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Introduction to PhysicsThis course creates a foundation for learning advanced physics by focusing on the fundamental tools used in high school physics and beyond. For example, students will learn how physicists apply tools such as dimensional analysis, extreme case reasoning, and symmetries to understand the relationship between mathematical models and the real world. They’ll also learn the elements of experimental physics, including designing experiments, measuring uncertainty, and analyzing data. Learning core physics practices, like estimation and techniques for physics problem solving, are built into the course curriculum as well. |
12 weeks |
| 12 weeks ARE YOU READY? DO YOU NEED THIS? SYLLABUS |
Schedule
|
Sunday
Jun 15 - Sep 14 |
7:30 - 9:00 PM ET
Jun 15 - Sep 14
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern 6:30 - 8:00 PM Central 5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain 4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific Click here to see more time zones |
James Sheldon | $400 (~$34/lesson) |
$400
(~$34/lesson)
CLOSED |
|
Monday
Jun 23 - Sep 15 |
7:30 - 9:00 PM ET
Jun 23 - Sep 15
7:30 - 9:00 PM Eastern 6:30 - 8:00 PM Central 5:30 - 7:00 PM Mountain 4:30 - 6:00 PM Pacific Click here to see more time zones |
Andrew Sayler | $400 (~$34/lesson) |
$400
(~$34/lesson)
CLOSED |
| Fall 2025 | This course will be offered in Fall 2025. Click here to join our mailing list to be notified when the course schedule is available. | |||
AoPS Holidays
There are no classes August 29 ‐ September 1, October 31, November 24 ‐ November 30, December 20 ‐ January 2, May 23 ‐ 25, and July 3 ‐ 5, 2026.
Who Should Take?
This is our foundational course for learning physics. It is intended for high school-level students who want to explore the way that physicists approach problems and prepare to study specific physics topics (like Mechanics or Electricity and Magnetism) in future courses. This course does not assume specific knowledge of physics. This course assumes competency with algebra; we recommend having taken at least Introduction to Algebra A at AoPS or having equivalent knowledge.
Lessons
| 1 | Designing Experiments |
| 2 | Measurement |
| 3 | Communication in Physics |
| 4 | Uncertainty |
| 5 | Working with Equations |
| 6 | Building and Using Models |
| 7 | Problem Solving |
| 8 | Estimation |
| 9 | Working with Graphs |
| 10 | Analyzing Nonlinear Data |
| 11 | Thought Experiments |
| 12 | Conservation Laws |
