AP Physics 1

Tips

AP Physics 1 is algebra-based mechanics: kinematics, forces, work, energy and power, momentum, torque and rotation, oscillations and fluids. No calculus is needed — which makes it conceptually harder, not easier. You reason about situations instead of turning a handle.

The free-response section separates scores. It asks you to justify, to compare two situations, and to explain a result in words. A correct number with no reasoning earns very little.

Name the principle first. "Because momentum is conserved and no external horizontal force acts…" is the sentence the rubric wants. Draw a free-body diagram for every problem, even when it seems unnecessary — it is the highest-value habit in the course.

The notes below run unit by unit through the CED, from kinematics to simple harmonic motion, each with worked examples. Released free-response questions and their scoring guidelines are in the library, and the experimental design question is worth practising on its own — it appears every year and rewards a clear procedure rather than a formula.

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Past Papers

1
Kinematics
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- 1.1 Scalars and Vectors in One Dimension
- 1.2 Displacement, Velocity, and Acceleration
- 1.3 Representing Motion
- 1.4 Reference Frames and Relative Motion
- 1.5 Vectors and Motion in Two Dimensions
- 1.5 Practice
- 1.5 Answers
- 1.5 Exam tips
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2
Force and Translational Dynamics
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- 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass
- 2.2 Forces and Free-Body Diagrams
- 2.3 Newton's Third Law
- 2.4 Newton's First Law
- 2.5 Newton's Second Law
- 2.6 Gravitational Force
- 2.7 Kinetic and Static Friction
- 2.8 Spring Forces
- 2.9 Circular Motion
- 2.9 Practice
- 2.9 Answers
- 2.9 Exam tips
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3
Work, Energy, and Power
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- 3.1 Translational Kinetic Energy
- 3.2 Work
- 3.3 Potential Energy
- 3.4 Conservation of Energy
- 3.4 Choosing the system for energy
- 3.4 Work from a force–displacement graph
- 3.5 Power
- 3.5 Practice
- 3.5 Answers
- 3.5 Exam tips
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4
Linear Momentum
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- 4.1 Linear Momentum
- 4.2 Change in Momentum and Impulse
- 4.3 Conservation of Linear Momentum
- 4.4 Elastic and Inelastic Collisions
- 4.4 Choosing the system
- 4.4 A collision in two dimensions
- 4.4 Justify it in words
- 4.4 Practice
- 4.4 Answers
- 4.4 Exam tips
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5
Torque and Rotational Dynamics
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- 5.1 Rotational Kinematics
- 5.2 Connecting Linear and Rotational Motion
- 5.3 Torque
- 5.4 Rotational Inertia
- 5.5 Rotational Equilibrium
- 5.6 Newton's Second Law in Rotational Form
- 5.6 Rotation and translation together
- 5.6 A beam on two supports
- 5.6 Practice
- 5.6 Answers
- 5.6 Exam tips
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6
Energy and Momentum of Rotating Systems
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- 6.1 Rotational Kinetic Energy
- 6.2 Torque and Work
- 6.3 Angular Momentum and Angular Impulse
- 6.4 Conservation of Angular Momentum
- 6.5 Rolling
- 6.5 The rolling race
- 6.6 Motion of Orbiting Satellites
- 6.6 Practice
- 6.6 Answers
- 6.6 Exam tips
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7
Oscillations
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- 7.1 Defining Simple Harmonic Motion
- 7.2 Frequency and Period of SHM
- 7.3 Representing and Analyzing SHM
- 7.4 Energy of Simple Harmonic Oscillators
- 7.4 Vertical springs
- 7.4 Finding k from an experiment
- 7.4 Proportional reasoning
- 7.4 Practice
- 7.4 Answers
- 7.4 Exam tips
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8
Fluids
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- 8.1 Internal Structure and Density
- 8.2 Pressure
- 8.3 Fluids and Newton's Laws
- 8.4 Fluids and Conservation Laws
- 8.4 Practice
- 8.4 Answers
- 8.4 Exam tips
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