Fluids
Find these readings by topic
This earlier reading list remains available with its complete tasks. The current book places these resources in the following topic chapters:
- Oscillations →
Explain restoring-force motion, connect its graphs and energy, and use measurements to test an oscillator model.
- Fluids →
Connect density, pressure forces, buoyancy, and flow conservation to explain fluid behavior and test model predictions.
Apply density, pressure, buoyancy, continuity, and Bernoulli’s equation.
Use the sections below to build the models in this unit. The AP course lessons provide topic-specific instruction and practice; companion readings offer additional explanations and original interactive quizzes.
- Fluids and Density: What Is Inside Matters ↗
Build particle models for solids, liquids, and gases, then measure density with a meaningful graph.
- Pressure: More Than a Downward Push ↗
Separate pressure from force, derive hydrostatic pressure, and keep gauge and absolute readings straight.
- Buoyancy and Newton’s Laws: Floating Is a Force Balance ↗
Use pressure forces and free-body diagrams to distinguish buoyancy, weight, motion, and acceleration.
- Fluid Conservation: Follow the Water and the Energy ↗
Connect volume flow rate, continuity, Bernoulli, and Torricelli with original calculations and a measurable jet experiment.
- Experiment, Explain, and Show Your Work ↗
Use all ten science-practice skills and four original FRQ tasks to turn physics ideas into clear evidence.
Put the unit together
The unit practice ends with 8 additional problems. Build the diagrams and explain the model before checking the separate reasoning and scoring criteria.
Try the added unit problems → · Worked solutions and rubrics →