AP Physics 1

Kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, waves, and circuits — all the tools you need for a 5.

7
Core Units
50+
Key Formulas
6
Quiz Sets
AI
Graded FRQs

AP Physics 1 Exam Structure

Section I — 90 min
50 MC + 5 Multi-select — 50%
No calculator on some sections
Section II — 90 min
5 FRQs — 50%
1 experimental + 4 short answer
Core Units
Kinematics · Forces · Energy
Momentum · Rotation · Waves · Circuits

Flashcards

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Formula Sheets

Every key equation for AP Physics 1, organized by unit. Variables defined below each formula.

Comparison Tables

High-yield side-by-side comparisons for exam-day clarity.

Linear Motion vs. Rotational Motion (Analogies)

Linear Quantity Symbol Rotational Analog Symbol
Displacement x (m) Angular displacement θ (rad)
Velocity v (m/s) Angular velocity ω (rad/s)
Acceleration a (m/s²) Angular acceleration α (rad/s²)
Force F (N) Torque τ (N·m)
Mass m (kg) Moment of inertia I (kg·m²)
Newton's 2nd: F = ma — Rotational 2nd: τ = Iα —
Momentum: p = mv — Angular momentum: L = Iω —
KE = ½mv² — Rotational KE = ½Iω² —

Elastic vs. Inelastic Collisions

Feature Perfectly Elastic Perfectly Inelastic Inelastic (partial)
Momentum conserved? ✓ Always ✓ Always ✓ Always
KE conserved? ✓ Yes — KE before = KE after ✗ No — maximum KE lost ✗ No — some KE lost
Objects after collision Bounce apart separately Stick together (one mass) Separate, but deformed
Example Billiard balls, atomic collisions Car crash, ballistic pendulum Most real-world collisions

Types of Forces

Force Symbol Formula / Notes Direction
Weight / Gravity F_g or W F_g = mg Always downward toward Earth's center
Normal Force F_N or N Perpendicular to surface; ≠ mg on incline Perpendicular to contact surface, away from it
Friction (kinetic) F_k F_k = μ_k · N Opposite to direction of motion
Friction (static) F_s F_s ≤ μ_s · N (max) Opposite to tendency of motion
Tension T Force through a rope/string; same magnitude throughout ideal rope Along rope, toward center
Spring Force F_sp F_sp = −kx (Hooke's Law) Opposite to displacement from equilibrium
Centripetal Force F_c F_c = mv²/r = mω²r Always toward center of circular path

Energy Types & Conservation

Energy Type Formula Notes
Kinetic (translational) KE = ½mv² Energy of linear motion
Kinetic (rotational) KE_rot = ½Iω² Rolling objects have both KE and KE_rot
Gravitational PE PE_g = mgh h measured from reference point; choose wisely
Elastic PE (spring) PE_sp = ½kx² x = displacement from equilibrium
Work W = Fd·cosθ θ = angle between F and displacement; W by friction is negative
Power P = W/t = Fv Rate of energy transfer; unit: Watt (W)
Conservation of Energy: E_total = KE + PE + thermal = constant (isolated system)

Series vs. Parallel Circuits

Feature Series Parallel
Current (I) Same through all components: I_total = I₁ = I₂ Splits at junction: I_total = I₁ + I₂
Voltage (V) Divides: V_total = V₁ + V₂ Same across all branches: V_total = V₁ = V₂
Resistance (R) Adds: R_eq = R₁ + R₂ + ... (R_eq > any R) 1/R_eq = 1/R₁ + 1/R₂ (R_eq < any R)
If one branch breaks All components stop — circuit is open Other branches continue — independent
Brightness of identical bulbs Dimmer than parallel (shared voltage) Brighter (full voltage across each)

Wave Properties

Property Symbol Unit Notes
Frequency f Hz (s⁻¹) Number of cycles per second; f = 1/T
Period T s Time for one complete cycle; T = 1/f
Wavelength λ m Distance between two adjacent crests (or troughs)
Wave speed v m/s v = fλ; depends on medium, NOT frequency
Amplitude A m Max displacement from equilibrium; related to energy (E ∝ A²)
Transverse wave — — Oscillation ⊥ to wave travel (e.g., rope wave, light)
Longitudinal wave — — Oscillation ∥ to wave travel (e.g., sound)

Practice Quiz

Scenario-based multiple choice questions by unit. Select a set to begin.

Full AP Physics 1 Practice Test

20 MC questions + 4 FRQs (including an experimental design question) — graded and analyzed by Gemini AI with specific feedback on your physics reasoning.

Section I — Multiple Choice (20 Questions)

Section II — Free Response Questions

FRQ 1 — Kinematics & Forces (Long)

A 5 kg block is placed on a frictionless incline angled at 30° above the horizontal. The block is released from rest and slides 4 m down the incline. g = 10 m/s².
Draw a free body diagram of the block on the incline. Label all forces with correct directions.
Calculate the acceleration of the block along the incline. Show all work using Newton's 2nd Law.
Using kinematics, find the speed of the block at the bottom of the 4 m incline. Then verify using energy conservation.
If the same block were placed on a surface with kinetic friction (μ_k = 0.2), how would the acceleration change? Explain conceptually AND calculate the new acceleration.

FRQ 2 — Energy & Momentum

A 2 kg cart moving at 6 m/s to the right collides with a stationary 3 kg cart on a frictionless track. After the collision, the 2 kg cart moves at 0 m/s.
Calculate the velocity of the 3 kg cart after the collision. Is momentum conserved? Show your work.
Calculate the kinetic energy before and after the collision. Is this an elastic or inelastic collision? Justify your answer.
The 3 kg cart then rolls up a ramp. Using energy conservation, calculate the maximum height it reaches.

FRQ 3 — Experimental Design

A student wants to investigate how the length of a pendulum affects its period of oscillation. The student has a string, various masses, a ruler, and a stopwatch.
Describe a well-controlled experimental procedure. Identify the independent variable, dependent variable, and at least two controlled variables.
Predict the relationship between pendulum length and period based on the formula T = 2π√(L/g). If you graphed T² vs. L, what would the graph look like and what would the slope represent?
If the student's calculated value of g is 9.2 m/s² instead of 9.8 m/s², identify two possible sources of experimental error and explain how each would affect the result.

FRQ 4 — Rotation & Waves

A solid disk (I = ½MR²) of mass 4 kg and radius 0.5 m starts from rest and has a torque of 6 N·m applied to it. Separately: a wave on a string has frequency 200 Hz and wavelength 0.8 m.
Calculate the angular acceleration of the disk. Then find the angular velocity after 3 seconds.
A student pushes the rim of the disk with 12 N tangentially to stop it from spinning. Calculate the torque produced and explain whether it would decelerate the disk.
For the string wave: calculate the wave speed. If the string length is 2.4 m, what harmonics are possible? What is the frequency of the 3rd harmonic?

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