AP Physics C: Mechanics

Learning objectives

• Draw and analyze free-body diagrams for single and multi-object systems
• Apply Newton's second law to determine net force, mass, or acceleration in linear systems
• Distinguish between static and kinetic friction and calculate frictional forces on flat and inclined surfaces
• Analyze systems of objects connected by strings, pulleys, or contact forces
• Set up and solve differential equations of motion for position- or velocity-dependent forces

Learning objectives

• Calculate work done by constant and variable forces using dot products and integration
• Apply conservation of mechanical energy to systems with and without non-conservative forces
• Derive potential energy functions from force expressions and vice versa
• Define and calculate power as the rate of energy transfer
• Analyze potential energy diagrams to identify equilibrium points and turning points

Learning objectives

• Define momentum and apply the impulse-momentum theorem including integration of time-varying forces
• Apply conservation of momentum to analyze collisions and explosions in one and two dimensions
• Distinguish between elastic and perfectly inelastic collisions based on kinetic energy conservation
• Locate the center of mass of discrete and continuous mass distributions
• Relate Newton's second law to the rate of change of momentum for variable-mass systems

Learning objectives

• Relate angular position, velocity, and acceleration using calculus (differentiation and integration)
• Calculate torque and apply the rotational second law to solve dynamics problems
• Derive moment of inertia for continuous mass distributions using integration
• Apply conservation of angular momentum to isolated rotating systems
• Analyze rolling-without-slipping problems combining translational and rotational motion
• Calculate rotational kinetic energy and apply energy conservation to rotating systems

Learning objectives

• Derive the SHM differential equation from F = -kx and verify sinusoidal solutions
• Apply period and frequency formulas for mass-spring and pendulum systems
• Analyze energy transformations between kinetic and potential energy during oscillation
• Describe the effects of damping on amplitude, frequency, and energy loss
• Use position, velocity, and acceleration functions to describe motion at any phase of the cycle

Learning objectives

• Apply universal gravitation to calculate gravitational force and field strength
• Derive and apply gravitational potential energy U = -GMm/r from integration
• Analyze circular and elliptical orbits using energy and angular momentum conservation
• Derive escape velocity from energy conservation principles
• Apply Kepler's laws to relate orbital period, radius, and velocity