General Physics I Study Guide

Kinematics in One and Two Dimensions

Motion analysis using position, velocity, and acceleration graphs and equations for linear and projectile motion.

Newton's Laws of Motion

Force interactions, free-body diagrams, and applying Newton's three laws to solve equilibrium and acceleration problems.

Friction, Normal Forces, and Force Analysis

Static and kinetic friction, inclined planes, tension, and multi-object systems with connected masses.

Applications of Newton's Laws

Applies force concepts to friction, tension, and circular motion; frequently tested in multi-step problem scenarios.

Circular Motion and Gravitation

Centripetal acceleration, universal gravitation, orbital motion, and satellite dynamics essential for AP problem-solving.

Work, Energy, and Power

Explores energy transfer and conservation; critical for solving problems using energy methods instead of kinematics.

Conservation of Energy

Analyzes systems using potential and kinetic energy transformations; fundamental for qualitative and quantitative AP questions.

Linear Momentum and Impulse

Momentum conservation, impulse-momentum theorem, elastic and inelastic collisions in one and two dimensions.

Linear Momentum and Collisions

Covers impulse, momentum conservation, and collision types; heavily tested in both experimental and calculation contexts.

Rotational Kinematics

Angular displacement, velocity, acceleration, and relationships between rotational and translational motion variables.

Center of Mass and Systems of Particles

Describes motion of complex systems; connects momentum concepts to real-world multi-object scenarios on exams.

Torque and Rotational Dynamics

Torque, rotational inertia, Newton's second law for rotation, and static equilibrium with multiple torques.

Rotational Energy and Angular Momentum

Rotational kinetic energy, rolling motion, angular momentum conservation, and rotational collisions on AP exams.

Simple Harmonic Motion

Oscillations of springs and pendulums, period, frequency, energy transformations, and restoring force analysis.

Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

Explores rotational analog of linear momentum; frequently appears in free-response questions involving spinning systems.

Mechanical Waves and Sound

Wave properties, transverse and longitudinal waves, superposition, standing waves, and resonance phenomena.

AP Exam Strategies and Experimental Design

Free-response techniques, paragraph arguments, experimental design skills, and data analysis for maximum AP scores.