AAPT NCPT (Level 1) study plan

Derive and apply Newton's three laws to multi-body systems with pulleys and inclines

Solve work-energy and conservation-of-energy problems including non-conservative forces

Set up and solve 2D projectile and circular-motion kinematics from given initial conditions

Distinguish static from kinetic friction and compute threshold angles

Apply conservation of momentum to 1D and 2D collisions and explosions

Compute torque and solve static-equilibrium problems with multiple pivot points

Relate angular and linear quantities and apply rotational kinetic energy and angular momentum conservation

Identify when to model a system as rigid versus point-mass

Apply Coulomb's law and superposition to discrete and continuous charge distributions

Compute electric field and potential for point, line, and sheet configurations

Analyze series and parallel capacitor networks and compute stored energy

Predict charge motion qualitatively in uniform fields

Apply Ohm's law, Kirchhoff's rules, and equivalent resistance to multi-loop DC circuits

Compute magnetic force on moving charges and current-carrying wires

Use right-hand rules to determine field and force directions

Relate changing magnetic flux to induced EMF and induced current direction

Identify sources of systematic and random error and propagate uncertainty through simple calculations

Select appropriate instruments and read scales to correct significant figures

Distinguish state variables from path-dependent quantities

Apply the first law of thermodynamics to isothermal, adiabatic, isobaric, and isochoric processes

Compute efficiency of heat engines and coefficients of performance

Interpret graphs of pressure versus volume and identify work done as area

Apply kinetic theory relations to connect temperature, molecular speed, and internal energy

Design a controlled experiment that isolates one variable and state the assumption tested

Evaluate whether a stated conclusion follows from the data presented

Apply wave equation relations among speed, frequency, and wavelength across media

Predict interference and diffraction patterns using path-difference conditions

Trace ray diagrams through mirrors and thin lenses using the lens/mirror equation

Explain polarization, dispersion, and the Doppler effect qualitatively and quantitatively

Apply photoelectric effect, photon energy, and de Broglie wavelength relations

Compute mass-energy equivalence and simple nuclear decay energetics

Re-solve previously missed mechanics and E&M items and confirm corrected reasoning

Complete a full-length timed mixed practice exam under exam conditions