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SciencePhysics

AP Physics 1: Algebra-Based

Use algebra, representations, experiments, and conservation laws to reason about motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations, and fluids.

Start with the course map All AP courses

Course map

Open a section, then choose the exact idea.

1Kinematics5 topics

Represent one- and two-dimensional motion with vectors, graphs, equations, and reference frames while distinguishing position, velocity, and acceleration.

  1. 1.1Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension
  2. 1.2Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
  3. 1.3Representing Motion
  4. 1.4Reference Frames and Relative Motion
  5. 1.5Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions

2Force and Translational Dynamics9 topics

Define systems and apply Newton’s laws to gravitational, frictional, spring, contact, and circular-motion interactions.

  1. 2.1Systems and Center of Mass
  2. 2.2Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
  3. 2.3Newton’s Third Law
  4. 2.4Newton’s First Law
  5. 2.5Newton’s Second Law
  6. 2.6Gravitational Force
  7. 2.7Kinetic and Static Friction
  8. 2.8Spring Forces
  9. 2.9Circular Motion

3Work, Energy, and Power5 topics

Relate work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation, and power to changes in translational mechanical systems.

  1. 3.1Translational Kinetic Energy
  2. 3.2Work
  3. 3.3Potential Energy
  4. 3.4Conservation of Energy
  5. 3.5Power

4Linear Momentum4 topics

Use impulse, momentum change, conservation, and collision models to analyze interactions between objects and systems.

  1. 4.1Linear Momentum
  2. 4.2Change in Momentum and Impulse
  3. 4.3Conservation of Linear Momentum
  4. 4.4Elastic and Inelastic Collisions

5Torque and Rotational Dynamics6 topics

Translate linear ideas into rotation by connecting angular motion, torque, rotational inertia, equilibrium, and Newton’s laws.

  1. 5.1Rotational Kinematics
  2. 5.2Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion
  3. 5.3Torque
  4. 5.4Rotational Inertia
  5. 5.5Rotational Equilibrium and Newton’s First Law in Rotational Form
  6. 5.6Newton’s Second Law in Rotational Form

6Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems6 topics

Analyze rotating and rolling systems through work, energy, angular impulse, angular momentum, conservation, and orbital motion.

  1. 6.1Rotational Kinetic Energy
  2. 6.2Torque and Work
  3. 6.3Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
  4. 6.4Conservation of Angular Momentum
  5. 6.5Rolling
  6. 6.6Motion of Orbiting Satellites

7Oscillations4 topics

Describe simple harmonic motion through restoring behavior, period, frequency, representations, and energy transformations.

  1. 7.1Defining Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM)
  2. 7.2Frequency and Period of SHM
  3. 7.3Representing and Analyzing SHM
  4. 7.4Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators

8Fluids4 topics

Relate density and pressure to force, motion, energy, and momentum conservation in static and moving fluids.

  1. 8.1Internal Structure and Density
  2. 8.2Pressure
  3. 8.3Fluids and Newton’s Laws
  4. 8.4Fluids and Conservation Laws