AP®︎ Physics C: Mechanics Unit 1: Notes & Study Guide

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

Exam weight: 10%–15%
5 Topics

Unit 1: Kinematics

How position, velocity, and acceleration relate through derivatives and integrals, including projectile and multi-dimensional motion.

Begin with Topic 1.1: Scalars and Vectors

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 C: Mechanics curriculum.

Topic 1.1
~7 min
Review
Scalars and Vectors
Scalars and Vectors
  • What Scalars and Vectors Are
  • How Vectors Are Represented
  • Vector Components and Resultant Vectors
Review
Topic 1.2
~7 min
Review
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • Position and Displacement
  • Average Velocity and Average Acceleration
  • Instantaneous Velocity and Acceleration
Review
Topic 1.3
~7 min
Review
Representing Motion
Representing Motion
  • Position, Velocity, and Acceleration
  • Ways to Represent Motion
  • Constant Acceleration Kinematics
Review
Topic 1.4
~6 min
Review
Reference Frames and Relative Motion
Reference Frames and Relative Motion
  • What a Reference Frame Is
  • Position and Velocity in Different Frames
  • Adding Velocities as Vectors
Review
Topic 1.5
~6 min
Review
Motion in Two or Three Dimensions
Motion in Two or Three Dimensions
  • Motion in Two Dimensions as Independent Components
  • How to Set Up a 2D Kinematics Problem
  • Velocity and Acceleration in Different Dimensions
Review

Notes

1 credit used · 5/5 remaining