AP® Physics 1 2026

AP® Physics 1: Essential Overview

AP Physics 1 is an algebra-based, introductory college-level physics course. Since the 2024-2025 school year, the curriculum has been updated to include Fluids, making it a more comprehensive look at classical mechanics.

Course Units (The CED)

The Course and Exam Description (CED) organizes the curriculum into eight primary units:

1. Kinematics: Motion along a straight line and projectile motion.

2. Force and Translational Dynamics: Newton’s Laws and Free-Body Diagrams (FBDs).

3. Work, Energy, and Power: Conservation of energy and the work-energy theorem.

4. Linear Momentum: Impulse, elastic and inelastic collisions.

5. Torque and Rotational Dynamics: Rotational inertia ($I$), torque ($\tau$), and angular motion.

6. Energy and Momentum in Long-Range Forces: Gravitation and orbits.

7. Oscillations: Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM) like springs and pendulums.

8. Fluids: Density, buoyancy (Archimedes’ Principle), and fluid dynamics.

Core Concepts & Formulas

To succeed in AP Physics 1, you must master these fundamental relationships:

• Newton’s Second Law:

  $$\sum F = ma$$

• Work-Energy Theorem:

  $$W = \Delta K$$

• Conservation of Momentum:

  $$m_1v_{1i} + m_2v_{2i} = m_1v_{1f} + m_2v_{2f}$$

• Torque:

  $$\tau = rF\sin(\theta)$$

• Kinematic Equation (Constant Acceleration):

  $$x = x_0 + v_{x0}t + \frac{1}{2}a_xt^2$$

The AP Exam Format

The exam is roughly 3 hours long and consists of two sections:

Note on FRQs: You will encounter specific types of questions, including:

• Mathematical Routines: Solving problems using equations.

• Translation Between Representations: Explaining how a graph relates to a physical scenario.

• Experimental Design: Creating a lab procedure to test a hypothesis.

• Qualitative/Quantitative Translation: Explaining physics concepts in words and matching them to math.

Important Tools

• Equation Sheet: You are provided with an official equation sheet for the entire exam. Focus on understanding when to use a formula rather than memorizing it.

• Calculator: A graphing or scientific calculator is allowed. Use it for finding instantaneous velocity from data or calculating the spring constant ($k$) from Hooke’s Law ($F_s = kx$).

Is it Hard?

AP Physics 1 is known for having a lower “pass rate” (score of 3 or higher) compared to other APs, often because it requires conceptual understanding rather than just plugging numbers into formulas. You must be able to explain why an object moves, not just how fast