AP®︎ Physics 1 Unit 6: Notes & Study Guide

Prepare for your quiz, test, or the AP exam with a comprehensive review on Unit 6 of AP Physics 1 – Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems.

Exam weight: 5%–8%
6 Topics

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

How energy and momentum apply to spinning objects, rolling motion, and orbiting satellites.

Begin with Topic 6.1: Rotational Kinetic Energy

To review Unit 6, go through each of the 6 topics below.

Everything you actually need to know for your Unit 6 test, pulled directly from the AP® Physics 1 curriculum.

Topic 6.1
~6 min
Review
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Rotational Kinetic Energy
  • What Rotational Kinetic Energy Is
  • Rotational Inertia and Angular Velocity
  • Why \( K_{rot} = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2 \) Makes Sense
Review
Topic 6.2
~7 min
Review
Torque and Work
Torque and Work
  • How Torque Transfers Energy
  • The Work–Torque Equation
  • Multiple Torques and Net Work
Review
Topic 6.3
~6 min
Review
Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
  • What Angular Momentum Is
  • How to Calculate Angular Momentum
  • What Angular Impulse Is
Review
Topic 6.4
~7 min
Review
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
  • What Angular Momentum Is
  • The Conservation of Angular Momentum
  • Torque, Angular Impulse, and Changes in Angular Momentum
Review
Topic 6.5
~5 min
Review
Rolling
Rolling
  • Total Kinetic Energy of a Rolling Object
  • Rolling Without Slipping
  • Static Friction in Rolling Without Slipping
Review
Topic 6.6
~4 min
Review
Motion of Orbiting Satellites
Motion of Orbiting Satellites
  • A Two-Object Gravitational System
  • Gravitational Potential Energy and Total Mechanical Energy
  • Angular Momentum in Orbits
Review

Notes

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