AP Physics C: Mechanics

[Mechanics] AP Physics C Curriculum

AP Physics C - Mechanics 

 

About the Course 

 

Explore concepts such as kinematics; Newton’s laws of motion, work, energy, and power; systems of particles and linear momentum; rotation; oscillations; and gravitation. You’ll do hands-on laboratory work and in-class activities to investigate phenomena and use calculus to solve problems. 

 
Skills You’ll Learn 

 

• Interpreting and describing visual representations of physical situations. 

• Devising a hypothesis and designing an experiment to test it. 

• Creating graphs and diagrams to represent data and physical situations. 

• Analyzing data shown in a graph. 

• Determining the relationship between physical qualities. 

• Solving physics problems using mathematical relationships. 

• Developing and supporting a scientific claim with evidence. 

 

Equivalency and Prerequisites 

 

College Course Equivalent 

A semester-long, introductory calculus-based college course in physics. 

Recommended Prerequisites 

You should have taken calculus or be taking calculus at the same time as this course. 

 

Course Content 

 

The course content outlined below is organized into commonly taught units of study that provide one possible sequence for the course. Your teacher may choose to organize the course content differently based on local priorities and preferences. 

 

Unit 1: Kinematics 

You’ll begin your study of motion and the quantities associated with the motion of an object: position, velocity, acceleration, and time. 

Unit 2: Newton’s Laws of Motion  

You’ll investigate Newton’s laws of motion, which describe the relationship among moving objects and the forces acting on them. 

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power 

You’ll learn to define and calculate work, energy, and power and become familiar with the principle of conservation as a foundational model of physics. 

Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum 

You’ll be introduced to the concepts of center of mass, impulse and momentum, and the conservation of linear momentum. 

Unit 5: Rotation 

You’ll gain an in-depth comprehension of rotational motion by investigating torque and rotational statics, kinematics, and dynamics. 

Unit 6: Oscillations 

You’ll explore the forces that cause objects to repeat their motions with a regular pattern. 

Unit 7: Gravitation 

You’ll investigate gravitational forces and the relationships shared between planets, satellites, and their orbit 

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