One of the most common applications of gravitation that AP enjoys is the orbits of planets and satellites!

Fast Facts of Planets and Satellites in Orbit:

This also means that the kinetic energy of a satellite in orbit can be simplified down to only be dependent on the satellite and its distance.

The centripetal force acting on a satellite/planet system is caused by the gravitational force.

This means that we can derive some formulas to describe the orbits of these systems that move in a circular path.

Additionally, I'll leave the proof of this one as an exercise for you, but we can use a similar method to determine the 

There is another version of this formula which is known as 

 which is only applicable for objects in circular orbit:

This is commonly rewritten as below in order to simplify the relationship:

 situations in relation to satellites, you can use the conservation of energy in order to help you describe its motion. 

Most Physics C: Mechanics classes tend to skip over Kepler's Laws, so note that it is perfectly acceptable to justify your answer with other physics you know.

AP Physics C: Mechanics

Learn everything about unit 1 of AP Physics C: Mechanics using these resources. We cover an overview of kinematics, including motion in two dimensions, practice free response questions and review resources to help you fully understand this unit! 

Unit 1 – Kinematics

Learn all about unit 2 of AP Physics C: Mechanics with these resources. These resources cover a review of Newton's Laws of Motion, including a detailed explanation of Newton's Third Law of Motion and explanations and practice problems for circular motion. We cover everything you need to know for this unit!

Unit 2 – Newton’s Laws of Motion

Everything you need to know about unit 3 of AP Physics C: Mechanics can be found in these resources! We cover all of the important topics and formulas you need to know including conservation of energy, power, work, energy and more to help you fully understand this unit and prepare for your exam!

Unit 3 – Work, Energy, & Power

Take advantage of these resources to understand unit 4 of the AP Physics C: Mechanics course. This unit covers systems of particles and linear movement, and these resources will help you better understand center of mass, with practice problems and example calculations, as well as impulse, momentum, collisions and more!

Unit 4 – Systems of Particles & Linear Momentum

Head spinning about torque and rotational kinematics? Then check out these resources about unit 5 of AP Physics C: Mechanics unit 5. We cover everything you need to know about torque, rotational kinematics including angular momentum with practice problems, example calculations and detailed explanations. 

Unit 5 – Rotation

Check out these resources all about unit 6 of AP Physics C: Mechanics. We cover the important topics like oscillations, harmonic motion, springs, pendulums and more. With study guides, practice problems and helpful explanations, these resources will make sure you understand all of unit 6.

Unit 6 – Oscillations

Master the final unit of AP Physics C: Mechanics by using these resources. Explore gravitational forces and orbital motion, including practice problems, explanations and example calculations for moving planets and satellites. These resources ensure that you understand unit 7 of this course!

Unit 7 – Gravitation

Frequently Asked Questions

Exam Reviews

AP Cram Sessions 2021

Introduction

Key Vocabulary

Practice Questions

1.1 Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension

1.2 Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions

Applications of Kinematics

Conclusion

Unit 1 Overview: Kinematics

Overview

Big Idea

Exam Impact

Kinematics: Motion in One Dimension🚴

Practice Question:

Kinematics Overview and Motion in One Dimension

Kinematics: Motion in 2-D

Kinematics Practice Questions:

Kinematics: Motion in Two Dimensions 

Multiple Choice Practice for Kinematics

Multiple Choice Questions

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Kinematics

MC Answers and Review

2.1 Newton's Laws of Motion: First and Second Law

2.2 Circular Motion

2.3 Newton's Laws of Motion: Third Law

Unit 2 Overview: Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton's Laws of Motion: First and Second Law 🥏

Friction Force

Practice Questions:

Circular Motion

Vertical Circles

Banked Curves 

Newton's Laws of Motion: Third Law

Atwood Machines

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Newton's Laws of Motion

Multiple Choice Practice for Newton's Laws of Motion

Multiple Choice

3.1 Work-Energy Theorem

3.2 Forces and Potential Energy

3.3 Conservation of Energy

3.4 Power

Practice Problems

Unit 3 Overview: Work, Energy, and Power

Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

Big Ideas

Work-Energy Theorem 💪

Work-Energy Theorem 

Conservation of Energy

Conservative Systems

Conservation of Energy 

Power and Work vs Time💡

Power 

Multiple Choice Practice for Work, Energy, and Power

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Work, Energy, and Power

4.1 Center of Mass

4.2 Impulse and Momentum

4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum and Collisions

Unit 4 Overview: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum 

Overview 

Unit 4 Overview: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

Center of Mass and Linear Mass Density

Motion of the Center of Mass

Center of Gravity vs Center of Mass

Center of Mass 

Linear Momentum🥚

Impulse

Center of Mass Velocity

Impulse and Momentum 

Conservation of Linear Momentum in a System🎱

Conservation of Linear Momentum

Collisions

Conservation of Linear Momentum and Collisions 

Multiple Choice Practice for Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

Unit 5 Overview: Rotation

5.1 Torque and Rotational Statics

5.2 Rotational Kinematics

5.3 Rotational Dynamics and Energy

5.4 Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

Torque & Rotational Statics

Moment of Inertia

Torque and Rotational Statics 🔧

Translational VS Rotational Kinematics 

Rotational Kinematics

Rotational Dynamics Equilibrium and Rigid Body Diagrams

Rotational Dynamics

Rolling? Sliding? Rotating? What reaches the bottom first? 

Rotational Energy

Rotational Dynamics and Energy

Conservation of Angular Momentum 🛰️

Common Situations of Conservation of Angular Momentum

Angular Momentum and Its Conservation

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Systems of Rotation

Some questions that can be explored in this unit are:

6.1 Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums

Unit 6 Overview: Oscillations


SHM, Periodic Motion, and Examples 🕰️


Practice Questions 

Simple Harmonic Motion, Springs, and Pendulums 

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Oscillations

Vocabulary

7.1 Gravitational Forces

7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites

Key Questions

Unit 7 Overview: Gravitation

Newton's Law of Universal Gravitation and Gravitational Forces 🍎

Unit 7.1 Practice Problems

Gravitational Forces

Circular Orbits

Elliptical Orbits

Kepler's Laws

Gravity Assists

Factors Affecting Orbits

Geostationary Orbits

Questions for Review

Unit 7.2 Practice Problems

Orbits of Planets and Satellites

Multiple Choice Practice for Gravitation

Answers and Review for Multiple Choice Practice on Gravitation

Your guide to the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam

Format of the 2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics exam

When is the 2022 AP Physics C Mechanics exam and how do I take it?

How should I prepare for the exam?

Pre-work: set up your study environment

AP Physics C: Mechanics 2022 Study Plan

🚗 Unit 1: Kinematics

🚀 Unit 2: Newton's Laws of Motion

🎢 Unit 3: Work, Energy, and Power

🎳 Unit 4: Systems of Particles and Linear Momentum

🚲 Unit 5: Rotation

🌊 Unit 6: Oscillations

🪐 Unit 7: Gravitation

More Resources to look into:

2022 AP Physics C: Mechanics Exam Guide

7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites

AP Physics C: Mechanics ⚙️

7.2 Orbits of Planets and Satellites

Unit 7.2 Practice Problems

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