AP PHYSICS 1 - ALGEBRA BASED

About AP Physics 1 - Algebra Based

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Students cultivate their understanding of physics through inquiry-based investigations as they explore these topics: kinematics, dynamics, circular motion and gravitation, energy, momentum, simple harmonic motion, torque and rotational motion, electric charge and electric force, DC circuits, and mechanical waves and sound.

Laboratory Requirement

This course requires that 25 percent of the instructional time will be spent in hands-on laboratory work, with an emphasis on inquiry-based investigations that provide students with opportunities to demonstrate the foundational physics principles and apply the science practices.


Skills You'll Learn

  • Interpreting and describing representations and models

  • Using mathematics to solve science problems

  • Formulating a scientific question or hypothesis

  • Designing an experiment to answer a scientific question or to test a hypothesis

  • Analyzing data and evaluating evidence

  • Working with scientific explanations and theories

  • Making connections


Prerequisites

  • Math 3/Algebra 2 or Honors Math 2/Algebra 2 with 'B' or higher average

College Course Equivalent

AP Physics 1 is a full-year course that is the equivalent of a first-semester introductory college course in algebra-based physics.

Summer Homework

No summer work for this class!

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Teacher Corner

Welcome to AP Physics I! This will be a fun and challenging year as we work toward the common goals of understanding the basic principles of physics and learning to apply that knowledge through problem solving. We will examine some of the basic rules of the physical universe – from the smallest subatomic particles to the largest galaxies and everything in between – and how they apply to the world we live in.

Topics we will focus on include motion, forces, momentum, work and energy, rotational motion, static and current electricity, and waves. Changes to the AP curriculum have shifted emphasis from just algebraic problem-solving, to deep conceptual understanding between topics. Inquiry experiments, group lab work, graph and data interpretation, written explanations, designing labs, and connecting relationships will be emphasized throughout this course to the point 25% of class time will be conducting experiments.


Contact Information

Teacher - Brian Underwood

AP Coordinator - Dave Haluga

College/Career Counselor - Liz Emmons