AP Physics C: Mechanics practice problems, unit by unit
Free AP Physics C: Mechanics practice problems for all seven units, written by our tutors in the style of the exam. Each question has a hint and a worked solution you reveal one step at a time, and each unit ends with a calculus-based free-response question with a points-based scoring guide.
On this page
Practice by unit
- Unit 1: KinematicsPosition, velocity and acceleration as derivatives and integrals, motion graphs, and projectile motion. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 2: Force and translational dynamicsNewton's laws, friction, inclines, connected objects, and resistive forces that depend on velocity. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 3: Work, energy and powerWork as an integral, the work-energy theorem, potential energy and force, conservation of energy, and power. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 4: Linear momentumImpulse as the integral of force, conservation of momentum, elastic and inelastic collisions, and centre of mass. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 5: Torque and rotational dynamicsTorque, rotational inertia by integration and the parallel axis theorem, and Newton's second law for rotation. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 6: Energy and momentum of rotating systemsRotational kinetic energy, rolling, angular momentum and its conservation, including collisions with rotating objects. 8 questions and a free-response question.
- Unit 7: OscillationsSimple harmonic motion from its differential equation, springs, simple and physical pendulums, and energy in oscillations. 8 questions and a free-response question.
Ready for a full test? Take the free AP Physics C: Mechanics mock exam: every unit, timed, marked as you go.
How it works
- Try first. Type your answer or pick an option, and it is marked straight away.
- Stuck? Open the hint before the solution. Then reveal the worked solution one step at a time, and stop as soon as you can finish it yourself.
- Mark your free-response answers with the scoring guide, point by point, the way exam readers do.
- Track your progress. Each unit above shows how many questions you have done, saved on this device.
- Share it with your tutor. Every unit page has a button that sends your score on WhatsApp. Tutors: send a unit link as homework, and ask for the score back.
The AP Physics C: Mechanics exam format
| Section | Questions | Time | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Section I: multiple choice | 42 questions | 85 minutes | 50% |
| Section II: free response | 4 questions | 95 minutes | 50% |
This is the format from the May 2027 exam onwards (it was 40 multiple-choice questions in 80 minutes and 100 minutes for free response). The four free-response questions are one of each type: mathematical routines, translation between representations, experimental design and analysis, and qualitative/quantitative translation. A calculator is allowed throughout.
Frequently asked questions
Are these AP Physics C: Mechanics questions from real exams?
No. They are original questions written by our tutors in the style of the AP Physics C: Mechanics exam, so we can give full worked solutions. For real exam questions, use the official AP Physics C: Mechanics past papers, which we link to with their scoring guidelines.
Do I need an account?
No. Everything is free and there is no sign-up. Your progress is saved in your own browser on this device, and you can reset it on any unit page.
How should I use these alongside past papers?
Use the unit practice while you learn each topic, then move to timed past papers once you have covered most of the course. When a past paper question goes wrong, come back to that unit's questions.
How is Physics C: Mechanics different from AP Physics 1?
The topics overlap, but Physics C uses calculus throughout: velocity as a derivative, work as an integral, rotational inertia by integration, and differential equations for drag and oscillations. The questions here practise exactly that.
Is there an AP Physics C: Mechanics past papers page?
Not yet on our site. College Board publishes past free-response questions on AP Central, and our practice here follows the same four question types.