On-Ramp to AP* Physics C: Mechanics from edX

This short course is intended for the high-school students who have taken an introductory-level physics course, acquired some background in Mechanics and intend to take a more advanced course – for instance, AP Physics C. The course helps the students refresh and strengthen their fluency with the mathematical tools and the fundamental topics in Mechanics: Kinematics, Newton’s laws and Laws of Conservation. The last unit of the course contains a comprehensive Final Exam. The students who completed this mini-course will be well-prepared to tackle more advanced course material in the fall.

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* Advanced Placement and AP are registered trademarks of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of, and does not endorse, these offerings.

What you'll learn

Algebra/trigonometry skills for an advanced Mechanics course
Kinematics of motion with constant acceleration
Newton’s laws and their application in problem-solving
Laws of conservation of energy and momentum and their application in problem-solving
Basic information about AP® Physics C (Mechanics) course and Exam

What's inside

Learning objectives

Algebra/trigonometry skills for an advanced mechanics course
Kinematics of motion with constant acceleration
Newton’s laws and their application in problem-solving

Laws of conservation of energy and momentum and their application in problem-solving
Basic information about ap® physics c (mechanics) course and exam

Algebra/trigonometry skills for an advanced mechanics course
Kinematics of motion with constant acceleration
Newton’s laws and their application in problem-solving
Laws of conservation of energy and momentum and their application in problem-solving
Basic information about ap® physics c (mechanics) course and exam

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Designed for high school students prepping for an advanced course in mechanics, such as AP Physics C; good prep for these students

Taught by Boris Korsunsky, who is recognized for their work in mechanics

Provides the tools and concepts high-schoolers need to thrive in an advanced mechanics course

Examines kinematics of motion with constant acceleration, which is pivotal for classical mechanics

Develops Newton's Laws and their applications, which are core skills for solving physics problems

Explores laws of conservation of energy and momentum and their applications, advanced concepts for high-school students

Career center

Learners who complete On-Ramp to AP* Physics C: Mechanics will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical Engineers research, design, develop, build, and test mechanical and thermal devices, including tools, engines, and machines. This course may be useful in this role as it introduces foundational concepts in mechanics, such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are essential for understanding the behavior of mechanical systems. Moreover, the course helps strengthen fluency with mathematical tools like algebra and trigonometry, which are commonly used in mechanical engineering.

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Chemical Engineer

Chemical Engineers design, build, and operate chemical plants and processes. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the flow of fluids and the behavior of materials in chemical processes. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in chemical engineering.

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Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum Engineers design, build, and operate systems for extracting and producing oil and gas. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of fluids and the operation of oil and gas production systems. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in petroleum engineering.

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Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical Engineers research, design, and develop medical devices and systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the interaction between medical devices and the human body. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in biomedical engineering.

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Civil Engineer

Civil Engineers design, build, and maintain infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, and buildings. This course may be useful in this role as it helps build a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of structures and materials used in civil engineering. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in structural analysis and design.

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Nuclear Engineer

Nuclear Engineers research, design, and operate nuclear power plants and other nuclear facilities. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of nuclear materials and the operation of nuclear systems. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in nuclear engineering.

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Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace Engineers design, develop, test, and operate aircraft, spacecraft, and related systems. In this role, this course may be helpful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is crucial for understanding the forces and motions involved in aerospace engineering. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are essential for analyzing and designing aerospace systems.

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Electrical Engineer

Electrical Engineers design, build, and maintain electrical systems and devices. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of electrical systems and devices. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in electrical engineering.

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Robotics Engineer

Robotics Engineers research, design, build, and operate robots. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the motion and control of robots. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in robotics.

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Industrial Engineer

Industrial Engineers design, improve, and install integrated systems for managing industrial production and operations. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the flow of materials and the behavior of machines in industrial processes. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in industrial engineering.

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Manufacturing Engineer

Manufacturing Engineers design, build, and operate manufacturing systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of materials and the operation of manufacturing equipment. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in manufacturing engineering.

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Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, build, and operate complex systems, such as transportation systems, communication systems, and energy systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of systems and their components. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in systems engineering.

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Computer Engineer

Computer Engineers design, build, and maintain computer systems. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of computer systems. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in computer engineering.

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Materials Engineer

Materials Engineers research, develop, and test materials used in various industries, such as aerospace, automotive, and electronics. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the behavior of materials under different forces and conditions. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in materials science and engineering.

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Automotive Engineer

Automotive Engineers research, design, and develop vehicles, such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles. This course may be useful for building a foundation in mechanics, which is essential for understanding the forces and motions involved in vehicle design and performance. The course covers topics such as kinematics, Newton’s laws, and conservation laws, which are commonly used in automotive engineering.

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