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5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics 1 Algebra-Based 2021 Elite Student Edition (2020)

5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics 1 Algebra-Based 2021 Elite Student Edition (2020) covers key exam topics to help you succeed on test day.

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    ELITE STUDENT EDITION Sin 5STEPSTO A Foi | —_ SE fo 2 —— == = Ba =n a ee % a — caf’ \ {2021 AP’ Physi P" Physics 1: Algebra-Based Greg Jacobs ractice exams g ection: = 3 gi in the book, 1 online) ® peri key AP topics! bid CROSS-PLATFORM PREP COURSE BOOK | ONLINE | MOBILE

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    FE —— EY & 5 STEPS TO 5 AP TEST CHANGES / 2020 AND BEYOND Because of school district closures across the U.S. in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, the 2019/20 AP school year came to an unexpected halt in March 2020. At that point, educators and students across the country had to scramble to finish up the year and prepare for AP exams. Here at McGraw Hill, the 5 Steps to a 5 team has received numerous questions and concerns about what this means for AP courses and exams moving forward. So, whether your personal test-taking plans in Spring 2020 were directly impacted or you will be sitting for your first AP test in 2021, you are likely experiencing anxiety and uncertainty about the future. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions regarding 2020/2021 AP Exams: What happened to the Advanced Placement exams in May 2020? There were big changes. When the pandemic hit, the College Board (who creates and administers AP exams nationwide) was forced to pivot and administer at-home tests. So, the traditional AP exams did not take place, and new versions were offered online. Prior to testing dates, College Board provided a detailed breakdown of the content that would be covered on each revised exam, allowing for what students were unlikely to have covered in class due to school closures. How were test-takers impacted? What was the test-taking experience like? For the first time ever, AP exams were given online. Students took modified 45-minute, web-based, free-response exams, and they were allowed to use their books and notes during the tests. Each test was administered in open book/open note format, and there were no multiple-choice questions at all. Students were able to take the exam on any device (a computer, tablet or a smartphone). Alternatively, students were allowed to submit a photo of their handwritten work. For the AP Physics 1 exam, the following changes took place: ® The exam consisted of two questions: + One qualitative-quantitative translation, to be finished in 25 minutes + One paragraph-response question, to be finished in 15 minutes ® Waves, electricity, and circuits were not included on the exam. ® The exam was rewritten such that all questions could be typed - students were not asked to draw diagrams or perform algebraic derivations

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    _— EY E 5 STEPS TO 5 Is this 5 Steps guide relevant and up-to-date? Yes! Everything in this book is reflective of the current course and exam as it was originally designed. The 5 Steps team strives to keep all information relevant and as up-to-date as possible, both in print and online. What will happen in May 2021? Your guess is as good as ours. We're hopeful that next year's test format will return to the complete form as created by the College Board, but at the time of this guide's publication, things remain fairly uncertain. However, whether the AP exams return to the original format, follow the 2020 online model, or something entirely new - we have you covered! We'll be updating our materials whenever any new information becomes available, and will make every effort to revise our digital resources as quickly as possible. So, whatever this AP school year may bring, please continue to check in to your 5 Steps Cross-Platform course at www.mheducation.com/Sstepsphysics. We will make every effort to keep the practice tests on the platform reflective of what you'll see on test day. CR 5 iq IY CROSS-PLATFORM Allin print « onli bile Edition Most importantly, look for regular updates on the College Board website for the latest information on your course at apcentral.collegeboard.org. This will be your resource for the most up-to-date information on AP courses.

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    = PREP COURSE YOUR PERSONALIZED STUDY PROGRAM To Access Your Online Course: © Create an account at www.mheducation.com/Sstepsphysics GROSEpLTr oom T — [epee Y | - |_| 2) | REDEEM YOUR ff TH. H CN, | Access CODE | re i mhappdsd863 Sesesssssssssvsrvensessestsees mhappdsd8s3 3} Enter your e-mail address and create a password. [4] You're all set to start studying! : | S— wo H s : 1 F=2 CET IOTCTCTUTOOTOTODIOOTIN ie Bi fon == z~—

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    » PREP COURSE ons YOUR PERSONALIZED STUDY PROGRAM = Customizable Study Plan o tracks your daily goals + o® Games Center * J for practice in spare moments © os LEH1C] © miwrissomt cms conisoi-re-comr- ied p srs Peer Support - and study tips via social media o StudyPlan curse Interactive Lessons © cover entire book 104] 14/40 wo 17% Practice Tests © [ Jott designed to simulate the real thing A=] Practice Questions o Q TRESEL ose c to build test readiness © Pr Ounaive Conpuivons Study Tools © o to focus study where p—— most needed (} ° @ Prien omeer Tee Digital Flashcards © (5) Flashcards: Category 8 5 to memorize key concepts Cs Advanced Analytics o 3 af from the Intelligent Report Dashboard StudyXY

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    ™ ELITE &mo\ 2 AP Physics 1: ysics 1: Algebra-Based Greg Jacobs New York Chicago San Francisco Athens London Madrid MexicoCity Milan New Delhi Singapore Sydney Toronto

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    Copyright © 2021 by McGraw Hill. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the United States Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher. ISBN: 978-1-26-046685-0 MHID: 1-26-046685-X The material in this eBook also appears in the print version of this title: ISBN: 978-1-26-046684-3, MHID: 1-26-046684-1. eBook conversion by codeMantra Version 1.0 All trademarks are trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than put a trademark symbol after every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use names in an editorial fashion only, and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Where such designations appear in this book, they have been printed with initial caps. McGraw-Hill Education eBooks are available at special quantity discounts to use as premiums and sales promotions or for use in corporate training programs. To contact a representative, please visit the Contact Us page at www.mhprofessional.com. McGraw Hill, the McGraw Hill logo, 5 Steps to a 5, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of McGraw Hill and/or its affiliates in the United States and other countries and may not be used without written permission. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. McGraw Hill is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book. AP, Advanced Placement Program, and College Board are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, this product.

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    TERMS OF USE This is a copyrighted work and McGraw-Hill Education and its licensors reserve all rights in and to the work. Use of this work is subject to these terms. Except as permitted under the Copyright Act of 1976 and the right to store and retrieve one copy of the work, you may not decompile, disassemble, reverse engineer, reproduce, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish or sublicense the work or any part of it without McGraw-Hill Education’s prior consent. You may use the work for your own noncommercial and personal use; any other use of the work is strictly prohibited. Your right to use the work may be terminated if you fail to comply with these terms. THE WORK IS PROVIDED “AS IS.” McGRAW-HILL EDUCATION AND ITS LICENSORS MAKE NO GUARANTEES OR WARRANTIES AS TO THE ACCURACY, ADEQUACY OR COMPLETENESS OF OR RESULTS TO BE OBTAINED FROM USING THE WORK, INCLUDING ANY INFORMATION THAT CAN BE ACCESSED THROUGH THE WORK VIA HYPERLINK OR OTHERWISE, AND EXPRESSLY DISCLAIM ANY WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. McGraw-Hill Education and its licensors do not warrant or guarantee that the functions contained in the work will meet your requirements or that its operation will be uninterrupted or error free. Neither McGraw-Hill Education nor its licensors shall be liable to you or anyone else for any inaccuracy, error or omission, regardless of cause, in the work or for any damages resulting therefrom. McGraw-Hill Education has no responsibility for the content of any information accessed through the work. Under no circumstances shall McGraw-Hill Education and/or its licensors be liable for any indirect, incidental, special, punitive, consequential or similar damages that result from the use of or inability to use the work, even if any of them has been advised of the possibility of such damages. This limitation of liability shall apply to any claim or cause whatsoever whether such claim or cause arises in contract, tort or otherwise. Cross-Platform Prep Course

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    Single User License Terms and Conditions Access to the digital content included with this book is governed by the McGraw Hill License Agreement outlined below. By using this digital content you agree to the terms of that license. DURATION OF LICENSE. Access to the Cross-Platform Prep Course will expire one year from your initial login. Your purchase of this McGraw Hill product, including its access code through a retail store is subject to the refund policy of that store. The Content is a copyrighted work of McGraw Hill and McGraw Hill reserves all rights in and to the Content. The Work is © 2021 by McGraw Hill. RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. The user is receiving only a limited right to use the Content for user’s own internal and personal use, dependent on purchase and continued ownership of this Cross-Platform product. The user may not reproduce, forward, modify, create derivative works based upon, transmit, distribute, disseminate, sell, publish, or sublicense the Content or in any way commingle the Content with other third party content, without McGraw Hill’s consent. LIMITED WARRANTY. The McGraw Hill Content is provided on an “as is” basis. Neither McGraw Hill nor its licensors make any kind, either express or implied, including, but not limited to, implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use as to any McGraw Hill Content or the information therein or any warranties as to the accuracy, completeness, currentness, or results to be obtained from, accessing or suing the McGraw Hill content, or any material referenced in such content or any information entered into licensee’s product by users or other persons and/ or any material available on or that can be accessed through the licensee’s product (including via any hyperlink or otherwise) or as to non- infringement of third party rights. Any warranties of any kind, whether express or implied, are disclaimed. Any material or data obtained through use of the McGraw Hill content is at your own discretion and risk and user understands that it will be solely responsible for any resulting damage to its computer system or loss of data. Neither McGraw Hill nor its licensors shall be liable to any subscriber or to any user or anyone else for any inaccuracy, delay, interruption in

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    service, error or omission, regardless of cause, or for any damage resulting therefrom. In no event will McGraw Hill or its licensors be liable for any indirect, special or consequential damages, including but not limited to, lost time, lost money, lost profits or good will, whether in contract, tort, strict liability or otherwise, and whether or not such damages are foreseen or unforeseen with respect to any use of the McGraw Hill content.

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    Preface Acknowledgments About the Authors Introduction: The Five-Step Program STEP 1 Get to Know the Exam and Set Up Your Study Program 1 Frequently Asked Questions About the AP Physics 1 Exam FAQs: The AP Physics Program FAQs: The AP Physics 1 Exam 2 Understanding the Exam: The AP Physics 1 Revolution What Happened to the AP Physics Test? What Is AP Physics 1? Eleven Things You Should Know About the Course and Exam 3 How to Use Your Time Personalizing Your Study Plan Plan A: You Have a Full School Year to Prepare Plan B: You Have One Semester to Prepare Plan C: You Have Six Weeks to Prepare STEP 2 Determine Your Test Readiness 4 Facts to Know for the AP Physics 1 Exam 1. Forces and Motion II. Conservation Laws III. (a) Electricity III. (b) Waves 5 Types of Questions on the AP Physics 1 Exam

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    Question Types Solutions for the AP Physics 1 Question Types Assessment STEP 3 Develop Strategies for Success 6 Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your AP Physics Course Seven Simple Strategies to Get the Most Out of Your AP Physics Course 7 Strategies to Approach the Questions on the Exam Tools You Can Use and Strategies for Using Them Strategies for Questions That Involve a Ranking Task Strategies for Questions That Involve Graphs 8 Strategies to Approach the Questions: Free-Response Section Structure of the Free-Response Section How to Approach the Laboratory Question The Qualitative-Quantitative Translation (QQT) What Do the Exam Readers Look For? Final Advice About the Free-Response Questions 9 Strategies to Approach the Questions: Multiple-Choice Section Multiple-Choice Questions Multiple-Correct: A New Question Type Preparing for the Multiple-Choice Section of the Test Final Strategies for the Multiple-Choice Section STEP 4 Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High 10 How Things Move Introduction to Motion in a Straight Line Graphical Analysis of Motion Algebraic Analysis of Motion Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review

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    11 Forces and Newton’s Laws Describing Forces: Free-Body Diagrams Determining the Net Force Newton’s Third Law Forces at Angles Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 12 Collisions: Impulse and Momentum The Impulse-Momentum Theorem Conservation of Momentum Motion of the Center of Mass Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 13 Work and Energy Energy Work The Work-Energy Theorem Power Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 14 Rotation Circular Motion Torque Rotational Kinematics Rotational Inertia Newton’s Second Law for Rotation Angular Momentum Rotational Kinetic Energy Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems

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    Rapid Review 15 Gravitation Determining the Gravitational Field Determining Gravitational Force Force of Two Planets on One Another—Order of Magnitude Estimates Gravitational Potential Energy Gravitational and Inertial Mass Fundamental Forces: Gravity Versus Electricity Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 16 Electricity: Coulomb’s Law and Circuits Electric Charge Circuits Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 17 Waves and Simple Harmonic Motion Simple Harmonic Motion Waves Practice Problems Solutions to Practice Problems Rapid Review 18 Extra Drills on Difficult but Frequently Tested Topics How to Use This Chapter Springs and Graphs Tension Inclined Planes Motion Graphs Simple Circuits STEP 5 Build Your Test-Taking Confidence

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    AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 1 AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 1: Section I (Multiple-Choice Questions) AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 1: Section II (Free-Response Questions) Solutions: AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 1, Section I (Multiple-Choice Questions) Solutions: AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 1, Section II (Free- Response Questions) Scoring the Practice Exam AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 2 AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 2: Section I (Multiple-Choice Questions) AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 2: Section II (Free-Response Questions) Solutions: AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 2, Section I (Multiple-Choice Questions) Solutions: AP Physics 1 Practice Exam 2, Section II (Free- Response Questions) Scoring the Practice Exam ELITE STUDENT EDITION 5 Minutes toa 5 180 Daily Questions and Activities in 5 Minutes a Day Appendixes Table of Information Recommended Websites The Pantheon of Pizza

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    PREFACE How is this book different from all other AP Physics prep books? The quality of the prep book starts with the author. Greg Jacobs has taught all versions of AP (and non-AP) physics since 1996. His hundreds of students over the years have a greater than 99 percent pass rate; more than 70 percent earn 5s. Greg has graded the exams, he has written questions that have appeared on exams, and he has taught teachers how to teach to the exams. The leading blog about physics teaching is his—“Jacobs Physics.” (Take a look at it.) Greg knows what he’s talking about, and the proof is in the results and feedback from his students. AP Physics 1 emphasizes conceptual understanding over algebraic manipulation, and so does this book. So many people presume that physics is about finding the right numbers to plug into the right equation. That couldn’t be further from the truth. Successful physics students can explain why they chose a specific equation. They can explain what values for each variable are reasonable, and why. They can explain the physical meaning of any mathematical manipulation—how would this problem look in the laboratory? What equipment would be used to measure these values? The AP Physics 1 Exam mostly asks questions that are not about number crunching. Greg has been teaching “beyond the numbers” for years, and he brings his expertise in explaining complex concepts in simple language. Your textbook is impenetrable, even to senior physics majors. This prep book is readable. Be honest—when you read your textbook, you really just try the problems at the end of the chapter, then look back for a template of how to do those problems. Well, this book’s content review is structured around this very method. Greg poses example questions and talks you through them. On the way, he shows you the relevant facts and equations, as well as how you are supposed to know they are relevant. He explains not just the answer, but the thought process behind the answer. You do not have to be already good at physics to understand the text.

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    This book’s practice tests and practice questions are authentic. One of the primary tenets of Greg’s physics teaching is that in-class tests should look exactly like the real AP exams. The College Board has published a curriculum guide that provides express guidance as to the style and content of the exam questions. Greg’s practice tests are derived directly from what the curriculum guide says. He has vast experience phrasing questions in the style seen on College Board exams. Every practice question includes not just an answer, but also a thorough explanation of how to get that answer. The back of your textbook may provide answers like “2 m/s” or “increase.” Huh? Skim through and look at the solutions to the practice exam, and to the end-of- chapter questions. They’re complete. This book’s solutions explain everything, even sometimes the common mistakes that you might have made by accident. Exam readers expect thoroughness on the free-response problems—you should expect the same from your prep book. It is not possible to prepare well for AP Physics merely by using recycled material from previous AP or honors physics courses. Even after six years of AP Physics 1, the majority of teachers—and every AP prep book bar this one—keep using the same problems and presentations, just tweaking the covered topics to match the new exam. And students in those classes, students who use those prep books, have a comeuppance on exam day. The AP Physics 1 Exam asks for explanations, not calculations; it does not give pity points for writing relevant equations. And in four years there has been only one—ONE!!!—problem requiring numerical work on the free-response section. AP Physics 1 demands a revolutionarily different approach to learning physics. Your parents’ generation might kvetch about cell phones and the Internet, but if they’re still doing business by landline and U.S. mail, well, they’re lucky to be doing business at all. Ditto for your teacher who moans about the good old days when physics was taught with calculation after calculation.

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    ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The original idea for this book came many moons ago, when my AP students in 1999 couldn’t stand the other review books on the market. “We can write a better book than that,” they said. And we did. Justin Kreindel, Zack Menegakis, Adam Ohren (who still owes me four sandwiches from Mississippi Sweets for poking Jason during class), Jason Sheikh, and Joe Thistle were the cast members for that particular opera. Josh Schulman, also a member of that 1999 class, was the one who buckled down and put pen to paper, or rather fingers to computer keys. His first draft of a book forced me to revise and finish and publish. Josh is still a coauthor on McGraw-Hill’s 5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics C. I highly recommend that book. Del Franz has been a fabulous editor for this and other projects. I appreciate his toils. The faculty and administration at Woodberry Forest School, in particular former science department chairman Jim Reid, deserve mention. They have been extraordinarily supportive of me professionally. Two amazing physics teachers have vetted this new book for the new exam. They have done tremendous work in exchange for nothing but a free cup of coffee. Thank you, Jeff Steele (who gave feedback on the practice tests) and Matt Sckalor (who read every content chapter). I owe you both. Thank you to those who sent in errata from the first edition. I'm particularly indebted to Glenn Mangold and Drew Austen, who sent in three pages’ worth of edits, along with careful and thorough justifications for each—wow. Joseph Rao, Patrick Diehl, Mike Pozuc, Shannon Copeland, Frank Noschese, Hugh Ross, and I'm sure others I’ve missed have also sent in corrections or thoughts that I’ve used. And to all of the Jacobs Physics blog readers, know that I deeply appreciate the comments, e-mails, and conversations you send my way. Most important, thank you to Shari and Milo for putting up with me during all of my writing projects.

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    —Greg Jacobs

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    ABOUT THE AUTHORS Greg Jacobs is chairman of the science department at Woodberry Forest School, the nation’s premier boarding school for boys. Over the years, Greg has taught all flavors of AP physics. He is a reader and consultant for the College Board, which means he grades AP physics exams, and he runs professional development seminars for other AP teachers. Greg is president of the USAYPT, a nonprofit organization promoting physics research at the high school level. Greg was recently honored as an AP Teacher of the Year by the Siemens Foundation. Outside the classroom, Greg has coached football, baseball, and debate. Greg has called football, baseball, soccer, and basketball games via Internet audio. He writes the prominent physics teaching blog “Jacobs Physics,” available at https://jacobsphysics ‘blogspot.com. Greg would like to thank Jeff Steele for writing the third practice test. Jeff teaches in central Virginia, grades AP exams, and judges the U.S. Invitational Young Physicists Tournaments with Greg. Jeff is also a coauthor of the 5 Minutes to a 5 section of the Elite Student’s version of this book.

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    INTRODUCTION: THE FIVE- STEP PROGRAM Welcome! I know that preparing for the Advanced Placement (AP) Physics 1, Algebra-Based Exam can seem like a daunting task. There’s a lot of material to learn and some of it can be challenging. But I also know that preparing for the AP exam is much easier—and a lot more enjoyable—if you do it with a friendly, helpful guide. So order the pizza (see “Pantheon of Pizza” in the Appendix) and let’s get started. First, you should know that physics does not lend itself well to cramming. Success on the AP exam is most likely the result of actually learning and understanding physics in your AP Physics 1 course. If you are opening this book in the first semester or early in the second semester, be sure to read Chapter 6, which contains strategies to get the most out of your physics class in terms of preparation for the AP exam. Of course, this book can also be instrumental in helping you score high. 5 Steps to 5: AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based is composed of practical, score- raising items you won’t necessarily get in your AP course, including in- depth information about the test, proven strategies to attack each type of question on the exam, an easy-to-follow review of content, and two very realistic practice tests. Organization of the Book: The Five-Step Program You will be taking a lengthy, comprehensive exam in May. You want to be well prepared so that the exam takes on the feel of a command performance, not a trial by fire. Following the Five-Step program is the best way to structure your preparation.

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    Step 1: Get to Know the Exam and Set Up Your Study Program You need to get to know the exam—what’s on it and how it’s structured— so there are no surprises on test day. Understanding the test is the first step in preparing for it. And you need a plan. Step 1 gives you the background and structure you will need before you start exam preparation. Step 2: Determine Your Test Readiness Your study program should not include cramming absolutely everything about physics into your head in the weeks before the test; it can’t be done. Instead, you’ll need to assess your strengths and weaknesses and prioritize what you need to review. The physics fundamentals self-assessment in Chapter 4 will help you do just that. Note that the questions in this self- assessment are not written in the style of the actual questions on the AP Physics 1 Exam. They are designed to quickly determine your strengths and weaknesses, not to mimic actual test questions. Then, in Chapter 5 you’ll be introduced to the different types of questions found on the actual AP Physics 1 Exam. The self-assessment in this chapter allows you to see how you do on each of the different types of questions and to identify the question types with which you need the most practice. The results from both self-assessments—the fundamentals self- assessment in Chapter 4 and the question-type assessment in Chapter 5— should help you develop your study plan and determine which chapters in this book you’ll spend the most time on. Step 3: Develop Strategies for Success Read this if it’s the first semester or the beginning of the second semester of your course. The focus of the remaining chapters in Step 3 is developing effective strategies to approach each of the question types found on the AP Physics 1 Exam. Sure, I know you’ve been listening to general test-taking advice and have been taking multiple-choice standardized tests practically your whole life. But the chapters in this section contain physics-specific advice. And the AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based Exam has questions—even in the multiple- choice section—that are probably unlike any you’ve encountered previously in your standardized test taking. Chapter 7 focuses on strategies

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    for question types found on both the multiple-choice and free-response sections of the test. Chapter 8 looks at strategies for types of questions found only on the free-response section, and finally, Chapter 9 suggests strategies for question types that appear only in the multiple-choice section of the test. Step 4: Review the Knowledge You Need to Score High Step 4 contains a comprehensive review of the topics on the AP exam. Now, you’ve probably been in an AP Physics class all year and you’ve likely read (or at least tried to read!) your textbook. Our review is not meant to be another textbook. It’s only a review—an easy-to-follow, step-by-step review focused exclusively on the things likely to appear on the AP exam. The review is not as detailed as your textbook, but it’s more germane to what’s actually on the AP Physics 1 Exam. Chapters 10 through 15 provide a review of different aspects of mechanics, Chapter 16 focuses on electricity, and Chapter 17 focuses on waves. These review chapters are appropriate both for quick skimming (to remind yourself of salient points) and for in-depth study, with plenty of sample problems you can work through. Each review chapter contains several questions in the format of the free-response questions actually found on the test. Use these questions both to test your knowledge and to practice with the types of questions you’ll encounter on the test. Finally, in Chapter 18, you’ll find extra drills on some of the most common physics situations tested on the AP exam. The old saying is true: practice makes perfect. Step 5: Build Your Test-Taking Confidence This is probably the most important part of this book: full-length practice tests that closely reflect what you’ll encounter in the actual test. Unlike other practice tests you may take, these come with thorough explanations. One of the most important elements in learning physics is making, and then learning from, mistakes. This book doesn’t just tell you what you got wrong; we explain why your answer is wrong and how to do the problem correctly. It’s okay to make a mistake here because, if you do, you probably won’t make the same mistake again on that day in mid-May. In fact, it’s a good idea to read not only the solutions to the problems you got wrong, but

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    also the solutions for the problems you weren’t sure of or simply happened to guess correctly. The Graphics Used in This Book To emphasize particular skills and strategies, we use icons throughout this book. An icon in the margin will alert you that you should pay particular attention to the accompanying text. We use these three icons: 1. This icon points out a very important concept or fact that you should not pass over. 2. This icon calls your attention to a problem-solving strategy that you may want to try. 3. This icon indicates a tip that you might find useful.

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    STEP Get to Know the Exam and Set Up Your Study Program CHAPTER 1 Frequently Asked Questions About the AP Physics 1 Exam CHAPTER 2 Understanding the Exam: The AP Physics 1 Revolution CHAPTER 3 How to Use Your Time

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    CHAPTER Frequently Asked Questions About the AP Physics 1 Exam Summary: This chapter provides the basic information you need to know about the AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based Exam. Learn how the test is structured, what topics are tested, how the test is scored, as well as basic test-taking information. Key Ideas It’s not possible to “game” this test. In order to get a good score, you must know your physics. Half of the test consists of multiple-choice questions and the other half of free-response questions. Each section accounts for half of your score.

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    &@ A score of 3 or above makes you qualified for credit from most colleges and universities. Topics on the exam include the following: 1. Force and Motion - How things move - Forces and Newton's laws - Rotation - Gravitation II. Conservation Laws - Collisions: impulse and momentum - Work and energy - Rotation - Gravitation III. Electricity and Waves - Coulomb’s law and circuits - Waves and simple harmonic motion The focus of the test is not numbers and equations. You may use a calculator and an equation sheet, but these will not be very helpful because far more explanations and verbal responses are required than calculations and numerical answers. FAQs: The AP Physics Program Chapter 2 contains the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based course and exam. If you have additional questions, check out the College Board’s “AP Central” web pages (http://apcentral.collegeboard.com). Another helpful resource for the test is the author’s physics teaching blog at https://jacobsphysics ‘blogspot.com. What Is AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based, and How Is It Different from a Typical Advanced Physics Course?

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    AP Physics 1 is a first-time, no-calculus physics course covering mechanics, waves, and electricity.! The AP Physics 1 Exam involves fewer topics than typical high school or college introductory courses, but it requires far more explanations and verbal responses than calculations and numerical answers. Even though most advanced physics courses require loads of numerical answers and mathematical manipulation, AP Physics 1 requires you to be able to do only two things mathematically: (1) solve straightforward algebraic equations, and (2) use the basic definitions of the trigonometric functions sine, cosine, and tangent. There’s no completing the square, no trigonometric identities—just the basic stuff you learned in your algebra and geometry courses. The next chapter contains more information about how the AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based curriculum differs from the old AP Physics B course and other traditional advanced physics courses. Who Should Take the AP Physics 1, Algebra-Based Course? The AP Physics 1 course is ideal for all college-bound high school students. For those who intend to major in math or the heavy-duty sciences, Physics 1 serves as a perfect introduction to college-level work. For those who want nothing to do with physics after high school, Physics 1 is a terrific terminal course—you get exposure to many facets of physics at a rigorous yet understandable level. Most important, for those who aren’t sure in which direction their college career may head,” the Physics 1 course can help you decide: “Do I like this stuff enough to keep studying it, or not?” What Are the Other AP Physics Courses? In addition to AP Physics 1, the College Board now offers three other AP Physics courses. AP Physics 2 is designed as an algebra-based follow-up to AP Physics 1. In the same style of requiring depth of understanding and verbal explanation, AP Physics 2 covers electricity, magnetism, fluids, thermal physics, atomic and nuclear physics, and more. The AP Physics C courses are only for those who have already taken a solid introductory physics course and are considering a career in the

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    physical sciences or math. Physics C consists of two separate, calculus- based courses: (1) Newtonian Mechanics, and (2) Electricity and Magnetism. Of course, the Physics 1 and Physics 2 courses cover these topics as well. However, the C courses go into greater mathematical depth and detail. The problems are more involved, and they demand a higher level of conceptual and mathematical ability, including differential and integral calculus, and some differential equations. You can take either or both 90- minute Physics C exams. The AP Physics C exams have not changed in many years. If you decide to attempt the Physics C Exam, try 5 Steps to a 5: AP Physics C. Is One Exam Better than the Other? Should I Take More than One? We strongly recommend taking only one exam—and make sure it’s the one your high school AP course prepared you for! Physics C is not considered “better” than Physics 1 or 2 in the eyes of colleges and scholarship committees. They are different courses with different intended audiences. It is far better to do well on the one exam you prepared for than to attempt something else and do poorly. Why Should I Take an AP Physics Exam? Many of you take an AP Physics exam because you are seeking college credit. A score of 3 or above makes you qualified for credit from most colleges and universities. This means you are one or two courses closer to graduation before you even start college! Therefore, one compelling reason to take an AP exam is economic. How much does a college course cost, even at a relatively inexpensive school? You're talking several thousands of dollars. If you can save those thousands of dollars by paying less than a hundred dollars now, why not do so? Even if you do not score high enough to earn college credit, the fact that you elected to enroll in an AP course tells admissions committees that you are a high achiever and are serious about your education. You'll hear a whole lot of misinformation about AP credit policies. Don’t believe anything a friend (or even a teacher) tells you; instead, find out for yourself. One way to learn about the AP credit policy of the school you’re interested in is to look it up on the College Board’s official website,

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