Physics Zen

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AP Physics C: Mechanics

Calculus-based practice for the seven units of AP Physics C: Mechanics: kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotation and oscillations. Fluids are not part of this course, so they are not on this path.

25 skills · g = 9.8 m/s²

Conventions

  • This path follows the seven units of AP Physics C: Mechanics. Fluids are not part of this course.
  • Most calculus items start at level 3. Levels 1 and 2 build the algebra-based skills first.
  • Answers are checked as numbers. Practise the symbolic derivations of the free-response section on paper.
  • Problems use g = 9.8 m/s².
  • Physics Zen is independent exam-style practice, not official exam material.

Units on this path

Kinematics

  • Uniform Motion: Relate distance, speed, and time at constant velocity, and convert km/h to m/s
  • Uniform Acceleration: Use the constant-acceleration equations and read velocity-time graphs
  • Free Fall: Drop and throw objects under gravity: fall time, impact speed, maximum height
  • Projectile Motion: Split a launch into horizontal and vertical motion to find flight time and range
  • Launch at an Angle: Resolve a launch velocity into components and find the time to the top, the greatest height and the range

Force and Translational Dynamics

  • Newton's Laws: Apply F = ma, add forces along a line, and tell mass from weight
  • Friction: Find the friction force from the normal force and the net force on a sliding object
  • Inclined Plane: Resolve weight along a slope and find the acceleration with and without friction
  • Uniform Circular Motion: Link period, frequency and speed on a circle, and find centripetal acceleration
  • Centripetal Force: Find the force that holds an object on a circular path, from tension to friction
  • Gravitation: Use the inverse square law for surface gravity, orbital speed and orbital period

Work, Energy, and Power

  • Work: Find the work a force does, at an angle to the motion and against friction
  • Kinetic & Potential Energy: Compute kinetic and gravitational potential energy, and work back to speed or height
  • Conservation of Energy: Trade height for speed on a frictionless path, and account for what friction takes
  • Power: Relate work, time, force and speed through power, measured in watts

Linear Momentum

  • Momentum & Impulse: Find momentum and impulse, and the average force behind a change of motion
  • Conservation of Momentum: Apply momentum conservation to collisions that stick together and to recoil
  • Elastic Collisions: Handle collisions that also conserve kinetic energy, starting with equal masses
  • Centre of Mass: Locate the mass-weighted centre of a system and follow how it moves

Torque and Rotational Dynamics

Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems

Oscillations

  • Springs & Hooke's Law: Apply Hooke's law and find the period of a mass oscillating on a spring
  • Pendulums: Find the period of a simple pendulum and how a different gravity changes it
  • Energy in SHM: Move between amplitude, maximum speed and the total energy of an oscillator

How Physics Zen helps

The AP Physics C: Mechanics path drills 25 mechanics skills and adds calculus items: forces that change with time, drag, work and impulse integrals, rotational inertia about an offset axis, and the oscillator equation. Every problem has generated values, instant checking and a worked solution.

Topics on this path

Guides

How to Prepare for AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C: Mechanics

Two courses that follow AP Physics 1: who takes which, the May 2027 exam format, unit weights, what to drill in each unit, and what the app does not cover.

Physics Zen is an independent practice tool. It is not affiliated with College Board, the IQB, the French Ministry of Education or any other exam board.

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Start with Kinematics

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