AP® Physics 1 Study Guide
Comprehensive AP® Physics 1 (algebra-based) guide covering all eight units of the redesigned 2024 CED: Kinematics, Force and Translational Dynamics, Work/Energy/Power, Linear Momentum, Torque and Rotational Dynamics, Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems, Oscillations, and Fluids. Includes the equation/constants sheet, the three science practices, and a dedicated capstone on the four FRQ types (Mathematical Routines, Translation Between Representations, Experimental Design and Analysis, Qualitative/Quantitative Translation).
The Prep Den AP® Physics 1 study guide is your complete companion for revising the course: full topic-by-topic coverage, interactive flashcards, practice quizzes with worked explanations, a key-terms bank, and exam-technique tips. Use it as your main study guide or as a supplement to your textbook and class notes.
Topics Covered
What you get
Unit 1: Kinematics
THE BIG PICTURE. Unit 1 (10–15% of the MC) is the language layer for everything downstream. Forces (Unit 2), energy (Unit 3), momentum (Unit 4), and the rotational analogues (Units 5 & 6) are all about motion, so if your kinematics is sloppy, every later unit inherits that sloppiness. Two ideas dominate: (1) vectors vs. scalars, and (2) the three constant-acceleration equations plus their graphical interpretation.
Sample Flashcards
A car moves in the direction with m/s and m/s. Speeding up or slowing down?
Speeding up. Both and are negative, so the velocity is becoming more negative: the car moves in the direction faster.
The "negative acceleration means slowing down" intuition is wrong. That rule only works when .
A ball is thrown straight up at 20 m/s. How long until it returns to the launch height?
About 4.08 s. Use with m/s at landing (same speed, opposite direction) and m/s: , so s.
Or: time up s, doubled for the symmetric trajectory.
Sample Key Terms
Scalar
Quantity with magnitude only (mass, time, speed, distance, energy). Sign carries no directional meaning.
Vector
Quantity with magnitude AND direction (displacement, velocity, acceleration, force, momentum). In 1D, encoded as signed value; in 2D, as components.
Displacement ()
Vector change in position: . Independent of path. Magnitude distance travelled.
What's Covered
- Unit 1: Kinematics
- Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics
- Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power
- Unit 4: Linear Momentum
- Unit 5: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
- Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
- Unit 7: Oscillations
- Unit 8: Fluids
- Exam Skills: Science Practices, Equation Sheet & FRQ Strategy
9 topics · 108+ flashcards · quizzes included
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