AP Physics 1 Scheme of Work (Grades 11–12)

Level: Algebra-Based
Duration: Full Year
Assessment: AP Physics 1 Exam (End of Year)
Divided into Semester 1 and Semester 2

Semester 1: Mechanics Foundations

Unit 1: Kinematics (2–3 weeks)

• Position, velocity, acceleration (1D and 2D)

• Graphical and mathematical models of motion

• Displacement-time and velocity-time graphs

• Constant acceleration equations

• Skill Focus: Translating between multiple representations
  
  

Unit 2: Dynamics (3–4 weeks)

• Newton’s Laws (1st, 2nd, 3rd)

• Net force and acceleration

• 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 and net force

• Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation

• Orbital motion and satellite dynamics

• Skill Focus: Mathematical modeling, scaling laws
  
  

Unit 4: Energy (3–4 weeks)

• Work, kinetic energy, and potential energy

• Conservation of energy

• Gravitational and spring potential energy

• Power and efficiency

• Skill Focus: Analyzing systems with energy bar charts and graphs
  
  

Midterm Review & Exam (1 week)

Semester 2: Momentum, Rotation, Waves, and Circuits

Unit 5: Momentum (2–3 weeks)

• Impulse and momentum

• Conservation of linear momentum

• Collisions: elastic and inelastic

• Center of mass

• Skill Focus: Explaining motion through conservation principles
  
  

Unit 6: Simple Harmonic Motion (Optional but encouraged – 1 week)

• Springs and pendulums

• Energy in SHM

• Period and frequency

• Qualitative understanding for AP
  
  

Unit 7: Rotational Motion (3–4 weeks)

• Angular displacement, velocity, and acceleration

• Torque and rotational inertia

• Rotational analogs of Newton’s Laws

• Conservation of angular momentum

• Rolling motion

• Skill Focus: Connecting linear and rotational concepts
  
  

Unit 8: Fluid Mechanics (2–3 weeks)

• Density and pressure

• Buoyant force and Archimedes’ Principle

• Pascal’s Principle

• Bernoulli’s Principle and fluid dynamics

• Applications to real-world systems (e.g., blood flow, hydraulics)
  
  

Final Review & AP Exam Prep (2–3 weeks)

• Practice exams

• FRQ and MCQ strategies

• Concept maps and multiple representations
  
  

🔑 Core Science Practices (throughout):

• Representing data with graphs and models

• Designing and interpreting experiments

• Applying physical laws to new situations

• Mathematical reasoning with algebra and trigonometry

AP Physics 2 – Curriculum Overview

Prerequisite: AP Physics 1 or a first course in Algebra-based Physics

Semester 1

Unit 1: Fluids

• Pressure and density

• Buoyant force and Archimedes’ principle

• Fluid statics and dynamics (Continuity, Bernoulli's equation)

• Applications: blood flow, airplane lift, etc.
  
  

Unit 2: Thermodynamics

• Temperature and heat

• Heat transfer (conduction, convection, radiation)

• Specific heat and calorimetry

• First law of thermodynamics

• Heat engines, efficiency, and entropy (Second law)
  
  

Unit 3: Electric Force, Field, and Potential

• Coulomb’s Law

• Electric field and electric potential

• Equipotential lines

• Superposition principle

• Point charges and charged spheres
  
  

Unit 4: Electric Circuits

• DC circuits with resistors

• Ohm’s Law, series and parallel circuits

• Power in circuits

• Capacitors in DC circuits (charging and discharging)

• Kirchhoff’s Rules
  
  

Semester 2

Unit 5: Magnetism and Electromagnetic Induction

• Magnetic fields and forces (on charges and wires)

• Motion of charged particles in magnetic fields

• Electromagnetic induction (Faraday’s Law, Lenz’s Law)

• Generators, transformers, and energy transfer
  
  

Unit 6: Geometric and Physical Optics

• Reflection and refraction

• Lenses and mirrors (ray diagrams, image formation)

• Snell’s Law and critical angle

• Diffraction and interference (Young’s Double Slit)

• Thin film interference
  
  

Unit 7: Quantum, Atomic, and Nuclear Physics

• Photon model of light

• Photoelectric effect

• Atomic models (Bohr model)

• Nuclear decay (alpha, beta, gamma)

• Mass-energy equivalence

• Binding energy and fission/fusion
  
  

Skills Emphasized

• Experimental design and analysis

• Representing data (graphs, diagrams, equations)

• Modeling and explaining physical phenomena

• Quantitative problem solving

AP Physics C: Mechanics – Scheme of Work

Course Duration: 1 Semester (12–14 weeks)
Prerequisites: Concurrent or prior enrollment in AP Calculus AB/BC

Week 1–2: Kinematics

• Motion in one and two dimensions

• Vector components, projectile motion

• Calculus applications: velocity and acceleration as derivatives of position
  
  

Week 3–4: Newton’s Laws of Motion

• Newton’s First, Second, and Third Laws

• Free-body diagrams and force analysis

• Friction, tension, and normal forces
  
  

Week 5–6: Work, Energy, and Power

• Work done by variable forces (using integrals)

• Kinetic and potential energy

• Conservation of mechanical energy

• Power and efficiency
  
  

Week 7: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

• Center of mass

• Impulse and momentum

• Conservation of momentum and collisions
  
  

Week 8–9: Rotation

• Rotational kinematics and dynamics

• Moment of inertia and torque

• Angular momentum and conservation principles
  
  

Week 10–11: Oscillations

• Simple harmonic motion (SHM)

• Energy in oscillatory motion

• Damped and driven oscillations (introductory)
  
  

Week 12–13: Gravitation

• Newton’s law of universal gravitation

• Orbits and gravitational potential energy

• Satellite motion and Kepler’s laws
  
  

Week 14: Revision and Exam Preparation

• AP-style practice problems and past papers

• Conceptual review and problem-solving strategies

• Mock exam and feedback
  
  

Additional Course Features:

• Laboratory investigations aligned with theoretical topics

• Regular quizzes and formative assessments

• Calculus-based problem solving emphasis

• Use of technology: graphing calculators and simulation tools

AP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism – Scheme of Work

Course Duration: 1 Semester (10–12 weeks)
Prerequisites: Concurrent or prior enrollment in AP Calculus AB/BC and Mechanics

Week 1–2: Electrostatics

• Electric charge and Coulomb’s law

• Electric field and electric field lines

• Electric potential and voltage

• Calculus applications: electric field from charge distributions
  
  

Week 3–4: Conductors, Capacitors, and Dielectrics

• Properties of conductors and insulators

• Capacitance and capacitors in series and parallel

• Energy stored in capacitors

• Dielectrics and their effect on capacitance
  
  

Week 5–6: Electric Circuits

• Electric current, resistance, and electromotive force (emf)

• Kirchhoff’s circuit laws and circuit analysis

• RC circuits and transient response

• Calculus: differential equations for charging and discharging capacitors
  
  

Week 7–8: Magnetic Fields

• Magnetic forces on moving charges and currents

• Biot-Savart law and magnetic field calculations

• Ampère’s law and magnetic materials
  
  

Week 9–10: Electromagnetism

• Faraday’s law of induction

• Lenz’s law

• Inductance and LR circuits

• Introduction to Maxwell’s equations (conceptual overview)
  
  

Week 11–12: Revision and Exam Preparation

• AP-style multiple-choice and free-response practice

• Conceptual review and problem-solving techniques

• Full mock exam and feedback session
  
  

Additional Course Features:

• Laboratory experiments to reinforce theoretical concepts

• Regular quizzes to monitor progress

• Emphasis on calculus-based problem solving

• Integration of technology tools (graphing calculators, simulations)