AP Physics 1 Quick Review

Introduction

• Mr.p condenses 3.5+ hours of AP Physics 1 content into a short review for exam preparation.
• Longer reviews and practice exams are available (links in video description).

Unit 1: Kinematics

• Vectors vs Scalars: Vectors have magnitude and direction; Scalars have only magnitude.
• Distance vs Displacement:
  • Distance: Path length, scalar
  • Displacement: Straight-line between initial and final position, vector, (\Delta x = x_f - x_i)
• Velocity and Acceleration:
  • Average velocity = displacement/time, vector
  • Average acceleration = change in velocity/time, vector
  • Instantaneous: small time intervals
• Uniformly Accelerated Motion (UAM) Equations:
  • 5 variables, 4 equations; knowing 3 variables helps find the other 2
• Graphs and Motion Analysis:
  • Position vs Time: slope = velocity
  • Velocity vs Time: slope = acceleration; area = change in position
  • Acceleration vs Time: area = change in velocity
• Projectile Motion:
  • Acceleration in y-direction: (9.81 \text{ m/s}^2) (use (10 \text{ m/s}^2) for exams)
  • x-direction: constant velocity equation
• Relative Motion: Description changes with observer’s frame of reference

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics

• Center of Mass: Total mass-weighted average position
• Forces:
  • Vectors, always between two objects
  • Free Body Diagrams (FBDs): Show all forces originating at the center of mass
• Newton’s Laws:
  • First: Law of Inertia
  • Second: Net force = mass x acceleration (vectors)
  • Third: Action-reaction pairs are equal and opposite
• Gravitational Force: Force = mass x gravitational field strength
• Friction:
  • Static and kinetic, proportional to normal force
  • Coefficient of friction ((\mu)): dimensionless, experimentally determined
• Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation: (F = G \frac{m_1 m_2}{r^2})
• Spring Force (Hooke’s Law): (F = -kx), towards equilibrium
• Circular Motion:
  • Tangential velocity, centripetal acceleration
  • Period & Frequency: Relationship (T = 1/f)
  • Centripetal force = mass x centripetal acceleration

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

• Kinetic Energy: (KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2)
• Work: Energy transfer through force over distance
• Potential Energy:
  • Gravitational: (mgh) or negative with distance in universal formula
  • Elastic: (\frac{1}{2}kx^2)
• Energy Conservation: Mechanical energy remains constant without non-conservative work
• Power:
  • Rate of energy change
  • Average power = work/change in time

Unit 4: Linear Momentum

• Momentum: (p = mv), vector
• Newton’s Second Law (Momentum): (F_{net} = \frac{\Delta p}{\Delta t})
• Impulse: Change in momentum, area under force-time graph
• Collisions:
  • Elastic, inelastic, and perfectly inelastic
  • Momentum conserved if net external force = 0_

Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

• Angular Displacement: (\theta = \theta_f - \theta_i)
• Angular Velocity and Acceleration: Rigid bodies have uniform angular motion
• Torque: Ability of force to cause rotation; (\tau = rF\sin\theta)
• Rotational Inertia: Object’s resistance to angular acceleration
• Rotational Equilibrium: Net torque = 0; constant angular velocity

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

• Rotational Kinetic Energy: (\frac{1}{2}I\omega^2)
• Angular Momentum: Conserved if net external torque = 0

Unit 7: Oscillations

• Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): Restoring force proportional to displacement
• Mass-Spring and Pendulum Systems: Specific equations for period and frequency
• Energy in SHM: Sum of kinetic and potential energy, constant in isolation

Unit 8: Fluids

• Density and Pressure:
  • Density: (\rho = \frac{m}{V})
  • Pressure: (\frac{F_{\perp}}{A})
• Buoyant Force: Equal to weight of displaced fluid
• Bernoulli’s Equation and Principle: Conservation of mechanical energy in fluids_

Conclusion

• Additional resources available for further review and practice.