Main Topics Covered in AP Physics

Here are the main topics covered in AP Physics:

1. Kinematics

• Motion in one and two dimensions
• Displacement, velocity, and acceleration
• Graphical analysis of motion
• Projectile motion and free-fall

2. Dynamics

• Newton’s laws of motion
• Force, mass, and acceleration
• Friction, tension, and normal forces
• Circular motion and centripetal forces

3. Work, Energy, and Power

• Work-energy principle
• Kinetic and potential energy
• Conservation of mechanical energy
• Power and efficiency

4. Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

• Impulse and momentum
• Conservation of momentum in collisions
• Center of mass
• Elastic and inelastic collisions

5. Rotational Motion

• Angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration
• Torque and rotational inertia
• Rotational kinematics and dynamics
• Conservation of angular momentum

6. Gravitation

• Newton’s law of universal gravitation
• Gravitational potential energy
• Orbits of planets and satellites
• Kepler’s laws of planetary motion

7. Oscillations and Simple Harmonic Motion

• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)
• Springs and pendulums
• Energy in SHM
• Damped and driven oscillations

8. Mechanical Waves and Sound

• Types of waves (transverse and longitudinal)
• Wave properties: frequency, wavelength, speed
• Sound waves, intensity, and the Doppler effect
• Superposition, interference, and standing waves

9. Electric Charge and Electric Field

• Properties of electric charge
• Coulomb’s law
• Electric field and field lines
• Electric potential energy and voltage

10. Electric Circuits

• Ohm’s law and resistance
• Series and parallel circuits
• Kirchhoff’s laws
• Power in electrical circuits

11. Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

• Magnetic fields and forces
• Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields
• Electromagnetic induction: Faraday’s law and Lenz’s law
• Transformers and generators

12. Thermodynamics

• Temperature, heat, and thermal energy
• Laws of thermodynamics
• Heat engines, efficiency, and entropy
• Kinetic theory of gases

13. Optics and Wave Phenomena

• Reflection and refraction of light
• Snell’s law and total internal reflection
• Lenses and mirrors (image formation)
• Diffraction, interference, and polarization

14. Modern Physics

• Photoelectric effect and wave-particle duality
• Atomic models and spectra
• Quantum mechanics fundamentals
• Nuclear physics, including radioactivity and nuclear reactions

These topics form the core of the AP Physics curriculum, helping students build a strong understanding of fundamental physical principles, equations, and real-world applications for the AP exam.