AP®︎ Physics 1 Unit 1: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 1 of AP Physics 1 – Kinematics.

Exam weight: 10%–15%
5 Topics

Unit 1: Kinematics

How objects move in one and two dimensions, described through displacement, velocity, and acceleration.

Begin with Topic 1.1: Scalars and Vectors in On...

To review Unit 1, go through each of the 5 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 1 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics 1 curriculum.

Topic 1.1
~6 min
Review
Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension
Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension
  • What Scalars and Vectors Are
  • Vector Representation in One Dimension
  • Distance vs Displacement
Review
Topic 1.2
~6 min
Review
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • The Object Model and Position
  • Displacement
  • Average Velocity
Review
Topic 1.3
~5 min
Review
Representing Motion
Representing Motion
  • Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • Ways to Represent Motion
  • Constant Acceleration Kinematic Equations
Review
Topic 1.4
~6 min
Review
Reference Frames and Relative Motion
Reference Frames and Relative Motion
  • What a Reference Frame Is
  • Inertial Reference Frames
  • The Relative Velocity Equation
Review
Topic 1.5
~5 min
Review
Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
  • What a Vector Is and How It Breaks into Components
  • Motion in Two Dimensions Means Two Independent 1D Motions
  • Projectile Motion
Review

Notes

1 credit used · 5/5 remaining