Physics Ladder · High school · Grade 11

Physics 1: Motion, Forces and Energy

Algebra-based mechanics, the first half of AP Physics 1: motion in one and two dimensions, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotation and oscillations.

0 of 71 topics passed

Start this course Skill map

71 topics in 8 units. Builds on Physical Science, plus Algebra 1 and Geometry from the Math Ladder. Leads to Physics 2: Fluids, Heat, Electricity, Light and Atoms and Mechanics with Calculus. Not sure this is the right course? Find your rung.

  • Passed
  • Review due
  • Learning
  • Ready to learn
  • Needs an earlier topic

Unit 1 Motion in One Dimension

12 topics

Describe motion along a line with signs, graphs and the constant-acceleration equations.

  1. Checking Equations with Units
  2. Position and Displacement on an Axis
  3. Average Velocity
  4. Position-Time Graphs
  5. Instantaneous Velocity
  6. Acceleration and Its Sign
  7. Velocity-Time Graphs
  8. Translating Between Motion Graphs
  9. The Constant-Acceleration Equations
  10. Motion Without the Time
  11. Free Fall
  12. Thrown Straight Up

Unit 2 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions

5 topics

Split vectors into components, add them, change reference frames and follow projectiles.

  1. Vectors and Their Components
  2. Adding Vectors by Components
  3. Relative Velocity
  4. Launched Horizontally
  5. Launched at an Angle

Unit 3 Forces and Newton's Laws

19 topics

Draw free-body diagrams and use Newton's laws with friction, ropes, springs, gravity and circles.

  1. Systems and Center of Mass
  2. Free-Body Diagrams
  3. Newton's Third Law Pairs
  4. Equilibrium and the First Law
  5. Newton's Second Law Along an Axis
  6. The Normal Force and Apparent Weight
  7. Forces at Angles
  8. Inclined Planes
  9. Kinetic Friction
  10. Static Friction
  11. Friction on Ramps
  12. Connected Objects and Tension
  13. Pulleys and the Atwood Machine
  14. Spring Forces and Hooke's Law
  15. Newton's Law of Gravitation
  16. Gravitational Field Strength
  17. Centripetal Acceleration
  18. Forces in Circular Motion
  19. Vertical Circles

Unit 4 Work, Energy and Power

10 topics

Follow energy as forces do work on a system, with bar charts and conservation.

  1. Work by a Constant Force
  2. Work as Area Under a Force Graph
  3. The Work-Energy Theorem
  4. Gravitational Potential Energy of a System
  5. Elastic Potential Energy
  6. Conservation of Mechanical Energy
  7. Energy Bar Charts
  8. Friction and Thermal Energy
  9. Power
  10. Gravitational Potential Energy Far from Earth

Unit 5 Momentum

7 topics

Use impulse and the conservation of momentum to analyze collisions and explosions.

  1. Linear Momentum
  2. Impulse and Change in Momentum
  3. Conservation of Momentum
  4. Sticking Collisions
  5. Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
  6. Explosions and Recoil
  7. Motion of the Center of Mass

Unit 6 Torque and Rotational Dynamics

8 topics

Describe turning with angles, find torques, and use the rotational form of Newton's laws.

  1. Angle, Angular Velocity and Angular Acceleration
  2. Rotational Kinematics
  3. Linking Linear and Rotational Motion
  4. Torque
  5. Rotational Equilibrium
  6. Rotational Inertia
  7. Newton's Second Law for Rotation
  8. Pulleys with Mass

Unit 7 Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

5 topics

Spinning objects store energy and carry angular momentum, which is conserved without outside torques.

  1. Rotational Kinetic Energy and Work by Torque
  2. Rolling Without Slipping
  3. Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
  4. Conservation of Angular Momentum
  5. Satellites in Orbit

Unit 8 Oscillations

5 topics

Restoring forces make motion repeat; find periods, energies and the graphs of simple harmonic motion.

  1. Simple Harmonic Motion
  2. Period of a Mass on a Spring
  3. Period of a Pendulum
  4. Energy in Simple Harmonic Motion
  5. Graphs of Simple Harmonic Motion
@teddyrookbook GitHub