AP Physics guides
Free, clear guides to AP Physics: topics, equations, exam technique and revision plans.
- How hard is AP Physics?How hard is AP Physics 1, AP Physics 2 and AP Physics C? What makes each course challenging and how to make it easier.
- How to get a 5 on AP Physics 1A practical plan for a 5 on AP Physics 1: the eight units, what the exam rewards, how to practise free-response questions and a month-by-month plan.
- AP Physics 1 equation sheet, explainedThe AP Physics 1 equation sheet explained topic by topic: what each equation means, when to use it and the mistakes students make.
- AP Physics 2 equation sheet, explainedThe AP Physics 2 equation sheet explained: thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, optics and modern physics equations and when to use them.
- AP Physics C equation sheet, explainedThe AP Physics C equation sheet explained for Mechanics and Electricity and Magnetism, including the calculus forms and when to use them.
- AP Physics 1 units and review checklistAll eight AP Physics 1 units explained: what each covers, the key ideas to master and a review checklist for the exam.
- AP Physics 1 kinematics, made clearAP Physics 1 kinematics made clear: the constant-acceleration equations, motion graphs, projectiles and the mistakes to avoid.
- AP Physics 1 vs AP Physics CAP Physics 1 vs AP Physics C compared: maths needed, content, difficulty, college credit and how to choose the right course.
- AP Physics 1 forces and Newton's lawsAP Physics 1 Unit 2 made clear: Newton's three laws, free-body diagrams, friction, springs, circular motion and gravitation, with common mistakes.
- AP Physics 1 work, energy and powerAP Physics 1 Unit 3 explained: work, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, energy bar charts and power.
- AP Physics 1 momentum and collisionsAP Physics 1 Unit 4 explained: momentum, impulse, conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions and the centre of mass.
- AP Physics 1 rotation, made clearAP Physics 1 Units 5 and 6 explained: torque, rotational inertia, rotational dynamics, rotational energy, angular momentum and rolling.
- AP Physics 1 fluids explainedAP Physics 1 fluids explained: density, pressure, buoyancy and Archimedes' principle, the continuity equation and Bernoulli's equation.
- AP Physics 2 units and reviewAP Physics 2 units explained: thermodynamics, electric force and potential, circuits, magnetism, optics, waves and modern physics, with review tips.
- AP Physics C: Mechanics reviewAP Physics C: Mechanics review: the units, the calculus skills you need, common free-response tasks and a plan for the exam.
- AP Physics C: E&M reviewAP Physics C: Electricity and Magnetism review: the units, Gauss's law, potential, circuits, Ampère's and Faraday's laws, and a study plan.
- Angular momentum, explained with examplesAngular momentum explained for AP Physics: L = Iω, conservation of angular momentum, spinning skaters, angular impulse and rotational collisions, with practice.
- AP Physics 1 free-response questions: how to score wellHow to answer AP Physics 1 FRQs: the four question types, what earns points, writing justifications and derivations, and a fully worked practice FRQ.
- AP Physics 1 practice questions, with answersOriginal AP Physics 1 practice questions with full answers, by unit: kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, rotation, oscillations and fluids.
- Bernoulli's principle, explained with examplesBernoulli's principle explained for AP Physics: the continuity equation, Bernoulli's equation, faster flow and lower pressure, and Torricelli's theorem.
- Centripetal force, explained with examplesCentripetal force explained for AP Physics and A level: the formulas, what provides the force, vertical circles and banked curves, with practice and answers.
- Conservation of energy, explained with examplesConservation of energy explained for AP Physics and A level: energy stores, friction, springs, pendulums, roller coasters, power and efficiency, with practice.
- Coulomb's law, explained with examplesCoulomb's law explained for AP Physics and A level: the formula, the constant k, inverse square behaviour and forces from several charges, with practice.
- The Doppler effect, explained with examplesThe Doppler effect explained: why moving sources change frequency, the formula for sound, worked siren examples, red shift for light, and practice with answers.
- Faraday's law, explained with examplesFaraday's law explained for AP Physics and A level: magnetic flux, induced emf, Lenz's law, moving rods, generators and transformers, with practice and answers.
- Free-body diagrams, explained with examplesFree-body diagrams explained for AP Physics: which forces to include, inclines, hanging masses, lifts, and turning a diagram into F = ma, with practice.
- Gauss's law, explained with examplesGauss's law explained for AP Physics C E&M: electric flux, choosing Gaussian surfaces, fields of spheres, lines and planes, and conductors, with practice.
- Kirchhoff's laws, explained with examplesKirchhoff's laws explained for AP Physics and A level: the junction and loop rules, sign conventions and solving multi-loop circuits, with practice and answers.
- Magnetic force and magnetic fields, explainedMagnetic force explained for AP Physics, A level and GCSE: force on a moving charge and a wire, the right-hand and left-hand rules, and circular paths.
- Snell's law, explained with examplesSnell's law explained for AP Physics and A level: refractive index, n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂, the critical angle, total internal reflection and optical fibres.
- Torque, explained with examplesTorque explained for AP Physics 1 and C: the formula, lever arm, sign conventions, rotational equilibrium, beam problems and angular acceleration.
- The work-energy theorem, explained with examplesThe work-energy theorem explained for AP Physics: work by a constant force, forces at an angle, net work equals ΔKE, and force-displacement graphs.