AP Physics Schemes of Work

AP Physics 1 (Algebra-Based, Grades 11–12)

Duration: Full Year | Assessment: AP Physics 1 Exam

Semester 1: Mechanics Foundations

  • Unit 1: Kinematics (2–3 weeks)
    • Position, velocity, acceleration (1D & 2D)
    • Graphical & mathematical models of motion
    • Displacement-time & velocity-time graphs
    • Constant acceleration equations
    • Skill Focus: Translating between multiple representations
  • Unit 2: Dynamics (3–4 weeks)
    • Newton’s Laws
    • Net force, friction, tension, normal forces
    • Free-body diagrams & systems of objects
    • Skill Focus: Modeling systems using Newton’s Laws
  • Unit 3: Circular Motion & Gravitation (2 weeks)
    • Uniform circular motion
    • Centripetal acceleration & net force
    • Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation
    • Orbital motion & satellite dynamics
    • Skill Focus: Mathematical modeling, scaling laws
  • Unit 4: Energy (3–4 weeks)
    • Work, kinetic & potential energy
    • Conservation of energy
    • Gravitational & spring potential energy
    • Power & efficiency
    • Skill Focus: Analyzing systems with energy bar charts & graphs
  • Midterm Review & Exam (1 week)

Semester 2: Momentum, Rotation, Waves, and Circuits

  • Unit 5: Momentum (2–3 weeks)
    • Impulse & momentum
    • Conservation of linear momentum
    • Collisions: elastic & inelastic
    • Center of mass
    • Skill Focus: Explaining motion through conservation principles
  • Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion (Optional – 1 week)
    • Springs & pendulums
    • Energy in SHM, period & frequency
    • Qualitative understanding for AP
  • Unit 7: Rotational Motion (3–4 weeks)
    • Angular displacement, velocity, acceleration
    • Torque & rotational inertia
    • Rotational analogs of Newton’s Laws
    • Conservation of angular momentum
    • Rolling motion
    • Skill Focus: Connecting linear & rotational concepts
  • Unit 8: Fluid Mechanics (2–3 weeks)
    • Density & pressure
    • Buoyant force & Archimedes’ Principle
    • Pascal’s Principle, Bernoulli’s Principle & fluid dynamics
    • Real-world applications (blood flow, hydraulics)
  • Final Review & AP Exam Prep (2–3 weeks)

AP Physics 2 (Algebra-Based)

Prerequisite: AP Physics 1 or equivalent

Semester 1

  • Unit 1: Fluids – Pressure, density, buoyancy, fluid dynamics, applications
  • Unit 2: Thermodynamics – Temperature, heat transfer, calorimetry, laws of thermodynamics
  • Unit 3: Electric Force, Field & Potential – Coulomb’s law, electric fields & potentials, superposition, point charges
  • Unit 4: Electric Circuits – DC circuits, Ohm’s law, resistors, capacitors, Kirchhoff’s rules

Semester 2

  • Unit 5: Magnetism & Electromagnetic Induction – Magnetic fields, forces, Faraday’s law, generators
  • Unit 6: Geometric & Physical Optics – Reflection, refraction, lenses & mirrors, diffraction & interference
  • Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic & Nuclear Physics – Photon model, photoelectric effect, Bohr model, nuclear decay, mass-energy equivalence

AP Physics C (Calculus-Based)

Mechanics (12–14 weeks)

  • Weeks 1–2: Kinematics – 1D & 2D motion, vectors, projectile motion, derivatives of position
  • Weeks 3–4: Newton’s Laws – Free-body diagrams, friction, tension, normal forces
  • Weeks 5–6: Work, Energy & Power – Variable forces, integrals, conservation of energy
  • Week 7: Systems of Particles & Momentum – Center of mass, impulse, collisions
  • Weeks 8–9: Rotation – Rotational kinematics/dynamics, torque, angular momentum
  • Weeks 10–11: Oscillations – SHM, energy, damped/driven oscillations
  • Week 12–13: Gravitation – Universal gravitation, orbits, satellite motion, Kepler’s laws
  • Week 14: Revision & Exam Prep – Practice problems, mock exam, feedback

Electricity & Magnetism (10–12 weeks)

  • Weeks 1–2: Electrostatics – Charges, Coulomb’s law, electric field & potential, calculus applications
  • Weeks 3–4: Conductors, Capacitors & Dielectrics
  • Weeks 5–6: Electric Circuits – Kirchhoff’s laws, RC circuits, differential equations
  • Weeks 7–8: Magnetic Fields – Forces on charges & currents, Biot-Savart, Ampère’s law
  • Weeks 9–10: Electromagnetism – Faraday’s law, Lenz’s law, inductance, Maxwell intro
  • Weeks 11–12: Revision & Exam Prep – AP-style problems, conceptual review, mock exam