AP Physics 1
Midterm Outline
I.
II.
III.
Kinematics
a. Key vocab and concepts
i. Distance vs. displacement
ii. Speed vs. velocity
iii. Acceleration signs. (what does it mean to have a positive and negative acceleration
b. Two object motion
i. Relative velocity
ii. Two different cars passing each other then catching back up
c. Motion graphs
i. Displacement vs, time
1. Slope = velocity
ii. Velocity vs., time
1. Slope = acceleration
2. Area = displacement
iii. Acceleration vs. time
1. Area = change in velocity
iv. How to translate from one type of motion graph to another.
Projectiles
a. Key concepts
i. Horizontal motion
ii. Vertical motion
b. Dropped
c. Thrown upwards
i. Landing at original height
ii. Landing above or below/original height
d. Launched horizontally
e. Launched at an angle
i. Landing at original height
ii. Landing above or below/original height
Newton’s Laws and forces
a. Key concepts
i. START with a FBD!
ii. Equilibrium
1. Vertical
2. Horizontal
iii. Accelerating
1. Vertical
2. Horizontal
iv. How to get Normal Force
1. Horizontal surface
2. Angled push
3. Angled pull
4. Inclined surface
b. How to determine a net force from a FBD
i. Forces in the exact same direction – add them
ii. Forces in the exact opposite directions – subtract
iii. Forces at an angle – find components then add or subtract.
c. Friction
i. Static
ii. Kinetic
iii. Finding mu graphically
AP Physics 1
Midterm Outline
IV.
V.
VI.
Circular motion
a. Key concepts
i. Velocity is always tangent to the circular path
1. Speed = circumference/period
ii. Acceleration is always towards the center
iii. Net force (centripetal force) is always towards the center
iv. Start with an FBD
b. Types of problems
i. Horizontal circle
ii. Driving/running
iii. Rollercoaster loops
iv. Hills
v. Tension
1. Vertical loop
2. Conical
vi. Gravitron
Gravity
a. Key concepts
i. Relationship between force and distance
ii. What does ‘orbit’ mean
iii. ‘gravitational field strength’
b. On the surface of any planet
i. Weight
ii. How to calculate g
c. Orbit
i. Orbital speed of an object
ii. The relationship between orbital period and orbital radius
d. Kepler’s laws
i. Elliptical paths
ii. Equal areas
iii. Law of Harmonies
e. Graphically
i. How to calculate g or G
Rotational Motion
a. Key concepts
i. How to get into radians
ii. How to convert from linear to rotational variables
iii. Angular positons and sign conventions
1. Counterclockwise is positive
b. Kinematics
i. Constant angular velocity
ii. Angular acceleration
c. Center of Mass
d. Moment of inertia
e. Net Torque
i. How to diagram / calculate individual torques
ii. How to determine a net torque
iii. How to use a net torque to find an angular acceleration
f. Static equilibrium
i. Vertical equilibrium
ii. Horizontal equilibrium
iii. Rotational equilibrium