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From AP to Competition: Master the F=ma and Make USAPhO
Highest Rated
Rating: 5.0 out of 5(19 ratings)
114 students

From AP to Competition: Master the F=ma and Make USAPhO

Learn the essential physics and problem-solving strategies to excel in AP Physics and pass the F=ma exam.
Highest Rated
Created byMingfei Ye
Last updated 9/2025
English

What you'll learn

  • The key concepts tested on the F=ma exam: kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, orbital mechanics, oscillations, and error propagation.
  • How to organize your thinking and scratch work to tackle multiple-choice questions efficiently
  • How to apply estimation, dimensional analysis, and elimination techniques to quickly identify correct answers and avoid common traps
  • Algebra, geometry, and graphical skills for solving physics problems

Course content

12 sections • 73 lectures • 9h 41m total length

  • Introduction2:45
  • About the F=ma exam4:12
  • Course Breakdown3:18
  • How to Use this Course (VERY IMPORTANT)4:12
  • Are You Ready? Busting Common Misconceptions Before Tackling the F=ma

Requirements

  • Some understanding of algebra-based physics (high school or AP level is great)
  • Familiarity with algebra (If you know how to solve systems of equations, you're ready)
  • Willingness to learn basic trigonometry—a key skill for certain physics problems (will be covered if unfamiliar)
  • No calculus is required—this course is designed around the math level of precalculus

Description

Are you a high school student striving to excel in AP Physics and qualify for the U.S. National Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)? This course is your guide to preparing for and passing the F=ma exam, the first step into competition physics.

The F=ma exam is known for its challenging mechanics problems that test not just your understanding of physics but also strategic problem solving.

Through a carefully structured curriculum, you’ll gain an understanding of the core mechanics topics that appear on the exam—kinematics, dynamics, work and energy, momentum, orbital mechanics, oscillations, and error propagation. You'll move beyond just reviewing formulas to thinking like a physics Olympiad contestant.


You’ll learn how to:

  • Approach problems methodically under time constraints

  • Use estimation and dimensional analysis to eliminate wrong choices

  • Avoid common traps and develop intuition for tricky setups

What you get:

  • Clear explanations of physics concepts and problem solving strategies

  • Worked examples of exam problems

  • Challenging problems to prepare for the exam

  • Written resources with specific tips for the F=ma

What are the prerequisites?

  • Students who have taken a high school physics class

  • Students who are comfortable working with algebra and systems of equations

Whether you’ve competed in physics contests before or are preparing for your first, this course will meet you where you are. By the end of this course, you’ll have the knowledge, strategies, and confidence to take on the F = ma exam.

Who this course is for:

  • High school students preparing for the F=ma exam, the first round of the US Physics Olympiad (USAPhO)
  • Students interested in competitions involving physics
  • Students preparing for high school or AP physics classes (This course will help!)
  • Homeschool learners or self-motivated students wanting to build confidence in physics problem solving at a national competition levelers, tutors, or coaches seeking structured resources to help students prepare for physics contests

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