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Award-Winning AP Physics C: Mechanics Tutors

Justin

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Justin

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics
Justin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Com...

Education

Washington University in St. Louis

Bachelor's in Physics and Mathematics

University of Chicago

Doctor of Philosophy, Computational Mathematics

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
33
Jonathan

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Jonathan

PHD, Physics
Jonathan's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Trigonometry
Calculus 3
Calculus

I am eager to help students wrestle with and master concepts in their math and physics classes. I have extensive experience tutoring students in both math and physics at the high school and college level in one on one and larger group settings. During my PhD I was awarded a teaching fellowship which...

Education

University of Chicago

PHD, Physics

Vanderbilt University

Bachelors

Kevin

Certified Tutor

7+ years

Kevin

Bachelor of Science
Kevin's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Statistics Graduate Level

I am interested in working for Varsity Tutors because I enjoy helping others learn new concepts and progress in whatever they are struggling with. I have significant experience tutoring with a variety of age levels and would be delighted to have an opportunity to work with students through this oppo...

Education

Stanford University

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
SAT
1560
ACT
35
Dennis

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Dennis

Bachelor of Science
Dennis's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra

I'm Dennis. I study physics, math, and computer science. I have done research about cosmic ray acceleration at supernova shock fronts in the Princeton University Department of Astrophysics, simulating how the turbulent plasmas push protons and ions. I have also worked at the Norfolk State University...

Education

Princeton University

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1530
ACT
36
Derek

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Derek

Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science
Derek's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus BC
Pre-Algebra
Multivariable Calculus
Trigonometry

I am currently a Harvard student majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Applied Mathematics. I graduated Class Valedictorian in high school and was named National Merit Finalist. I took 16 AP classes in high school, including AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Computer Science A, AP Physics C ...

Education

Harvard University

Bachelor in Arts, Computer Science

Test Scores
SAT
1550
Pratik

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Pratik

Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General
Pratik's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
AP Calculus BC
AP Calculus AB
Calculus

I'm a premedical student at Cornell University with extensive experience tutoring students, especially in chemistry at the high school and undergraduate level, writing at the high school and undergraduate level, and SAT/ACT prep.

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor in Arts, Biology, General

Test Scores
SAT
1550
ACT
35
Bettina

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Bettina

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Bettina's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Mechanical Engineering

I am a mechanical engineering student who is passionate about the propensity for engineering and technology to impact society for the better. I love learning new things and teaching others!

Education

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Bryan

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Bryan

Bachelor of Science
Bryan's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
AP Physics 1
Physics

I am available to help students with any topics they are struggling with in their high school or early college-level Physics courses.

Education

Duke University

Bachelor of Science

Test Scores
SAT
1570
Andrew

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Andrew

Current Undergrad Student, Finance
Andrew's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Pre-Calculus
Calculus
Algebra

I'm from upstate New York and I love to be outside, play guitar, and work out. I have 3 siblings, so I'm used to helping people strengthen their skills and learn new ones. I love most math classes, and I'm attending Boston College in the Carroll School of Management Honors Program. I intend on major...

Education

Boston College

Current Undergrad Student, Finance

Test Scores
SAT
1430
ACT
32
Emily

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Emily

Bachelor in Arts, Computational Biology
Emily's other Tutor Subjects
AP Statistics
Pre-Algebra
Statistics
Pre-Calculus

I am a student at Cornell University pursuing a double major in Biological Sciences, concentrating in computational biology, and Computer Science. I have tutored math, biology, physics, and French to middle school and high school students. I have also facilitated group discussion sessions for Englis...

Education

Cornell University

Bachelor in Arts, Computational Biology

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1590
ACT
36

Practice AP Physics C: Mechanics

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Dylan

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +44 Subjects

I'm a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, majoring in Physics and Classics and minoring in Mathematics and Computer Science. I'm qualified to teach a wide variety of subjects, but prefer to focus on the fields I'm studying in school listed above; I have a passion for those areas that I want to share with everyone, no matter the education level or confidence. I believe that no one is "bad at math," but many people haven't been taught math and science concepts in a way that matches how they best learn. As a result, I try to tailor my teaching style to be the best it can be for each individual student. With regard to math and physics, I myself prefer a physical, graphical understanding of different concepts, so I do best at explaining what seemingly abstract concepts actually mean in the real world and how they act on a graph.

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Eamonn

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +30 Subjects

I am a highly motivated, PhD physics student with a very strong background in mathematics and physics. I have plenty of experience as a tutor, helping students at both the high school and university level.

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Michael

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +34 Subjects

I am currently a rising Junior at Northwestern University studying Electrical and Computer Engineering. In my studies I am focusing on Robotics and Control Systems (think developing robots like Boston Dynamics or designing algorithms that allow rockets to land on their own like SpaceX.) I also am a member of Northwestern's solar car racing team, NUSolar, and I am the academic chair for the Tau Delta chapter of the Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity. In my experiences as a student I have realized how important it is to have individuals that are able to help as you progress through school, especially when you are struggling. To this end I want to be a great academic resource for students and help them solidly the concepts which will help them succeed in their academic endeavors and beyond.

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Alex

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm a junior in chemical engineering at ASU Barrett and I specialize in math and physics tutoring. If you need help with any of your math subjects or have trouble with physics and chemistry I'm the one to call. I love working with students and each and everybody's success is my top priority.

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Gagik

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +30 Subjects

I am a graduate of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan, where I completed my Ph.D. program in Physics. I was doing research in physics for many years, but it always comes a time when you feel you must pass your knowledge to other people, especially those of new generation. So, I started teaching and tutoring then. Originally I was teaching Conceptual, Algebra-Based and Calculus-Based Physics courses at different colleges and universities. Yet, while teaching these courses, I was also unofficially "tutoring" the students during my office hours when they were coming with their concerns and confusions. Officially, my tutoring started in January 2017, when I was offered to tutor at Science Learning Center of Stark State College in North Canton, Ohio. One thing I like in tutoring is the opportunity to work with students individually and use personal approaches to direct them to the success in their studies, rather than teaching an "average student" standing at a whiteboard or a projector screen. I am tutoring College, University and AP Physics courses, also I am able to tutor algebra/trigonometry and calculus. Rather that just giving the students the equations to solve the desired problems, I prefer to make the students work themselves, concentrating myself in directing them whenever it is necessary and explaining the subtle points of the confusing material studied. During the tests the students are left with their task alone with no help form anyone, and my goal is to make them able to deal with such tasks successfully. Hobbies: art, books, writing, reading, music

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Aadith

Middle School Math Tutor • +22 Subjects

I'm an undergraduate at Rice University, majoring in Physics and Biochemistry, with a strong passion for research, classical music, and good teaching. I've loved math and science from a young age and am eager to share my knowledge with other students. I believe that everyone deserves to enjoy learning about our world and that everyone has their own preferred way to learn. That's why I hope to offer personalized tutoring that helps you learn not just the material but also how to better teach yourself.

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Lila

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +54 Subjects

I am currently a rising Senior at Rice University from Alexandria, Virginia. I'm studying Political Science and Latin American Studies with a minor in Politics, Law and Social Thought. After I graduate I hope to go to law school to become an immigration lawyer.

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Ainsley

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +46 Subjects

I am a graduate of Rice University with a Bachelor of Science in Physics, a Bachelors of Arts in Philosophy, and a minor in Neuroscience. My previous tutoring experiences have primarily focused on college level physics, math, and chemistry; AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Chemistry; the ACT and SAT college entrance exams; general mathematics at the high school level; and middle school level math and english for state standardized testing. Additionally, I have experience working with students with learning differences including dyslexia, ADHD, and ASD.

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Thomas

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +96 Subjects

I am also working towards a career in molecular biology, I use math and science every day, and I can explain real-world applications and uses for these subjects that may not seem obvious. By demonstrating the use of math and science in everyday life, I am able to help interact with the student and increase their interest in a subject in which they may experience difficulty. I also believe that as a tutor, it is my responsibility to engage with the student to help them achieve and even surpass their goals. In my spare time, I am heavily involved with music in New York City, being part of multiple choirs and continuing to play piano. I also enjoy exercising and exploring the city whenever I have the chance.

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Vinson

AP Statistics Tutor • +22 Subjects

I'm currently a freshman at Rice University studying applied math. I've always had a love for sharing knowledge with others, and I started tutoring when I was a junior in high school. As a former AP student and a National AP Scholar, I have the experience necessary to guide my students through challenging curriculum. Though I specialize in tutoring mathematics and physics, I am experienced with and am happy to tutor a broad range of subjects.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Students typically struggle most with rotational motion and angular momentum, particularly when translating between linear and rotational analogs. Energy and momentum conservation problems that require identifying system boundaries also trip up many students. Additionally, simple harmonic motion—especially when combined with energy concepts—and the mathematical rigor of calculus-based kinematics equations challenge students transitioning from algebra-based physics. A tutor can break down these conceptual hurdles by connecting the mathematics to physical intuition.

The free-response section rewards clear problem-solving methodology and showing your work—partial credit is significant. Start by identifying what you know, what you're solving for, and which physics principles apply (conservation laws, Newton's laws, energy, etc.). Draw force diagrams and set up your coordinate system early. A tutor can help you develop a consistent problem-solving framework and practice applying it under timed conditions, which builds both accuracy and confidence when test day arrives.

AP Physics C: Mechanics is fundamentally calculus-based—you'll need to integrate acceleration to find velocity and position, and differentiate position to find velocity and acceleration. Students often struggle with recognizing when to integrate versus differentiate, and with setting up integrals for non-constant forces or variable mass problems. Many also find themselves rusty on u-substitution or integration by parts when tackling rotational inertia calculations. A tutor experienced in both physics and calculus can help you strengthen the mathematical foundations while building intuition for why calculus is the right tool.

The multiple-choice section has 35 questions in 45 minutes—roughly 75 seconds per question. Many students get stuck on conceptual traps or spend too long on algebraic dead ends. The key is to recognize question types quickly: some test conceptual understanding (often answerable without calculation), while others require full problem-solving. Practice with released exams under timed conditions reveals your personal bottlenecks. A tutor can help you identify which question types you solve efficiently versus which ones consistently eat up time, then develop targeted strategies—like sketching force diagrams only when necessary or recognizing when dimensional analysis eliminates wrong answers.

Rotational dynamics is abstract because you can't see torque or moment of inertia the way you see force. The breakthrough comes from treating rotational motion as a complete parallel to linear motion: torque is to rotation what force is to translation, and moment of inertia is to rotation what mass is to translation. The parallel axis theorem (I = I_cm + Md²) trips students up because they forget to identify the axis of rotation correctly and lose track of what d represents. Working through problems that compare rolling versus sliding motion, or that involve both translational and rotational kinetic energy, solidifies this understanding. A tutor can walk you through the conceptual scaffolding and then practice problems that build confidence.

This is one of the most common decision points on the exam. Use conservation of momentum when external forces are zero or cancel out (collisions, explosions, isolated systems). Use conservation of energy when you're tracking kinetic, potential, or elastic energy changes, or when friction/non-conservative forces aren't present. The tricky part: many problems require both—an inelastic collision conserves momentum but loses kinetic energy, while an elastic collision conserves both. Students often pick one tool and miss the full picture. A tutor can help you develop a diagnostic checklist: identify all forces, determine if the system is isolated, list what's conserved, then solve systematically.

Test anxiety in AP Physics C often stems from feeling unprepared for the pace or unsure which approach to use under pressure. Repeated practice with full-length, timed exams under realistic conditions desensitizes you to the pressure and builds automaticity—when you've solved similar problems dozens of times, your brain doesn't have to work as hard during the test. A tutor can simulate exam conditions, give you immediate feedback on where you're losing time, and help you develop a personal pacing strategy (e.g., skip hard multiple-choice early, come back later). Building a track record of success on practice tests is one of the most powerful anxiety reducers.

Start by taking a full practice test and categorizing your errors: conceptual misunderstanding, mathematical mistake, misread the question, or ran out of time. You'll likely see patterns—maybe you miss all gravitational potential energy problems, or you struggle with torque calculations. Released AP exams and question banks let you isolate specific topics and track improvement. A tutor can analyze your practice test results more deeply, spotting subtle patterns you might miss (like consistently making sign errors in rotational problems, or confusing moment of inertia for different shapes). Then you focus your study time on those specific gaps rather than reviewing topics you already know well.

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