#AP Physics 1: Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future physicist! Let's get you prepped for the AP Physics 1 exam. Remember, you've got this! 💪 We're focusing on Units 1-7, as that's what's on the exam. Let's dive in!

#⚡ Introduction to Electricity (Non-Exam Content, but good to know!)

While the following content on electricity is not directly on the AP Physics 1 exam, understanding the basics of electric charge and force is crucial for future studies in physics. It's like knowing your ABCs before writing a novel. 😉

Image courtesy of Giphy.

#Why This Matters (Even if it's not on the AP Exam)

This unit introduces key concepts like electric charge and force, which are building blocks for understanding electric circuits (Unit 9) and magnetism (AP Physics 2). Think of it as laying the foundation for your future physics adventures!

#🎯 Big Ideas in This Unit

• Big Idea #1: Systems - Objects have properties like mass and charge. Systems have internal structures.
• Big Idea #3: Force Interactions - Forces describe how objects interact.
• Big Idea #5: Conservation - Interactions follow conservation laws.

#🔑 Key Concepts

• Charge (q): The fundamental property of matter that causes electrical phenomena.
• Electrostatic Force (Fe): The force between charged objects.
• Conservation of Charge: The total electric charge in an isolated system remains constant.
• Proton, Electron, Neutron: The subatomic particles that carry charge (protons +, electrons -, neutrons 0).

#🗝️ Key Equations

$$F = k \frac{|q_1q_2|}{r^2}$$

$$E = \frac{F}{q}$$

Where:

• F is the electrostatic force
• k is Coulomb's constant
• q are the charges
• r is the distance between the charges
• E is the electric field

#📚 Unit 1: Kinematics

#📏 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration

• Displacement (Δx): Change in position. It's a vector! (direction matters)
• Velocity (v): Rate of change of displacement. Also a vector!
• Acceleration (a): Rate of change of velocity. You guessed it, a vector!

#🏃‍♀️ Constant Acceleration

• Kinematic Equations: Use these when acceleration is constant.

  $$v = v_0 + at$$ $$Δx = v_0t + \frac{1}{2}at^2$$ $$v^2 = v_0^2 + 2aΔx$$

#🤸 Projectile Motion

• Horizontal Motion: Constant velocity (no acceleration).
• Vertical Motion: Constant acceleration due to gravity (g = 9.8 m/s²).

Practice Question

Multiple Choice:

1. A ball is thrown vertically upward. What is its acceleration at its highest point? (A) 9.8 m/s² downward (B) 9.8 m/s² upward (C) 0 m/s² (D) Cannot be determined

2. A car accelerates uniformly from rest to 20 m/s in 5 seconds. What is the magnitude of its acceleration? (A) 2 m/s² (B) 4 m/s² (C) 5 m/s² (D) 10 m/s²

Free Response Question:

A projectile is launched with an initial velocity of 25 m/s at an angle of 30° above the horizontal. Neglecting air resistance, determine:

(a) The initial horizontal and vertical components of the velocity. (2 points) (b) The time it takes for the projectile to reach its maximum height. (2 points) (c) The maximum height reached by the projectile. (2 points) (d) The total time the projectile is in the air. (2 points) (e) The horizontal range of the projectile. (2 points)

Answer Key:

Multiple Choice: 1(A), 2(B)

Free Response Question:

(a) v₀ₓ = 25cos(30°) = 21.65 m/s, v₀y = 25sin(30°) = 12.5 m/s (b) 0 = 12.5 - 9.8t, t = 1.28 s (c) Δy = 12.5(1.28) - 0.5(9.8)(1.28)² = 8.0 m (d) Total time = 2 * 1.28 s = 2.56 s (e) Δx = 21.65 * 2.56 = 55.4 m

#📚 Unit 2: Dynamics

#⚖️ Newton's Laws of Motion

• 1st Law (Inertia): An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same velocity unless acted upon by a net force.
• 2nd Law: F = ma (Force equals mass times acceleration).
• 3rd Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.