Physics curriculum

An algebra-based physics path focused on modeling, diagrams, units, experiments, and AP-style conceptual reasoning.

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High school physics / AP Physics 1-2 / college bridge

Physics curriculum

An algebra-based physics path focused on modeling, diagrams, units, experiments, and AP-style conceptual reasoning.

Pacing

9 units, 28-36 weeks self-paced

Units

9 unit sequence

Practice

18 checked answers

Support

Self-paced or tutor-guided

Outcomes

Represent physical systems with diagrams, equations, graphs, and words.
Use conservation laws and Newtonian mechanics to solve unfamiliar problems.
Connect lab evidence to models instead of memorizing formula sheets.

Khan Academy companion path

Use these linked courses for video instruction and mastery practice, then return here for PeerTutor original checks and tutor help on the exact unit that got stuck.

AP/College Physics 1

External video content is linked, not copied. PeerTutor practice is original and cites each source path separately.

Unit sequence

Built for independent progress first, then tutor support where the student gets stuck.

01
Measurement, units, and modeling
- Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.
- Build simple mathematical models from evidence.
Practice: Collect a short dataset and fit a physical relationship with units.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Measurement, units, and modeling"?
Analyze one- and two-dimensional motion.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Measurement, units, and modeling" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Collect a short dataset and fit a physical relationship with units.
02
Kinematics
- Describe motion with graphs and equations.
- Analyze one- and two-dimensional motion.
Practice: Solve a projectile problem using x/y independence and a diagram.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Kinematics"?
Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Analyze one- and two-dimensional motion.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Kinematics" before asking a tutor for help?
Solve a projectile problem using x/y independence and a diagram.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
03
Forces and Newton's laws
- Draw free-body diagrams.
- Apply Newton's laws to equilibrium and acceleration.
Practice: Model a multi-force system and explain each force pair.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Forces and Newton's laws"?
Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Draw free-body diagrams.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Forces and Newton's laws" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Model a multi-force system and explain each force pair.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
04
Energy
- Use work, kinetic energy, potential energy, and conservation.
- Identify nonconservative work.
Practice: Compare a force-based and energy-based solution for the same problem.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Energy"?
Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Identify nonconservative work.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Energy" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Compare a force-based and energy-based solution for the same problem.Skip the unit and start a new subject.
05
Momentum and collisions
- Use impulse and conservation of momentum.
- Analyze elastic and inelastic collisions.
Practice: Predict collision outcomes and test them with a simple simulation.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Momentum and collisions"?
Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use impulse and conservation of momentum.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Momentum and collisions" before asking a tutor for help?
Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Predict collision outcomes and test them with a simple simulation.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.
06
Rotation and gravitation
- Use torque, angular motion, and rotational energy.
- Apply universal gravitation and circular motion.
Practice: Solve a rotational equilibrium task with torque signs labeled.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Rotation and gravitation"?
Apply universal gravitation and circular motion.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Rotation and gravitation" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Solve a rotational equilibrium task with torque signs labeled.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
07
Waves, sound, and optics
- Model wave speed, interference, standing waves, and sound.
- Use ray diagrams and lens equations.
Practice: Explain a wave phenomenon using both a diagram and an equation.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Waves, sound, and optics"?
Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Model wave speed, interference, standing waves, and sound.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Waves, sound, and optics" before asking a tutor for help?
Skip the unit and start a new subject.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Explain a wave phenomenon using both a diagram and an equation.
08
Electricity and magnetism
- Analyze circuits, fields, potential, and magnetic forces.
- Use conservation ideas in electrical systems.
Practice: Build and interpret a circuit model with current and voltage checkpoints.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Electricity and magnetism"?
Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Use conservation ideas in electrical systems.Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Describe motion with graphs and equations.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Electricity and magnetism" before asking a tutor for help?
Build and interpret a circuit model with current and voltage checkpoints.Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.
09
Thermal physics and fluids
- Use pressure, buoyancy, heat transfer, and ideal gas ideas.
- Connect macroscopic laws to particle models.
Practice: Analyze a thermal or fluid system using assumptions stated upfront.
Original practice checks
Answer in PeerTutor, then use the explanation or bring the miss to a tutor.
2 checked answers
Unit readiness
Which target best matches the Physics unit "Thermal physics and fluids"?
Build simple mathematical models from evidence.Use vectors, units, uncertainty, and significant figures.Describe motion with graphs and equations.Use pressure, buoyancy, heat transfer, and ideal gas ideas.
Practice artifact
Which practice artifact should you produce for "Thermal physics and fluids" before asking a tutor for help?
Watch videos without writing or solving anything.Memorize vocabulary without checking any examples.Skip the unit and start a new subject.Analyze a thermal or fluid system using assumptions stated upfront.