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Course Description

AP Physics 1 is a college-level course designed for high school students, focusing on foundational physics concepts using algebraic techniques. The course covers a wide range of topics, including kinematics, dynamics, circular motion, energy, momentum, waves, and basic electricity. Students will develop a deep understanding of physics principles and learn to apply them to solve real-world problems.

Through a combination of theoretical instruction, problem-solving exercises, and hands-on laboratory experiments, students will explore the relationships between physical quantities and gain experience with scientific inquiry. The course emphasizes critical thinking and the application of algebra to derive and analyze physics equations.

AP Physics 1 prepares students for the AP exam, with practice tests and review sessions to ensure comprehension and readiness. By the end of the course, students will have a strong grasp of algebra-based physics concepts and be prepared for further studies in physics or related fields. This course is ideal for high school students seeking a challenging physics curriculum with a focus on practical problem-solving and scientific exploration.

Course Details

AP Physics 1

Eleventh Grade Twelfth Grade

Course Objectives

  • Understand the basic principles of mechanics, energy, waves, and simple circuits.
  • Develop skills in algebra-based physics problem-solving.
  • Conduct hands-on laboratory experiments to explore physics concepts.
  • Build critical thinking and analytical skills through inquiry-based learning.
  • Prepare for the AP Physics 1 exam through practice tests and exam-focused exercises.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Kinematics

  • Introduction to Kinematics
    • Concepts of position, displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
    • Graphical analysis of motion (position-time and velocity-time graphs).
  • One-Dimensional Motion
    • Equations of motion for constant acceleration.
    • Free fall and acceleration due to gravity.
  • Two-Dimensional Motion
    • Projectile motion and relative velocity.
    • Vector addition and decomposition.

Unit 2: Dynamics

  • Newton’s Laws of Motion
    • Understanding Newton’s three laws of motion.
    • Application of Newton’s laws to real-world scenarios.
  • Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
    • Identifying forces and creating free-body diagrams.
    • Analyzing friction, tension, and normal forces.
  • Applications of Newton’s Laws
    • Solving problems involving inclined planes and connected objects.
    • Investigating circular motion and centripetal force.

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

  • Work and Energy
    • Defining work, kinetic energy, and potential energy.
    • Exploring the work-energy theorem.
  • Conservation of Energy
    • Concepts of mechanical energy and its conservation.
    • Applying energy conservation to solve problems.
  • Power
    • Understanding power and its relationship to work and energy.
    • Exploring examples of power in everyday situations.

Unit 4: Momentum and Collisions

  • Momentum and Impulse
    • Defining momentum and impulse.
    • Exploring the impulse-momentum theorem.
  • Conservation of Momentum
    • Applying conservation of momentum to collisions.
    • Solving problems involving elastic and inelastic collisions.

Unit 5: Rotational Motion

  • Rotational Kinematics and Dynamics
    • Exploring angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration.
    • Analyzing rotational motion using torque and moment of inertia.
  • Rotational Energy and Conservation Laws
    • Understanding rotational kinetic energy.
    • Applying conservation of angular momentum.

Unit 6: Waves and Oscillations

  • Simple Harmonic Motion
    • Concepts of oscillation and simple harmonic motion (SHM).
    • Investigating pendulums and springs in SHM.
  • Waves and Sound
    • Understanding transverse and longitudinal waves.
    • Exploring wave properties such as frequency, wavelength, and amplitude.
    • Examining the Doppler effect and sound waves.

Unit 7: Electricity and Circuits

  • Electric Charge and Force
    • Concepts of electric charge, Coulomb’s law, and electric fields.
    • Analyzing the interaction between charges.
  • Basic Circuits
    • Exploring Ohm’s law, resistance, and simple circuits.
    • Analyzing series and parallel circuits.

Unit 8: AP Exam Review and Practice

  • AP Exam Preparation
    • Review of key concepts from the course.
    • Practice with multiple-choice and free-response questions.
  • AP Physics 1 Practice Exam
    • Administering a full-length practice exam.
    • Discussing exam strategies and addressing common difficulties.

Expected Outcomes

By the end of this course, students will have a solid understanding of algebra-based physics concepts, including mechanics, energy, waves, and circuits. They will have developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills and will be well-prepared for the AP Physics 1 exam. This course aims to build a strong foundation for further studies in physics or related scientific fields.

Coming soon.

Coming soon.

Mr. Tayson Holzer

Tayson Holzer completed Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Electrical Engineering and has worked as an engineer developing and programming electrical systems, including gas and oil pipeline inspection technologies, missile launch systems, microfabrication of a novel chemical process called micro circulatory gas chromatography, and a 3D laser scanner. He believes that all students, including those not pursuing a technical career, can be inspired by and greatly benefit from learning the patterns of searching for truth that science provides. He also believes that technically minded students who do plan to pursue scientific or engineering careers should be strongly encouraged to keep their roots firmly planted in faith, history, literature, and law. These priorities are reflected in his other interests, which include reading great literature; researching his family history and writing the stories of his ancestors; and studying European and American history to learn from the repeating patterns of history. He enjoys reading with his three young children, baking and talking with his wife, and going on early-morning jogs in the quiet of pre-dawn. His principle loves are the Gospel of Jesus Christ, his family, and teaching in a way that invites others to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and powerfully engage in the compelling work of the last days.