AP®︎ Physics C: Mechanics Unit 6: Notes & Study Guide

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

Exam weight: 10%–15%
6 Topics

Unit 6: Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

How rotational kinetic energy, angular momentum, and rolling motion connect translation and rotation.

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 C: Mechanics curriculum.

Topic 6.1
~6 min
Review
Rotational Kinetic Energy
Rotational Kinetic Energy
  • Rotational Kinetic Energy
  • Why This Formula Makes Sense
  • Total Kinetic Energy of a Rigid Body
Review
Topic 6.2
~6 min
Review
Torque and Work
Torque and Work
  • Work Done by a Torque
  • The Work–Torque Equation
  • Torque vs Angular Position Graphs
Review
Topic 6.3
~6 min
Review
Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
  • Angular Momentum
  • Angular Impulse
  • The Rotational Impulse–Momentum Theorem
Review
Topic 6.4
~6 min
Review
Conservation of Angular Momentum
Conservation of Angular Momentum
  • Angular Momentum of a System
  • When Angular Momentum Is Conserved
  • Choosing the System and the Axis
Review
Topic 6.5
~6 min
Review
Rolling Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
Rolling Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
  • Total Kinetic Energy of a Rolling Rigid Body
  • Rolling Without Slipping
  • Using Energy and Forces for Rolling Without Slipping
Review
Topic 6.6
~6 min
Review
Motion of Orbiting Satellites
Motion of Orbiting Satellites
  • Gravitationally Bound Satellite Systems
  • Conservation Laws That Constrain Orbits
  • Energy in Circular Orbits
Review

Notes

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