Inertia: Resistance to rotation, influenced by mass distribution.

Angular Momentum

• Conservation: No external torque leads to constant angular momentum.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Basics

• Amplitude, Period (T), Frequency (f).

Hooke’s Law

• F_s = kx.

Periods

• Mass-spring systems: T_s = 2π√(m/k).
• Pendulum: T_p = 2π√(l/g).

Waves

Transverse Waves

• Crests, troughs, wavelength, amplitude.

Wave Speed

• v = fλ.

Superposition

• Constructive and Destructive interference.

Standing Waves

• Nodes and antinodes, harmonic frequencies.

Sound Waves

• Produced by vibrations; longitudinal.

Doppler Effect

• Change in frequency due to relative motion.

Electric Forces and Fields

Electric Charge

• Protons, Neutrons, Electrons interactions.

Coulomb’s Law

• F_E = k * q1 * q2 / r^2.

Electric Field

• E = F_on_q / q.

Direct Current Circuits

Electric Current

• Current: rate of charge flow, I = Q/t.

Resistance

• R = V/I, related to resistivity.

Voltage

• Drives current, circuit energy source.

Circuit Analysis

• Kirchhoff’s Laws: Current and voltage rules for loops and junctions.

These notes provide a comprehensive overview of the key topics, concepts, and formulas in AP Physics. Use them to study and review for exams.