AP Physics 1: Mechanics, Fluids, and Rotational Motion

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering constants, unit prefixes, kinematic formulas, mechanics, fluids, and rotational motion as outlined in the AP Physics 1 curriculum.

Universal Gravitational Constant ($G$)

$$6.67 \times 10^{-11}\,N \cdot m^2/kg^2$$

Earth's Gravitational Field Strength ($g$)

$9.8\,N/kg$ at Earth's surface

1 Atmosphere of Pressure ($1\,atm$)

$$1.0 \times 10^5\,N/m^2 = 1.0 \times 10^5\,Pa$$

Hertz ($Hz$)

The unit symbol for frequency ($f$)

Tera (T)

A magnitude prefix representing a factor of $10^{12}$

Nano (n)

A magnitude prefix representing a factor of $10^{-9}$

Newton's Second Law

$$\vec{a} = \frac{\sum \vec{F}}{m} = \frac{\vec{F}_{net}}{m}$$

Centripetal Acceleration ($a_c$)

Acceleration in circular motion, defined as $a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}$

Hooke's Law

The relationship for spring force: $F_s = -k \Delta x$

Kinetic Energy ($K$)

The energy of motion, defined as $K = \frac{1}{2} m v^2$ for linear motion or $K = \frac{1}{2} I \omega^2$ for rotation

Work ($W$)

The product of force and displacement: $W = F d \cos(\theta)$

Gravitational Potential Energy near Earth ($U_g$)

$$\Delta U_g = m g \Delta y$$

Torque ($\tau$)

$\tau = r F \sin(\theta)$, the rotational equivalent of force

Rotational Inertia ($I$)

The sum of the products of mass and the square of the distance from the axis of rotation: $I = \sum m r^2$

Angular Momentum ($L$)

For a solid object $L = I \omega$; for a particle $L = r m v \sin(\theta)$

Impulse ($J$)

The change in momentum ($\Delta p$), also defined as $J = \vec{F}_{avg} \Delta t$

Period of a Spring ($T_s$)

The time for one cycle of oscillation: $T_s = 2 \pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}$

Continuity Equation

In ideal fluids, the flow rate remains constant: $A_1 v_1 = A_2 v_2$

Bernoulli's Equation

$$P_1 + \rho g y_1 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_1^2 = P_2 + \rho g y_2 + \frac{1}{2} \rho v_2^2$$

Density ($\rho$)

A measure of how tightly packed material is, defined as $\rho = \frac{m}{V}$ with units $kg/m^3$

Gauge Pressure ($P_{gauge}$)

The pressure due to the fluid alone, calculated as $P_{gauge} = \rho g h$

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) Equilibrium

The position where displacement is at a minimum, and the magnitude of velocity is at a maximum

Momentum ($p$)

A measurement of motion equal to mass times velocity ($p = m v$)

Volume ($V$)

The amount of space something takes up, measured in cubic meters ($m^3$) in physics