AP Physics 1 Tutor — Online Algebra-Based Mechanics

Most online tutors stay with a student for 6–8 weeks. Tae's longest-running students are in year 5.

Palo Alto Mentor is the online private practice of Tae Hyun Nam — a long-term STEM mentor for high-achieving high schoolers. Two families have been with him since 2021, working through middle-school math, AP coursework, and college admissions with the same mentor. Not the rotating cast of tutors that Wyzant, Preply, and Varsity rely on.

What Tae covers in AP Physics 1

  • Kinematics: 1D and 2D motion, projectile problems, relative velocity, motion graphs
  • Dynamics: Newton's laws, friction, tension, inclined planes, multi-block systems
  • Circular motion and gravitation: centripetal force, orbital mechanics, gravitational field strength
  • Energy: work-energy theorem, conservation of energy, power, springs and elastic potential
  • Momentum: impulse, conservation of linear momentum, elastic vs. inelastic collisions
  • Rotation: angular kinematics, torque, moment of inertia, angular momentum
  • Simple harmonic motion and waves: pendulums, spring oscillators, wave properties
  • Exam prep: AP Physics 1 has historically the lowest 5-rate of any AP exam (~10%); FRQ strategy makes the difference

Who AP Physics 1 tutoring at Palo Alto Mentor is for

Best fit: 10th and 11th graders taking AP Physics 1 (algebra-based) at school, students who want to actually understand physics rather than memorize formulas, and students preparing for AP Physics 2 or AP Physics C next year. Strong algebra and trigonometry foundations help.

How sessions work

  • 100% online via Zoom plus a shared digital whiteboard
  • Weekly cadence — 1-hour standard, 90-minute during exam season
  • Personalized progress tracking: Tae logs weak topics across the year
  • Mock exams in the spring with detailed scoring breakdown
  • Direct text and email access between sessions for time-sensitive questions

Related subjects

About Tae

Tae Hyun Nam is the sole tutor at Palo Alto Mentor. Based in South Pasadena, California; teaching online to students nationwide. Reviews from five-year families specifically mention his ability to work across “algebra, trigonometry, physics, chemistry, and computer science” with the same student — the breadth and continuity that make the multi-year mentorship model work.

Book a 20-minute intro call

The intro call is free and runs about 20 minutes. Contact us to schedule.