AP Physics 1 Review Lecture Notes

Introduction

• Condensed review of AP Physics 1 curriculum.
• Reference longer detailed videos for more information.
• Offers additional resources: Ultimate Exam Slayer and Review Packet.

Unit 1: Kinematics

• Vectors and Scalars
  • Vectors: magnitude and direction.
  • Scalars: magnitude only.
• Distance and Displacement
  • Distance: path length (scalar).
  • Displacement: straight-line distance (vector).
• Velocity and Acceleration
  • Average velocity: displacement/time (vector).
  • Average acceleration: change in velocity/time (vector).
• Graphs and Motion
  • Slope of position vs. time = velocity.
  • Slope of velocity vs. time = acceleration.
  • Area under velocity vs. time = change in position.
  • Area under acceleration vs. time = change in velocity.
• Projectile Motion
  • Use 10 m/s² for acceleration due to gravity.
  • Constant y-direction acceleration allows UAM equations.
  • x-direction has zero acceleration; constant velocity.
• Relative Motion
  • Changes with observer's frame of reference.

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics

• Center of Mass
  • Sum of mass*position of each particle, divided by total mass.
• Forces
  • Vectors, result from two-object interaction.
  • Free Body Diagrams only show force vectors at center of mass.
• Newton’s Laws
  • First Law: Inertia (objects remain in motion/rest unless acted upon).
  • Second Law: Acceleration = net force/mass.
  • Third Law: Equal and opposite forces between two objects.
• Friction
  • Kinetic: coefficient * normal force.
  • Static: ≤ coefficient * normal force.*

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

• Mechanical Energy
  • Kinetic, gravitational potential, and elastic potential energy.
• Work
  • Forcedisplacementcosine(angle).
  • Conservative vs. Nonconservative forces.
• Energy Conservation
  • Total mechanical energy conserved if zero net work by nonconservative forces.
• Power
  • Rate of energy change: work/time or forcevelocitycosine(angle).

Unit 4: Linear Momentum

• Momentum
  • Mass*velocity; vector quantity.
• Collisions
  • Elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic.
  • Momentum conserved if net external force is negligible.*

Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

• Angular Motion
  • Displacement, velocity, acceleration, all need radians.
• Torque
  • Forcersin(theta); ability of force to cause angular acceleration.
• Rotational Inertia
  • Resistance to angular acceleration.

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

• Rotational Kinetic Energy
  • 1/2 * rotational inertia * angular speed².
• Angular Momentum
  • Rotational inertia * angular velocity.*

Unit 7: Oscillations

• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
  • Restoring force proportional to displacement.
  • Period and frequency defined.
• Graphs
  • Position, velocity, and acceleration visualized over time.

Unit 8: Fluids

• Density and Pressure
  • Density = mass/volume.
  • Pressure = force/area.
• Buoyancy
  • Buoyant force = weight of displaced fluid.
• Fluid Dynamics
  • Continuity and Bernoulli’s equations describe fluid flow.

Conclusion

• Extensive resources available for exam preparation.
• Encouragement for exam success.