AP Physics 1 Review Summary

Introduction

• Review of AP Physics 1 curriculum in 30 minutes.
• More extensive resources available including detailed video reviews and practice exams.

Unit 1: Kinematics

• Vectors and Scalars:
  • Vectors have magnitude and direction.
  • Scalars have magnitude only.
• Distance vs Displacement:
  • Distance is the length of the path taken.
  • Displacement is the straight-line distance between two points, a vector.
• Velocity and Acceleration:
  • Average velocity = displacement / time, a vector.
  • Average acceleration = change in velocity / time, a vector.
  • Instantaneous values exist when time intervals are very small.
• Uniformly Accelerated Motion (UAM):
  • Use UAM equations when acceleration is constant.
  • 5 variables, 4 equations; knowing 3 allows finding the other 2.
• Graphical Analysis:
  • 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:
  • Only gravity acts, use acceleration = 10 m/s².
  • Use UAM in y-direction, constant velocity in x-direction.
• Relative Motion:
  • Motion changes with observer’s frame of reference.

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics

• Center of Mass:
  • Sum of mass-position products divided by total mass.
• Forces:
  • All forces are vectors; interaction between two objects.
  • Free Body Diagrams illustrate forces.
• Newton’s Laws:
  • 1st Law: Object remains at rest or constant velocity without external net force.
  • 2nd Law: Acceleration = net force / mass.
  • 3rd Law: Equal and opposite reaction forces.
  • Translational equilibrium when net force is zero.
• Gravitational and Frictional Forces:
  • Gravitational force = mass * gravitational field strength.
  • Friction opposes sliding motion and is parallel to the surface.
• Universal Gravitation and Hooke's Law:
  • Universal gravitation: Force = G * (mass1 * mass2) / distance².
  • Hooke’s Law: Spring force = -k * displacement.

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

• Energy Types:
  • Kinetic, gravitational potential, elastic potential energy.
• Work:
  • Work = force * displacement * cos(theta).
• Conservative and Nonconservative Forces:
  • Conservative: path-independent (e.g., gravity, springs).
  • Nonconservative: path-dependent (e.g., friction).
• Energy Conservation:
  • Total mechanical energy remains if no net work.
  • Work-energy principle: Net work = change in kinetic energy.
• Power:
  • Rate of energy change over time.
  • Power = work / time.

Unit 4: Linear Momentum

• Momentum and Impulse:
  • Momentum = mass * velocity.
  • Impulse = change in momentum.
• Collisions:
  • Elastic: Kinetic energy conserved.
  • Inelastic: Kinetic energy not conserved.
  • Perfectly inelastic: Objects stick together.
• Conservation of Momentum:
  • Momentum remains constant if net external force is zero.*

Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

• Rotational Motion:
  • Angular displacement, velocity, acceleration.
  • All must be in radians.
• Torque:
  • Torque causes angular acceleration; torque = r * F * sin(theta).
• Rotational Inertia:
  • Resists angular acceleration; depends on mass distribution.
• Newton’s Laws in Rotation:
  • 1st Law: Constant angular velocity without external torque.
  • 2nd Law: Net torque = rotational inertia * angular acceleration.*

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

• Rotational Kinetic Energy:
  • Rotational kinetic energy = 1/2 * rotational inertia * angular speed².
• Angular Momentum:
  • Angular momentum = rotational inertia * angular velocity.
• Rolling Motion:
  • Combines translational and rotational motion.
• Orbits:
  • Circular: Mechanical energy and angular momentum constant.
  • Elliptical: Only angular momentum constant.*

Unit 7: Oscillations

• Simple Harmonic Motion:
  • Restoring force proportional to displacement.
  • Period = time for one cycle; amplitude = max displacement.
• Mass-Spring and Pendulum Systems:
  • Mass-spring: Period = 2π√(m/k).
  • Pendulum: Period = 2π√(L/g) for small angles.

Unit 8: Fluids

• Density and Pressure:
  • Density = mass / volume.
  • Pressure = force / area.
• Buoyant Force:
  • Equals weight of displaced fluid.
• Fluid Dynamics:
  • Continuity equation: Volumetric flow rate is constant.
  • Bernoulli's equation: Mechanical energy conservation.
  • Torricelli’s Theorem: Fluid exit speed from a small hole.

Conclusion

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• Encouragement and confidence boost for exam preparation.