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AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based
AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics by developing models of physical phenomena through inquiry-based investigations. Students build their understanding of physical models as they explore and solve problems in these content areas: Kinematics, Forces and Translational Dynamics, Work, Energy, and Power, Linear Momentum, Torque and Rotational Dynamics, Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems, Oscillations, and Fluids.
What is included
8 units and 45 lessons of AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based, free to start in Stellar at your own pace.
8Units
45Lessons
Units
8 units in AP® Physics 1: Algebra-Based
- 01KinematicsKinematics is the branch of classical mechanics that describes the motion of objects—such as position, velocity, and acceleration—and to represent that motion through equations, graphs, and diagrams. This unit covers the three basic kinematics formulas via one dimensional motion, relative motion through reference frames, and two dimensional motion. The skills developed in kinematics are referenced throughout every unit in AP physics.6 lessonsPreview unit
- 02Force and Translational DynamicsForce and translational Dynamics covers how forces act on a system, determining whether it accelerates, moves at constant velocity, or stays at rest. This unit covers Newton's three laws of motion, systems and free-body diagrams, and specific force types: gravitational force, friction, spring forces, and circular motion. Free-body diagrams and Newton's second law are used throughout the rest of AP physics 1 to analyze systems ranging from inclined planes and pulleys to rotating and oscillating objects.9 lessonsPreview unit
- 03Work, Energy, and PowerWork, Energy, and Power introduces energy as a scalar quantity that you'll later use to analyze systems without tracking every force at every instant. This unit covers kinetic energy (KE), work (W) as the mechanism that transfers energy in and out of a system, potential energy (U) stored due to position, conservation of energy across a system's initial and final states, and power as the rate of energy transfer. Conservation of energy serves as an intuitive workaround to many otherwise complex dynamics problems, proving to be a core problem-solving tool used throughout the rest of AP Physics 1, especially in rotational motion and oscillations.5 lessonsPreview unit
- 04Linear MomentumLinear Momentum introduces momentum as a vector quantity (p = mv) and impulse as the mechanism that changes it (J = FΔt). This unit covers momentum, impulse and the impulse-momentum theorem, conservation of momentum in isolated systems, and how elastic and inelastic collisions differ in whether kinetic energy is conserved. Conservation of momentum lets you analyze interactions like collisions and explosions without knowing the details of the forces involved.4 lessonsPreview unit
- 05Torque and Rotational DynamicsTorque and Rotational Dynamics move beyond the linear concepts of kinematics and Newton's laws, translating them into rotational motion. This unit covers rotational kinematics, the connection between linear and rotational quantities, torque as the rotational form of force, rotational inertia as the rotational form of mass, rotational equilibrium, and Newton's second law in rotational form (τ = Iα). These rotational forms match those covered in Units 1 and 2 directly and are extended further in Unit 6.6 lessonsPreview unit
- 06Energy and Momentum of Rotating SystemsEnergy and Momentum of Rotating Systems extends the conservation tools from Units 3 and 4 into rotational motion. This unit covers rotational kinetic energy, work done by torque, angular momentum and angular impulse, conservation of angular momentum, rolling motion, and the motion of orbiting objects. Together, these tools let you analyze spinning, rolling, and orbiting systems using the same conservation strategies applied to linear motion earlier in the course.7 lessonsPreview unit
- 07OscillationsOscillations covers periodic motion, focusing on Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): motion driven by a restoring force proportional to displacement from equilibrium. This unit covers how to identify SHM, the period and frequency of spring-mass and pendulum systems, how to represent and interpret SHM using position, velocity, and acceleration graphs, and how energy switches between kinetic and potential during oscillation. SHM builds on force and energy concepts from earlier units and applies them to a new, repeating type of motion.4 lessonsPreview unit
- 08FluidsFluids introduces density, pressure, and how forces and conservation laws apply to liquids. This unit covers density as mass per volume, pressure and how it varies with depth, buoyant force as a result of pressure differences (Archimedes' principle), and conservation laws governing fluid flow, including the continuity equation and Bernoulli's equation. Fluids connects forces and energy concepts from earlier units to a new kind of system where mass is continuously distributed rather than concentrated in objects.4 lessonsPreview unit
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