AP Physics C: Mechanics curriculum & tutors

Science

A calculus-based AP mechanics course covering motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, angular momentum, orbits, and oscillations with experimental reasoning throughout.

7 public curriculum units1 tutor availableAlways Free
AP Physics C: Mechanics / calculus-based university physics

AP Physics C: Mechanics curriculum

A calculus-based AP mechanics course covering motion, forces, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, angular momentum, orbits, and oscillations with experimental reasoning throughout.

Pacing
7 units, 24-34 weeks self-paced
Units
7 unit sequence
Practice
560 checked answers
Support
Self-paced or tutor-guided
Outcomes
  • Model mechanics with calculus, vectors, diagrams, conservation laws, and explicit system boundaries.
  • Derive and interpret physical relationships instead of relying on formula matching.
  • Design experiments and write AP-ready qualitative and quantitative explanations.

Video companion links

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.

External video content is linked or embedded through provider-hosted players, 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.

View full curriculum
  1. 01

    Kinematics

    • Use derivatives and integrals to connect position, velocity, and acceleration in one and two dimensions.
    • Analyze motion from functions, graphs, vectors, and data.

    Practice: Derive a motion relationship, solve it in two representations, and check units and limiting behavior.

  2. 02

    Force and translational dynamics

    • Apply Newton's laws to particles, systems, center of mass, circular motion, and gravitation.
    • Choose coordinates and system boundaries that expose constraints.

    Practice: Solve a multi-object dynamics problem from a free-body diagram and defend every force and sign.

  3. 03

    Work, energy, and power

    • Derive work-energy relationships from force and displacement.
    • Use potential-energy functions, conservation, and power with calculus.

    Practice: Analyze a variable-force system by integration and compare the result to an energy diagram.

  4. 04

    Linear momentum

    • Use impulse as a force-time integral and conserve momentum for valid systems.
    • Analyze center of mass and one- and two-dimensional collisions.

    Practice: Complete a collision analysis with system choice, impulse evidence, conservation equations, and a reasonableness check.

Need the complete source list and remaining units? Open the full AP Physics C: Mechanics curriculum.

STEM, coding, and test-prep tutor support

Free

Nikhil supports students working through the public STEM, coding, and test-prep curriculum. Sessions focus on diagnosing the exact gap, working probl…

Pre-AlgebraAlgebraPrecalculusAP Precalculus+2 more
4 yrs experience Online

Ready to work through AP Physics C: Mechanics?

Start with the public curriculum. If a unit stalls, get targeted one-on-one support from a tutor.