High school algebra-based introductory physics

AP Physics 1

Study AP Physics 1 through the current 8-unit sequence, from motion and forces through rotation, oscillations, and fluids.

8 units32 lessonsStudents in AP Physics 1, students preparing for the AP exam, and learners who want a first calculus-free mechanics course.
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Course overview

AP Physics 1 builds a connected model of physical systems using experiments, representations, and algebraic reasoning. The course starts with motion, adds interactions with forces, develops conservation laws for energy and momentum, extends those ideas to rotational systems, then applies them to oscillations and fluid behavior.

Complete curriculum

Every unit and lesson

32 lessons total
  1. 01

    Unit 1 · 4 lessons

    Kinematics

    Describe motion in one and two dimensions using position, velocity, acceleration, graphs, and algebraic relationships.

    Why it matters

    Clear motion models are the base for every later unit, including forces, energy, and momentum.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Interpret and connect position-time, velocity-time, and acceleration-time graphs.
    • Solve constant-acceleration problems with correct signs, units, and known assumptions.
    • Model projectile motion by separating horizontal and vertical components.
    1. 1.1
      Position, displacement, and velocity

      Distinguish vector and scalar ideas and interpret motion direction from signs and graphs.

    2. 1.2
      Acceleration and motion graphs

      Relate slope and area on motion graphs to physical quantities.

    3. 1.3
      Constant-acceleration equations

      Choose and apply kinematic equations from known and unknown variables.

    4. 1.4
      Projectile motion

      Represent 2D motion with independent horizontal and vertical models.

    Study unit 1 in detail
  2. 02

    Unit 2 · 4 lessons

    Force and Translational Dynamics

    Use free-body diagrams and Newton's laws to predict how interactions change the motion of objects and systems.

    Why it matters

    Dynamics explains why motion changes, not just how it looks, and supports quantitative problem solving across physics.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Draw complete free-body diagrams with labeled interaction forces.
    • Apply Newton's laws to single objects and connected systems.
    • Analyze friction, tension, normal force, and inclined-plane situations with justified assumptions.
    1. 2.1
      Interactions and free-body diagrams

      Translate physical scenarios into force representations for analysis.

    2. 2.2
      Newton's first and second laws

      Connect net force to acceleration direction and magnitude.

    3. 2.3
      Newton's third law pairs

      Identify equal-and-opposite interaction forces on different objects.

    4. 2.4
      Dynamics of connected systems

      Set up equations for multi-object systems including friction and tension.

    Study unit 2 in detail
  3. 03

    Unit 3 · 4 lessons

    Work, Energy, and Power

    Track energy transfers and system changes using work-energy ideas, conservation principles, and power.

    Why it matters

    Energy methods often solve complex motion problems more directly than force-by-force kinematics.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Compute work done by constant forces using force, displacement, and angle.
    • Apply conservation of mechanical energy when assumptions are valid.
    • Interpret power as the rate of energy transfer in physical and engineering contexts.
    1. 3.1
      Work by constant forces

      Determine positive, negative, or zero work from force-displacement geometry.

    2. 3.2
      Kinetic and potential energy

      Relate speed and position changes to energy changes in a system.

    3. 3.3
      Conservation of energy

      Use system boundaries to include or exclude nonconservative work.

    4. 3.4
      Power and efficiency

      Analyze how quickly energy is transferred or transformed.

    Study unit 3 in detail
  4. 04

    Unit 4 · 4 lessons

    Linear Momentum

    Use momentum, impulse, and conservation laws to analyze one-dimensional collisions, rebounds, and forces acting over short time intervals.

    Why it matters

    Momentum conservation explains outcomes of short, strong interactions where force details are hard to track directly.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Calculate linear momentum for single objects and multi-object systems.
    • Relate impulse to momentum change using force-time reasoning.
    • Apply momentum conservation in one-dimensional collision and explosion problems.
    1. 4.1
      Momentum and system choice

      Define system boundaries and momentum signs before solving.

    2. 4.2
      Impulse and force-time graphs

      Use graph area to compute impulse and predict momentum change.

    3. 4.3
      Conservation in collisions

      Set up momentum equations for elastic and inelastic cases.

    4. 4.4
      Recoil and explosion models

      Analyze separation events from total momentum constraints.

    Study unit 4 in detail
  5. 05

    Unit 5 · 4 lessons

    Torque and Rotational Dynamics

    Extend force ideas to rotation using torque, rotational inertia, angular acceleration, and equilibrium conditions.

    Why it matters

    Many real systems rotate, and rotational analysis is needed for machines, structures, and everyday tools.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Compute torque from force, lever arm, and angle with sign conventions.
    • Apply rotational analogs of Newton's second law to rigid-body motion.
    • Use translational and rotational equilibrium to solve static situations.
    1. 5.1
      Angular quantities and rigid rotation

      Connect angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration to linear motion at radius r.

    2. 5.2
      Torque and lever arm

      Determine torque direction and magnitude for multiple-force setups.

    3. 5.3
      Rotational inertia and dynamics

      Relate torque, moment of inertia, and angular acceleration.

    4. 5.4
      Static equilibrium

      Solve for unknown forces using force and torque balance.

    Study unit 5 in detail
  6. 06

    Unit 6 · 4 lessons

    Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

    Use rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum conservation to model spinning and rolling systems.

    Why it matters

    These principles explain behavior of wheels, skaters, gyroscopic devices, and many engineering designs.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Compute rotational kinetic energy and combine it with translational energy for rolling motion.
    • Apply angular momentum conservation in isolated-system interactions.
    • Predict qualitative and quantitative effects of changing rotational inertia.
    1. 6.1
      Rotational kinetic energy

      Use Krot = 1/2 I omega2a^2 in energy accounting.

    2. 6.2
      Rolling without slipping

      Connect v and omega to combine translational and rotational terms.

    3. 6.3
      Angular momentum

      Define and calculate angular momentum for point masses and rigid objects.

    4. 6.4
      Conservation in rotational interactions

      Model collisions and shape changes in near-isolated rotating systems.

    Study unit 6 in detail
  7. 07

    Unit 7 · 4 lessons

    Oscillations

    Model periodic motion with restoring forces, energy exchange, and system parameters that set period and frequency.

    Why it matters

    Oscillations appear in clocks, instruments, sensors, and many natural systems where repeated motion carries information.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Describe simple harmonic motion using displacement, velocity, acceleration, and phase relationships.
    • Relate period and frequency to mass-spring and pendulum system parameters.
    • Track energy exchange between kinetic and potential forms during oscillation.
    1. 7.1
      Periodic motion basics

      Identify amplitude, period, and frequency from representations.

    2. 7.2
      Mass-spring systems

      Use restoring-force and period relationships for horizontal and vertical setups.

    3. 7.3
      Pendulum models

      Apply small-angle approximations and discuss model limits.

    4. 7.4
      Energy in oscillations

      Explain how total energy remains constant in an ideal undamped oscillator.

    Study unit 7 in detail
  8. 08

    Unit 8 · 4 lessons

    Fluids

    Analyze fluid behavior with pressure, buoyancy, continuity, and energy ideas in static and moving fluids.

    Why it matters

    Fluid models explain weather tools, blood flow principles, ships, aircraft lift contexts, and many engineering systems.

    By the end, you will be able to
    • Compute pressure in fluids and describe how it varies with depth.
    • Apply buoyancy and density concepts to floating and sinking conditions.
    • Use continuity and Bernoulli-style energy reasoning in steady flow contexts.
    1. 8.1
      Pressure and hydrostatic effects

      Relate pressure to force, area, and depth in fluids at rest.

    2. 8.2
      Buoyancy and Archimedes principle

      Determine buoyant force from displaced fluid weight.

    3. 8.3
      Continuity of flow

      Connect cross-sectional area and speed for incompressible steady flow.

    4. 8.4
      Energy in moving fluids

      Use pressure-speed-height relationships with stated assumptions.

    Study unit 8 in detail

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