High school · Aligned to AP Physics 1
Physics: Motion to AP Physics 1 — study guide & practice questions
Kinematics, forces and energy, then the full AP Physics 1 scope: momentum, circular motion, rotation, oscillations and fluids.
Study guide
Motion
- Velocity is the slope of a position–time graph; acceleration is the slope of a velocity–time graph.
- Free fall: every object accelerates at g ≈ 9.8 m/s² downward, whatever its mass.
Forces & Energy
- F_net = ma, and third-law pairs act on different objects.
- With no friction, kinetic plus potential energy is conserved.
Momentum, Rotation & Oscillations
- Momentum is conserved in every collision of an isolated system.
- Angular momentum L = Iω is conserved with no external torque; pendulum period T = 2π√(L/g).
Course modules
4 foundation modules free to read here; 4 AP-level and advanced modules with Pro. Every module ends with a quiz in the app.
1. Motion in One Dimension Free
Displacement, velocity and acceleration, the kinematic equations, motion graphs, and free fall.
Read the 3 lessons →2. Vectors & Projectile Motion Free
Breaking vectors into components, and treating horizontal and vertical motion independently to solve projectile problems.
Read the 3 lessons →3. Forces & Newton's Laws Free
Newton's three laws, free-body diagrams, friction, inclines, and apparent weight.
Read the 3 lessons →4. Work, Energy & Power Free
Work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, springs, and power.
Read the 3 lessons →5. AP: Linear Momentum & Collisions Pro · AP Physics 1 · Unit 4
Momentum and impulse, conservation of momentum, elastic vs. inelastic collisions, and center of mass.
6. AP: Circular Motion & Gravitation Pro · AP Physics 1 · Unit 2
Centripetal acceleration and the forces that provide it, and Newton's law of universal gravitation and orbits.
7. AP: Torque & Rotational Motion Pro · AP Physics 1 · Units 5–6
Torque and rotational equilibrium, rotational inertia and Newton's second law for rotation, rotational energy, and angular momentum.
8. AP: Oscillations & Fluids Pro · AP Physics 1 · Units 7–8
Simple harmonic motion of springs and pendulums, and fluid pressure, buoyancy, continuity, and Bernoulli's principle.
Sample practice questions
From module 1, Motion in One Dimension. Pick your answers, then check them in the app, with an explanation for every question.
1. A ball is thrown straight up. At the top of its path, its acceleration is:
2. A car at 20 m/s brakes to a stop with constant acceleration −5 m/s². How far does it travel while braking?
Sample flashcards
4 of the cards in this course's deck. Tap a card to flip it.
KinematicsWhat does the slope of a velocity–time graph represent?
Acceleration. (The area under a v–t graph is displacement.)
ForcesState Newton's second law.
F_net = ma: the net force on an object equals its mass times its acceleration, in the same direction.
ForcesWhy don't Newton's third-law force pairs cancel?
They act on DIFFERENT objects, so they never appear on the same free-body diagram.
EnergyFormula for kinetic energy
KE = ½mv². Doubling speed quadruples KE.
The full course is in LectureMate's Course Library: every module quiz with explanations, the complete flashcard deck with spaced repetition, and a 6-step strategy for AP Physics 1 questions. Foundation modules are free; AP-level and advanced modules need Pro.