AP®︎ Physics 1 Unit 2: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 2 of AP Physics 1 – Force and Translational Dynamics.

Exam weight: 18%–23%
9 Topics

Unit 2: Force and Translational Dynamics

What causes objects to speed up, slow down, or change direction, built around Newton's three laws and free-body diagrams.

Begin with Topic 2.1: Systems and Center of Mas...

To review Unit 2, go through each of the 9 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 2 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics 1 curriculum.

Topic 2.1
~6 min
Review
Systems and Center of Mass
Systems and Center of Mass
  • What a System Is in Physics
  • The Center of Mass
  • How to Find the Center of Mass
Review
Topic 2.2
~7 min
Review
Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
  • What a Force Is
  • Types of Forces You Must Recognize
  • Newton’s Third Law and Force Pairs
Review
Topic 2.3
~7 min
Review
Newton’s Third Law
Newton’s Third Law
  • Newton’s Third Law
  • Internal Forces and the Center of Mass
  • Tension in Strings, Cables, and Chains
Review
Topic 2.4
~6 min
Review
Newton’s First Law
Newton’s First Law
  • What Newton’s First Law Says
  • Net Force and Translational Equilibrium
  • Balanced vs Unbalanced Forces
Review
Topic 2.5
~6 min
Review
Newton’s Second Law
Newton’s Second Law
  • When Velocity Changes
  • Balanced vs. Unbalanced Forces
  • Net External Force and the System
Review
Topic 2.6
~7 min
Review
Gravitational Force
Gravitational Force
  • Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
  • Gravitational Field and Weight
  • Apparent Weight and Acceleration
Review
Topic 2.7
~6 min
Review
Kinetic and Static Friction
Kinetic and Static Friction
  • What Friction Is
  • The Normal Force and Coefficients of Friction
  • Static vs. Kinetic Friction
Review
Topic 2.8
~7 min
Review
Spring Forces
Spring Forces
  • What an Ideal Spring Is
  • Hooke’s Law
  • Direction of the Spring Force
Review
Topic 2.9
~6 min
Review
Circular Motion
Circular Motion
  • What Circular Motion Is
  • The Two Acceleration Components in Circular Motion
  • Where the Centripetal Force Comes From
Review

Notes

1 credit used · 5/5 remaining