AP Physics C: Mechanics

Advanced Placement Physics C: Mechanics with calculus-based physics principles.

Basic Concepts

Work, Energy, and Power

Energy and How It Moves

Work, energy, and power are all about how forces transfer energy and cause motion.

Work

Work is done when a force moves an object: \( W = \int \vec{F} \cdot d\vec{s} \).

Kinetic and Potential Energy

  • Kinetic energy: \( KE = \frac{1}{2}mv^2 \)
  • Potential energy: Energy stored due to position (e.g., \( PE = mgh \) for gravity).

Conservation of Energy

Energy cannot be created or destroyed—just transformed from one form to another.

Power

Power is the rate at which work is done: \( P = \frac{dW}{dt} \).

This section helps explain why lifting a backpack slowly uses less power than sprinting up stairs with it!

Examples

  • A roller coaster converts potential energy at the top of a hill into kinetic energy as it speeds downward.

  • Cyclists increase their power output to climb steep hills faster.

In a Nutshell

Work and energy describe how forces move and change objects, while power shows how quickly this happens.